When choosing between the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that the ASUS is usually more affordable and should handle most gaming and general tasks well, but if you require top-tier gaming performance with higher frame rates and settings, the Alienware may justify its higher cost. The Alienware typically offers more powerful components, but it also tends to be heavier and could have less battery life, affecting portability. For tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software, the Alienware's superior specs might be necessary, while for everyday use and moderate gaming, the ASUS should suffice. 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 Gaming A16
Good portability
Very good battery life
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
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
8.4/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
7.7/10
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 Gaming A16 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 typically offers a more powerful CPU and GPU combo along with higher RAM capacity, which are crucial for demanding engineering tasks and running complex software smoothly, plus it has a superior screen quality for precise designs. However, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, while slightly less potent in these areas, provides better portability and a quieter operation, making it a more versatile choice for on-the-go use and work in noise-sensitive environments.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
8.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
294.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16, with its decent resolution and brightness, offers a good display for everyday tasks and detailed work in engineering and design, enhanced by satisfactory color coverage. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate may lead to less fluid visuals, which can be a drawback for fast-paced gaming or smooth 3D rendering. In contrast, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 provides a superior visual experience for both everyday and professional engineering use with its higher resolution, brightness, and broader color gamut, yet suffers from the same refresh rate limitations for gaming and 3D content.
Battery
12.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 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.
Build Quality
7.2/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$838
$1,650
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a price of $838 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for general use.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16, with its robust CPU and ample RAM, offers reliable performance for everyday tasks and good screen quality for media consumption, while still being relatively easy to carry around and providing a decent battery life. In contrast, the Dell Alienware m16 R2, also with a strong CPU and plenty of RAM, is designed for high-end use with a superior screen, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life, making it ideal for users who prioritize performance and display quality over mobility.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
7.9/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 delivers strong graphics performance suitable for gaming and 3D work with a high screen refresh rate for smoother visuals. The Dell Alienware m16 R2 also provides powerful GPU capabilities and a high refresh rate display, while offering a premium screen quality and slightly better processing power that benefits CPU-intensive tasks.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 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
7.3/10
7.6/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 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.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS TUF Gaming A16 to have good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
"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 Gaming A16 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.
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