Notebookcheck Logo

Alienware Area-51m i9-9900K RTX 2080

Specifications

Alienware Area-51m i9-9900K RTX 2080
Alienware Area-51m i9-9900K RTX 2080 (Area-51 Series)
Processor
Intel Core i9-9900K 8 x 3.6 - 5 GHz, Coffee Lake-R
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile - 8 GB VRAM, Core: 1575 MHz, Memory: 1750 MHz, GDDR6, 419.35
Memory
32 GB 
, DDR4-2666, 17-17-17-39, Dual-Channel, 4x SODIMM
Display
17.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 127 PPI, LG Philips 173WFG, IPS, LGD05E2, Dell P/N: YWJJ6, NVIDIA G-SYNC + Tobii eyetracking technology, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel Cannon Lake Z390 (Cannon Lake-H)
Storage
2x SK Hynix PC400 512GB (RAID 0), 1024 GB 
, Secondary: 1 TB Seagate ST1000LX015-1U7172
Soundcard
NVIDIA TU104 - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
4 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 2 USB 3.1 Gen2, 1 Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: 3.5mm, Card Reader: SD
Networking
Killer E3000 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Controller (10/100/1000/2500MBit/s), Killer Wireless-AC 1550 Wireless Network Adapter (a/b/g/h/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 5.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 42 x 402.6 x 319.2 ( = 1.65 x 15.85 x 12.57 in)
Battery
90 Wh Lithium-Polymer
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: HD 1280x720
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Beveled, Keyboard Light: yes, Alienware Command Center, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
3.87 kg ( = 136.51 oz / 8.53 pounds), Power Supply: 2.16 kg ( = 76.19 oz / 4.76 pounds)
Price
3500 USD

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 83.2% - good
Average of 14 scores (from 25 reviews)
price: 90%, performance: 97%, features: 62%, display: 80% mobility: 56%, workmanship: 90%, ergonomy: 74%, emissions: 71%

Reviews for the Alienware Area-51m i9-9900K RTX 2080

85.8% Alienware Area-51m (i9-9900K, RTX 2080) Laptop Review | Notebookcheck
The latest 17.3-inch Alienware is going all-in with hardware and features not found on almost any other gaming laptop. Not only does the Area-51m leapfrog over the 45 W Core H-series for full-fat 95 W Core K-series CPUs, but it also sports removable graphics and Tobii eye-tracking all in a narrow-bezel chassis. Is this $3000+ portable powerhouse really comparable to a desktop PC of similar specifications?
90% Alienware Area-51M Review: A No-Holds-Barred Desktop Gaming Pc Replacement
Source: Tech2.in.com English Archive.org version
The Dell Alienware Area-51m is a replacement to a desktop gaming PC. It isn’t meant to be a portable machine that you can take along everywhere, it's a laptop with the grunt of a desktop, and in that regard, it delivers. The design is nice and performance is on point, throw in the upgradeability features and you're left with a very appealing package, especially when compared to the competition in this price range. If you can afford one, I'd say it's definitely worth buying.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/21/2019
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 95% display: 75% mobility: 50% workmanship: 95% ergonomy: 60%
80% Alienware Area 51m Review
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
The Alienware Area 51m is the most powerful and stylish gaming laptop available, and the fact you can swap in new components gives it potentially incredible long-term value. If you’re happy to pay a premium price and don’t care that its monstrous weight cancels out its portable credentials then the Area 51m is a top class pick.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/16/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Dell Alienware Area-51m review: Looks and goes like a spaceship
Source: India Today English Archive.org version
If you have made it through the entire piece, it is evident that the Alienware Area-51m is a hardcore gaming laptop for serious gamers. When you seek performance, this laptop will ensure that nothing comes in its way to serve the games in the way they were meant to. The impressive cooling system doesn't let the laptop become an oven after an hour of gaming. The display is good but it could have been better given that this carries an exorbitant price tag.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/05/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Alienware Area 51m review
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
The Alienware Area 51m has sensational performance levels thanks to its desktop hardware – so it’ll handle anything. It looks great, too, and has a top-notch screen. However, it’s not particularly ergonomic or versatile, and it’s hugely expensive – so it’s only suited to some buyers.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/18/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
64% Alienware Area-51M Review
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
Marketed for its "unprecedented upgradeability," the Alienware Area-51m is more of a promise than a final product. While supremely high performance, it lacks the one killer app needed to thrive among the more powerful desktops and more affordable laptops it aims to usurp.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/21/2019
Rating: Total score: 64%
85% Alienware Area-51m review
Source: CNet English Archive.org version
On top of a satisfying visual refresh of Alienware's highest-end laptop, the Area-51m offers plenty of processing overhead from desktop CPUs and the latest RTX GPUs. There's promise of potentially great future upgradability, but it's not yet been proven.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/17/2019
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 95% mobility: 50% workmanship: 80%
80% Alienware Area-51M review: A gaming desktop stuffed inside a laptop
Source: Engadget English Archive.org version
The Area 51m is a truly unique laptop. It’s portable, but it packs in all of the power, and most of the customizability, that you’d want from a gaming desktop. Still, when other modern laptops are significantly thinner, cheaper, and almost as powerful, it’s a tough sell for most gamers. If anything, it’s a testament to Dell’s ingenuity. And for players who demand power above all else, it’s a solid choice.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/11/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
Alienware Area-51m Review: Desktop-Class, Upgradeable Elegance
Source: Hot Hardware English Archive.org version
And though we haven't tested the others just yet, we can say for sure that the Alienware Area-51m can literally go toe-to-toe with many high-end gaming desktop configurations. This machine almost defies the laws of physics as it infiltrates game engines and shatters frame rate limits.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 04/09/2019
80% Alienware Area-51M Review: Portable Desktop
Source: The Verge English Archive.org version
That said, what Alienware has done with the Area-51m is really impressive. Not only does it hit performance marks unmatched by other portable machines, but it doesn’t have any glaring issues or show-stopping usability problems that bring it down, other than the obvious compromises with its size and weight. Even just being able to cool these desktop components efficiently enough for them to perform this well in a portable machine is a genuine feat. If you are the type of gamer who wants the ultimate power in a portable machine and are willing to pay any cost to get it, the Area-51m is for you.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/04/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Alienware Area-51m
Source: PC Mag English Archive.org version
Packing an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics chip and a desktop-class Intel Core i9, Alienware's massively rejiggered flagship, the Area-51m, is the best-performing gaming laptop we've tested, a monster in every sense a laptop can be.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/27/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
90% Alienware Area-51m Review
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version
The Alienware Area-51 offers unparalleled power in a sleek, redesigned chassis with the option to upgrade both the CPU and GPU.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/29/2019
Rating: Total score: 90%
Alienware Area-51m first look: The very first fully upgradeable gaming laptop
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
The Alienware Area-51m’s design and impressive spec sheet suggest this device will represent a major milestone for gaming laptops for years to come. The capability of upgrading components is a huge game-changer, and for the first time ever, we now have a laptop that’s a full-fat gaming rig in portable form.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/17/2019
Dell Alienware Area-51m First Impressions
Source: NDTV Gadgets English Archive.org version
The Alienware Area-51m starts at $2,549 (roughly Rs. 1,77,000), which is quite expensive and the price tag will only get bigger by the time it lands in India, but considering that this is the only laptop currently which offers this level of upgradability gives it a unique advantage over the competition.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/10/2019
Alienware Area-51m first look: The very first fully upgradeable gaming laptop
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
Since I wasn’t able to play any games on the Alienware Area-51m, it’s difficult to give any verdict on the performance and display. However, its design and impressive spec sheet suggest that the Alienware Area-51m will represent a major milestone for gaming laptops in the years to come. The capability of upgrading components is a huge game-changer, and for the first time ever, we now have a laptop that’s a full-fat gaming rig in portable form.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/09/2019
Alienware Area 51m review: Hands-on
Source: Tech Advisor English Archive.org version
With hardware that puts high-end gaming desktops to shame, a slick new design language that brings a more mature feel to the Alienware brand and the ability to upgrade both the CPU and GPU - this laptop takes a step away from the average portable gaming laptop into something far more focused on the gaming experience.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/09/2019
Hands on: Alienware Area-51m review
Source: Techradar English Archive.org version
The Alienware-51m takes the term “desktop replacement laptop” to heart with its first widely upgradeable system. While the display won’t blow your mind, the style and upgrade options might.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/08/2019

Foreign Reviews

90% Desktop-Hardware im kompakten Gehäuse
Source: Basic Tutorials German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/15/2020
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 90% performance: 100% display: 80% mobility: 80% workmanship: 100%
Mit aller Gewalt zur Performance-Krone
Source: HardwareLuxx German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/12/2019
Alienware Area-51m Gnadenloses Kraftpaket
Source: Gameswelt German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/24/2019
Alienware Area-51m
Source: Allround-PC.com German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/20/2019
100% Review Alienware Area-51m
Source: Geeknetic Spanish ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/20/2019
Rating: Total score: 100%
80% Test de l’Alienware Area-51m : le PC gamer portable, pour les vrais pros
Source: Phonandroid French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/20/2019
Rating: Total score: 80%
Alienware Area 51m − test kosmicznie wydajnego laptopa z desktopowym procesorem i wymienną kartą graficzną
Source: PC Lab.pl Turkish PL→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Powerful processor; high performance; nice display; good cooling and silent system; comfortable keyboard. Negative: High price; weak GPU; low RAM; small SSD; overheats while using; heavy and bulky; poor set of ports.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/20/2019
Review Alienware Area-51M: Laptop Gaming Kencang Seperti Dekstop PC
Source: Pemmzchannel ID→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Powerful hardware; high gaming performance; excellent cameras; impressive display. Negative: Heavy and bulky; short battery life.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/19/2019
REVIEW Alienware Area 51M – Laptopul de gaming cât un PC (la propriu)
Source: Playtech.ro →EN Archive.org version
Positive: Powerful hardware; nice performance; excellent display; high mobility. Negative: Expensive.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/02/2019

Comment

Model:

Alienware has been one of the pioneers in the gaming laptop industry. The Alienware Area-51m is a desktop replacement 17-inch gaming laptop with upgradeable, overclockable desktop 9th-Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, plus a magnesium alloy chassis. The Alienware Area-51m is one of the most incredible gaming laptops out there. It features unprecedented desktop-level processing power, CPU and GPU upgradability, advanced cooling and a revolutionary design. Gamers can choose between a new, futuristic look in Lunar Light, or Dark Side of the Moon, a darker, more traditional appearance. The Area-51m features a host of firsts for peak performance and power. 

It is Dell’s first-ever Alienware laptop to feature 8-core, 16-thread Intel processors, giving it a whole new level of computing power versus other gaming laptops. Engineered with i9-9900K desktop processors, the CPU is enabled with up to 125% rated power, allowing high-end overclocking. This results in higher performance for mega-tasking, CPU-intensive gaming, as well as day-to-day applications. Users can lose themselves in vivid, uninterrupted gaming thanks to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics with full-throttle power and up to 30W of overclocking headroom - all on an immersive 144Hz G-SYNC 17" Full-HD display. Overclocking can be done via the new Alienware Command Center. The Area-51m is also Dell’s first-ever Alienware laptop to support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, ensuring users have enough RAM for even the most performance-intensive tasks.

The Area-51m was engineered with upgradability in mind, finally allowing gamers to harness power comparable to even the highest-performance desktop, and taking advantage of latest technologies from NVIDIA such as ray tracing, DLSS, and AI-enhanced graphics. CPU upgrades can be done using standard desktop-class processors, while GPU upgrades can be done via an onboard graphics module replacement or with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier. As for cooling, it is equipped with Advanced Alienware Cryo-Tech v2.0 that optimizes component cooling, which maximizes overall performance and keeps the laptop cool to the touch. The Area-51m chassis prioritizes performance with a dual fan design that pulls in cool air from the bottom and top vents, while exhaling exhaust out the rear and side vents for optimal core component cooling. 

The fire resistant, liquid-crystal polymer fan is built with 0.2mm blades, sleeve bearings and 3-phase fan control to create less friction and circulate air more efficiently. The Area-51m fans occupy an area of 95x105mm with a thickness ranging from 19mm to 21.5mm and can push over 25 CFM in open air conditions, which is something normally seen only in desktops. The cooling system of the Area-51m is so powerful that virtually no noise is heard while engaged in daily tasks. In conclusion, the Alienware Area-51m has raised the bar for innovative engineering with its game-changing design. The new futuristic design of the Area-51m reflects the diverse, evolving nature of gamers everywhere, incorporating high contrast, performance-focused engineering with blended bone lines, angled sections, bold lighting, and celebrated thermals.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile: High-End laptop graphics card based on the TU104 chip with 2,944 shaders and 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM. Compared to the desktop variant, the GPU is clocked lower.

With these GPUs you are able to play modern and demanding games fluently at medium detail settings and HD resolution.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


i9-9900K: High end desktop processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. Integrates 8 cores (16 threads) clocked at 3.6 - 5 GHz and a integrated UHD Graphics 630 GPU. Fastest Coffee-Lake CPU at the time of announcement in 2018 and produced in the 14nm++ process.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


17.30": This display size is a standard format for desktop replacements (DTR). The DTR laptops are heavier to carry, need more power, but texts are easy to read and high resolutions are no problem. DTR are mainly intended for stationary desk use, where weight and energy hunger don't matter. In return, you enjoy the advantages of high resolutions (more details, better legibility).» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


3.87 kg:

Only a few laptops are in this weight class because the mobility is rather limited due to the high weight. 


Alienware: Alienware was founded in the USA in 1996. The European headquarters is located in Ireland. Alienware has been part of the Dell Group since 2006. The product range mainly focuses on gaming laptops and desktops, which are developed and manufactured by Dell. The trademark is a slightly futuristic design with an Alien as the logo. Additionally, workstations for private and business customers are sold.

As with every brand, there are also some points of criticism with Alienware. Some customers have complained about the high prices of the products, while others have criticized the quality of customer services. There have also been some reports of problems with the reliability and durability of some Alienware products. However, many customers have also had positive experiences with the brand and appreciate the powerful gaming computers.


83.2%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.


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

 

Please share our article, every link counts!

Similar devices from a different Manufacturer

Origin PC Eon17-X 2019
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile
MSI GT76 Titan DT 9SG
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile
Schenker XMG Ultra 17 Turing
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Aorus 17-YA-9DE2452SH
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK
Acer Predator Triton 900 PT917-71-79PF
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H

Devices with the same GPU and/or Screen Size

Gigabyte Aero 17 HDR
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 2.5 kg
Asus ROG Mothership GZ700GX
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 4.76 kg
MSI GS75 Stealth-479
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9880H, 2.25 kg
HP Omen 17-CB0006UR
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H, 3.3 kg
Acer Predator Helios 700 PH717-71-92A7
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 4.5 kg
MSI GT75 Titan 8SG-051
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-8950HK, 4.6 kg
Asus ROG Mothership GZ700GX-AD032R
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 4.7 kg
Asus ROG Chimera G703GXR-EV003T
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H, 4.7 kg
Acer Predator Triton 900 PT917-71-93MW
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H, 4.5 kg
Acer Predator Helios 700 PH717-71-785M
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H, 4.8 kg
Acer Predator Triton 900 PT917-71-71C
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H, 4.4 kg
Acer Predator Helios 700 PH717-71-95Q9
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 4.5 kg
MSI GE75 Raider 9SG-417
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-9750H, 2.61 kg
Asus ROG GRIFFIN GZ755GX-E5028T
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-8950HK, 4.7 kg
Asus G703GX-XB96K
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 4.72 kg
MSI GE75 9SG
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9880H, 2.66 kg
Acer Predator Helios 700 (i9-9980HK, RTX 2080)
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9980HK, 4.5 kg
Asus ROG Chimera G703GX-E5006T
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-8950HK, 4.7 kg
MSI GS75 Stealth 8SG-054NE
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-8750H, 2.3 kg
MSI GE75 8SG-042 Raider
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-8750H, 2.65 kg
MSI GS75 8SG-064ES
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-8750H, 2.25 kg
MSI GT75 8SG-035
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-8950HK, 4.56 kg
Asus ROG G703GX
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i7-8750H, 4.65 kg

Devices with the same GPU

HP Omen 15-dh0008ns
GeForce RTX 2080 Mobile, Coffee Lake i9-9880H, 15.60", 2.6 kg
Current Prices
Stefan Hinum, 2019-02-17 (Update: 2019-02-17)