Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
HP Omen Max 16 gaming laptop on a wooden desk
Laptops The best gaming laptop 2026 - HP holds first place as budget machines battle it out
Hand holding Anbernic RG Cube with gameplay from Zelda: Oracle of Seasons intro on screen.
Retro Best retro handheld 2026: my portable picks for playing the classics
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI gaming laptop on a wooden desk
Laptops The Acer Predator Triton 14 AI wants to run your game room and office, but it's not as sharp as the Blade
Acer Predator Orion X review  of the PC next to another ITX chassis
Desktop PCs The best gaming PC 2026: Find your perfect pre-built powerhouse
HyperX
Roguelike Games A new era of HyperX begins as OMEN joins the family, with three big hitting gaming laptops
Angled view of Steam Machine with glowing edges and Steam game artwork panels in backdrop.
Desktop PCs The Steam Machine is on the way, so here's everything I need you to know before Valve's mini PC lands
Mangmi Pocket Max on table next to original Xbox Duke controller with Halo: Combat Evolved cutscene on screen featuring Master Chief.
Retro I feel like I can't escape Xbox drama, as even new retro handheld emulators are causing a stir over app charges
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
Back panel of Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI lid on a wooden desk
Laptops Acer's "do-it-all" RTX 5070 Ti gaming laptop just dropped back to a record-low price at Best Buy
Flexispot E7 Plus in standing mode with Game Boy and screwdriver set sitting on top
Peripherals Best gaming desk 2026: all the surfaces I'd use for PC and console setups
Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop with lid slightly closed
Laptops Best Alienware laptop 2026: all the latest models compared
Xbox Series X and controller.
Hardware Project Helix "might be Microsoft's last attempt to make their hardware business work," analyst suggests
Close up on display of Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 gaming laptop
Laptops The best Asus gaming laptops 2026
ACEMAGIC Retro X5 mini PC on woodgrain desk with X5 text above and blurred NES box art in backdrop.
Desktop PCs It's no Steam Machine, but if you've got a grand to splash on a tiny rig, I'd check out this NES-inspired mini PC
Rendered image of RetroBox modern CRT VHS combo TV with black backdrop next to stack of VHS tapes.
Retro As a CRT enthusiast, I'm hyped to see a startup try to bring back the "VHS combo TV", but the retro gamer in me is suspicious
  1. Games

Alienwares latest desktop looks like the Xboxs little brother

News
By Alex Roth published 18 January 2012

Is it just a “mini” system, or is Alienware invading the living room?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The X51 is the newest PC from Alienware and it looks like the original Xbox’s little brother. It may be called a desktop, but it looks like it belongs in your living room, not on top of your desk. Is the PC gaming giant looking to carve a chunk out of the console market with this moderately priced, even more moderately sized system?

Is it meant to be a console-replacing living room computer, or just a step into Apple’s portable, affordable Mac Mini territory? The presentation of the X51 is a tad schizophrenic. Alienware’s inclusion of a wired mouse and keyboard, and lack of cordless options, screams traditional desktop. But promotional text describing the X51 as “designed to fit any living space,” says look out Xbox, we’re coming for you. Still, the inclusion of a versatile HDMI port and devices like the Nostromo gaming keypad suggests that anything’s possible.

An Alienware system to the last, the X51 gives customers their choice of case color, custom lighting, and glowing alien head decal. And as if you needed further temptation, Alienware owner Dell is currently offering free shipping on all systems.

You may like
  • Alienware Area-51 gaming PC on coffee table with TV in in backdrop. The Alienware Area-51 is an absolutely monstrous gaming PC, but I sort of wish it felt more otherworldly
  • Photo of Acemagic Dreamcast-inspired mini PC at CES 2026 Looks like we're getting a Dreamcast Mini (sort of), and it's a mini PC I'd potentially grab over a Steam Machine
  • Alienware Area-51 on circular base with night desert backdrop. Dell's Alienware Area-51 PC range is back for round two with AMD X3D chipsets, but it doesn't come in price peace
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
TOPICS
Alienware
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
Alex Roth
Alex Roth
Read more
Alienware Area-51 gaming PC on coffee table with TV in in backdrop.
Desktop PCs The Alienware Area-51 is an absolutely monstrous gaming PC, but I sort of wish it felt more otherworldly
 
 
Photo of Acemagic Dreamcast-inspired mini PC at CES 2026
Desktop PCs Looks like we're getting a Dreamcast Mini (sort of), and it's a mini PC I'd potentially grab over a Steam Machine
 
 
Alienware Area-51 on circular base with night desert backdrop.
Desktop PCs Dell's Alienware Area-51 PC range is back for round two with AMD X3D chipsets, but it doesn't come in price peace
 
 
Alienware 16 Area-51 Laptop on desk with headset
Laptops Alienware seems to have just fixed one of the biggest issues with its gaming laptops at CES
 
 
ACEMAGIC Retro X5 mini PC on woodgrain desk with X5 text above and blurred NES box art in backdrop.
Desktop PCs It's no Steam Machine, but if you've got a grand to splash on a tiny rig, I'd check out this NES-inspired mini PC
 
 
Close up of Alienware Area-51 front power button with blue RGB lighting.
Desktop PCs New Alienware Area-51 PCs with AMD X3D chipsets have landed on earth, and surprise, surprise, they cost more than my car
 
 
Latest in Games
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto AI making something to GTA 6's scale is "laughable," Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says
 
 
Genshin Impact character Varka on purple background
RPGs Genshin Impact maker affirms hopes to build "a virtual world for 1 billion people by 2030"
 
 
Atsu rides a horse along the coast in Ghost of Yotei
Open World Games Ghost of Yotei dev says cutting features is "really important," so "people would clap" every time something got cut
 
 
Marathon launch trailer screenshot Recon runner reloading a gun
FPS Games What are the requirements for playing Cryo Archive?
 
 
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games If you were hoping for Destiny raid loot from Marathon's Cryo Archive map, these mods ought to do it
 
 
Kliff loiters on a street corner in Crimson Desert as guards in green march past, led by a bulky mechanical suit of armor that's curiously sci-fi-inspired against the medieval fantasy style elsewhere
Action RPGs As Crimson Desert hype reaches fever pitch, the massive RPG looks set to live or die by its world
 
 
Latest in News
Invincible season 4
Superhero Shows Invincible creator Robert Kirkman says MCU-style superhero storytelling isn't "novel" anymore
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto AI making something to GTA 6's scale is "laughable," Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says
 
 
Genshin Impact character Varka on purple background
RPGs Genshin Impact maker affirms hopes to build "a virtual world for 1 billion people by 2030"
 
 
Atsu rides a horse along the coast in Ghost of Yotei
Open World Games Ghost of Yotei dev says cutting features is "really important," so "people would clap" every time something got cut
 
 
Chase Infiniti as Willa in One Battle After Another
Streaming Services Here's where you can stream One Battle After Another, Sinners, Hamnet, and more
 
 
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games If you were hoping for Destiny raid loot from Marathon's Cryo Archive map, these mods ought to do it
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Chase Infiniti as Willa in One Battle After Another
    1
    Stream all of the Oscars 2025 Best Picture nominees – and the winner
  2. 2
    How to get into Cryo Archive in Marathon
  3. 3
    This controller lets you swap between Xbox and PlayStation thumbstick layouts without a toolkit, and it only costs $50
  4. 4
    Resident Evil Requiem's Leon actor yearns for a team-up with the "underutilized" Sheva Alomar, so Ada and Claire might want to redownload Hinge: "I just love her character"
  5. 5
    If you were hoping for Destiny raid loot from Marathon's Cryo Archive map, these exclusive mods ought to do it: "This weapon deals significantly increased damage against [REDACTED]"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...