When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that the ASUS usually offers higher performance, which is ideal for intensive tasks like gaming or engineering software. However, it tends to be less portable due to its size and weight. The Alienware, while also high-performing, may offer better portability and can be a more cost-effective option. If you frequently travel or have a tighter budget, the Alienware m16 R2 should serve you well, whereas for peak performance and if budget is less of a concern, the ASUS could be a better fit. 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 (2024)
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Very good overall build quality
Key differences
General Use
8.7/10
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers a balance of high-performance CPU and ample RAM, making multitasking and demanding tasks smooth, while the quality screen provides crisp visuals; however, it's less portable due to size and has moderate battery life. The Dell Alienware m16 R2 also has a strong CPU and sufficient RAM for general use, with a solid screen but trades off a bit of performance for better portability and longer battery life.
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
7.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, excels in rendering gaming graphics and 3D models smoothly, which gamers and professionals in 3D design will find very beneficial. While the Dell Alienware m16 R2 also handles gaming well, its slightly less capable GPU and lower refresh rate might not deliver the same level of visual fluidity, but it should still provide an enjoyable experience for most users with its good CPU and screen quality.
Engineering and Design
9.2/10
8.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is excellent for engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 typically offers top-of-the-line CPU, abundant RAM, and a high-end GPU, which are crucial for demanding engineering software, all displayed on a high-quality screen, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2, also powerful, places a bit more emphasis on design aspects such as a better keyboard and quieter operation, at a slight tradeoff in raw performance. Both excel in their roles, but if maximum performance is a priority, the ASUS might edge out, whereas for a balance between capability and comfort, the Dell is a strong contender.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) 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
8.5/10
7.6/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) 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
8.7/10
8.2/10
18.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering general use, both the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offer high-resolution displays with panel types that provide clear and bright images, making them well-suited for tasks like browsing the web and watching videos. For engineering and design professionals, these laptops deliver wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation that is crucial for tasks such as photo editing and graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these models mean less fluid motion and slower screen updates, which could detract from an immersive and responsive experience.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 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
Poor
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
16.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,203
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,203 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
"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."
"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 G18 (2024) 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
101,595
Recommendations made
22,013
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
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.