Alienware Area 51 m15x

Somewhere between those sets of numbers lies the real-world truth: Although the Area 51 m15x runs as well as a midrange gaming desktop does, don't expect to attain the notebook's native resolution with everything. Even so, you can try to tweak its performance to eke out every last bit of oomph, using the built-in Fusion power-optimizing utility; the handy drop-down menus and sliders help you reach peak performance.

The real shocker about this impressive performance is that it comes from a well-built 15-inch notebook, not some table-eclipsing desktop replacement. This beast will be able to slip into most laptop bags. That's not to say that the Area 51 isn't heavy: You'll lug around a 7.9-pound anchor for your portable gaming--an anchor that barely musters 1 hour, 40 minutes of play time. That battery life is well below average, even by desktop-replacement standards. Even though this machine screams "play me," offering a Blu-ray drive, a solid stereo sound system, and HDMI-out, it won't last you long.

Once you do set up shop somewhere, the backlit keys might distract you from the fact that the keyboard dips a little under pressure. That isn't a horrible offense, but the fact that you can change the neon trim lining the notebook to red or white (or just toggle it off) doesn't outweigh the need for a portable to be rock-solid and bulletproof if you're spending four grand on it.

It's funny, because the Alienware m15x's layout almost feels alien in that it has minimal seams, stickers, and openings. The disc drive has no manual eject button (that's assigned to a function key on the keyboard). The inputs (three USB, one FireWire) stay out of your way. The special function shortcut keys at the top are touch-sensitive--there's nothing to press. Heck, you wouldn't even know where the touchpad was if it didn't have LED lighting surrounding it. (And it's interesting that the two mouse buttons hide behind a single bar at the bottom of the touchpad, with the left side of the bar being the left click.)

The only potential downer here, besides the laptop's price, is that all of the LED lighting that helps you customize your machine also makes the top of the display feel a little flimsy. Yep, the display, probably the most susceptible part of the computer, creaks when you lift it. Honestly, that's the most disconcerting thing about the Alienware Area 51 m15x--and, considering the portable's cost, I can't help but notice it.

--Darren Gladstone