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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated February 26, 2024·
When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix and the Dell Alienware, consider that while the ASUS may cost more, it often offers top-tier gaming and intensive task performance due to high-end components, while the Dell Alienware provides a blend of performance and unique design features for gaming enthusiasts. If portability and battery life are crucial for you, both might not be ideal as they are designed for power over mobility. For general use, these laptops may be overkill; however, if your focus is on 3D tasks, machine learning, or engineering software, the extra investment in the ASUS could be justified. Alternatively, for a balance between cost and capability, the Dell Alienware is a strong competitor. 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 software development
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Dell Alienware X17 R2
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Content Creation
8.8
8.3
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both very good for content creation, though the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) is somewhat better.
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
7.8
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 X17 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
8.5
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware X17 R2 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 both offer high resolution and brightness, along with premium panel types, which contribute to a crisp and vivid display for general use and detailed work in engineering and design. Their coverage of wide color gamuts ensures that professionals in engineering and design can expect accurate color reproduction which is crucial for their tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, these laptops lack a high refresh rate which is key for smooth motion rendering, thus making them less ideal for fast-paced visuals required in high-end gaming scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
2.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 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
8.5
The Dell Alienware X17 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
$2,300
$2,000
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has a price of $2,300 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 costs $2,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.7
8.2
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
422.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
2.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
5.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both very good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18, with its powerful CPU and ample RAM, excels in delivering smooth performance for all kinds of tasks, while the high-quality screen enhances the user experience; however, its portability and battery life are compromised due to its gaming-oriented design. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 also offers impressive processing power and memory capacity, suitable for demanding applications, and while it too has a premium screen, it faces similar challenges with portability and shorter battery life, indicative of its high-performance gaming pedigree.
Gaming and AI
8.7
8.9
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) are both very good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 comes with a top-tier GPU and high screen refresh rate, making it ideal for immersive gaming and smooth 3D rendering, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2, with a strong GPU and good refresh rate, offers excellent gaming experiences but might not be as cutting-edge as the ASUS. Both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, but the ASUS prioritizes peak gaming performance more.
Engineering and Design
9.2
9.1
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both excellent for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 likely offers a more robust CPU, GPU, and RAM configuration, which makes it better for demanding tasks such as 3D modeling and simulations often needed in engineering, while its screen quality would benefit design work; however, the Dell Alienware X17 R2, while still offering high performance, may also emphasize build quality and a quieter operating noise which could make it a solid choice for users who value a balance between performance and a more pleasant user experience.
Portability
Poor
Fair
18.0in
SIZE
17.3in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to have only fair portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) | Dell Alienware X17 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,300 | $2,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | December 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.6'' x 1.06'' | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.61 lbs | 6.82 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.71" | 15.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.57" | 11.79" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-14900HX | Intel i9-12900HK | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 87 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 18" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 480Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 422 nits | 367 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.7/10 | 6.1/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024)
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NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | March 2023
"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."
Dell Alienware X17 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The Alienware x17 R2 recognizes targets a significantly higher TGP of 175 W for a roughly 30 percent performance boost over laptops running on the ~100 W GeForce RTX 3080 Ti like the Razer Blade 15 or Gigabyte Aero YE5. Similar results can be found through the CPU as well. This single aspect of the Alienware is perhaps the biggest differentiating factor between it and other ultrathin gaming laptops. Of course, the "performance at all cost" approach comes with drawbacks. Power consumption in particular is through the roof and battery life suffers because of it even when on the lowest performance settings."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2024) or the Dell Alienware X17 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.
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