If you're looking for high performance in gaming or demanding tasks like 3D modeling or machine learning, and you don't mind spending more, then the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is suitable for you despite being less portable and having a shorter battery life than some competitors. However, if your use is more general, and you prefer a balance between cost, battery life, and everyday performance, then the Asus Vivobook 16X is a more economical choice that still offers decent functionality for routine tasks and better portability. 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 Vivobook 16X
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.3/10
8.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook 16X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering the ASUS Vivobook 16X and Dell Alienware m16 R2 for general use, the superior resolution and brightness of the Dell laptop offer a clearer and more vibrant visual experience, though it comes at a higher price. For engineering and design, the color accuracy and wider color gamuts on the Dell provide a more precise representation of colors, which is crucial for professionals in these fields, despite its higher cost. However, for gaming and 3D tasks, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates which lead to less fluid motion, making them less suitable for fast-paced visuals even though other screen qualities are adequate.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,200
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has a price of $1,200 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Vivobook 16X are both good for general use.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X offers a balance of CPU, RAM, screen quality, and portability for everyday tasks, along with decent battery life, making it a solid choice for general usage. The Dell Alienware m16 R2, while less portable due to its gaming-oriented design, has top-tier CPU and RAM performance for more intensive applications and a high-quality screen, but this impacts its battery life and makes it better suited for users needing exceptional power and graphics.
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
7.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Vivobook 16X are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X, with its powerful GPU, excels at gaming and 3D rendering, offering smooth visuals aided by a high screen refresh rate; however, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 stands out with a superior GPU and even higher refresh rate, making it slightly better suited for the most demanding games and 3D tasks. Both laptops have capable CPUs and good screen quality, but the premium GPU and refresh rate in the Alienware may sway gamers and professionals working with 3D graphics despite a higher price point.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.4/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Vivobook 16X are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are equipped with powerful CPUs and ample RAM, which are crucial for running complex engineering software efficiently, and they both have high-quality GPUs and screens that are essential for detailed design work and visual accuracy. However, while the ASUS might be easier to carry around, the Alienware, with its gaming heritage, typically offers a more robust keyboard, better speakers, and may run louder under load due to its high-performance components.
Content Creation
7.7/10
7.9/10
9.0/10
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 Vivobook 16X 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
7.4/10
7.6/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Vivobook 16X 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
5.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has 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.
Give feedback
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How the ASUS Vivobook 16X and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
"I think the ASUS Vivobook 16X is fantastic. Great performance, decent battery life, good keyboard and trackpad, and a massive screen – just that the screen quality itself is kinda subpar. If you’re okay with the screen, then I think this is an okay laptop. However, I’d like to see a price drop."
"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 Vivobook 16X 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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