If you need top performance for gaming or intensive tasks like 3D modeling or video editing, consider the Dell Alienware m16 R2, though it is pricier and less portable due to its size and weight. On the other hand, if you prioritize portability, battery life, and a more budget-friendly option for everyday tasks such as browsing, office applications, and media consumption, the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is a better fit. It won't handle heavy-duty tasks as well, but it's more suitable for on-the-go use and general business needs. 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
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 14 7490
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for general use, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a high-performance CPU and ample RAM, which makes it well-suited for demanding tasks and multitasking, but it's less portable and has shorter battery life, so it's a better fit if you prioritize power over mobility. On the other hand, the Dell Latitude 14 7490 offers good screen quality and battery life, making it ideal for everyday tasks with the added benefit of portability, though not as powerful as the Alienware for intensive applications.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
5.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is poor.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is equipped with a powerful graphics card and a high screen refresh rate, essential for smooth gaming and 3D rendering, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490, with a less advanced graphics card and lower refresh rate, won't perform as well in these areas. The Latitude, however, balances with a decent CPU and good screen quality for day-to-day tasks, but it's not optimized for the demands of high-end gaming or intensive 3D applications where the Alienware shines.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
6.5/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a top-tier GPU, paired with a high-quality screen, all of which are crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks. The Dell Latitude 14 7490, while more portable and with a decent keyboard, has moderate specs in comparison, making it less suitable for intense workloads, but it still manages everyday tasks well.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.3/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
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
8.2/10
6.7/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 14 7490 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 excels in screen quality for general use and engineering due to its higher resolution and brighter display, providing sharp and vibrant visuals that are also beneficial for detailed engineering work, which demands accurate color representation encompassed by its wider color gamuts. The Dell Latitude 14 7490, while offering lower brightness and resolution, still delivers sufficiently clear and accurate colors for general use and engineering tasks but falls short of the Alienware's capabilities. For gaming and 3D applications, the Alienware's screen falls behind due to a lower refresh rate, making it less suitable for the fluid motion required by high-speed games or 3D rendering.
Battery
6.0 Hours
9.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has 9.5 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has very good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Dell Latitude 14 7490 costs $300.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 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.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Dell Latitude 14 7490 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Dell Latitude 7490's got the speed you need (and then some), a keyboard that's comfortable enough for writing all day long and a battery that supports a full 8-hour workday. If only the display were brighter and it managed heat better. If you need every minute of battery life you can get, the extended-battery version of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 lasts 8 hours longer than the Latitude 7490, but its display is much less colorful."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Dell Latitude 14 7490
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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