Many people assume that gaming computers are a relatively modern development but in reality, they have been with us for over eighty tears. It was at the New York World’s Trade Fair in 1940 that the first modern computer entered the world stage. A twelve-foot-tall beast called “Nimatron” took on all challengers in a game of mathematical strategy. Invented by a nuclear scientist called DR Edward Condon, the binary behemoth won 90% of the games it played.
Things have moved on the in intervening years with computers becoming much smaller and much more powerful, offering gamers levels of sophistication and performance undreamt of in the forties, even by world renown physicists.
For instance, in the late 90’s, two childhood friends decided to combine their joint passion for UFOs and extra-terrestrial life forms with their love of gaming and created Alienware in 1996. Much of their inspiration came from the cult TV series the X-Files. First aired on the Fox Broadcasting Channel in 1993 the series ran for 9 years and followed the exploits of two FBI agents as they pursue all things unexplained and potentially alien. This interest was clearly evident in choice of names for their gaming computers, such as the Alienware Aurora and the Area-51.
The rising popularity of the Alienware product line attracted the attention of Dell, who although already marketing their own XPS range of gaming desktops, allowed the
Alienware range to grow and evolve. Under Dell’s influence, the Alienware brand has continued to grow and expand to include PCs, Laptops, monitors, and accessories.
Dell’s own gaming computers have also progressed from the early success of the Dell Inspiron gaming machines culminating in the creation of the G Series in 2018. One might wonder why Dell would want to develop two different ranges of gaming machines but from a business perspective there are clear advantages to be gained. The Alienware and G Series ranges are aimed at two distinct gaming audiences, in much the same way that car manufacturers offer a full range of vehicles to suit all pockets, from budget family hatchbacks to luxury sports cars.
When Dell acquired Alienware they were raising their sights above the G Series in the hope of taking on the major players in the high-end gaming market such as the Acer Nitro and HP Omen.
Acer’s own entry into the gaming market began simply enough, when they utilised their existing Acer Aspire range of computers. In 2008 they launched their own premium game machine in the form of the Acer Predator. The appeal of the Predator range in the eyes of the gamers was their futuristic other worldly design. Acer were attempting to turn the eyes of the hard-line gamers by the use of specially crafted keyboards and cases and eerie back lighting for the full off world experience. It was their business plan to steel customers from Alienware by matching their machines in terms of specification but at a more appealing cost.
As with Dell’s business strategy, having left the Predator to play with the big boys, Acer also saw an opening for a lower spec budget gaming machine and brought the Acer Nitro onto the field of combat. We can see the lengths that the manufacturers are going to, in order to satisfy the divers and extra-terrestrial needs and aspirations of the most demanding gamers by providing top end machines like Alienware and Predators, while keeping a weather eye on the more cost conscious entry level buyers with offerings like the G Series and the Nitro.
Alan Gilmour from EuroPC commented “A lot of the decision about buying a gaming machine comes down to price. Europc.co.uk stock a variety of gaming laptops, gaming pcs and gaming monitors across all the brands in this article. They are discounted against new and refurbished by the manufacturer with great warranties to boot.”