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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the ASUS TUF Dash 15 and Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that the ASUS is likely more budget-friendly and offers solid performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, while the Dell provides high-performance capabilities for demanding games, 3D rendering, and engineering software at a higher cost. The Alienware also typically has more advanced cooling systems to handle intensive workloads. If portability is vital, the ASUS is lighter and easier to carry around. In contrast, the Alienware is heavier, making it less ideal for frequent travel. Battery life often favors less powerful systems, so the ASUS might last longer on a charge, while the Alienware's powerful components can drain the battery quicker. Choose the ASUS for cost efficiency and mobility or the Dell for top-tier performance in specialized tasks. 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 TUF Dash 15
- Good portability
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4
7.9
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Dash 15 are both good for gaming and AI, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has a high-refresh-rate screen and a solid GPU, which are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D rendering; however, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 often includes higher-end GPUs and displays, offering even better graphics performance and screen quality, albeit at a higher price point. While both have capable CPUs for gaming, the Alienware's potentially superior screen and graphics may give it an edge for the most demanding visuals, but the TUF Dash 15 offers good value for its price.
Engineering and Design
7.8
8.4
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 typically offers higher-end CPUs, more RAM, and a superior GPU, which provides enhanced performance for demanding engineering tasks and design applications, along with a high-quality screen for precision visuals. The ASUS TUF Dash 15, while offering solid performance and a good screen, might lag slightly in comparison but could be more attractive for those who prioritize a balance between power and portability, with a typically quieter operation and a robust keyboard.
Screen Quality
7.0
8.2
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
272.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Dash 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
Both the ASUS TUF Dash 15 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 have panels with resolutions and brightness levels that are well-suited for general use, ensuring clear and vivid displays. For engineering and design, their ability to reproduce a wide range of colors is crucial, and these laptops may feature high color accuracy, but their limited gamuts may not satisfy the most color-critical work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where quick visual updates are key, the lower refresh rates of these laptops' screens can lead to less fluid and responsive gameplay compared to models with higher refresh rates.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has 9 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
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Dash 15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,150
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Dash 15 has a price of $1,150 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
272.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Dash 15 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Dash 15, with its durable build and efficient CPU and RAM, offers a solid experience for everyday tasks and is easier to carry around, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 excels with its high-quality screen and superior performance for more demanding applications, albeit with a trade-off in battery life and portability. Both laptops have adequate storage, decent keyboards and speakers, but the Alienware's advanced cooling might handle heat better, though this could lead to more operating noise.
Content Creation
7.6
7.9
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Dash 15 are both 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.
Software Development
7.4
7.6
8.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Dash 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.
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How the ASUS TUF Dash 15 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS TUF Dash 15 | Dell Alienware m16 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,150 | $1,650 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.9'' x 9.9'' x 0.81'' | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 5.75 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.94" | 14.33" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 9.81" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12650H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 272 nits | 302 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS TUF Dash 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | July 2022
"The Asus TUF Dash F15 FX517ZR is a laptop with mobile RTX 3070 and acceptable battery life. The Asus TUF Dash F15 was made for high-performance applications like video editing, rendering, and gaming. The laptop can manage the latter in QHD resolution and at high to maximum settings. However, the focus isn't on maximum performance, but instead, it's about a compromise between performance and portability."
Dell Alienware m16 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Momo Tabari | January 2024
"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 TUF Dash 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.
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