This Alienware Laptop Is the Best Gaming Laptop Deal Going Right Now | WIREDSkip to main contentHand-Picked Black Friday DealsShop NowMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSBLACK FRIDAYMenuAccountAccountNewslettersBest Black Friday DealsApple DealsTV DealsStreaming DealsLaptop DealsDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InLuke LarsenGearNov 30, 2025 10:02 AMI Found the Single Best Gaming Laptop Deal For Black FridayFinding a cheap gaming laptop that doesn't suck ain't easy. But I found it.FacebookXEmailSave StoryBlack Friday 2025Deals Under $100Laptop DealsAbsolute Best DealsKindle DealsHeadphone DealsApple DealsPhone DealsCoffee DealsSmart Birdfeeder DealsSleep DealsTech DealsToy DealsCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyI've been sorting through Black Friday laptop deals all week, including discounts on gaming laptops. There are a lot of decent options out there, but when it comes to the best bang-for-your-buck value, this $300 off sale on the Alienware 16X Aurora has to be the best. It's the closest laptop with an Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics card that I've seen get to $1,000. For $1,100, you get 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, and the aforementioned RTX 5060.In contrast, another gaming laptop I love, the Razer Blade 14, has an RTX 5060 configuration on sale for $1,450. Similar specs for a lot more money. That's a far thinner and more portable laptop, though, so it's not exactly a fair comparison.Photograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenChevronChevronAlienware16X Aurora$1,400 $1,100 (21% off) Amazon$1,650 Dell$1,800 $1,300 (28% off) Best Buy (32 GB)Best Black Friday Tech Deals (2025)Explore the storyI've also been eyeing the current deal on the Asus ROG Strix G16, which is as close to a 1:1 match with the Aurora as you'll find. It's another gaming laptop I like, at just about the same thickness and weight, and the model that's on sale for Black Friday comes with a very similar set of specs. The difference in price between the two machines is only $100, which doesn't sound like a huge difference, but the Alienware 16X Aurora also comes with a higher-resolution, 2560 x 1600 display. That goes a long way toward making the laptop feel more premium, especially outside of your gaming sessions. With an RTX 5060, you probably won't do a whole lot of gaming at native resolution, but if you also want to use your laptop for watching videos, studying, or work, the sharper display of the Alienware laptop is a nice upgrade. I should note that the configuration I tested was also very bright, going up to 557 nits, whereas this model says it only goes up to 300 nits.But here's the thing: I was critical of the Alienware 16X Aurora when I reviewed it, coming in at a couple of hundred more than equally powered laptops, which resulted in similar performance in games. That made it hard to justify. At $1,100, though, it's just the opposite.If you're really looking for a cheap option, though, something under the $1,000 mark, you have a few good options right now. First off, you can configure the Alienware 16X Aurora with an RTX 5050, which brings the price down to $900. That's solid. You still get the higher-resolution screen and the extra storage. The performance of any laptop with the RTX 5050 isn't going to blow you away, but it handles lighter games surprisingly well, and can access upscaling and even multi-frame generation to increase frame rates when you need it.But I'd also recommend checking out the Acer Nitro V 16. It's one of the cheapest gaming laptops you can buy right now that's actually worth buying, on sale for $629. Same RTX 5050 and performance for $271 less.Photograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenChevronChevronAcerNitro V 16 AI$969 Amazon (Ryzen 5)$899 $629 (30% off) Walmart (Ryzen 5)$1,049 $749 (29% off) Walmart (Ryzen 7)There are some compromises, though. The display is worse, obviously, and you get half the storage as the Aurora. But it also comes with an oddly small 135-watt power supply. This doesn't provide the laptop with enough power to run at high levels, and there's no way around this at the current moment. So, if you're gaming in Turbo mode, you may see the battery drain while plugged in. The system eventually does automatically switch to the Balanced mode once it hits a certain level of battery. To me, it's a shame and a frustrating issue that Acer should resolve—though it's not the end of the world for a laptop at this price.The happy medium between these options, though, really is the RTX 5060 version of the Alienware 16X Aurora.For more deal-hunting recommendations, check out our hand-picked list of the Best Black Friday Deals, Best Black Friday Laptop Deals, and Best Black Friday Tech Deals.CommentsBack to topTriangleLuke Larsen is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED, covering laptops, PCs, Macs, monitors, and the wider PC peripheral ecosystem. He’s been reporting on tech for over a decade, previously at Digital Trends as the senior editor in computing, where he spent seven years leading the publication’s daily coverage. ... 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The Alienware 16X Aurora represents a compelling Black Friday gaming laptop deal, particularly for those seeking a balance of performance and visual quality. Currently priced at $1,100, it offers a solid configuration with an Nvidia RTX 5060 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage—a combination that provides a strong foundation for modern gaming and other demanding tasks. What distinguishes this laptop is its inclusion of a 2560 x 1600 display, a significant upgrade over many competitors, enhancing visual fidelity and making it suitable for both gaming and productivity applications.

In direct comparison, the Razer Blade 14, while a thinner and more portable option, carries a considerably higher price tag—around $1,450—for a similar level of performance. Similarly, the Asus ROG Strix G16, a close competitor in terms of size and weight, is priced at approximately $1,100, though it does so by offering a slightly less premium display. These comparisons underscore the value proposition of the Alienware 16X Aurora, presenting a strong option for those focused on getting the most performance for their money.

However, the Alienware 16X Aurora has faced criticism for its pricing relative to similarly powered laptops, leading to comparably performance in games. This detail is important to consider, although the current price point ($1,100) represents a significant discount, making it a highly attractive option for budget-conscious gamers.

For those seeking an even more affordable entry point, the Acer Nitro V 16 offers a similar RTX 5050 graphics card configuration at approximately $629. While this model compromises on display resolution and storage capacity, it provides a remarkable value proposition, particularly for users prioritizing raw gaming performance over visual fidelity and larger storage.

The decision between these laptops ultimately hinges on individual priorities. The Alienware 16X Aurora stands out due to its high-resolution display and balanced configuration, offering a premium experience within its price range. The Acer Nitro V 16 provides a dramatically lower price point with comparable graphics performance, while the Razer Blade 14 highlights the benefits of a more portable design at a higher cost. Considering the current discount, the Alienware 16X Aurora represents a compelling Black Friday deal for college graduates seeking a robust and visually impressive gaming laptop without breaking the bank.