Alienware Area-51 m5790

Notebook specifications

Notebook: Alienware Area-51 m5790
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 (1660 MHz)
Graphics adapter: ATI Mobility Radeon X1800 (256 MB)
Display: 17.1 inch 16:10 (1440x900 pixels)
Weight: 3.7 kg
Average score: 88% very good
Average of 4 scores (from 7 reviews)

Reviews in English

Alienware Area-51 m5790 Review
Source: Notebookreview.com
As with anything, there is always room for improvement, but the few problems are vastly outweighed by the positives and this machine rocks. I would recommend this computer to anyone that is considering going with a semi-portable machine, suitable for all purposes. If you require a machine that SCREAMS with power for games, this is probably not the one you want. Alienware has others that do that. If you want something that's ultra portable, this is not that. Alienware has a nifty little 15 incher for that. But if you want something that is great at home, giving the full power you need along with something to take on the road while not sacrificing in terms of power, then here it is.
Date: 03/23/2007
Rating: performance: 90% display: 80% mobility: 50% workmanship: 90% emissions: 60%

80%Alienware Area-51 m5790 Special Edition Review
Source: Hardware Central
We think the Area-51 m5790 fills a useful if sort of stealthy niche in the desktop-replacement segment. It may not be the fastest, most macho gaming notebook in the world, and the lack of features like a built-in TV tuner keep it from challenging the fanciest Media Center or home-entertainment portables such as HP's Pavilion dv9000 and Toshiba's Qosmio series. But it's one of the fastest notebooks with one of the nicest screens available, a powerful general-purpose portable that'll more than satisfy an avid gamer when the workday's done.
Date: 03/16/2007
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 60% performance: 100% features: 80%

90%Low Ki's Area-51 m5790 Review
Source: Notebookforums.com
I am absolutely thrilled with this system. I will say that Vista is causing some issues, however, I'm confident that these will be cleared up with patches/driver upgrades in the near future. Also, part of this is the learning curve of running a new OS. As I familiarize myself with Vista and learn to tweak it better I suspect performance can also be improved there. I will strongly recommend that you get 2GB of memory for Vista. I know I'll be ordering some next week to replace the stock 1GB. I'll also be getting a high speed read/write USB flash drive to experiment with Vista's ReadyBoost feature. I'm curious to see some benchmark comparisons between 1GB and 2GB of system memory and then 2GB w/ ReadyBoost enabled and the optimum amount of flash memory dedicated to Vista.
Date: 03/04/2007
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 80% display: 100% workmanship: 90%

Alienware Area-51 m5790 Special Edition
Source: CNet
The good: Optional Blu-ray drive; roomy keyboard; included separate number pad; DVI output; excellent screen. The bad: Expensive overclocking option not worth it; unimpressive scores on gaming tests. The bottom line: The Alienware Area-51 m5790 Special Edition is a big, expensive, powerful system, but its merely average performance falls a bit short of its "special" moniker.
Date: 03/01/2007
Rating: price: 40% performance: 60% display: 95%

100%Sub's Alienware M5790 REVIEW
Source: Notebookforums.com
As a desktop replacement for those thinking of doing so, You can NOT go wrong here. This thing is built like a 1974 Cadillac, and has the speed, power, and looks of a BMW 850. My problems aside, there is nothing on this machine that I can find as an issue or a negative thus far. I do have these STERN recommendations tho.. If you are going to purchase, GO ALL THE WAY, and don’t skimp like I did…
Date: 02/09/2007
Rating: Total score: 100% display: 100% workmanship: 100%

82%Alienware Area-51m 5750
Source: PC World
Finally, the 5750 can't quite match the finer entertainment features of its competitors. The laptop offers no option for a TV tuner, so it can't double as a portable TV like the Qosmio and Pavilion notebooks. And oddly, its volume wheel doesn't work in quick-play mode. Small things for some people, perhaps, but for multimedia aficionados, these deficiencies might make the Area-51m 5750 a disappointment.
Date: 02/06/2007
Rating: Total score: 82% performance: 80% display: 90% mobility: 50%

Alienware Area-51 m5750 with Core 2 Duo Review
Source: Notebookreview.com
I would recommend this computer to anyone that is the above average serious computer enthusiast. It is not the top-shelf computer at Alienware; it is one of their mid-range laptop. It suits my needs very well. It doesn't come feature heavy like other laptops coming out today (there is no camera and no bluetooth for instance), but it does come complete with better basic materials: an above average screen resolution, great video card, great sound, and of course the best processor on the market today. I'm very happy with my purchase. I would say that it is a little more money than other machines, but I can't find a mainstream manufacturer with similar specs to really do a fair comparison. I'm confident that this machine will last. The case design and components are just what I was looking for and should keep me with a grin on my face for many years to come.
Date: 09/28/2006
Rating: performance: 80% display: 80% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50% emissions: 60%

Reviews and price comparison on Alienware Laptops at Ciao

Comment

ATI Mobility Radeon X1800: ATI Mobility Radeon X1800 (codename M28 Pro) is one of the most successfull mobile video cards, which are available at the moment. It can be compared with current high end desktop video cards. Newest games should run with all details fluently. Office applications and surfing should not be any problem.
>> Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

Intel Core 2 Duo: The Core 2 Duo is a successor of Core Duo and Core Solo with a longer pipeline and up to 20% speed increase without to spend more current. 64-Bit EM64T command upgrade and 2 or 4 MB L2 cache characterize this processor with its 291 millions transistors, which are finished in 65 nm.

T5500: The "T" variants of the Core 2 Duo are the standard versions in notebooks. They need less current than the "E", but more current than the "L" (low voltage) and "U" (ultra low voltage) variants.
T5500 is the weakest T-variant with 667 MHz FSB.
>> Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

17.1": Nowadays, meanwhile the 17 inch display size is a more frequently offered standard format for desktop-replacements. 17 inch laptops are built only in 16:10 format.
The DTR-Laptops can't be carried easily, need much current, but on the other side texts can be read easily and high resolutions are no problem. DTR mainly are intended for stationary usage on desks, where the weight and the energy need are unimportant.

>> To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.

3.7 kg: This laptop is heavy below average, compared with the average of notebooks. Therefore especially desktop replacements fit in this class of weight.

Alienware: Alienware is a rather small international manufacturer with a small market share and few reviewed models. Reviews often mention the extraordinary performance, but also the high price.
Alienware Notebook Section

>> Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.