Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) 18" specifications and in-depth review

Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) 18"

Manufacturer: Dell

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) 18″ is a high-performance gaming laptop offering a large 18-inch screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px. It includes a backlit keyboard for improved visibility in low-light conditions and a sleek design for those seeking a powerful gaming experience.

In terms of performance, the laptop is equipped with 32GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz, a turbo boost CPU clock speed of 5.4GHz, and 1024GB of NVMe storage. The graphics are powered by an 8GB GPU with a clock speed of 2235 MHz, delivering a solid performance for gaming, and it supports Wi-Fi 7 for fast and reliable connectivity.

Pros
  • Supports Intel Resizable BAR for enhanced performance.
  • Has a high maximum memory bandwidth of 405.8 GB/s, which aids in fast data processing.
  • Includes dual memory channels and supports up to 6400 MHz RAM speed for efficient multitasking.
  • Equipped with integrated graphics for basic GPU tasks without needing a dedicated graphics card.
  • Offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking potential, allowing for better customization of performance.
Cons
  • Lacks support for LHR (Lite Hash Rate), limiting its appeal to cryptocurrency miners.
  • Does not feature Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio experience.
  • No support for stylus input, limiting creative or precision tasks that require such functionality.
  • Does not support S/PDIF Out port, limiting audio connectivity options for high-quality audio systems.
  • Does not have integrated GPS, making it less suitable for location-based services.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users seeking strong computational power for multitasking and creative work, thanks to its powerful dual memory channels and high maximum memory bandwidth of 405.8 GB/s. It is well-suited for users who require both integrated graphics for basic GPU tasks and overclocking potential with its unlocked multiplier. Gamers and content creators will appreciate the system's capabilities in handling demanding workloads, with ample RAM speed of 6400 MHz and efficient resource management.

Who is this NOT for?

This product is not ideal for users focused on audio or multimedia experiences, as it lacks Dolby Atmos support and does not feature an S/PDIF Out port. Additionally, it is not recommended for those needing specific creative tools such as a stylus input. Users relying on location-based services will also find it unsuitable due to the absence of built-in GPS. Lastly, cryptocurrency miners might be disappointed by its lack of LHR support, limiting its mining performance.

Design:

Type Gaming
weight 4340 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
volume 3148.8 cm³
width 410 mm
height 320 mm
thickness 24 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) gaming laptop features a robust design with a width of 410 mm, a height of 320 mm, and a thickness of 24 mm, ensuring a substantial form factor. With a weight of 4340 g, it is built for performance, though it does not feature a fanless design. The laptop includes a backlit keyboard for enhanced usability in low-light environments. It does not have a rugged build or weather-sealing, and its overall volume is 3148.8 cm³, reflecting its large display and performance-driven components.

Display:

screen size 18"
resolution 2560 x 1600 px
pixel density 167 ppi
has a touch screen
brightness (typical) 500 nits
refresh rate 300Hz
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 4

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) features a large 18″ display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 px, delivering clear visuals with a pixel density of 167 ppi. The screen offers a brightness of 500 nits, making it suitable for a variety of lighting conditions, though it does not include an anti-reflection coating. With a 300Hz refresh rate, it provides smooth motion, and it can support up to four external displays for an expansive setup.

Performance:

RAM 32GB
RAM speed 6400 MHz
Uses flash storage
internal storage 1024GB
CPU speed 8 x 2.7 & 16 x 2.1 GHz
CPU threads 24 threads
VRAM 8GB
floating-point performance 23.22 TFLOPS
GDDR version GDDR7
texture rate 362.9 GTexels/s
pixel rate 121 GPixel/s
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
GPU clock speed 2235 MHz
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 64GB
DDR memory version 5
turbo clock speed 5.4GHz
GPU turbo 2520 MHz
memory slots 2
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 4 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) is equipped with 32GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz, providing smooth multitasking and fast performance. It offers 1024GB of NVMe flash storage, ensuring quick data access. The laptop is powered by a CPU with a total clock speed of 8 x 2.7 GHz and 16 x 2.1 GHz, along with 24 threads for efficient parallel processing. The graphics are handled by a GPU with 8GB of VRAM and a clock speed of 2235 MHz, supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate and achieving 23.22 TFLOPS of floating-point performance, making it highly capable for demanding tasks.

Benchmarks:

PassMark (G3D) result 19987
PassMark result 56426
PassMark result (single) 4723

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) achieves a PassMark score of 56426, indicating strong overall performance. The graphics performance is reflected in its PassMark G3D result of 19987, while its single-core performance is captured with a PassMark result of 4723. These benchmarks highlight the system's ability to handle demanding tasks with impressive efficiency.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
Thunderbolt 4 ports 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 3
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
Has USB Type-C
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot
RJ45 ports 1
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
DisplayPort outputs 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
has AirPlay
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
has a VGA connector

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) offers a range of connectivity options, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports for high-speed data transfer. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and previous Wi-Fi versions, ensuring fast wireless performance. The laptop also includes HDMI 2.1 output, one RJ45 port, and an external memory slot for expanded storage options, while it lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2 or 3.2 Gen 1 USB-C ports.

Battery:

Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) includes sleep-and-charge USB ports for convenient charging of devices while the laptop is in sleep mode. However, it does not support a MagSafe power adapter, providing an alternative charging method for users.

Features:

release date January 2025
has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
supports ray tracing
supports DLSS
has Dolby Atmos
Stylus included
Has a fingerprint scanner
number of microphones 1
Uses 3D facial recognition
has voice commands
has a front camera
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a gyroscope
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has an optical disc drive

The Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) features stereo speakers and a 3.5 mm audio jack for audio connectivity, along with a front camera for video calls. It supports advanced gaming technologies like ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced graphics and performance. However, it does not include Dolby Atmos, a stylus, a fingerprint scanner, or support for voice commands or 3D facial recognition.

Miscellaneous:

clock multiplier 27
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR Intel Resizable BAR
GPU architecture Blackwell
has LHR
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 50W
Supports 3D
Supports multi-display technology
OpenCL version 3
OpenGL version 4.6
Supports ECC memory
memory bus width 128-bit
effective memory speed 25400 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth 405.8 GB/s
render output units (ROPs) 48
texture mapping units (TMUs) 144
shading units 4608
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)
GPU memory speed 2000 MHz
Type Laptop
CPU socket BGA 2114
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has an unlocked multiplier
L3 cache 36 MB
L2 cache 40 MB
Has NX bit
Turbo Boost version 2
CPU temperature 105 °C
Has integrated graphics
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
Uses big.LITTLE technology

This laptop features an Intel Resizable BAR for improved performance, and its GPU architecture is based on Blackwell, offering enhanced graphics capabilities. With unlocked multiplier support, it enables overclocking, while the maximum memory bandwidth reaches an impressive 405.8 GB/s. The system also supports ECC memory for error correction, and features dual memory channels with a maximum RAM speed of 6400 MHz. Additionally, the processor includes a 36 MB L3 cache and 40 MB L2 cache, ensuring swift data access.

Final Verdict

The product excels as a high-performance laptop, equipped with impressive computational power, making it a strong contender for users requiring robust multitasking capabilities. With features like a high-speed RAM and substantial maximum memory bandwidth, it's an excellent choice for demanding tasks. Its integrated graphics and unlocked multiplier further enhance its versatility for gaming and creative work. However, it may not be ideal for those focused on audio features or specific input devices. Overall, this laptop offers a solid performance package for power users, but those seeking more specialized multimedia features or specific hardware support should consider alternatives.

Popular Comparisons

Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) 18"
Dell Alienware 18 Area-51 (2025) 18"
VS
Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2025) FX608 16" (Core i7-14650HX / RTX 5050 Laptop / 16GB RAM / 1TB)
Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2025) FX608 16" (Core i7-14650HX / RTX 5050 Laptop / 16GB RAM / 1TB)