If price is a major concern and you mainly need a laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, or video streaming, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is a cost-effective choice that's also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around. However, for resource-intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the Dell Alienware m18 R1, though significantly more expensive, offers much stronger performance and features suitable for these demands but is much heavier and bulkier, which compromises its portability. Battery life typically also favors less powerful machines like the Vivobook for everyday 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 Vivobook Go 12
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
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 for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
8.2/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.1/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is equipped with a basic Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and a low-resolution TN screen, which may lead to less smooth performance and lower screen quality for general use, despite its excellent portability and good battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
9.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.3/10
9.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 offers superior performance for engineering and design with a high-end Intel i9 CPU, ample RAM, and a powerful Nvidia RTX GPU, complemented by a large, high-quality screen, which are crucial for intensive tasks. On the contrary, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a basic Intel Celeron processor, minimal RAM, and entry-level integrated graphics, paired with a smaller, lower-resolution screen, rendering it insufficient for demanding engineering applications, while offering better portability and battery life.
Content Creation
5.7/10
8.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very 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
8.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very 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
7.8/10
11.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
281.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 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's screen may not have the high resolution, brightness, or robust panel type that users value for sharpness and visibility, making it less ideal for any use where clarity is key. In contrast, the Dell Alienware m18 R1 likely offers a higher resolution and superior panel type with greater brightness, making it well-suited for detailed tasks in engineering and general use where these factors enhance the visual experience. However, for Gaming and 3D applications where a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion, the Dell's screen, despite its overall good quality, falls short if it can't deliver the fluidity gamers need.
Battery
10.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 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
Excellent
Poor
11.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2.3 lbs
WEIGHT
8.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability, while the Dell Alienware m18 R1 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 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
$2,600
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a price of $267 and the Dell Alienware m18 R1 costs $2,600.
"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 Vivobook Go 12 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 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
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