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Alienware Area-51m Series

R1, R2

Processor:

Graphics Card:

Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The Alienware Area-51m arrived in 2019 as R1 and returned in 2020 as R2, and it remains one of the strangest gaming laptops ever shipped: a 17.3-inch chassis built around a desktop-socket Intel processor and a swappable, desktop-class graphics module. Dell built it for players who wanted upgrade paths a normal laptop can't offer, and for anyone chasing the highest frame rates in a portable rig. Neither generation carries a public model number beyond R1 or R2, so this page covers both. Because the internals are configurable and, in many cases, physically swappable, condition and the parts currently installed matter more here than on a sealed ultrabook. Pick your configuration and condition above for a live cash offer, see how the process works, or head straight to the page to sell your Alienware laptop.

Confirm you have the Area-51m

Open Dell SupportAssist or go to Settings → System → About in Windows to see the model name and service tag. You can also press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and check the System tab for the processor listed, or open Device Manager to see which graphics card is installed. Because the CPU and GPU can be swapped after purchase, matching the generation to R1 or R2 is the more reliable identifier than trying to match a spec sheet exactly.

Area-51m R1 (2019)

  • Socketed Intel Core i7 8th or 9th Gen, or Core i9 9th Gen
  • Graphics options up to NVIDIA RTX 2080
  • No Wi-Fi 6, no Radeon graphics option

Area-51m R2 (2020)

  • Socketed Intel Core i7 or i9, 10th Gen
  • Adds AMD Radeon RX 5700M as a graphics option
  • Killer Wi-Fi 6 wireless

Prefer a visual check? R2 carries a thin accent light bar across the rear hinge that R1 does not have. Both generations share the same thick, heavily vented 17.3-inch chassis and the large rectangular power brick, which is normal for this laptop and not a sign of damage.

Core hardware configurations

Processor

  • Intel Core i7, 8th Gen
  • Intel Core i7 or i9, 9th Gen
  • Intel Core i7 or i9, 10th Gen

These are desktop-socket chips (LGA1151), not standard mobile parts, and a qualified tech can replace them. Higher core-count i9 configurations are the ones buyers look for first.

Graphics

  • AMD Radeon RX 5700M (R2 only)
  • NVIDIA RTX 1660 Ti
  • NVIDIA RTX 2060
  • NVIDIA RTX 2070
  • NVIDIA RTX 2080

The GPU sits on a removable module rather than being soldered to the board. This is the single biggest driver of resale value on an Area-51m: an RTX 2080 configuration is worth meaningfully more than an entry-level 1660 Ti unit.

Memory (RAM)

  • Four SO-DIMM slots, DDR4
  • Upgradable up to 64GB

Storage

  • Dual M.2 NVMe slots plus a 2.5-inch SATA bay
  • Supports RAID 0 across the NVMe drives
  • User-upgradable

Display & audio

Display: 17.3-inch Full HD panel, with high refresh rate variants offered up to 300Hz on some builds, aimed at competitive play rather than color-critical work.

Audio: Stereo speakers with a dedicated subwoofer built into the chassis, tuned for a fuller low end than most gaming laptops manage.

Keyboard: Per-key RGB backlighting on the standard keyboard, with a low-profile mechanical keyboard offered as an upgrade on some configurations.

Ports & connectivity

The Area-51m carries a desktop-style port count, which is part of why the chassis runs thick.

Wired
  • 3x USB 3.1 Type-A
  • 1x USB-C with Thunderbolt 3
  • Mini DisplayPort 1.4
  • HDMI 2.0
  • Gigabit Ethernet (Killer)
  • Headphone/microphone combo jack
Wireless
  • Killer Wi-Fi (802.11ac on R1, Wi-Fi 6 on R2)
  • Bluetooth 5.1

Socketed desktop CPU Upgradable GPU module Thunderbolt 3 Dual M.2 + SATA storage Up to 64GB RAM Per-key RGB keyboard High refresh display options

Battery, build & more

Dimensions & weight: A desktop-replacement chassis, thick and heavy compared with any thin-and-light, plus a large power brick that ships with it. Buyers expect the size; it is not a defect.

Market positioning: A discontinued line, valued today mainly for the socketed, upgradable internals rather than as a lightweight daily driver. Interest tends to track the GPU tier installed.

Software: Ships with Windows and Alienware Command Center for lighting, performance profiles, and fan control.

Known issues: Widely reported battery drain even while plugged in and powered off, which some owners work around by removing the battery for desk use. Worth disclosing at sale so the condition grade reflects it accurately.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find the model number or exact configuration?
Open Dell SupportAssist, which reads the service tag and lists the exact configuration Dell originally shipped. Windows Settings → System → About confirms the model name, and Device Manager or dxdiag shows the CPU and GPU currently installed, which matters here since either can be swapped after purchase. If SupportAssist isn't installed, the service tag sticker on the underside gives you the same starting point to look up on Dell's site.
02 How do I tell it apart from the Alienware m17?
The m17 is thinner, lighter, and uses standard mobile processors and Max-Q graphics soldered or fixed to the board, with no user-upgradable CPU or GPU module. If the underside allows access to a large removable graphics card and a socketed processor, or if Device Manager shows a desktop-class GPU like an RTX 2080 rather than a Max-Q variant, you have an Area-51m, not an m17.
03 Can I sell it with damage, a weak battery, or if it won't turn on?
Yes, a cracked screen, a battery that no longer holds charge, or a unit that won't power on can still be sold; the quote simply adjusts for condition. Before shipping, sign out of your Microsoft account under Settings → Accounts and, if BitLocker is active, suspend or decrypt the drive. A locked or BitLocker-protected drive can prevent testing and slow down payment, even on a laptop that won't boot.
04 What raises the trade-in value the most?
The installed GPU matters most: an RTX 2080 or 2070 configuration is worth clearly more than a 1660 Ti build. After that, a higher-tier i9 processor, a full RAM upgrade, and clean cosmetic condition on the lid and hinge all help. Including the original 330-watt power adapter also supports a stronger offer, since replacements are hard to find and expensive.
05 How do I erase it and get paid?
Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC and choose Remove everything to wipe the drive. Before that, remove the device from your Microsoft account under Settings → Accounts, and if BitLocker encryption is on, suspend it so the reset completes cleanly. Sign out of any game launchers as well, since some store licenses locally. Shipping is free and insured, and once the laptop passes testing you're paid by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or check. Full steps are on our data erasure protocols page.