With an iridescent color scheme and a futuristic aluminum design, the Area-51 (starts at $1,999.99; $3,399.99 as tested) is Alienware’s ode to its current brand identity and a showcase for what the ...

Very pretty desktop with nice lighting, especially if you like Tron. GPU, RAM, and storage are simple upgrades. Tool-less latch system to remove the side panel. Great value. CPU upgrades are limited.

Solid gaming performance. Really bright, 240-Hz display. Convenient ports in the back. Responsive touchpad. Battery life is decent. Keyboard and palm rests get warm. Cheaper gaming laptops perform ...

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. The Alienware 16 Area-51 sets the stage for the Dell-owned ...

The Alienware 16 Area-51 delivers serious gaming performance in an excellent package, complete with a mechanical keyboard and other high-end touches. It’s competitively priced for the hardware, too.

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 ...