Alienware is making a grand comeback with the relaunch of its iconic gaming brand, the Area 51, at CES 2025. This highly anticipated revival comes after several years without updates to the product line that once defined high-performance gaming in the late 90s and early 2000s. Fans of Alienware will be thrilled to see both the Area 51 gaming PC and Area 51 gaming laptops re-entering the market.
Table of Contents
An iconic desktop line returns
The last major refresh of the Alienware Area 51 line occurred in 2017 with the announcement of the Area 51 R4 at E3. The new design brings the line back to its roots, focusing on an upgraded PC component workspace. With a massive 80L capacity, the new Area 51 tower emphasizes expandability, allowing gamers to craft their ultimate rig.
Key features include:
- Positive pressure airflow design: This innovative design helps vent hot air through the back, minimizing noise during intensive gaming sessions.
- AIO liquid cooling: Available with either 360mm or 240mm radiators, the cooling system can be upgraded to support a 420mm model for enhanced heat management.
- Configurable options: Gamers can customize their setups with up to 64GB DDR5-6400 RAM and a staggering 8TB storage.
- Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics card: Top-tier graphics performance is within reach as users can opt for this powerful GPU, launching in Q1 2025.
While the precise pricing details have yet to be disclosed, initial estimates suggest that the launch configuration could start around $4,500 (approximately £3,600/AU$6,750), aligning with the high-end expectations surrounding this legendary brand’s revival.
Alienware Area 51 laptops
Alongside the powerful desktop, Alienware is also reintroducing Area 51 gaming laptops, catering to mobile gamers who demand performance on the go. These laptops are available in two size options: 16-inch and 18-inch, both packed with impressive capabilities.
Notable features of the Area 51 laptops include:
- High-performance processors: Configured with an Intel Core Ultra 285HX processor, these laptops can handle even the most intensive gaming tasks.
- Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU: Coupled with a total power profile of 280W, this graphics powerhouse promises to deliver stunning visuals and seamless gameplay.
- Improved airflow design: Redesigned for optimized airflow, the chassis improves cooling performance by up to 37% while reducing noise levels by approximately 15%.
- RGB lighting enhancements: Aesthetic touches, such as an underglow beneath the keyboard from the bottom RGB fan, add a stylish flair.
- PCIe 5.0 SSD support: As Alienware’s first laptops to feature this technology, configurations will allow for up to 12TB of lightning-fast storage.
Scheduled to hit the market later in Q1 2025, the Area 51 laptops will initially offer higher-end configurations starting around $3,200 (about £2,560/AU$4,800). Eventually, more entry-level models will be available, likely starting at a price point of $1,999 (approximately £1,600/AU$3,000).
Leave a comment