If you prioritize affordability and need a laptop for everyday tasks or business applications, the ASUS Zenbook 14 offers a slim, lightweight design for easy portability and generally sufficient performance. However, if you're focused on gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning and are prepared to invest in a higher-priced laptop, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 provides powerful hardware suited for these demanding tasks, but with a tradeoff in battery life and a heavier, bulkier build less convenient for frequent travel. Choose based on whether your priority is high-powered performance for specialized applications or cost-effective, portable computing for general use. 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 Zenbook 14
Very good portability
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.2/10
7.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
339.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both good for general use, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 offers a balance between portability and performance with a lightweight design and sufficient CPU and RAM for everyday tasks, along with a high-quality screen and long battery life, making it ideal for general use. The Dell Alienware m16 R2, while less portable due to its size and weight, provides higher performance for demanding applications with its robust CPU and RAM, and it also has a quality screen, but its battery life is typically shorter due to its more powerful components.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
7.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a less powerful GPU and standard screen refresh rate, which may limit performance and smoothness in gaming and 3D applications, whereas the Dell Alienware m16 R2, with a stronger GPU and higher screen refresh rate, offers superior gaming experiences and better handling of 3D tasks. Although both have competent CPUs and good screen quality, the Alienware's emphasis on graphics and refresh rate make it a preferred choice for dedicated gamers and professionals in 3D fields.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
8.4/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its higher-end CPU, more RAM, and a more powerful GPU, provides smoother performance for demanding tasks and visuals needed in engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 offers a balance between decent processing power and hardware for day-to-day tasks at a possibly lower price point. The ASUS is more portable and has less operating noise, which could be a deciding factor for users who prioritize mobility and a quieter working environment over the top-tier specs of the Alienware.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.9/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
8.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
339.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for general use, and engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the ASUS Zenbook 14 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offer crisp images and good brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos. In engineering and design, both laptops have displays that cover a broad range of colors, providing accuracy needed for professional creative work. However, neither is ideal for gaming or 3D applications due to lower refresh rates, which can result in less smooth visuals in fast-paced scenes.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has 8 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
Very Good
Fair
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has very good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$300
$1,650
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a price of $300 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and ASUS Zenbook 14 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 Zenbook 14 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
"Users who travel frequently and are looking for a portable laptop are in the right place with the Asus ZenBook 14. The sleek case is extremely light (1.2 kg) and surprisingly thin (1.5 cm). Outdoor use is also enjoyable thanks to the bright Full HD display, which is something that can rarely be said about laptops with TN or IPS panels. The excellent battery life complements this as well. Longer trips are no problem with the ZenBook 14. Another plus point is the high-performance Ryzen 7 5700U, which often leaves the Intel competition in the dust thanks to its large number of cores."
"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 Zenbook 14 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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