Alienware 18 Area -51 Laptop
Key takeaways of zdnet
- The alienware retails for 18 Area -51 $ 3,199.
- It is a gaming laptop that thanks to an incredible performance to its powerful hardware and equally powerful cooling system.
- Traveling with a computer will prove to be difficult due to its weight; You will also have to pay a lot for the system.
More Buying Choices
Alienware 18 Area -51 This is a very suitable name for this computer because it is out of this world. It is a high-end gaming laptop that can double as a powerful functioning machine. It is as if the Alienware M16 R2 hit the gym since 2024; It is a very beef computer.
It sports a 18 -inch WQXGA resolution (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) display. Although 4K screen deficiency can be disappointing, but I did not feel very bad because it has an incredible fresh rate of 300Hz and 3MS reaction time for super smooth gameplay.
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The bottom of the screen is a cherry MX mechanical keyboard. The moment I started typing, I fell in love with it. The main presses are responsible, the buttons are comfortable, and they also feel a click that I enjoy. I did not think it was possible to repeat the mechanical keyboard on the laptop due to their size, but it seems that this alienware was possible at 18 because it is so big.
Powerful performance
My review unit includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 275hx processor, an NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 5090 graphics card, and 64GB memory. It is technically the most powerful laptop that I have tested throughout the year, so it should distribute performance with its high-end hardware. However, according to benchmark tests, it performed at the same level of MSI raider 18 HX. Below is a benchmark table that compares the best results of two machines.
|
Geekbench 6 |
PCmark 10 |
Cinebench R23 |
Cinebench 2024 |
|
|
MSI raider 18 hx |
21,874 |
8,433 |
40,290 |
2,271 |
|
Alienware 18 Area -51 |
19,245 |
9,274 |
37,715 |
2,137 |
Even if the Area -51 laptop falls behind in some tests, it is still a malignant computer capable of handling hard creative workloads such as video editing, music production and 3D modeling. The composition of music is further helped by the speaker system, which consists of two woofers and two tweeters, which are fine by Dolby Atmos.
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Needless to say, machine excels in gaming. I was able to run several AAA titles in maximum graphical settings without a bottleneck. And given how many modern titles are very uncontrolled, it is really saying something.
An important feature gives Alienware 18 as a work machine as a work machine leads to 18, and it is something that was also in the Alienware M16 R2: Stealth Mode. By pressing the F7 on the keyboard, the rGB of the stealth mode converts the light of the keyboard into plain white. Even it turns off the backlighting of the touchpad for a more subtle form that fits better in an office setting.
Impressed me the most
During the test was great as hardware, it was not most influenced by me. I already knew that it was incredibly performing well. The cooling system was actually closed my socks. Gaming laptops, as you probably know, can actually walk warm, and high-end components demand too much energy.
Many recent gaming laptops have strong cooling systems, but no alienware is effective as Cyro-Chamber at 18. It is a chamber located at the bottom of the computer that pulls into the air to cool the major areas to promote a laptop to promote better airflows.
What is really good (intended to decorate) is that you can actually see fans at work. There is a glass panel on it where you can see the internal of the laptop. Do not worry about it as it is made of gorilla glass.
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In addition to the Cyro-Chamber, the computer has four fans that target “aggressive hotspots”, seven copper heat pipes, “Gallium-silicon” above the processor, and six heat vents around the side and back. All these cooling components on a laptop seem to be extremely, but they are important to enjoy this device.
Even when I had a video game running in its highest graphical settings, the alienware 18 never warmed. More and more, it was slightly hot, but I could always place my hand on the keyboard comfortably.
Its fan can be noise, although it depends on the scenario. While playing “Monster Hunter Wilds”, fans kicked when there was heavy rains in the in-game area, and a lot of creatures were roaming. In addition to some situations, they are very quiet.
A region for improvement
Alienware 18 Area -51 laptop is better than most desktops in the market. Even if you are not a gamer, I still recommend devices to creative professionals who require a powerful machine for 3D modeling, video editing, or software development. Its high level performance cannot be understood.
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Alienware is an important aspect about 18 that makes it difficult to travel with it – it is heavy, and I mean, and I mean, Heavy. The computer weighs 9.56 pounds alone, and the 360W power adapter weighs 2.2 pounds. So, together, it is about 12 pounds in total, and you will need that power adapter on the hand. This device does not last long.
Even at its most energy-skill, the computer lasted only two hours when I ran the standard laptop test of ZDNET.
ZDNET purchase advice
Be ready to open big money for Alienware 18 Area -51Prices for the base model begin at $ 3,200. My review unit retails for $ 4,450, although I have seen a discount on it.
If you are looking for a mild option, I suggest checking the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. It has similar hardware and weighs only 5.67 pounds. MSI raider 18 HX is another solid option that comes with 4K display.
