Gadgets
The Alienware Alpha PC/console hybrid is now available for pre-order
For those of you who remember the Alienware Alpha from E3 2014, know that it’s now available to pre-order from Amazon if you’re willing to fork out $550. Granted, it’s entirely possible that not everyone knows about this device as it kinda fell under the radar due to all of the other important announcements made at the event. If that’s the case, don’t worry because I’ll go ahead and talk a bit about it just to get you up to speed with what this machine is all about. The Alienware Alpha essentially takes a PC and combines it with a console in order to offer users a brand new way of playing video games. The device was initially meant to run on the Steam OS and use the Steam Controller, but since the latter was delayed there has been a slight change of plans.
Instead of the said controller, the machine will use a wireless Xbox 360 gamepad, for the time being at least. As far as the operating system is concerned, the company ultimately decided to have the Alienware Alpha run on Windows 8.1. However, this is not the regular version of Windows as it comes with a custom user interface, which allows users to switch between console mode and desktop mode on the fly. Gaming is done via the console mode while the desktop mode allows users to use the Alienware Alpha as a regular PC running on Windows 8.1 if they plug in a mouse and keyboard. This is optional however and one can easily use the Alienware Alpha without the need of any peripherals. In this case, the device can only be used for gaming, which is done with the help of the Steam Big Picture Mode, a shortcut to Valve’s platform.
Hardware-wise, the Alienware Alpha comes equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor running at 2.9 GHz, 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB storage, and a custom Nvidia Maxwell GPU. This is just the standard version but there are also a couple of other variants featuring more RAM, larger hard drives, and more powerful CPUs. All of this comes at a price as you might imagine, and the upgraded Alienware Alpha’s can end up costing as much as$700. Interestingly enough, even the standard version presumably runs games at better resolutions and frame rates than the Xbox One and PS4 versions of the same titles. The Alpha is expected to hit the shelves on November 21st and will come bundled with two free games: Pay Day 2 and Magika.
A PS5 firmware update on a cold winter morning is unmatched. The latest PS5 system software update is 23.02–08.40.00 from Sony. Does this one add useful features or just boost system performance?
Though closer to the latter, it’s more than Sony’s favorite patch note. It fixes security issues, improves messages and usability, and boosts system software performance. Official patch notes for this 1.185GB update:
- We updated system software security
- We improved system software stability and performance
- Some screens now have better messages and usability
That’s it. PS5 gets another win to recover from its midweek slump. Do you share our enthusiasm for this firmware update? Comment below. To spice things up, make your comment rhyme.
Belgian developer Larian Studios’ work on Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox Series S version will improve performance on all platforms, including PS5. The game’s fifth major patch, expected to launch this week, will include upgrades and new features. More details will be revealed later today.
Director of Publishing Michael Douse says PS5 performance improvements may be the “least exciting thing” in the title’s next update, so it sounds like a big one. Larian Studios employees are proud of “finally” implementing tweaks, fixes, and changes, Douse says. Later today, we’ll bring you all the Baldur’s Gate 3 update details.
Those who reached the RPG’s third act have reported technical issues during the narrative’s conclusion, especially in co-op, so today’s update should fix them. New features like a permadeath mode are expected, along with Xbox Series S optimization fixes. What else should be added to the game?
We love the PlayStation ecosystem, especially its top first-party studios, but Sony Interactive Entertainment could do more to build goodwill. The long-awaited Trophy support for PS5 games on PC appears to be closer to reality, though nothing official has been announced.
TrueTrophie’s scanners found a new PS5 Trophy list with “PSPC” as a platform. The list, titled “Trophy Set” and unattached to a game, appears to be a test. TrueTrophies notes that developers rarely submit their own platforms to PSN, suggesting Sony is behind it.
TrueTrophies says this platform is separate from PS5 but can connect to it, suggesting compatibility. As PlayStation fans know, PS4, PS Vita, and PS3 games could share a list. In October 2022, Sony added PSN support to Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered’s PC release, allowing players to link Steam accounts to unlock an exclusive skin. Potentially minor, but something we’ll watch.
TrueTrophies lists PlayStation Trophies for serious hunters. They scrape the PlayStation Network’s ominous underbelly with scanners to provide the most up-to-date trophy lists, sometimes dangerously. TrueTrophies posted Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s trophy list weeks ago, with spoiler titles.
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