This configuration comes very well equipped with a gorgeous 18" 2560x1600 300Hz G-Sync display, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, RTX 5090 24GB mobile GPU, 64GB of DDR5-6400MHz memory, and a 2TB SSD.
There aren't very many 18" gaming laptops around, and even fewer that are equipped with the RTX 5090 mobile GPU. Of the ones that are available for purchase at the moment, this is far and away the least expensive deal. In fact, it's the only laptop I've found with a price tag under $4,000. Take a look at its competition:
- Alienware 18 Area-51 (same config but new) - $4,450
- Razer Blade 18 with 32GB of RAM for $4,200
- Lenovo Legion Pro 9 with 4K display, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $4,455
- Asus ROG Strix Scar with 32GB RAM for $4,210
- MSI Raider 18 HX with 4K display, 285HX CPU for $4,299
The Area-51: new color, curvy design, metal construction, and upgraded cooling
New for 2025, the Alienware Area-51 gaming laptop features an anodized aluminum shell for both the lid and bottom chassis with a gorgeous iridescent finish. The frame is made of a durable and lightweight magnesium alloy. Cooling has been upgraded with generous amounts of copper and a new thermal interface material to better transfer heat away from your hottest components as well as more fans and bigger cutouts for greater airflow. Dell claims that the laptop can handle a higher power ceiling of up to 240W TDP without raising acoustics.
Design-wise, the Area 51 has a sleeker, more contoured shape compared to previous models, with rounded edges and soft corners replacing the traditional squared off design. The hinges are internally positioned so that they're near invisible. There's a transparent window on the undercarriage to show off the internal components. As befits an Alienware laptop, there's plenty of RGB illunimation, although most of it can be turned off if you want your laptop to be a bit more subtle.
The RTX 5090 mobile is undisputedly the best GPU for gamers and creators
The RTX 5090 is the most powerful mobile gaming CPU available and performs about 15% better than the RTX 5080. Currently you can get an Alienware Area-51 RTX 5090 gaming laptop for as low as $3,299.99. It's about $400 more expensive than the RTX 5080 model, which is a fair price premium for a more powerful graphics card that also has a lot more VRAM (24GB vs 16GB). The extra memory is useful for 4K gaming as well as generative AI.
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Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
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