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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If portability and versatile use are crucial for you, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 offers a compact and convertible form factor that is easier to carry around, with touch screen functionality that can be useful for various tasks. On the other hand, if you need top-tier gaming performance or you do resource-intensive tasks like 3D rendering or video editing, the Dell Alienware m17 R5 might serve you better, offering more powerful components in a larger chassis which also translates to better heat management but is less portable. However, the ASUS's higher cost factors in its premium build and flexibility. If cost is a significant consideration, the Dell provides better performance for your money at the expense of portability and the premium features of the ASUS. 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 ASUS ROG Flow X13
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m17 R5
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Software Development
8.0
7.4
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 is very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 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
8.4
8.1
13.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
511.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
301.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m17 R5 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 offers a vibrant display with high resolution and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption. Engineers and designers would appreciate the ASUS' wide color gamut, ensuring accuracy in visually intensive work. However, gamers and 3D users may find the ASUS' lower refresh rate less appealing, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5, despite its good picture quality, also falls short for gaming due to its refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and rendering fast-moving images.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has 8 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has 5 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
Poor
13.4in
SIZE
17.3in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
7.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has very good portability, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.8
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has very good build quality, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,500
$1,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has a price of $2,500 and the Dell Alienware m17 R5 costs $1,100.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.1
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
511.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
301.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X13 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 is preferred for general use due to its high portability, featuring a lightweight design and better battery life, combined with a high-resolution touchscreen, making it versatile for everyday tasks. In contrast, the Dell Alienware m17 R5, while offering powerful CPU and RAM capabilities with a larger screen, is less portable due to its greater weight and shorter battery lifespan, making it more suitable for stationary use where power is a priority over mobility.
Gaming and AI
7.8
7.7
7.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 and Dell Alienware m17 R5 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 is a strong candidate for gaming and 3D applications because it has a powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a high screen refresh rate, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 also fits the bill with a capable Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and an even higher screen refresh rate. Both laptops provide smooth visuals and fast rendering, but the ASUS's GPU makes it better suited for more demanding tasks, although the Alienware's extremely high refresh rate might offer an edge in fast-paced gaming scenarios.
Engineering and Design
8.5
8.1
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
7.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 and Dell Alienware m17 R5 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 stands out for engineering and design use with its high-resolution touchscreen display, portable design, and high-end CPU and GPU, making it suitable for demanding software, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 offers a larger screen and superior speaker quality, though it is heavier and less portable. Both have sufficient RAM and storage for complex tasks, but the Flow X13's higher screen quality and portability make it a strong choice for users who prioritize mobility and touch interaction, whereas the Alienware m17 R5 could be preferred for those who favor a larger display and better audio during extended work sessions.
Content Creation
8.2
7.8
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X13 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the Dell Alienware m17 R5 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Flow X13 | Dell Alienware m17 R5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,500 | $1,100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.8'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 15.6'' x 11.8'' x 1.05'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.87 lbs | 7.3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.77" | 15.64" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.35" | 11.76" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS | AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 75 Wh | 97 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.4" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 480Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 511 nits | 301 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.3/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Flow X13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Bade | February 2021
"The Asus ROG Flow X13 is not an off-the-shelf convertible. This quickly becomes clear when you take a closer look at the technical specs. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is a state-of-the-art SoC with 8 cores and 16 threads, which also makes the 2-in-1 interesting as a work device. With 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, gamers are also well taken care of. The dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q fits well into the overall concept and ensures a solid 3D performance. With the eGPU dock, which is equipped with a GeForce RTX 3080, the small convertible transforms into a full-fledged desktop replacement in terms of performance."
Dell Alienware m17 R5
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | January 2023
"Overall, the all-AMD system in the Alienware m17 R5 is impressive, especially the graphics performance. However, various driver issues and unnecessary inconsistencies prevent us from truly enjoying such a potent gaming machine. In addition to strong 3D performance, we particularly like the build quality, the fairly bright UHD display with high color space coverage, and the fact that the gamer is often quiet when not under load and also rather quieter than some competitors under load."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X13 or the Dell Alienware m17 R5
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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