The Dell Alienware m15 R7 can be slightly less expensive, offers robust performance for intensive gaming with a decent screen size and high refresh rate, making it suitable for fast-paced games. However, it's heavier, which might impact its portability. In contrast, the MSI Stealth GS77 typically costs a bit more, providing increased RAM and storage, with a larger screen for better multitasking and immersive gaming or engineering work. It's also slightly thinner and has more display outputs, but it's heavier than the Alienware. For rigorous tasks like 3D rendering or machine learning, both laptops are competent, though preferences in screen size and weight could sway your decision. 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 MSI Stealth GS77.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth GS77
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.4/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.4/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 is good.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is acknowledged for its solid performance and high refresh rate screen, suitable for gaming as well as general use, but its heavier build and lower battery life make it less portable than the MSI Stealth GS77. The MSI Stealth GS77, offering more RAM and storage, a larger, higher-res display, and superior speaker and keyboard quality, also boasts a slightly longer battery life and better portability despite being larger in size, making it very good for general use including productivity tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.7/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth GS77 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 are both very good for engineering and design, though the MSI Stealth GS77 is somewhat better.
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
7.5/10
8.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth GS77 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
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth GS77 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
8.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth GS77 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m15 R7 for content creation, and software development.
When focusing on general use involving tasks like web browsing or watching videos, the Dell Alienware m15 R7 and MSI Stealth GS77 both offer clear, bright displays with high resolution, ensuring crisp and vivid images. For engineering and design work, which demands color accuracy, both laptops provide wide color gamuts, covering a broader spectrum for precise color representation necessary for professional editing and rendering. However, gamers and 3D enthusiasts may find these laptops less suitable due to their lower refresh rates, which can affect the smoothness of fast-paced visuals and may not keep up with the demands of high-end gaming or 3D modeling.
Cost
$2,200
$2,499
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a price of $2,200 and the MSI Stealth GS77 costs $2,499.
The MSI Stealth GS77 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and the MSI Stealth GS77 both have high-end Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPUs and 240Hz refresh rate displays, which make them excellent for gaming and 3D applications; however, the difference in screen size may cater to different preferences for gaming immersion or portability.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has 5 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth GS77 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
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and MSI Stealth GS77 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 and MSI Stealth GS77 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m15 R7 and the MSI Stealth GS77 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."
"The MSI Stealth GS77 is better than the GS76... mostly. The GS77 is a few steps forward and a few steps back from the GS76. Improvements are numerous including the stronger and more rigid skeleton, higher resolution webcam, larger clickpad, easier serviceability, relatively similar battery runtimes, newer display options, and higher performance at about the same TDP and TGP levels as before. CPU performance is better than expected even when compared to other laptops with Core i7 or Core i9 processors. The newer model feels more substantial than the outgoing one for higher quality impressions as well."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m15 R7 or the MSI Stealth GS77
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
131,295
Recommendations made
28,448
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.