I replaced my work PC with this Alienware laptop – now I’m wondering why I hadn’t done this sooner

Alienware 18 Area-51 is a very fitting name for this computer because it is out of this world. It’s a high-end gaming laptop that can double as a powerful work machine. It’s like if the Alienware m16 R2 from 2024 hit the gym; this is a very beefy computer. 

It sports an 18-inch WQXGA resolution (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) display. Although the lack of a 4K screen may be disappointing, I didn’t mind it so much because it has an incredible refresh rate of 300Hz and a response time of 3ms for super smooth gameplay. 

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Below the screen is a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard. I fell in love with it the moment I began typing. The key presses are responsive, the buttons are comfortable, and they even have a clicky feel that I enjoy. I didn’t think it was possible to replicate mechanical keyboards on laptops because of their size, but it seems this was possible on the Alienware 18 since it’s so big.

Powerful performance

My review unit contained an Intel Core Ultra 9 275Hx processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, and 64GB of memory. This is technically the most powerful laptop I’ve tested all year, so it should deliver performance matching its high-end hardware. However, according to the benchmark tests, it performed at about the same level as the MSI Raider 18 HX. Below is a benchmark table comparing the best results of the 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

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Even if the Area-51 laptop falls behind in certain tests, it is still a formidable computer capable of handling tough creative workloads like video editing, music production, and 3D modeling. Music composition is further helped by the speaker system, which consists of two woofers and two tweeters, fine-tuned by Dolby Atmos.

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Needless to say, the machine excels at gaming. I was able to run several AAA titles at maximum graphical settings without a hitch. And considering how many modern titles are terribly unoptimized, that’s really saying something.

One important feature gives the Alienware 18 the edge over the Raider 18 as a work machine, and it’s something the Alienware m16 R2 also had: Stealth Mode. By pressing F7 on the keyboard, Stealth Mode converts the keyboard’s RGB lighting into plain white. It even turns off the touchpad’s back lighting for a more subtle look that fits better in an office setting.

What impressed me the most

As great as the hardware was during testing, it wasn’t what impressed me the most. I already knew it was going to perform incredibly well. What really knocked my socks off was the cooling system. Gaming laptops, as you probably know, can run really hot. High-end components demand a lot of energy.

Many recent gaming laptops possess robust cooling systems, but none are as effective as the Cyro-Chamber on the Alienware 18. It’s a chamber located on the bottom of the computer that draws in air to cool down key areas while also propping up the laptop to promote better airflow.

What’s really cool (pun intended) is that you can actually see the fans at work. There’s a glass panel over it where you can see the laptop’s internals. Don’t worry about it breaking since it’s made out of Gorilla Glass.

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In addition to the Cyro-Chamber, the computer has four fans targeting “aggressive hotspots”, seven copper heat pipes, “encapsulated gallium-silicon” over the processor, and six heat vents around the side and back. Having all these cooling components on one laptop seems excessive, but they are vital to enjoying this device.

Even when I had a video game running at its highest graphical settings, the Alienware 18 never ran hot. At most, it became a little warm, but I could always comfortably place my hand on the keyboard.

Its fan can become noisy, although it depends on the scenario. While playing “Monster Hunter Wilds”, the fans kicked in when the in-game area saw heavy rain, and there were a lot of creatures moving around. Apart from certain situations, they’re pretty quiet.

An area for improvement

The Alienware 18 Area-51 laptop is better than most desktops on the market. Even if you’re not a gamer, I still highly recommend the device to creative professionals who need a powerful machine for 3D modeling, video editing, or software development. Its high level of performance cannot be understated.

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There is one important aspect about the Alienware 18 that makes it hard to travel with — it’s heavy, and I mean, heavy. The computer alone weighs 9.56 pounds, and the 360W power adapter weighs 2.2 pounds. So, together, that’s nearly 12 pounds in total, and you will need that power adapter on hand. This device doesn’t last very long.

Even at its most energy-efficient, the computer only lasted for about two hours when I ran ZDNET’s standard laptop test.

ZDNET’s buying advice

Be prepared to shell out the big bucks for the Alienware 18 Area-51. Prices start at $3,200 for the base model. My review unit retails for $4,450, although I have seen discounts on it.

If you’re looking for a lighter option, I suggest checking out the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. It houses similar hardware and weighs just 5.67 pounds. The MSI Raider 18 HX is another solid option that comes with a 4K display.