If you're looking for top-notch gaming performance and don’t mind a heavier and larger laptop, the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is a solid choice, though it comes at a higher price. However, if you prioritize a more balanced approach with good performance that’s easier to carry around and a friendlier price tag, the HP Omen Transcend 14 could better meet your needs, albeit with potentially less gaming prowess than the Alienware. Keep in mind, the better gaming capabilities of the Alienware may also mean shorter battery life compared to the HP Omen, which can be an important consideration if you're frequently on the move. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Dell Alienware m15 R7
Very good overall build quality
Good speakers
Advantages of the HP Omen Transcend 14
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.2/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is good.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7, with its powerful CPU and abundant RAM, provides smooth performance but is less portable and has shorter battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go use compared to the HP Omen Transcend 14, which offers a balance of good screen quality, longer battery life, and ease of carrying, though it may have slightly less power for the most demanding tasks. Both laptops have sufficient storage and good keyboards, but the Alienware could be louder and hotter under load, which could affect comfort during prolonged use.
Content Creation
7.5/10
8.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Omen Transcend 14 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.
Software Development
7.3/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 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
8.2/10
8.6/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a better screen than the HP Omen Transcend 14 for gaming and AI, while the HP Omen Transcend 14 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering the Dell Alienware m15 R7 and HP Omen Transcend 14 for general use, both laptops have screens that deliver clear and vivid images due to their high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing the web and watching videos. For engineering and design work, the screens of both models cover a wide spectrum of colors, providing the accuracy needed for tasks that require precise color representation like photo editing or CAD work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates may not provide the smooth visual experience preferred by gamers or professionals working with fast-moving graphics.
Battery
5.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has 5 hours of battery life. The HP Omen Transcend 14 has 11 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
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
3.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Omen Transcend 14 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has very good build quality, while the HP Omen Transcend 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,200
$1,699
$500
$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 HP Omen Transcend 14 costs $1,699.
The HP Omen Transcend 14 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 features a powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, making it ideal for gaming and 3D applications where smooth visuals are crucial. Whereas the HP Omen Transcend 14 also boasts a capable GPU for effective rendering in games and 3D tasks, and its quality screen complements the experience, though its CPU might not match the Alienware's, which could be a consideration for the most demanding software.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.5/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen Transcend 14 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7, with its advanced CPU, ample RAM, and high-end GPU, delivers robust performance ideal for complex engineering software, plus it has a high-quality screen which is crucial for design work. In comparison, the HP Omen Transcend 14 offers similar high-performance components, but it has an edge in portability, making it easier to carry around, though you may find that the Alienware's keyboard, speakers, and quieter operation provide a more comfortable user experience for extended sessions.
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How the Dell Alienware m15 R7 and the HP Omen Transcend 14 compare to other laptops
"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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m15 R7 or the HP Omen Transcend 14
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.
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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