The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is generally less expensive and more portable than the Dell Alienware m18 R1, with a higher refresh rate screen and longer battery life for typical use. However, the Dell offers higher screen resolution and size, more RAM for better multitasking, and a newer, more powerful GPU, making it better suited for demanding 3D, machine learning, and engineering tasks. If you prioritize gaming and high performance in professional applications, and don't mind spending more, the heavier and less portable Alienware m18 R1 could be a better option. If you are looking for a more affordable and portable machine with strong performance suitable for less demanding tasks, the ASUS may suit you better. 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
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware m18 R1.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m18 R1
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Excellent for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.3/10
9.1/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.5/10
9.1/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is very good.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 provides a solid foundation for engineering and design with a high-quality screen and capable hardware, while the Dell Alienware m18 R1 excels due to its more powerful CPU and GPU, more RAM, and a screen with higher resolution and better color accuracy, which are very important for demanding tasks, albeit with reduced portability and increased weight.
Software Development
7.4/10
8.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for software development, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 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
7.9/10
7.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
283.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m18 R1 for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a better screen for engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and Dell Alienware m18 R1 both offer screens with resolutions and brightness levels that make them suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. Their wide color gamuts render them effective for engineering and design work, where accurate color representation is crucial for precise visual output. However, their lower refresh rates, while fine for general use and professional tasks, can limit the smoothness in fast-paced gaming and 3D rendering, which benefits from higher refresh rates.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has 4 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
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
5.0 lbs
WEIGHT
8.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has only fair portability, while the Dell Alienware m18 R1 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 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
$2,600
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 has a price of $2,000 and the Dell Alienware m18 R1 costs $2,600.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware m18 R1 to be very good for general use, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 is good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 outshines the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 for general use largely due to having double the RAM for multitasking, a higher resolution and larger screen for better visual experience, and superior thermal management to maintain performance. However, the ASUS has a lighter weight and slightly longer battery life, which may make it more suitable for users who prioritize portability.
Content Creation
8.0/10
8.4/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 are both very 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 and the Dell Alienware m18 R1 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."
"Dell's Alienware m18 delivers on its promises: This is a large, powerful gaming laptop with the premium flair and feel you expect from an expensive purchase. The drawbacks are really the price and battery life, which in context are reasonable. (We'd also like to see more ports on the laptop's sides.) This price tier exists for deep-pocketed enthusiasts, and if you’re considering anything in this range, the m18 isn’t an outlier. For the majority of shoppers, of course, all of these mighty 18-inch systems are likely too expensive."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 or the Dell Alienware m18 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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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.
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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.
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