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Alienware shows Concept UFO portable PC game player at CES 2020

Alienware is building a portable gaming device suspiciously similar to the Nintendo Switch, built to operate Windows 10 and play PC games.

TJ Denzer

January 6, 2020 8:45 PM

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The Nintendo Switch innovated hybrid portable and console design with its ability to be taken on the go or attached to a TV for couch play with relative ease, so this far after the console’s release, it makes sense that someone would make an attempt to adapt that versatility into other technology. That very much seems to be the case of Alienware’s Concept UFO project being shown at CES 2020 - a portable PC game player very similar in function and fashion to that of the Nintendo Switch.

Alienware unveiled a glimpse of the Concept UFO platform on their Twitter feed on January 6, 2020. The device has the dressings of a Nintendo Switch, but operates Windows 10. Basically a portable gaming PC, the Concept UFO features a central tablet and two controller paddles that can be affixed to either end or removed like the Switch. The device can also be plugged into a dock attached to a TV or monitor to be used as a stationary PC. Even so, the device does have its own distinct characteristics. The screen is an 8-inch display and the tablet features a USB port and 3.5mm headset jack to name just a couple.

We're always pushing what's possible in the realm of gaming. Introducing our newest gaming innovation, #ConceptUFO. Watch the official unveiling on Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. PST. #CES2020 https://t.co/lNV4TM1eXe pic.twitter.com/6TwCI9nfc1

— ALIENWARE (@Alienware) January 6, 2020

Though the comparisons will undoubtedly continue to be made, Dell Consumer Product Reviews Manager Ray Watkins believes that the Concept UFO will easily set itself apart from the Switch and even other tech company forays into portable PC gaming like the NVIDIA Shield.

“We feel we’re different from those other products,” Watkins said in a chat with Tom’s Guide. “They were primarily based off of tablet and mobile specifications. This is going to be a full PC, so that's where it's the first of its kind. It runs for Windows. It's a PC in a unique body style,”

We haven’t had a chance to hear what’s under the hood of the Concept UFO in terms of specs, but Alienware has promised to offer more details during Dell’s CES 2020 presentation on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET, so we’ll expect to hear more on Alienware’s interesting foray into portable PC gaming then.

Stay tuned for more on the Alienware Concept UFO and plenty of other news from CES 2020, such as Sony’s reveal of the PlayStation 5 logo.

TJ Denzer

Senior News Editor

TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on Twitter @JohnnyChugs.