Those times when you need a build a monstrous PC desktop rig to play a game are over. Today’s gaming laptops are pretty capable of running AAA titles just as fast, and they are getting thinner and lighter every year. So you can get the latest gaming hardware on the go without compromising the quality of the game.

There are plenty of known gaming laptop brands out there, yet only some offer PC-class CPUs and RTX-30-series graphics. The two of the most prominent brands are Alienware and Origin PC. But is one better than the other? Let’s find out. 

Origin PC

Origin PC Corp. is a US-based computer company actually founded by former Alienware employees. The brand offers highly customizable desktop PCs, and laptops build from third-party hardware components. The idea of building custom gaming PCs is not new. There is a number of competitors offering the same type of product; Ibuypower and XOTIC PC are some of the most popular ones. Yet, and maybe partly because of its ties to Alienware, many experienced gamers favor Origin PC over those other brands.

The company builds award-winning gaming devices (PC desktops and laptops) suitable for enthusiasts and business professionals. Origin PC prides itself on outstanding post-sale support and customer service.

Yet, there is no defined opinion on the brand and whether it can outperform Alienware amongst actual users. Both brands have a substantial fan base, but some gamers speak against Origin PC and Alienware gaming laptops in favor of their less-known competitors. 

Alienware

Alienware is a household name in the gaming industry. However, even those who have nothing to do with gaming and computers must have heard about the brand. The company is a subsidiary of Dell, founded in 1996 in Miami. And enthusiasts sure remember the Area-51 and Aurora gaming lines from back in the day. 

Today, Alienware is almost synonymous with a gaming laptop. So if you are looking for a high-end, fully loaded computer, Alienware would be the first one on the list. The brand is known for making quality hardware and components paired with futuristic and clean designs. Whether you decide to splurge on the desktop or a gaming laptop, outstanding performance is pretty much a given with Alienware.

Some of our favorite Alienware devices include Alienware m15 R4 series laptops, Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen based desktops, and of course, the mighty Alienware Area 51m R2 gaming laptop. 

Origin PC vs Alienware: Customization

Origin PC is an obvious choice for customization, as the brand prides itself on offering custom-built gaming computers. Alienware also gives you a chance to configure your laptop or a PC desktop during online checkout, but those options are somewhat limited. Yet, Alienware can sway gamers with cool LED lights and sophisticated finishes. Something Origin PC lacks, offering a more generic design. But, according to the brand, it’s what’s inside that matters anyway. 

Origin PC vs Alienware: Prices

Both brands price their inventory on the higher end of things. Although, many users are convinced that Alienware will beat Origin in value over time. And they are not wrong here: used Alienware laptops sure do hold reasonable resale value. 

But let’s compare current online prices. For example, the Origin PC Evo15-S laptop model with the Intel Core i7 10th generation processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics, 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage will start at $2821 but can easily go up if you choose to customize further. Similarly, the Alienware M15 R4, another 15.6-inch gaming laptop with Core i7 10th generation processor, RTX 3080 GPU, but 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD drive, starts at $2,679.99 on the Dell website. 

As you can see, Origin PC is not cheaper, but in many cases, even more expensive than Alienware counterparts. So, if you are on the budget, it makes sense to look elsewhere or build a gaming desktop from scratch. But if you are willing to pay the price, consider that Alienware gaming devices are largely known on the market. Plus, they feature an outstanding design and will yield a better resale price if you choose to resell, making Alienware a better buy. 

Origin PC vs Alienware: Resale Value

As we have already established, used Alienware laptops are easier to resell and will likely yield a better price than Origin PC ones. The laptop’s resale value, of course, depends on the exact model number and overall condition, but we will give a few examples for illustration purposes:

• The 17.3-inch Origin EON17-X laptop with the Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2080 graphics yields up to a $714 online resale offer.*
• A similar in specs Alienware M17 R3, on the other hand, can be resold for up to $1255.*

In conclusion, a used Alienware laptop trade-in yields a better cash offer. 

Verdict

Origin PC or Alienware? Ultimately, the choice is yours, and it will largely depend on what you need a computer for and the type of games you intend to play. For those who value customization, Origin PC is a better choice. And those looking to build a gaming device on the budget, we would recommend looking elsewhere altogether. Alienware, on the other hand, gained a lot of fame for its unique design style. And they offer quality hardware components to boot. Another thing to remember is that the latter has better resale value on the recommerce market. 

*Priced on 08/23/21. Subject to change.