Alienware equips Area 51m laptop with Core i9-9900K and replaceable RTX 2080

Dell has announced the world’s most powerful gaming laptop at CES: the Area 51m. In name and design, the laptop refers to the Area 51 desktop PC of the brand, but not only that, the processor and video card can also be found in desktop systems.

Alienware calls the Area 51m a “worthy desktop replacement” and that is the laptop thanks to the desktop parts that are inside. Just like a desktop computer, the parts are easy to replace. In the case of the processor, it is a standard socket 1151 CPU in combination with an Intel Z390 chipset. The GPU is also replaceable and for this Dell has developed its own form factor, which it calls ‘dgff’, or Dell Graphics Form Factor. Upgrading the video card is therefore only possible if you purchase a special dgff video card from Dell. Switching to MXM was not an option, as that specification is no longer supported, Dell said.

CPU and GPU are also overclockable and Dell indicates up to how many watts of heat development that is possible. The CPU is limited to a maximum consumption of 119 watts, which is almost 25 watts more than the tdp of an i9-9900K. The video card can be overclocked to 180 watts, which is 30 watts more than the 150W TDP of an RTX 2080. The working memory is inserted in a maximum of four slots, making the maximum 64GB.

The laptop weighs 3.87 kilograms and that does not include the two adapters that are needed to provide the laptop with enough energy. The Alienware 51m will be available in the United States from January 29 for $2,550, converted and including VAT, that’s $2,700. It is not known which configuration you will get for that money, but Dell reports that cheaper versions will also be available. If you purchase the most extensive version, you will undoubtedly be a lot more expensive.