Lugging a gaming PC around isn’t exactly practical, and handhelds like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally are fun, but not exactly built for heavy lifting. If you want something that’s actually powerful and still portable, a gaming laptop’s where you’ll probably end up.
The only problem is, they’re usually eye-wateringly expensive. A new discount hasn’t exactly changed with Dell’s new Alienware Area-51s, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was.
There’s two versions to pick from, both $200 off, a 16-inch model or the massive 18-inch version. Both come with 4K displays and high refresh rates: 240Hz on the 16, and a frankly ridiculous 300Hz on the 18.
These are the new versions replacing the old m-series, and they’ve definitely had a bit of a glow-up. Under the hood you’ve got Intel’s latest Core Ultra 9 chip and the RTX 5080, which is basically the kind of GPU you’d want if you’re spending this kind of crazy money.
The CPU has 24 cores, which is probably more than most people will ever need unless you’re editing videos or doing some heavy multitasking. Still, nice to have that kind of headroom. The design’s been cleaned up a bit too, less RGB spaceship, more grown-up with a mortgage.
Dell’s Memorial Day sale should also start fairly soon, which I’m sure will have several more deals to consider as well, so keep an eye out for that in the coming days as well.
