When considering between the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, be mindful that the ASUS may offer stronger performance tailored towards gaming and demanding applications, but at a higher cost and lower ease of transport due to its bulk. The Alienware, while somewhat lighter, serves as a versatile machine capable of addressing a broad range of tasks with a balance of performance and portability, often coming in at a slightly lower price point that may suit budget-conscious users without the need for top-tier gaming capabilities. Battery life in both models will typically be shorter when running intensive tasks, which is standard for high-performance laptops. 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 Scar 15
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good battery life
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.9/10
8.2/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, and content creation.
When considering a laptop for general use, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15's screen provides satisfactory clarity, detail, and brightness, but the Dell Alienware m16 R2 distinguishes itself with a screen that offers superior brightness and resolution, enhancing visual comfort and readability. For engineering and design, both laptops offer good screens with wide color gamuts for accurate color replication, yet the Dell might edge out with a slight advantage in color precision critical for professional design work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, where fast-paced visuals benefit from higher refresh rates, both the ASUS and the Dell fall short, as they prioritize resolution and color over the smoother motion provided by a higher refresh rate screen.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,000
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a price of $2,000 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 offers high performance with a strong CPU and ample RAM, making multitasking and demanding applications run smoothly, while its high-quality screen renders crisp visuals; however, it is less portable and has a shorter battery life. The Dell Alienware m16 R2 also boasts powerful components and a premium screen but strikes a better balance with portability and battery life, though it may sacrifice some performance under extreme loads. Both feature solid storage options and decent keyboards, but consider the importance of speaker quality, operating noise, and heat management to your experience, as these can vary.
Gaming and AI
8.3/10
7.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 to be very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 are equipped with powerful GPUs and high screen refresh rates which make them excellent choices for gaming and running 3D applications, delivering smooth visuals and responsive gameplay. While both have robust CPUs and high-quality screens, the emphasis on the GPU and refresh rate in these models ensures top-tier performance in graphic-intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.5/10
8.4/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 both have powerful CPUs and GPUs, ample RAM, and high-quality screens, which are crucial for handling complex engineering programs and visual design tasks efficiently. While the ASUS might have an edge in gaming due to its specific build, both are less portable and noisier under load, and the differences in keyboard and speaker quality are usually minor between these gaming-focused models.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.9/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 to be 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
7.4/10
7.6/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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.
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 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
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
"Asus continues to refine the ROG Strix Scar lineup with new upgrades. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 offers almost everything you would expect from a gaming laptop at this price. The build quality is great, connectivity options are decent, and there is enough scope for internal upgrades as well. Asus reverts to membrane switches for the keyboard — though not as "clickety" as the opto-mechanical ones we saw with last year's model, they still make for a decent typing and gaming experience. The lack of biometrics in any form is a downer."
"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 Scar 15 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.