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Updated January 10, 2024·
For better performance in demanding tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a more powerful processor and graphics card, along with more more RAM and larger storage, but it is heavier and has a larger screen, making it less portable. If you are looking for a balance between power for gaming and portability, the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is lighter and easier to carry, with a higher screen resolution and refresh rate, which is great for sharp images and fast-paced games, but has less RAM, storage, and a slightly less powerful GPU and processor. Both are suitable for intensive gaming but for raw power and bigger screen the X17 R2 excels, while the m15 R7 offers more mobility. 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 Dell Alienware m15 R7
- The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware X17 R2.
Advantages of the Dell Alienware X17 R2
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
2.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is good.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 offers a comfortable balance for general use with a solid processor, sufficient RAM, and a high-quality screen, still maintaining a fair level of portability and decent battery life. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 shines with top-tier performance supported by a more powerful CPU and double the RAM, enhanced screen quality, and robust heat management, but at the cost of reduced battery life and less portability due to its larger size.
Gaming and AI
7.8
8.9
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is good.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU and a 240 Hz screen refresh rate, ideal for solid gaming and 3D performance, whereas the Dell Alienware X17 R2 steps up with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU and a higher 480 Hz refresh rate, providing enhanced responsiveness and visual fidelity for top-tier gaming and 3D experiences.
Engineering and Design
8.2
9.1
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is very good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.5
8.3
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 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.
Screen Quality
8.2
8.5
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m15 R7 for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the good screen quality on both Dell Alienware laptops comes from their high resolution and brightness, making text sharp and colors vivid. Engineers and designers will appreciate the wide color gamuts ensuring accurate color reproduction for their projects. However, gamers looking for the smooth visuals important in fast-paced games may find the lower refresh rates on these screens less than ideal, even though the resolution and panel type are decent.
Battery
5.0 Hours
2.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has 5 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 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.
Cost
$2,200
$2,000
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a price of $2,200 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 costs $2,000.
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Key similarities
Software Development
7.3
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Alienware m15 R7 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m15 R7 | Dell Alienware X17 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,200 | $2,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | December 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 10.7'' x 0.94'' | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.93 lbs | 6.82 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 15.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.73" | 11.79" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | Intel i9-12900HK | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 86 Wh | 87 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 480Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 300 nits | 367 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.5/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware m15 R7
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Brandon Hill | October 2022
"The Alienware M15 offers solid gaming and leading endurance. It makes the most of its CPU and GPU while delivering stellar battery life for a gaming laptop. Opening the lid presents a full-size keyboard with honeycomb cutouts above it on the deck. An oblong RBG lightning element surrounds the entire rear panel and can be color-synced with the other lights on the laptop. There’s not a lot to dislike about the M15 Its productivity performance lagged in some areas, particularly in the storage benchmark, and it’s a bit heavy. Alienware has a clear winner here with the M15 based on its strong overall performance and endurance."
Dell Alienware X17 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The Alienware x17 R2 recognizes targets a significantly higher TGP of 175 W for a roughly 30 percent performance boost over laptops running on the ~100 W GeForce RTX 3080 Ti like the Razer Blade 15 or Gigabyte Aero YE5. Similar results can be found through the CPU as well. This single aspect of the Alienware is perhaps the biggest differentiating factor between it and other ultrathin gaming laptops. Of course, the "performance at all cost" approach comes with drawbacks. Power consumption in particular is through the roof and battery life suffers because of it even when on the lowest performance settings."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m15 R7 or the Dell Alienware X17 R2
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.
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