When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix and the Dell Alienware, consider that the ASUS may save you money and still provide strong performance for gaming and other demanding applications; however, the Alienware typically offers premium build quality and potentially better customer support, which might be worth the extra cost if you prioritize high-end features and support. If you frequently travel, keep in mind that both models are heavy and may not be ideal for portability. Also, consider that battery life on gaming laptops like these is often shorter due to their powerful components. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G16
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware m16 R2.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.5/10
8.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Strix G16 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
Selecting between the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that screen quality encompasses different aspects for varied uses. For general activities and design work, both laptops offer high-resolution displays with wide color gamuts, ensuring crisp visuals and accurate colors critical for detailed projects. However, for gaming and 3D, neither laptop provides an optimal experience due to lower refresh rates, meaning they won't be as smooth for fast-paced action or rendering complex scenes.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,374
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 both feature powerful CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications alike, with high-quality screens that enhance visual experiences. However, the ASUS might be less portable and have shorter battery life compared to the Dell, making the Dell more suitable for on-the-go use while the ASUS provides an edge in sustained performance for intensive software but may require more frequent charging or a power source nearby.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 both have high-end graphics processing units (GPUs) and fast screen refresh rates, providing smooth visuals and responsive gameplay for gaming and 3D applications. However, the ASUS often has an edge in screen quality, while the Alienware typically offers a more powerful central processing unit (CPU), which can be advantageous for more demanding tasks and multitasking.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
8.4/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 typically offers high-end CPU, ample RAM, and a powerful GPU which are essential for complex engineering tasks and design software, along with a superior screen quality for detailed visuals. However, the Dell Alienware m16 R2, while also providing robust performance and excellent visuals, may appeal to those who value a better balance of portability, a more comfortable keyboard, and quieter operation for a more pleasant overall user experience.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.9/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix G16 are both good for content creation.
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
7.7/10
7.6/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both good for software development.
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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix G16 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"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 ASUS ROG Strix G16 or the Dell Alienware m16 R2
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.
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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