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Updated March 22, 2024·
When deciding between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the X17 R2, consider that the larger X17 R2 will typically offer more robust performance and possibly better cooling due to its size, which is better suited for demanding games and intensive tasks. However, it will also be heavier and less portable than the m16 R2. The m16 R2, being smaller and lighter, will be easier to carry around but might not handle heat and performance quite as well as the larger model. The difference in price reflects these differences, so if portability and cost savings are key for you, lean towards the m16 R2; if optimum performance and thermal management are crucial, and you're okay with a heftier laptop with a higher cost, the X17 R2 is the better choice. 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 m16 R2
- Good battery life
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
Gaming and AI
7.9
8.9
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.3/10
2560 x 1600
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 m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 provides strong gaming and 3D performance with a capable GPU and high screen refresh rate, crucial for smooth visuals in fast-paced games. The Dell Alienware X17 R2 offers an even better gaming experience with a more powerful GPU and superior screen refresh rate, alongside a high-quality screen and robust CPU, making it well-suited for the most demanding games and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.4
9.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
8.5/10
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 m16 R2 is very good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is equipped with robust processing power, ample memory, and a quality graphics card that support demanding engineering applications, paired with a high-quality screen that ensures clarity for design tasks. Meanwhile, the Dell Alienware X17 R2, offering even more powerful components and a larger, superior display, enhances these capabilities but compromises slightly more on portability due to its size.
Screen Quality
8.2
8.5
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
480Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for gaming and AI, and software development.
For general use, the high resolution and brightness on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and X17 R2 ensure crisp, clear images and good visibility, with a panel type that provides wide viewing angles. In engineering and design, these laptops' screens cover a wide range of colors within the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB spectrums, which is crucial for accuracy in color-critical tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates of these screens mean less fluid motion and potentially a less immersive experience compared to screens optimized for high refresh rates.
Battery
6.0 Hours
2.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Dell Alienware X17 R2 both have only fair portability, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,650
$2,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 costs $2,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
8.2
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
367.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
2.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its capable CPU and adequate RAM, delivers reliable performance for everyday tasks while its portability and battery life are convenient for users on the go. In comparison, the Dell Alienware X17 R2, with a more powerful CPU and higher RAM, excels in performance and screen quality for demanding applications, though at a trade-off of less portability and shorter battery life. Both models offer substantial storage, comfortable keyboards, quality speakers, but can generate noise and heat under heavy usage.
Content Creation
7.9
8.3
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to be 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
7.6
7.8
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 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 m16 R2 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Dell Alienware X17 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $2,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | December 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 6.82 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 15.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 11.79" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | 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 | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 87 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 480Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 367 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 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 | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 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 | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware m16 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Momo Tabari | January 2024
"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."
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 m16 R2 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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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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