When choosing between the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that the ASUS is more affordable and lightweight, which is good for everyday tasks and carrying around, but its performance for demanding applications like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming will be limited. On the other hand, the Alienware is a high-performance machine designed for intensive tasks and gaming, offering superior graphics and processing power, but is more expensive, heavier, and may have shorter battery life, making it less ideal for frequent travel. 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 Go 12
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a less powerful CPU and less RAM compared to the Dell Alienware m16 R2, leading to slower performance for demanding tasks, and the screen quality isn't as sharp, affecting the viewing experience. Although the Vivobook is lighter and more portable with potentially longer battery life, the Alienware's superior processing power, and better screen make it more suitable for a range of activities, albeit at the expense of being heavier and possibly having shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
7.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has limited graphics capabilities and a lower screen refresh rate, making it less suitable for high-end gaming and 3D applications, whereas the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is equipped with a powerful GPU and higher refresh rate suitable for demanding graphics tasks. Additionally, while both have decent processors and screen quality, the Alienware's superior CPU and screen attributes contribute to a better overall gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
8.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has modest performance due to less powerful CPU, RAM, and GPU, making it less suitable for demanding tasks like engineering and design; its screen is also lower quality for fine detail work. The Dell Alienware m16 R2, on the other hand, offers high-end components and a superior screen, tackling computational and graphical challenges with ease, although it is heavier and not as quiet under load.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.9/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.7/10
7.6/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.1/10
8.2/10
11.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has lower resolution and brightness, leading to a less vibrant and sharp display, which is not ideal for tasks requiring crisp visuals. The Dell Alienware m16 R2 features higher resolution and wider color coverage, essential for precision in engineering and design where color accuracy is crucial. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Dell's screen may fall short due to its lower refresh rate, which can affect the smoothness of fast-paced visuals.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 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
Excellent
Fair
11.6in
SIZE
16.0in
2.3 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$267
$1,650
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a price of $267 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
"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 Go 12 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
99,495
Recommendations made
21,558
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.