What To Know
- The Alienware Area 51m is not known for its exceptional battery life, but the R2 offers a slight improvement over the R1.
- The Alienware Area 51m R1 and R2 come at a premium price point, with the R2 being slightly more expensive due to its upgraded features and components.
- However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t require the most cutting-edge features, the R1 is still a solid option.
The Alienware Area 51m has established itself as a formidable gaming laptop, offering unparalleled performance and customization options. With the recent release of the R2 revision, it’s time to compare the Alienware Area 51m R1 vs R2 and uncover their key differences.
Design and Build Quality
Both the R1 and R2 feature a sleek and aggressive design, with the iconic alien head logo prominently displayed. However, the R2 has undergone some subtle refinements, resulting in a more refined and premium look. The chassis is now made of a combination of magnesium alloy and copper, providing both durability and improved thermal management.
Display
The R1 offers a 17.3-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080p or 3840x2160p. The R2 takes it a step further, introducing a new 360Hz refresh rate option for the 1920x1080p panel. This provides an ultra-smooth gaming experience, especially in fast-paced shooters and competitive titles.
Performance
At the heart of the R1 and R2 lies the 9th and 10th generation Intel Core processors, respectively. Both laptops can be configured with up to an Intel Core i9 processor, delivering exceptional performance for gaming, content creation, and other demanding tasks.
In terms of graphics, the R1 offers NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or 2080 graphics cards, while the R2 includes the more powerful RTX 3070 or 3080 options. These GPUs provide stunning visuals and allow for high frame rates at high resolutions.
Cooling
The Area 51m is renowned for its advanced cooling system, the “Cryo-Tech 3.0.” The R1 features a dual-fan design, while the R2 introduces a new quad-fan system, significantly improving airflow and heat dissipation. This ensures that the laptop remains cool and stable even during intense gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Alienware Area 51m is not known for its exceptional battery life, but the R2 offers a slight improvement over the R1. With the 90Wh battery, the R2 can last for around 5-6 hours of light usage, such as web browsing or office work.
Connectivity
Both the R1 and R2 offer a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and HDMI. The R2 adds a new Killer Wi-Fi 6E card, providing even faster wireless speeds and reduced latency.
Customization
One of the key strengths of the Alienware Area 51m is its high level of customization. Both the R1 and R2 allow users to personalize their laptops with a variety of options, including custom paint jobs, keyboard layouts, and performance upgrades.
Price
The Alienware Area 51m R1 and R2 come at a premium price point, with the R2 being slightly more expensive due to its upgraded features and components. The base configuration of the R1 starts around $1,800, while the R2 starts around $2,000.
Verdict
The Alienware Area 51m R1 and R2 are both exceptional gaming laptops that offer a unique blend of performance, customization, and portability. While the R1 remains a solid choice, the R2 brings significant improvements in display, performance, cooling, and connectivity.
Ultimately, the best choice between the Alienware Area 51m R1 vs R2 depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest in gaming laptop technology, the R2 is the clear winner. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t require the most cutting-edge features, the R1 is still a solid option.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: What are the key differences between the Alienware Area 51m R1 and R2?
A: The main differences include a more refined design, a higher refresh rate display option, improved cooling with a quad-fan system, and faster connectivity with Killer Wi-Fi 6E.
Q: Which laptop has better performance, the R1 or R2?
A: The R2 offers superior performance thanks to its 10th generation Intel Core processors and more powerful RTX 3070 or 3080 graphics cards.
Q: Does the R2 have a longer battery life than the R1?
A: Yes, the R2 has a slightly improved battery life due to its more efficient cooling system and battery management.
Q: Can I customize both the R1 and R2?
A: Yes, both the R1 and R2 offer extensive customization options, including custom paint jobs, keyboard layouts, and performance upgrades.
Q: Which laptop is more expensive, the R1 or R2?
A: The R2 is slightly more expensive than the R1 due to its upgraded features and components.
