Alienware Area-51m R2 Gaming Laptop Instructions

Alienware Area-51m R2
Setup and Specifications

Regulatory Model: P38E
Regulatory Type: P38E002
June 2020
Rev. A01

Notes, cautions, and warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

© 2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Set up your Alienware Area-51m R2

NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer depending on the configuration you ordered.
Connect one or both power adapters that are supplied with your computer, then press the power button.

NOTE Your computer ships with two power adapters, and it operates normally with one power adapter connected. For maximum gaming performance, it is recommended to connect two adapters. Only use adapters supplied with your device, or Dell-approved adapters to power your device.

Alienware Graphics Amplifier

Alienware Graphics Amplifier enables you to connect an external graphics card to your computer.
When using the Virtual Reality (VR) headset, connect the HDMI cable to the graphics card installed on your Alienware Graphics Amplifier. The USB cables from the VR headset can be connected either to your computer or your Alienware Graphics Amplifier. NOTE: The USB dongle is not required, if you are connecting the USB 3.2 Gen 1 cables on your VR headset to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port on your  Alienware Graphics Amplifier. For more information about Alienware Graphics Amplifier, see Alienware  Graphics Amplifier User’s Guide at www.dell.com/support.

Views of Alienware Area-51m R2

Front

1.  Left speaker
   Provides audio output.
2.  Right speaker
   Provides audio output.

Right

1. SD-card slot
   Reads from and writes to the SD card. The computer supports the following card types:
   • Secure Digital (SD)
   • Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)
   • Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC)
2.  USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (2)
   Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.

Left

1.  Security-cable slot (wedge-shaped)
   Connect a security cable to prevent unauthorized movement of your computer.
2. Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) port
   Supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt 3 and also enables you to connect to an external display using a display adapter.
   Provides data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps for USB 3.2 Gen 2 and up to 40 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3.
   NOTE: A USB Type-C to DisplayPort adapter (sold separately) is required to connect a DisplayPort device.
3. USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
   Connect peripherals such as external storage devices and printers. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5  Gbps. PowerShare enables you to charge your USB devices even when your computer is turned off.
   NOTE: If the charge on your computer’s battery is less than 10 percent, you must connect the power adapter to charge your computer, and USB devices connected to the PowerShare port.
   NOTE: If a USB device is connected to the PowerShare port before the computer is turned off or in hibernate state, you must disconnect and connect it again to enable charging.
   NOTE: Certain USB devices may not charge when the computer is turned off or in a sleep state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the device.
4.  Microphone/headphone port (configurable)
   Connect an external microphone for sound input or headphones for sound output.
5.  Headset port
   Connect headphones or a headset (headphone and microphone combo).

Base

1.  Touchpad
   Move your finger on the touchpad to move the mouse pointer. Tap to left-click and two-finger tap to right-click.
2.  Left-click area
   Press to left-click.
3. Right-click area
   Press to right-click.
4.  Power button (Alien head)
   Press to turn on the computer if it is turned off, in sleep state, or in hibernate state.
   Press to put the computer in a sleep state if it is turned on.
   Press and hold for 4 seconds to force shut down the computer.
   NOTE: You can customize the power-button behavior in Power Options.

Display

1. Left microphone
   Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
2. Camera
   Enables you to video chat, capture photos, and record videos.
3.  Camera-status light
   Turns on when the camera is in use.
4. Right microphone
   Provides digital sound input for audio recording and voice calls.
5.  Tobii Eye Tracker
   An application that enables you to interact with your computer using your eyes.

Back

1. HDMI port
   Connect to a TV or another HDMI-in-enabled device. Provides video and audio output.
2. Mini DisplayPort
   Connect to a TV or another DisplayPort-in-enabled device. Provides video and audio output.
3. Network port
   Connect an Ethernet (RJ45) cable from a router or a broadband modem for network or Internet access.
4. External graphics port
   Connect an Alienware Graphics Amplifier to enhance the graphics performance.
5.  Power-adapter ports (2)
   Connect a power adapter to provide power to your computer.
   

Bottom

1. Service Tag label
   The Service Tag is a unique alphanumeric identifier that enables Dell service technicians to identify the hardware components in your computer and access warranty information.

Specifications of Alienware Area-51m R2

Dimensions and weight

The following table lists the height, width, depth, and weight of your Alienware Area-51m R2.

Table 1. Dimensions and weight

Processor

The following table lists the details of the processors supported by your Alienware Area-51m R2.

Table 2. Processor

Chipset

The following table lists the details of the chipset supported by your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 3. Chipset

Table 3. Chipset(continued)

Operating system

Your Alienware Area-51m R2 supports the following operating systems:

• Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
•  Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit

Memory

The following table lists the memory specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 4. Memory specifications

External ports

The following table lists the external ports of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 5. External ports

Table 5. External ports(continued)

Internal slots

The following table lists the internal slots of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 6. Internal slots

Ethernet

The following table lists the wired Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 7. Ethernet specifications

Wireless module

The following table lists the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module supported on your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 8. Wireless module specifications

Table 8. Wireless module specifications(continued)

Audio

The following table lists the audio specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 9. Audio specifications

Storage

This section lists the storage options on your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Your Alienware Area-51m R2 supports one of the following storage configurations:

• One M.2 solid-state drive
•  Two M.2 solid-state drives
•  One 2.5-inch hard drive and one M.2 solid-state drive
• Three M.2 solid-state drives
•  One 2.5-inch hard drive and two M.2 solid-state drives
• Four M.2 solid-state drives
  The M.2 drive is the primary driver of your Alienware Area-51m R2.

Table 10. Storage specifications

Media-card reader

The following table lists the media cards supported by your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 11. Media-card reader specifications

Description	Values
Media-card type	One SD card
Media-cards supported	Secure Digital (SD) Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)  Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC)
NOTE: The maximum capacity supported by the media card reader varies depending on the standard of the media card installed in your computer.

Keyboard

The following table lists the keyboard specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 12. Keyboard specifications

Camera

The following table lists the camera specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 13. Camera specifications

Touchpad
The following table lists the touchpad specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 14. Touchpad specifications

Power adapter

The following table lists the power adapter specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 15. Power adapter specifications

Table 15. Power adapter specifications(continued)

Battery

The following table lists the battery specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 16. Battery specifications

Display

The following table lists the display specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Table 17. Display specifications

GPU—Integrated

The following table lists the specifications of the integrated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) supported by your Alienware Area-51m R2.

Table 18. GPU—Integrated

GPU — Discrete

The following table lists the specifications of the discrete graphics processing unit (GPU) supported by your Alienware Area-51m R2.

Table 19. GPU — Discrete

Operating and storage environment

This table lists the operating and storage specifications of your Alienware Area-51m R2.
Airborne contaminant level: G1 as defined by ISA-S71.04-1985
Table 20. Computer environment

* Measured using a random vibration spectrum that simulates user environment.
† Measured using a 2 ms half-sine pulse when the hard drive is in use.

Keyboard shortcuts

NOTE: Keyboard characters may differ depending on the keyboard language configuration. Keys used for shortcuts remain the same across all language configurations.
Some keys on your keyboard have two symbols on them. These keys can be used to type alternate characters or to perform secondary functions. The symbol shown on the lower part of the key refers to the character that is typed out when the key is pressed. If you press shift and the key, the symbol shown on the upper part of the  key is typed out. For example, if you press 2, 2 is typed out; if you press Shift + 2, @ is typed out.
The keys F1-F12 at the top row of the keyboard are function keys for multimedia control, as indicated by the icon at the bottom of the key. Press the function key to invoke the task represented by the icon. For example,  pressing F1 mutes the audio (refer to the table below).
However, if the function keys F1-F12 are needed for specific software applications, multi-media functionality can be disabled by pressing Fn + Esc. Subsequently, multi-media control can be invoked by pressing Fn and the respective function key. For example, mute audio by pressing Fn + F1.
NOTE: You can also define the primary behavior of the function keys (F1–F12) by changing Function Key Behavior in BIOS setup program.
Table 21. List of keyboard shortcuts

Keys	Description
	Disconnect Alienware Graphics Amplifier
	Disable/enable wireless
	Mute audio
	Decrease volume
	Increase volume
	Switch to an external display
	Decrease brightness
	Increase brightness
	Disable/enable touchpad
	Disable/enable AlienFX

Your computer comes with pre-programmable macro keys that enable you to execute multiple actions with a single keypress.
Table 22. List of Macro keys

Keys	Description
	Macro keys NOTE: You can configure modes and assign multiple tasks for the macro keys on the keyboard.

Table 22. List of Macro keys(continued)

Keys	Description

Alienware Command Center

Alienware Command Center (AWCC) provides a single interface to customize and enhance the gaming experience. The AWCC dashboard displays most recently played or added games and provides game-specific information, themes, profiles, and access to computer settings. You can quickly access settings such as game-specific profiles and themes, lighting, macros, and audio that are critical to the gaming experience.

AWCC also supports AlienFX 2.0. AlienFX enables you to create, assign, and share game-specific lighting maps to enhance the gaming experience. It also enables you to create your own individual lighting effects and apply them to the computer or attached peripherals. AWCC embeds Peripheral Controls to ensure a unified experience and the ability to link these settings to your computer or game.

AWCC supports the following features:

• FX: Create and manage the AlienFX
• Fusion: Includes the ability to adjust game-specific Power Management, Sound Management, and Thermal Management
• Peripheral Management: Enables peripherals to appear in and be managed in Alienware Command Supports key peripheral settings and associates with other functions such as profiles, macros, AlienFX, and game library.

AWCC also supports Sound Management, Thermal Controls, CPU, GPU, Memory (RAM) monitoring. For more information about AWCC, see the Alienware Command Center Online Help or the knowledge base article SLN128904 at www.dell.com/support.

Getting help and contacting Alienware

Self-help resources
You can get information and help on Alienware products and services using these online self-help resources:
Table 23. Alienware products and online self-help resources

Self-help resources	Resource location
Information about Alienware products and services	www.alienware.com
My Dell
Tips
Contact Support	In Windows search, type Contact Support, and press Enter.
Online help for the operating system	www.dell.com/support/windows www.dell.com/support/linux
Troubleshooting information, user manuals, setup instructions, product specifications, technical help blogs, drivers, software updates, and so on	www.alienware.com/gamingservices
VR Support	www.dell.com/VRsupport
Videos providing step-by-step instructions to service your computer	www.youtube.com/alienwareservices

Contacting Alienware

To contact Alienware for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, see www.alienware.com.
NOTE: Availability varies by country/region and product, and some services may not be available in your country/region.
NOTE: If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information about your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell product catalog.

References

• Microsoft Support
• Alienware Gaming PCs: Laptops, Desktops and Consoles | Dell USA
• Computers, Monitors & Technology Solutions | Dell USA
• Support | Dell US
• Dell - Dell Linux - Community Web
• Windows Operating Systems | Dell US
• Shop: Dell Site Map of All Products, Solutions & Services | Dell USA
• Microsoft Support
• Touch gestures for Windows - Microsoft Support
• Alienware Gaming PCs: Laptops, Desktops and Consoles | Dell USA
• Computers, Monitors & Technology Solutions | Dell USA
• Alienware Gaming PCs: Laptops, Desktops and Consoles | Dell USA
• Support | Dell US
• How to distinguish the differences between M.2 cards | Dell US
• Dell - Dell Linux - Community Web
• Windows Operating Systems | Dell US
• Shop: Dell Site Map of All Products, Solutions & Services | Dell USA