Alienware Area-51 m5700 review

What you need to know

Reviewed by: Rory Reid

Reviewed on: 24 November 2005

Tags: Alienware, Alienware Area-51 m5700, card reader, hard drive, performance

We like:

Fast 3D graphics handling; 17-inch widescreen display; four USB ports

We don't like:

Unpowered mini-FireWire port; noisy DVD drive; limited resolution on standard model

You might also need:

USB mouse; optional Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system; games

CNET UK judgement:

The Area-51 M5700 is a capable, well-specified laptop that disappoints in relatively few areas. It is stupidly expensive in comparison to faster, better-equipped options from smaller vendors, but it's an attractive proposition if you want the kudos of owning an Alienware machine

Full review:

The Alienware Area-51 m5700 embodies the company's passion for creating high-performance laptops by squashing a host of fast components inside a large but surprisingly lean chassis. It isn't small, but it's good for much more than just typing documents and doing your homework on -- this is a laptop that can handle anything from spreadsheets to 3D gaming. Some aspects of its specification have been eclipsed by newer components, and it is enormously pricey in comparison to laptops from smaller vendors, but if you want a laptop from one of the big names, the Alienware is a worthy contender. Continue Reading...