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Are laptops the new desktops? Dell's highest-end gaming laptops go head to head with desktop power -- and with the exorbitant cost of RAM and associated hardware, the price gap isn't as big as it once was. I've been using Dell's Alienware 16 Area-51 for the past few weeks and have felt completely spoiled by all the power.

Also: I've used Dell's new XPS 16 for a week, and it's the Windows laptop to beat in 2026

Everything about this laptop is fast. Apps load instantly, the device starts up in mere seconds, and it exudes power. The fans above each side of the keyboard move a palpable amount of air and aren't just visible -- they're illuminated, a statement about the sophisticated cooling system.