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Updated March 21, 2024·
When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that the MacBook Pro offers a balance of performance and premium build quality, with an emphasis on portability and battery life, making it a solid choice for professionals who also appreciate the seamless integration with other Apple devices. On the other hand, the Alienware m16 R2 is tailored for gaming and high-performance tasks with its superior graphics capabilities, but it comes at the cost of reduced portability due to its larger size and shorter battery life. If your primary focus is on intensive graphics tasks like gaming or 3D rendering, the Alienware might serve you well, but if you need a versatile laptop for work that's easy to carry around, then the MacBook Pro is more suitable. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
- The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
8.5
7.9
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-quality screen, efficient CPU, and ample RAM, ensuring smooth operation for everyday tasks, with the added benefits of portability and long battery life, making it very suitable for users who prioritize mobility and all-day use. In contrast, the Dell Alienware m16 R2, while providing solid performance for general use with its capable CPU and RAM, is designed with a focus on gaming and may offer less portability and shorter battery life, but compensates with superior cooling and a robust build for those who need a laptop that can handle more demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
7.0
7.9
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) are both good for gaming and AI, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is appreciated for its strong GPU performance and high-quality screen, making it suitable for 3D applications, although its refresh rate might not be optimal for the fastest-paced games. In contrast, the Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its superior screen refresh rate and powerful GPU, excels in gaming and 3D tasks, but keep in mind that Macs may not support many popular games, limiting your gaming options on the MacBook.
Content Creation
8.5
7.9
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.4
7.6
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
9.2
8.2
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Pro 14, with its high-resolution and bright display, offers a vivid and sharp image that's ideal for everyday tasks and professional design work due to impressive color accuracy covering wide color gamuts. Meanwhile, the Alienware m16 R2’s screen, while also delivering on resolution and brightness, is tailored towards users who need strong performance in color-sensitive projects. However, for 3D tasks, which prioritize refresh rates to deliver smooth motion, neither of these laptops excel, as their screens are geared more towards clarity and color rather than the high refresh rates sought by gamers and professionals in animation or 3D modeling.
Battery
13.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Fair
14.2in
SIZE
16.0in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 excels in engineering and design tasks due to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, advanced GPU, and high-resolution screen that ensures crisp visuals; its build quality also offers a comfortable keyboard and excellent speakers, with reduced noise operation. The Dell Alienware m16 R2, on the other hand, provides robust performance with its high-end CPU and GPU for demanding engineering software, coupled with substantial RAM and a quality display, but it is less portable compared to the MacBook, which might be a consideration for those who frequently work on the go.
Cost
$1,695
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,695 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) | Dell Alienware m16 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,695 | $1,650 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.5 lbs | 5.75 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.31" | 14.33" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.71" | 9.81" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Pro (10C) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 13.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 69.6 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.2" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 489 nits | 302 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Dell Alienware m16 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Momo Tabari | January 2024
"Alienware’s m16 R2 is a solid gaming laptop that leaves much to be desired, particularly in its quest to fulfill your needs as a product for productivity. Battery life under eight hours and a dim display are both vital issues for something that will accompany you through school projects or a workday. However, the Alienware m16 R2 is an exceedingly powerful gaming laptop, consistently being one of the best in our performance tests when compared against similar products. Even then, its display is lacking color, its fans get pretty darn loud, and its speakers aren’t punchy enough to rise above that noise."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) or the Dell Alienware m16 R2
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
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