Dell Alienware 16 & 18 Area-51 Review: Bigger is Better?

CPU & GPU Performance

In CPU tests, both laptops post competitive Geekbench and Cinebench scores, thanks to aggressive power delivery (over 150W sustained). The 18-inch’s cooling keeps temps low (max ~82°C), while the 16-inch runs slightly hotter due to its smaller chassis.

For GPU performance, the 18-inch with RTX 5090 leads the pack in 1440p (TimeSpy) and 4K (Steel Nomad) tests. The 16-inch with RTX 5080 edges ahead of competitors in its class. You'll notice we used the 5080 version here instead of the 5090, and that is because we believe it is a better value at this size.

In real-world gaming, both dominate their categories, with the 18-inch often topping charts—especially in Cyberpunk (200+ FPS with frame generation on).

Design, Thermals & Build

The Area-51 chassis is unapologetically big and heavy (7 lbs for 16-inch, 9 lbs for 18-inch). The size pays off in cooling efficiency, especially in the 18-inch, which stays cooler under load than most competitors. Balanced mode offers near-peak performance with reduced fan noise, making it the best day-to-day setting.

Build quality is premium, with a satin dark teal finish, sturdy materials, minimal flex, and smooth-edged keyboard decks for comfort. Aesthetic touches like subtle diffused RGB lighting set it apart without being overbearing.

Display & Input

Both models feature 2560x1600 IPS panels with high refresh rates—240Hz on the 16-inch and 300Hz on the 18-inch—plus G-Sync and Advanced Optimus. Brightness exceeds 550 nits (600+ on the 16-inch). We would've liked to see OLED or Mini-LED at this price point, but the panels are still attractive with good color accuracy.

The Cherry MX mechanical keyboard offers 1.8mm travel and per-key RGB, though slightly loud for some tastes. The mechanical trackpad is responsive, but lacks the premium feel of a haptic option. This is especially disappointing at this price point.

Battery Life & Portability

Battery life remains the Achilles’ heel. Both see ~35–40% performance drop unplugged, with real-world light use delivering poor runtimes compared to thin-and-light or MacBook competitors. These are certainly desk-bound machines.

Verdict

The Alienware Area-51 18 is arguably the best high-performance gaming laptop available—if you can live with its size, weight, and price. The Area-51 16 is also excellent, but its heft makes it less versatile compared to competitors. For buyers prioritizing peak performance, build quality, and cooling over portability, these laptops deliver.