When choosing between the ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo and the Dell Alienware m16 R2, consider that the ASUS offers a unique dual-screen setup that can boost productivity, especially for multitasking and creative tasks, and it's generally less expensive; however, it may not match the raw performance and gaming capabilities of the Dell Alienware, which is designed with high-end gaming and demanding tasks in mind but is heavier and less portable. The Dell also typically consumes more battery due to its powerful hardware, so frequent travelers or those needing longer battery life may prefer the ASUS. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Alienware m16 R2
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.6/10
7.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
357.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro has a high-quality screen and is lightweight, making it excellent for everyday tasks, whereas the Dell Alienware offers top-notch CPU and RAM performance suitable for demanding applications but is less portable and has a shorter battery life. While both have sufficient storage, the ASUS edges out in portability and battery, and the Dell Alienware, with better heat management and a more robust keyboard, is geared more towards intensive use like gaming or engineering.
Gaming and AI
6.7/10
7.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo is only fair.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo typically features high-performance GPUs and dual-screen setups that are beneficial for multitasking and immersive 3D environments, while its screen refresh rate ensures smooth visuals during gaming. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is known for its powerful GPU and high-refresh-rate screens, which are critical for gaming responsiveness, complemented by strong CPUs and high-quality displays for an overall enhanced gaming and 3D experience.
Content Creation
8.6/10
7.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo is very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
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
8.2/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo is very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
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
8.6/10
8.2/10
14.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
357.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
302.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
If you prioritize work in engineering and design, both the ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offer great screen quality due to their high resolution and broad color gamuts that accurately display a wide range of colors, which is essential for detail-oriented tasks. For general usage like web browsing and document editing, both laptops' high-resolution panels and brightness levels will provide clear and vibrant display experiences. However, if gaming or 3D applications are your main focus, you may find these laptops lacking because of their lower refresh rates, which can make fast-paced visuals less smooth compared to models designed specifically for gaming that typically offer higher refresh rates.
Portability
Good
Fair
14.5in
SIZE
16.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$1,650
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo has a price of $1,299 and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 costs $1,650.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 both offer high-end CPUs and ample RAM for demanding engineering tasks, along with powerful GPUs that excel in rendering and design work, complemented by screens with high resolution and clarity. While the ASUS has the advantage of a dual-screen setup that can enhance productivity, the Alienware typically delivers a more robust gaming experience and may have a slight edge on speaker quality, but both models are less portable and noisier under heavy load compared to more business-oriented laptops.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo has 6 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.
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How the ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo and the Dell Alienware m16 R2 compare to other laptops
"The Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is a well-tuned instrument for content creators, excelling at a range of general office tasks as well as tasks that require a little more grunt like encoding and 3D rendering. The big attraction is the laptop’s dual displays. They’re the best ones we’ve used in an Asus Zenbook Duo laptop to date with a spate of year-on-year improvements that make the visuals more striking and the cross-screen integration easier than ever before."
"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 Pro 14 Duo 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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