Dell’s Alienware family was an original trailblazer for the modern gaming computer—and their new 18-inch Area-51 laptop proves they’re still a leader in this market. The mighty Alienware 18 Area-51 Gaming Laptop is every bit as sleek and futuristic ...

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Matt Elliott is a senior editor at CNET with a focus on laptops and streaming services.

With such a high price tag, you'd expect Alienware to pack this laptop with all the best goodies. For the most part, it has, and the performance and general experience are great. But the screen is disappointing, the unplugged performance isn't great, and ...