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Updated March 21, 2024·
If you're looking for top-notch gaming or high-end graphics work, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers robust performance suitable for these tasks, but keep in mind it's heavier and may have shorter battery life, making it less ideal for frequent travel. The Framework Laptop 16, on the other hand, is designed for easy upgrades and repairs, offering decent performance for general use and some heavier tasks while also being more eco-friendly and potentially having better portability and battery life. 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 for gaming and AI
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good portability
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.8
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 excels in gaming and 3D applications due to its powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth visuals and fast-paced action. The Framework Laptop 16, while offering a decent CPU and good screen quality, doesn't match the Alienware in graphics performance or refresh speed, making it less optimal for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Screen Quality
8.2
8.4
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offer screens with high resolution and brightness, combined with panel types that deliver crisp and clear images, making for a pleasing visual experience during everyday tasks. In the context of engineering and design, these laptops provide wide color coverage, meeting the high standards required for precise color work in professional applications, but they may lack some of the top-tier color accuracy seen in specialized screens. When it comes to gaming and 3D, despite their strong visual performance for other tasks, their lower refresh rates make them less ideal for the fast-paced and smooth visuals that gamers and 3D professionals typically seek.
Battery
6.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-performance CPU and ample RAM, is well-suited for demanding applications, albeit at the cost of portability and battery life due to its gaming-oriented design. On the other hand, the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers a balanced experience with a quality screen, good portability, and better battery life, making it a versatile choice for general use without the heft or shorter battery life typically associated with gaming laptops.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers top-tier processing power, ample memory, and a high-quality graphics unit, which are crucial for intensive engineering tasks, along with an excellent display for detailed design work, making it a strong choice for such professionals; however, it is heavier and louder under load, impacting portability and working environment. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) also provides respectable performance and screen quality, with the added benefits of being lighter, quieter, and having a better keyboard, making it a versatile option for those valuing a balance between mobility and capability.
Content Creation
7.9
8.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
8.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 16 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.04" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.63" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 85 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 490 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
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 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
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."
Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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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