logo
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is one of the cheapest RTX 5080 gaming laptops — and it's near-perfect

The Alienware 16 Area-51 is one of the cheapest RTX 5080 gaming laptops — and it's near-perfect

Yahoo9 hours ago

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
I wouldn't call any RTX 50-series gaming laptop cheap, but Alienware, of all brands, comes knocking with its flagship Area-51 at an alluring price point for all of its premium qualities.
For a whopping $3,249 (yes, that's competitive in this market [insert cry GIF here]), the Alienware 16 Area-51 packs a punch with its Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, supported by a bright 16-inch display, a punchy mechanical keyboard, and solid audio.
While its flaws are limited, they're still flaws. The battery life could be better, the display could be OLED, and the touchpad isn't tall enough. However, its pros make a strong case for the Alienware 16 Area-51 as one of the best gaming laptops, and it looks like a straight-up spaceship. But let's see if it's right for you.
Alienware 16 Area-51
Price
$2,849 starting ($3,249 reviewed)
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB)
RAM
32GB DDR5, 6400MT/s
Storage
1TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD
Display
16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, IPS display
Battery
4:10 (1:50 gaming)
Dimensions
14.37 x 11.41 x 0.85~1.12 inches
Weight
7.13 pounds
Click to view full benchmark test results
Alienware 16 Area-51
Geekbench 6 (Higher is better)
20,498
Handbrake conversion (Lower is better)
1.58
25GB File Transfer Test (Lower is better)
23.36
25GB File Transfer Test (SSD speed)
1,149
Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit)
92.9
Gaming Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit, 95 comfort threshold)
118.7
Battery life (Higher is better)
4.1
PCMark 10 Gaming Battery life (higher is better)
1.5
Display brightness (Higher is better)
516
sRGB color gamut (Higher is better)
115%
DCI-P3 color gamut (Higher is better)
81.6%
Color accuracy (Lower is better)
0.21
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (Higher is better)
14,073
3DMark Time Spy Extreme (Higher is better)
10,558
Assassin's Creed: Mirage (1080p, fps)
149
Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p, fps)
58
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, fps)
62.94
Far Cry 6 (1080p, fps)
121
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, fps)
82.82
Red Dead Redemption II (Ultra, 1080p, fps)
117
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, fps)
183
Forget about a new car; you need that down payment for the Alienware 16 Area-51. The model we reviewed costs $3,249 and is outfitted with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, LED display, and CherryMX mechanical keyboard.
You can start at $2,849, dropping to an RTX 5070 Ti, upgrading to a 2TB SSD, and ditching the mechanical keyboard. However, I don't recommend this model. If you're already paying close to $3K, you might as well get the better-performing RTX 5080.
There's also the RTX 5090 model, which costs $3,649. It also comes with 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.
The biggest issue I have with the configurations is that there are no display options outside of upgrading the webcam (which costs the same price between them, so you should get the 4K model). It would have been nice to see an OLED variant, especially since the color in this LED panel is lacking (but I'll delve into that more later).
Overall, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is expensive, but surprisingly, it's more affordable than other RTX 50 series gaming laptops we've seen on the market.
Image 1 of 2
Image 2 of 2
This thing looks like it's about to blast the thrusters and head to outer space.
I am in love with this design. It's been said before, even I have said it, but damn does this thing look like it's about to blast the thrusters and head to outer space. From the curved edges to the sci-fi-esque vents, the Alienware 16 Area-51 stays true to its namesake.
I'll admit, however, I'm not a fan of the Liquid Teal color; it just doesn't look nice. I would've preferred white or another lighter color. Despite that, the black on the hinge contrasts quite well with it, and opening up the lid activates the RGB light bar embedded within the hinge, producing an aurora-esque diffused light. It looks pretty sick. (The Alienware logo lights up, too.)
The interior gives off a similar vibe thanks to the numerous vents surrounding the keyboard, not to mention the RGB lighting in the keyboard, touchpad, and fans at the top of the deck. It's straight up Christmas in here. The bezels on the display are relatively thin, with the webcam on top, but I'm disappointed that there isn't a privacy shutter.
Another slick design feature is the underside — it features a glass window into the internals with the RGB-lit fans.
Despite the Alienware 16 Area-51 resembling a spaceship, it's tough to call it portable at 7.13 pounds and 14.37 x 11.41 x 0.85~1.12 inches. Here's how it compares:
HP Omen Max 16: 5.92 pounds, 14.04 x 10.59 x 0.9~0.98 inches
Razer Blade 16 (2025): 4.6 pounds, 13.98 x 9.86 x 0.59~0.69 inches
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 (RTX 5080): 5.5 pounds, 14.05 x 10 x 0.91~1.18 inches
Image 1 of 3
Image 2 of 3
Image 3 of 3
To maintain its spaceship aesthetic, most of the ports on the Alienware 16 Area-51 are located on the back, with the exception of the SD card slot and headphone jack on the left. Overall, you should have everything you need here.
2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
2x Thunderbolt 5 ports (for configurations with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and above)
1x HDMI 2.1
1x SD-card slot
1x 3.5mm headphone jack
If you really need more ports, check out our best USB Type-C hubs and best laptop docking stations pages.
I didn't expect the Alienware 16 Area-51 to offer great battery life
I didn't expect the Alienware 16 Area-51 to offer great battery life, considering how much of a chunky monkey it is, but I'm still a bit disappointed.
On the Laptop Mag battery test, which sets the laptop to continuously surf the web over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, the Alienware 16 Area-51 lasted 4 hours and 10 minutes. That's not bad per se, but the Aorus Master lasted a whole hour longer, and the Razer Blade lasted over three hours longer.
There's a similar trend on the PCMark 10 Gaming battery life test, where the Area-51 lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes, while the Razer Blade and Aorus Master lasted 40 to 60 minutes longer, respectively.
Click to view chart data in table format
Alienware 16 Area-51
HP Omen Max 16
Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16
Battery life (Higher is better)
4.1
3.2
7.22
5.02
PCMark 10 Gaming Battery life (higher is better)
1.5
1.24
2.28
2.54
Displays designed for video games are precious to me
Displays designed for video games are precious to me, and if I'm paying over $3K for a gaming laptop, it better be pretty. Unfortunately, the Alienware 16 Area-51's 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, LED display falls a bit short. It's plenty bright, more than its competition, and nearly as bright as the M4 MacBook Pros. However, the color is severely lacking for the price, and that's likely due to the LED panel, whereas its top rivals use OLED.
I hopped into an expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign and bodied those nightmare Flame Chariots. While their flames were bright, and everything looked lively, the lack of boldness took me out of it a little. I think the issue is that the LED panel feels like I'm looking at a screen, whereas OLED feels like looking through a window. I'll say this, however: I didn't have any trouble navigating the shadowy mines.
I watched the trailer for the currently bombing Lilo & Stitch film, and the night shots were clear, which is nice because I didn't need to squint. And although the day shots were really bright, those Hawaiian waters didn't look as bold as I wanted them to.
According to our colorimeter, the Area-51 doesn't meet the 100% DCI-P3 color coverage that Dell claims it does (falling to 81.6%). However, it does break its claimed 500-nit display brightness.
Click to view chart data in table format.
Alienware 16 Area-51
HP Omen Max 16
Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16
Display brightness (Higher is better)
516
363
372
378
sRGB color gamut (Higher is better)
115%
199.7
204%
114%
DCI-P3 color gamut (Higher is better)
81.6%
141.4
144.6%
81.0%
Color accuracy (Lower is better)
0.21
0.31
0.3
0.23
Nothing is more satisfying than a mechanical keyboard in a gaming laptop.
Nothing is more satisfying than a mechanical keyboard in a gaming laptop. It still feels like a dream that laptops like the Alienware 16 Area-51 are rocking a CherryMX mechanical keyboard. This baby is clicky and punchy; bodying fools in Marvel Rivals felt as smooth as ever.
I knocked out 83 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, which is above my usual 81-wpm average. Moving to each key felt effortless, thanks to that mechanical bounce.
The 4.4 x 2.5-inch touchpad is not only colorful, but it's also glass, so it's silky smooth to the touch. It also features a mid-depth, sharp click, which is satisfying to navigate with. My only gripe is that I wish the touchpad were taller because it makes it more challenging to select a wide area.
the Alienware 16 Area-51's top and bottom-firing speakers made me feel like I jumped right into the thick of combat.
With two tweeters (treble) and two woofers (bass), the Alienware 16 Area-51's top and bottom-firing speakers made me feel like I jumped right into the thick of combat. Although the music performance could have been better.
Dashing across Limveld in Nightreign, oppressive but present strings played in the background while the Depraved Perfumer tried to murder me. I dodged and sliced through them, and got that satisfying slash sound effect when I made impact. When I popped my ultimate ability off, it sounded a bit more muted than I would've liked, but the overall environmental sound effects played well together. It got occasionally muddy when larger bosses started chomping at me.
Jumping into my long-lasting hyperfixation, I listened to 'Wouldn't You Like' from Epic: The Musical. The stringed instruments sounded gentle and full, and when Hermes came in, I enjoyed his soft vocals, but I realized they were maybe a bit too soft. The vocals didn't hit the crispness I expected. While I could distinguish most of the instruments from one another, there was some muddiness, and the percussion got snuffed a bit.
But overall, it's a strong set of speakers compared with the mediocrity we usually find in even the most expensive gaming laptops. You adjust the audio via Dolby Access, with presets for Game (which I used for gaming), Music (used for music), Movie, Voice, and Dynamic (which I experimented with but wasn't a fan of).
This monster doesn't need to worry about slimming down for portability's sake, so it even crushes RTX 5090 gaming laptops on some tests.
Packed into the Area-51's thick chassis is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM. This monster doesn't need to worry about slimming down for portability's sake, so it even crushes RTX 5090 gaming laptops on some tests.
Trying our luck with the Gaping Jaw again, my comrades and I leapt into its chaotic purple lightning storms, and the Area-51 easily maxed out the cap at 60 frames per second on max settings at native resolution.
Up against the RTX 5080 in the Aorus Master and the RTX 5090 in the Razer Blade and Omen Max, the Area-51 either matched or took the crown on three major gaming benchmarks. So the Area-51 is better than the rest at playing Assassin's Creed Mirage, Black Myth: Wukong, and Far Cry 6.
While the Area-51 may not have taken the lead on the rest of the gaming benchmarks, it got pretty darn close across the board. You won't be disappointed with this level of performance. And keep in mind that our benchmarks don't account for DLSS 4, so if you want to get into multi-frame generation magic, you can expect a significant increase in frames.
Click to view chart data in table format.
Alienware 16 Area-51
HP Omen Max 16
Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (Higher is better)
14,073
12,734
14,024
13,695
3DMark Time Spy Extreme (Higher is better)
10,558
10,100
10,770
10,097
Assassin's Creed: Mirage (1080p, fps)
149
137
120
145
Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p, fps)
58
51
58
52
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, fps)
62.94
58.04
65.83
61.52
Far Cry 6 (1080p, fps)
121
109
97
120
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, fps)
82.82
76.55
70.86
85.67
Red Dead Redemption II (Ultra, 1080p, fps)
117
86.9164
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, fps)
183
175
166
185
The Alienware 16 Area-51 absolutely dominated its competition
Don't think Alienware forgot about overall performance. The Area-51 is toting the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 32GB of RAM, and it's one heck of a powerhouse. It didn't flinch when I opened a couple dozen Google Chrome tabs and a handful of YouTube videos while Nightreign downloaded in the background.
The Alienware 16 Area-51 absolutely dominated its competition on the Geekbench 6 overall performance test and our HandBrake benchmark, which requires it to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.
However, the Area-51 lagged a bit behind on SSD speeds, coming in third on our 25GB file transfer test, but since it's above 1 GBps, it should be good for most things.
Now, even though the Area-51 is rocking fans all over the place, it still gets a bit spicy while gaming. We clocked it at 118.7 degrees Fahrenheit between the F8 and F9 keys, which is way above our 95-degree comfort threshold. Yet, it might be safe to sit it in your lap. How? The underside only reached 93.1 degrees. However, I'd proceed with caution since the underside features a glass window, which might burn if it gets too hot.
Click to view chart data in table format.
Alienware 16 Area-51
HP Omen Max 16
Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16
Geekbench 6 (Higher is better)
20,498
19,822
16,025
19,175
Handbrake conversion (Lower is better)
1.58
2.54
3.12
2.18
25GB File Transfer Test (Lower is better)
23.36
19.2
15.52
40.4
25GB File Transfer Test (SSD speed)
1,149
1,395
1,730
665
Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit)
92.9
88.6
97.9
94.3
Gaming Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit, 95 comfort threshold)
118.7
105.8
125.8
116.8
With an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, the Area-51 supports an NPU with 13 peak TOPS (trillion operations per second). With that, you can access your usual Copilot software, like Windows Studio Effects, Cocreate, and Live Captions. Apart from potential performance gain, there isn't any Dell or Alienware-branded software with unique AI capabilities.
Like most laptop webcams, even the Alienware 16 Area-51's 4K shooter isn't great.
Despite that, the webcam handles colors decently well. My blue shirt and the ensemble of colorful outfits of the My Hero Academia crew behind me popped in the image. However, its resolution didn't keep my face and hair from looking fuzzy. And the poor contrast overexposed the window and ceiling. If you plan on streaming, I recommend checking out one of the best webcams.
The software you'll be using the most will be the Alienware Command Center, which features settings for performance, keyboard and chassis lighting, game aggregation, and a quick link to the Dolby Access app. There's also Dell SupportAssist, which handles your drivers, hardware scans, and warranty.
The Area-51 comes with a one-year limited warranty.
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is a near-perfect gaming laptop
The Alienware 16 Area-51 is a near-perfect gaming laptop, boasting incredible performance, a bright 16-inch display, a great keyboard, strong speakers, and a beautiful design. But its display can't beat OLED, and we've seen much better battery life numbers elsewhere.
A gaming laptop that supports both an OLED panel and significantly better battery life is the Razer Blade 16, although you'll need to pay about $1,000 more to get it.
I'll pray to Cthulhu for an OLED variant of the Alienware 16 Area-51 in the future, although right now, this gaming laptop is easily one of the best we've seen this year, and its price point makes it all the more compelling.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Elon Musk biographer says major Tesla merger could be imminent: 'I think it's going to happen'
Elon Musk biographer says major Tesla merger could be imminent: 'I think it's going to happen'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Elon Musk biographer says major Tesla merger could be imminent: 'I think it's going to happen'

Could Tesla eventually merge with another of Elon Musk's companies, xAI? A prominent insider thinks such a move is increasingly likely. Walter Isaacson, the prominent Musk biographer who has received unprecedented access to Tesla's CEO, recently said he expects the two companies to eventually merge, Not a Tesla App reported. During a CNBC interview, Isaacson said combining Tesla and xAI would ultimately better serve each company's mission. "I think it's going to happen," Isaacson said, per "Because Musk, even in my book when he's starting xAI, [was] talking about [how] these chatbots are fine, but what you need is real-world AI. You need to be able to not only take all the texts and tweets that have ever been written, but all the videos from Teslas and all the Optimus robot [is] seeing and hearing." Tesla was a pioneer in electric vehicles and still has the top-selling vehicles in the space — although its sales numbers have dipped this year. But Musk has repeatedly said that the future of the company is tied in more than just cars, including "vast numbers of autonomous humanoid robots." That makes xAI seem like a natural partner for Tesla. It is behind the artificial intelligence assistant Grok, which will reportedly power Tesla's upcoming smart assistant. Musk has also said he expects Grok to be incorporated into Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots, with hopes of sending them to Mars in the near future. In May, Musk said in a CNBC interview, per Business Insider, that "there are no plans" to merge the companies, but that "it's not out of the question." Tesla's sales may have had a bumpy start to the year, but there's no denying the role it has played in bringing millions of cleaner cars onto roads around the world. Studies have shown that driving an EV can reduce carbon pollution by two-thirds compared to gas-powered cars. EVs can be even greener when paired with a renewable energy source for charging, such as solar. In addition, if you have solar panels, that energy is considerably cheaper than relying on the grid or public charging stations. EnergySage allows homeowners to save thousands on solar-panel installation costs by comparing quotes from local, vetted installers. And if the upfront costs of solar are too daunting, Palmetto's LightReach program allows people to lease solar panels, providing locked-in, low energy rates, and a lower carbon footprint, with no down payment. Do you think electric vehicles are efficient enough to replace gas cars? Totally Definitely not They're almost there They need a lot more work Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

What Investors Should Know As Meta Gets (Back) Into Crypto
What Investors Should Know As Meta Gets (Back) Into Crypto

Forbes

timean hour ago

  • Forbes

What Investors Should Know As Meta Gets (Back) Into Crypto

Meta (formerly Facebook) is getting back into crypto Markets and investment trends tend to move in cycles, and the cryptoasset sector is no exception to this rule of the marketplace. As TradFi institutions continue to deploy blockchain affiliated projects, including the launch of a stablecoin by SocGen running on the Ethereum blockchain, the adoption and acceleration of cryptoassets continues virtually unabated. Even as the sentiment toward crypto improves, prices of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies increase, and the policy landscape pivots toward a pro-growth outlook there remain significant obstacles to mainstream utilization. For example, the tax treatment of crypto is an inhibitor to retail utilization of crypto as a method of payment, and the lack of insurance available for crypto and crypto-adjacent products can make it difficult for institutions to allocate substantial funds to cryptoassets. Against this landscape, exemplified both the increasing adoption and understanding of cryptoassets and applications with the continued limitations to institutional usage, one company stands apart for several reasons. Meta (formerly Facebook) recently has been questioned by Senators Warren and Blumenthal related to its support for the GENIUS Act, and specifically whether or not the firm would block a prohibition on Big Tech firms from owning stablecoin issuers. The specifics of the questioning by the senators will most assuredly change over time, but the letter that has been made publicly available detail that the senators desire specifics as to what the stablecoin plans for Meta are. Let's take a look at why this letter and these questions are important, not only for Meta, but for the cryptoasset marketplace at large. Meta, then operating as Facebook, already attempted to launch of a native stablecoin in 2019 via the Libra project which was subsequently rebranded as Diem. This previous effort occurred during an entirely different economic and policy landscape, and occurred as the organization was still contending with intense scrutiny following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. Issues that were raised at the time dealt with the potential of a stablecoin issued by Facebook serving to weaken competition, compromise user privacy, and lead to continued fractionalization of which entity or organization sets policy for U.S. monetary and fiscal policy. While the cryptoasset landscape and policy outlook for crypto projects has definitively shifted to a more permissive stance the very same issues that were raised during 2019 loom large as Meta returns to the stablecoin marketplace. Specifically, the letter from the Senators cited the track record of privacy violations, scams, and fake news that continue to occur on the platform as risks that a native stablecoin could amplify. Even as stablecoins increasingly become more mainstream, and are approaching a market capitalization nearing $300 billion, Meta might find many of the same issues that stymied earlier efforts being dragged back to the surface. Since Meta is one of the few returning players to the stablecoin space this provides an opportunity for crypto native stablecoins such as Circle, which continues to ride high following its IPO in June. As Meta edges closer to launching its own stablecoin, the spotlight on Big Tech's role in digital money is about to get a lot brighter, especially as these same tech firms continue to invest billions in AI initiatives. For crypto-native firms like Circle, that's not a threat - it's an opportunity. Meta's sheer size and complicated history with data privacy all but guarantee it will draw intense regulatory scrutiny. And that scrutiny will set a new bar for how stablecoins are viewed and governed both in the U.S. and abroad. That's where Circle can shine. Unlike tech giants pivoting into payments, Circle was built in crypto — with regulatory engagement and transparency as core pillars. While Meta faces inevitable trust questions and regulatory hurdles, Circle can double down on its position as the safer, more compliant alternative. In the coming months, expect firms like Circle to lean into this advantage, especially as institutional partners and consumers alike grow more cautious about Big Tech controlling their money. Notably, the ongoing partnership between Circle and Coinbase – two of the largest crypto native firms that are publicly traded in the U.S. – can also serve to assuage concerns of policymakers. Regardless of this specific stablecoin project plays out the following reality is becoming increasingly clear, and some would say urgent, for the crypto marketplace. With tens of billions flowing into the sector, TradFi firms deploying blockchain based solutions and native stablecoins, and policymakers actively debating the GENIUS Act, the crypto audit and attestation narrative continues to seem stuck. While the AICPA continues to issue guidance and updates related to digital asset attestation, controls, and valuation, the authoritative standard setters remain behind the proverbial curve. As stablecoins become more important and integrated with payment, treasury, and lending systems the urgency for definitive and standardized auditing best practices will continue to elevate in importance.

Will Washington Learn From Israel's Strikes?
Will Washington Learn From Israel's Strikes?

Wall Street Journal

time2 hours ago

  • Wall Street Journal

Will Washington Learn From Israel's Strikes?

Israel stunned the world last year with a sabotage operation targeting Hezbollah's pagers. On Friday it accomplished a similar feat as it struck the Islamic Republic's nuclear program ('Israel's Nuclear Good Deed,' Review & Outlook, June 14). Mossad agents reportedly prepositioned drones within Iran that eliminated its air defenses and missile launchers. While Americans are beneficiaries of these operations today, we could be vulnerable to such tactics from our adversaries tomorrow. Chinese Communist Party-controlled entities have infiltrated the U.S. and now enjoy multiple access points to critical infrastructure. Local law-enforcement agencies rely on drones designed and manufactured by DJI, a Chinese company with links to the People's Liberation Army. Washington has warned that DJI drones provide data about our infrastructure to Beijing. Chinese companies, like Huawei and Sungrow, account for a significant portion of U.S. solar inverters, which allow solar power to support the grid. This dependency allows Beijing to target towns and cities throughout America, as well as data centers powering AI. Our ports are also dominated by ZPMC cranes embedded with Communist Party-controlled software.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store