Alienware Area-51m is an absolute powerhouse with a desktop-class processor

Area 51m
Area 51m (Image credit: Dell)

The Alienware Area-51m is back at CES 2019, and with it, Dell has created a powerhouse laptop that can give desktop PCs a run for their money in terms of both power and upgradability.

Designed around a new industrial design language Dell has dubbed "Legend," the Area-51m harkens back to a time when all gaming laptops were unapologetically thick and chunky. But there's a good reason for that: the new Area-51m comes sporting desktop-class processors and NVIDIA's latest RTX graphics, both of which can be upgraded along with the RAM and storage drives.

On the inside, you'll be able to choose from the desktop versions of Intel's eight-core 9th Gen Core i7 and i9 processors, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to three storage drives totaling 3TB of space. Rounding that out is a selection of NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 20 Series chips, including the RTX 2060, RTX 2070, and RTX 2080.

Meanwhile, the screen is a 17.3-inch 1080p monster with 60Hz and 144Hz options and NVIDIA G-Sync. The laptop can also be configured with Tobii eye-tracking tech, integrated just below the display.

To keep all of its components cool and enable overclocking, Dell has equipped the Alienware Area-51m with its Cryo-Tech 2.0 tech. The chassis hides a total of eight dedicated copper heat pipes in the highest-end configurations, and high-voltage fans pull in cool air from the top and bottom vents while pushing hot air out of the rear and both sides.

Alienware Area-51m

Alienware laptop (Image credit: Windows Central)

Alienware Area-51m tech specs

Here's a rundown of the Alienware Area-51m's monster specs:

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CategoryAlienware Area-51m (4th Gen)
Display17.3-inch FHD IPS
60Hz
60Hz w/ G-Sync
144Hz w/ Tobii eye tracking
144Hz w/ G-Sync + Tobii eye tracking
Processor9th Gen Intel Core i7-8700
9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700K
9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K
ChipsetIntel Z390
GraphicsGeForce RTX 2060
GeForce RTX 2070
GeForce RTX 2080
RAMUp to 64GB DDR4 2400MHz
StorageUp to 3TB PCIe M.2 SSD
Ports1x Alienware Graphics Amplifier
2x DC power inputs
1x Thungerbolt 3 w/ DisplayPort
1x RJ-45 Realtek 2.5Gbps Ethernet
2x USB 3.1
1x USB 3.1 w/ PowerShare
1x HDMI 2.0
1x Mini DisplayPort 1.4
1x audio out
1x Global headset
Audio2.0 Speaker configuration
Alienware Sound Center
7.1 Digital Audio out w/ HDMI
CameraWindows Hello IR camera w/ThinShutter
Battery90 WHr
Dimensions16.1 in x 15.85 in x 1.7 in (410 mm x 402.6 mm x 42 mm)
WeightMax: 8.54 lbs (3.87 kg)
Colors"Lunar Light" and "Dark Side of the Moon"
AvailabilityJanuary 29, 2019
Price$2,550 (lower-priced configs coming later)

With user-swappable parts and desktop-class hardware, the new Alienware Area-51m represents a pretty remarkable piece of tech for gamers who want the maximum amount of performance out of their portable gaming rig.

You'll be able to get your hands on the Area-51m starting January 29 for $2,250. Dell says that lower-priced configurations will be available later.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl