Alienware laptops go Core Duo

Gaming PC manufacturer Alienware updated its line of laptops this morning, adding three models with optional dual-core processors. The new systems come in two form factors: one desktop replacement, the Area-51 m5750, and two thin-and-lights, the Area-51 m5550 and the Sentia m3450. All three models are powered by an Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processor at speeds from 1.66GHz to 2.33GHz and can be configured with up to 2GB of 667MHz RAM. Either a CD-RW/DVD combo drive or a dual-layer DVD burner, in addition to 802.11a/b/g, Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel high-definition audio, USB 2.0, FireWire, a 4-in-1 memory card reader, and S-Video out are all standard on the new notebooks.

The 8-pound, 17-inch wide-screen (with a 1,440x900 or a 1,920x1,200 native resolution) Area-51 m5750 supports two 5,400rpm or 7,200rpm hard drives on a RAID controller for between 60GB and 200GB of total storage. The notebook features a discrete graphics subsystem powered by either the ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 with 128MB of dedicated VRAM or the X1800 with 256MB of VRAM. The system also has a full-size keyboard with a number pad and programmable application-launch buttons. The Area-51 m5750 starts at $1,499.

The Area-51 m5550 is a 6-pound thin-and-light with a 15.4-inch wide-screen display (1,920x1200 or 1,280x800 native resolution). Alienware offers two different discrete graphics subsystems: the 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 or the 256MB Nvidia GeForce Go 7600. The system can be configured with a 5,400rpm hard disk up to 120GB or a 7,200rpm hard disk up to 100GB. The Area-51 m5550 starts at $1,399.

The Sentia m3450 has a smaller, 14.1-inch wide-screen display (1,280x768 native resolution) and weighs 5.5 pounds. The system comes with either a 5,400rpm hard disk up to 120GB or a 7,200rpm hard disk up to 100GB and an integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics subsystem. The Sentia m3450 starts at $1,099.