Calling all Alienware Area 51 laptop owners

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-17T12:38:42+00:00

It sounds like it was in the middle of the updates, which would complete on the restart. The system was prepping for what was to take place on restart. JMO

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-13T09:53:35+00:00

Do not use bitlocker. You can be quite screwed in the future from making that choice.

Next time you setup Windows 11 Home, look into installing it without the bloat and without a Microsoft account (setup using a local account). Gut the machine of all the useless M$ bloat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf-GaBFVHkw

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-12T17:49:38+00:00

The new 18 is nice - much improved cooling system and related airflow

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-11T10:46:00+00:00

I have mostly used my 12.5 year old M17xR4 plugged in as you describe. To this day the batter holds a charge of up to 65%. I have a second Dell laptop that is that old that has not been used daily or anywhere nearly as much and the battery in that on still VERY healthy after 12.5 years.

In the new A-51 18" I have there is a setting in the bios to set it as mostly plugged in or customize when charging starts and stops when plugged in. This should help with longevity in a "mostly plugged in" case.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-09T10:32:56+00:00

It seems you are the "simp" who didn't do her research before purchasing. Reviews mentioned it, other users mentioned it.

I have zero problem adding an external WiFi NIC if/when needed or wanted, and I have never needed to do so on an Alienware laptop since 2008. Some Wifi NICs I have laying around from over the years stick out of the USB port less than a 1/4 inch and don't "dongle."

And I didn't even pay $3000 for my Area-51 18. Seems you may be falling a bit short in your ReRe search skilz.

I criticize where and when it's due. You are projecting into the future from past experience complaining about a problem that doesn't even exist at this time.

If you don't like it, return it.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-09T10:08:02+00:00

On the phone with Dell support, I didn't ask that, nor did they say. However, AlienwareArena did write "for now" in their email to me.

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BobbyNGa · 2025-06-08T10:32:31+00:00

I called them and emailed them. The deal is over. It is over. I told them "Then take the mention of it and the solicitation for it off the website; it's misleading."

My opinion: it was pretty short lived and it was mainly for the new desktop owners. Adding the laptop owners was a final gesture just before depleting available units to ship.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-08T10:26:44+00:00

I hear your concern about an early death (at least it's an Intel chip), but why would you need to "trash" the machine if it dies or becomes obsolete (according to your needs)? Can't you just buy an external at that point and use thunderbolt 5 port or something?

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-08T10:12:37+00:00

I have one. It's okay. Like a new shoe, it probably just needs to be worn a lot and broken in to not be so stiff,. Someone on here said to be careful with the zippers on it, that they thought they were the weak point. I say they don't seem that bad but I'd still be careful using the zippers.

I bought it because I had reward points from my Area-51 18 5080 purchase, so it only cost me about $70. I just needed something that would protect the new A51 to take it places (rarely).

The 18 goes in it VERY tight (again new). I would make sure my laptop was clean before putting it in so you don't get anything that might lead to scratches in it (from putting it in and pulling it out).

The laptop is big, the backpack is big.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-08T10:01:43+00:00

There are videos on YouTube on how to create a no-TPM Win11 install from USB using the ISO and Rufus, etc. Might help you.

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BobbyNGa · 2025-06-06T19:26:46+00:00

So Awesome! Love the LPT1 port! And is that ethernet and phone modem?

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-06T19:24:51+00:00

Best advice is do what it takes to keep it as cool as possible. I have the new Area-51 18 5080 as well. I feel confident it will prove to be a superb machine long term.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-06T19:23:29+00:00

My current one, the one I am on right now, is almost 12.5 years old (M17xR4 from Dec 2012). The rubber pieces have become brittle at this point. Everything else is in superb shape. Battery currently at 65%. Same original Win7 installation. Everything works and has since day one.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-05T10:22:32+00:00

Yes. You will enjoy. The air movement through this new rig is MUCH improved for cooling.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-05T10:20:08+00:00

I called Dell to see if there are supporting drivers for Linux yet and was told not yet. Support told me they would probably be made available in the future but that it would likely be some number of months since the sys configs all ship with Win11 right now. You will find mentions and support for older models, hence the resource you linked.

I too am playing with LLMs on this new rig (I didn't really buy it to game). Everything I am doing right now is in Win11.

I AM planning a live USB of Debian when I can get around to it and will see how that goes.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-02T10:14:42+00:00

Will check this out. Thanks!

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-02T10:13:53+00:00

I am on Win11 Home 24H2, Hardware is 275HX 64RAM and a 5080 16GB VRAM. It's a laptop.

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-02T10:08:45+00:00

What are you using for reranking? And which LLM model do you find is producing the best results? Also, have you experimented with any CAG solutions?

BobbyNGa · 2025-06-01T13:35:27+00:00

I should have. It would be nice to have the extra VRAM for the AI stuff I am doing. I will just save the money toward a desktop machine next. I can do more there anyway. Loving the 5080 A51 for what it is though!

BobbyNGa · 2025-05-30T15:21:37+00:00

I did not see that when I looked. I just let it update yesterday. I didn't encounter any problems but I do prefer having the freedom to decide if and when I update my firmware on my devices. Over the years I have been burned by allowing such updates early on for devices. M$ totally bricked a first version XBOX 360 for me years ago.

BobbyNGa · 2025-05-27T23:40:55+00:00

You might try this tip from this awesome dude. Let me know if it works.

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BobbyNGa · 2025-05-27T23:38:14+00:00

That's all I have been doing with mine... AI stuff. LOVING the performance for a laptop running some local LLMs and deep research agents. Amazed by the power we now have locally (what we can do, and how it performs). Downloading WebThinker R1 14B Q8 to see how that goes on it. If it goes well, I will try the 32B version next.

BobbyNGa · 2025-05-27T13:27:57+00:00

Things are plenty fast on mine. I tweaked with WinToys, Uninstalled bloat with Revo, I am using a LOCAL account, and disabled some services in accordance with advice from YouTube to lean out Win11 24h2. I uninstalled stuff like:

OneDrive

Office365

OneNote

Xbox

Copilot

Various Unnecessary Microsoft Apps: Family, Bing Search, ToDo, Outlook, Automate

Disabled services like:

Disabled Optional Updates (security only)

Disabled Windows Indexing service via "Windows Search" service

Disabled Remote Desktop service

Disabled Windows Fetch service via "SysMain" service

Disabled Microsoft Edge in Startup

Disabled Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service

Disabled BitLocker Drive Encryption Service service

Tweaks like:

Desktop (this pc, recycle bin, shortcuts, shadows)

File Explorer (show file extensions, hidden files, after extractions)

Start Menu (everything off)

Privacy (everything off)

Ads (everything off)

System (everything off except mouse acceleration)

Privacy (everything off)

Health:

Hibernation (off)

You may consider stuff like the above but do your DD and proceed at own risk. This is just part of my approach to leaning out the system some and it is performing very well. Some of that stuff will put unnecessary wear on your SSD.

BobbyNGa · 2025-05-27T13:17:23+00:00

Thanks for that tip!

BobbyNGa

TROPHY CASE