The AW3226DM arrives in a large, sturdy retail box that does an excellent job of protecting the monitor during transit. Finished in Alienware's signature black and blue colour scheme with minimalist branding, the packaging looks clean and premium without being overly flashy. More importantly, the internal packaging keeps everything securely in place, with the display and accessories well protected by moulded inserts that prevent movement inside the box. Despite the monitor's generous 32-inch size, unpacking it is straightforward and gives the impression that Dell has put plenty of thought into the overall unboxing experience.


Inside the box you'll find everything needed to get up and running immediately. Alongside the monitor itself is the two-piece stand, a power cable, DisplayPort cable, HDMI 2.1 cable and a USB Type-A to Type-B upstream cable for enabling the monitor's USB hub functionality. Dell also includes the usual quick start documentation and a small Alienware-branded accessory pack. It's always refreshing to see both DisplayPort and HDMI cables included, as it saves users from rummaging through drawers or making an extra purchase before they can experience the monitor at its full 240Hz refresh rate.


The stand continues Alienware's modern design language with a clean, understated appearance finished in its distinctive Interstellar Indigo colour. Assembly couldn't be much simpler, with the upright attaching to the base via an integrated thumbscrew before clipping securely into the rear of the monitor without the need for tools. Once assembled, the stand feels reassuringly solid and provides excellent stability despite the monitor's size. It also incorporates a cable management hole through the upright to help keep cables tidy, while offering 110mm of height adjustment and a generous tilt range, allowing users to quickly find a comfortable viewing position.