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Crave TV: Alienware unveils Area-51 m15x laptop

Alienware's new laptop boasts a Core 2 Extreme CPU and it's the first laptop we've seen that uses Nvidia's flagship GeForce 8800 GTX mobile graphics chip -- check out our video

Rory Reid

Alienware's new laptop, the Area-51 m15x is pretty damn special. Not only does it use a Core 2 Extreme CPU, but it's also the first laptop we've seen that uses Nvidia's flagship GeForce 8800 GTX mobile graphics chip.

There's no SLI option, but it is possible to run the m15x in 'Stealth Mode' -- which deactivates the main Nvidia chip and engages a separate integrated non-gaming graphics adaptor in order to extend battery life by a claimed 30 minutes.

It all rests inside a 15.4-inch chassis that will blow the minds of anyone who likes flashing lights or induce fits in anyone with epilepsy. Users can run the special Command Center software to switch the backlight colour behind the keyboard, around the mouse trackpad, and on the alien skull on the lid. The lid itself comes in two forms, a smooth 'Ripley' design, or the ribbed 'Skullcap' design we've seen on so many Alienware laptops in the past. It's all very impressive, if a tad garish. Prices start at $1,399 (£700). -Rory Reid