When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Dell Alienware x14 R1, consider that the ASUS is more powerful with a better GPU and a larger, higher resolution screen which is great for gaming and intensive tasks but it is also heavier and less portable. The ASUS also has a higher price point. On the other hand, the Alienware offers greater portability and longer battery life at a lower price but with lower performance due to a less powerful GPU and a smaller, lower resolution screen. Both laptops are equipped with sufficient RAM for most tasks and offer features like backlit keyboards and advanced graphics features such as hardware ray tracing and DLSS. 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 Strix G18
Very good for general use
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Alienware x14 R1
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
411.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 boasts a top-tier CPU and a high-quality screen which aids in complex tasks and provides an excellent visual experience, but its larger size and heavier weight make it less portable and offer slightly lower battery life compared to the Dell Alienware x14 R1, which has a good CPU for general use, is more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, and offers slightly better battery life, making it easier to use on the go. While both have high-quality keyboards and manage heat well, the ASUS has stronger speakers, and despite the Dell having storage with less capacity, it compensates with a higher portability score and better operating noise management.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and 3D because it has a high-end GPU, the Nvidia RTX 4070, and a high screen refresh rate of 240 Hz, which are critical for smooth and detailed graphics performance. In contrast, the Dell Alienware x14 R1, while also good for gaming and 3D, has a less powerful GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3060, and a lower screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, which means it won't perform as well as the ASUS in the most demanding scenarios.
Engineering and Design
8.9/10
8.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and Dell Alienware x14 R1 are both very good for engineering and design, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 stands out for engineering and design due to its more potent main processor and superior GPU, which provide outstanding computational and graphical performance crucial for demanding tasks, coupled with a high-resolution screen that ensures crisp and vivid visuals. In contrast, the Dell Alienware x14 R1, while also powerful, offers a higher degree of portability and an equally high-quality keyboard, making it more suitable for engineers and designers requiring mobility without sacrificing performance too much.
Content Creation
8.6/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware x14 R1 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.
Screen Quality
8.7/10
7.9/10
18.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
411.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware x14 R1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers a high-resolution display and excellent color coverage, appealing to engineering and design professionals who need precise color accuracy for their work, while its lower refresh rate affects the experience for gaming and 3D applications. The Dell Alienware x14 R1 also boasts a high-quality display with good color accuracy, suitable for general use and professional design tasks, but akin to the ASUS, it falls short for gaming due to its lower refresh rate. For general activities, both laptops are apt choices with their bright, high-resolution screens contributing to a sharp and clear viewing experience.
Portability
Poor
Very Good
18.0in
SIZE
14.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,299
$1,201
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $2,299 and the Dell Alienware x14 R1 costs $1,201.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G18 to be very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware x14 R1 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Dell Alienware x14 R1 compare to other laptops
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"The Alienware X14 series is thinner, but also slower than the competition. With the X series, you get plenty of modern technology: Intel Alder Lake CPUs, GeForce RTX 3000 GPUs, Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6E, G-Sync, and Advanced Optimus. However, the slim design has some drawbacks, just like its larger siblings. The shifted hinge position results in a very deep device with a large footprint compared to the competition."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the Dell Alienware x14 R1
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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