Alienware Graphics Amplifier aims to boost laptop performance

Gaming laptops just can't squeeze in the grunt of their huge desktop cousins, but this new Alienware device aims to change that.

The Alienware Graphics Amplifier is designed for use with the Alienware 13, a new gaming laptop. Both will go on sale when Tuesday rolls around in the US.

The $299 amplifier hosts a single desktop graphics card, and connects directly to your laptop's motherboard via proprietary cable. For even better results, you can hook your laptop up to an external display. That means you get the convenience of a gaming PC you can carry around easily, but you don't need a second gaming rig to turn up to ultra settings on your fancy TV at home.

The device supports any single full-length, double-wide PCI Express x16 graphics card, and has four USB 3.0 ports on it so you can plug in accessories, too.

As for the Alienware 13 itself, it's the company's thinnest and lightest gaming laptop to date at just 1" thick. It has a 13.3" display and room for two SSDs.

Prices start at $999 with an Intel Core i5 processor, 6 GB of RAM, a 500GB HDD, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M GPU and 1366 x 768 LCD display. You can upgrade with better CPU, more RAM, more storage and even better displays - a 1920x1080 LCD or a 2560x1440 touch screen.

The details above were harvested from Gizmodo and two VentureBeat articles as the new hardware is not yet visible on the Alienware website. Keep an eye on it over the next 24 hours for more precise tech specs and upgrade options.