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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Gigabyte Aorus 17, consider the emphasis on gaming performance and screen size versus portability and cost. The Alienware will generally be less expensive and may offer suitable gaming capabilities with a slightly smaller screen, making it easier to carry around. On the other hand, the Aorus 17 typically provides a larger display which is better for immersive gaming at the expense of increased weight, making it less convenient to transport. If top-notch gaming experience and larger visuals are your priority and you don't mind spending extra, the Aorus could be a solid choice. Otherwise, if budget and mobility are more crucial for you, the Alienware could serve you well while still delivering considerable performance. 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 overall build quality
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aorus 17
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
8.0
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Gigabyte Aorus 17 for general use, and engineering and design, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17 has a better screen for software development.
For general use, the Dell Alienware's superior resolution and brightness offer a clearer and more vibrant display, enhancing everyday activities like browsing and watching videos. Engineers and designers would prefer the Dell's wide color gamut, providing better color accuracy for tasks like photo editing and CAD work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate of both laptops means less fluid motion and responsiveness, which can hinder fast-paced action and rendering tasks.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.9 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 17 both have only fair portability, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.2/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 17 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its powerful CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and high performance for everyday tasks while delivering a high-quality screen for clear visuals; however, its portability and battery life may be limited compared to lighter options. The Gigabyte Aorus 17 also boasts a robust CPU and generous RAM, with impressive screen quality for an enjoyable viewing experience, but it too is less portable and could have a shorter battery life, which are trade-offs for its high performance.
Gaming and AI
7.9
8.1
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte Aorus 17 to be very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-end GPU and fast screen refresh rate, is a strong choice for immersive gaming and smooth 3D rendering but the Gigabyte Aorus 17, with even more powerful graphics capabilities and a comparable refresh rate, gives you an edge for graphically intensive games and 3D tasks. While both have quality CPUs and screens, the superior GPU in the Aorus 17 offers more robust performance for demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 features a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a robust GPU to handle demanding engineering software, along with a high-quality screen for precise design work. In contrast, while the Gigabyte Aorus 17 also offers similar high-end specs suitable for intensive tasks and a vivid display, it's less portable due to its larger size and may have a noisier operating sound which could be a drawback for some users.
Content Creation
7.9
8.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte Aorus 17 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
7.5
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 17 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.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte Aorus 17 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.
Cost
$1,650
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Gigabyte Aorus 17 costs $1,700.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Gigabyte Aorus 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Gigabyte Aorus 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | February 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 15.7'' x 10'' x 1.02'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.95 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 15.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 99 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 | 360Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 267 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
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 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
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."
Gigabyte Aorus 17
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | April 2022
"The Gigabyte Aorus 17 is a powerful high-end gaming machine. The Aorus 17 is a potent gaming notebook in a 17.3-inch format designed for FHD gaming at maximum settings. A Core i7-12700H processor and GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU make this possible. A lightning-fast PCIe 4 SSD (1 TB) provides the necessary storage space and ensures short loading times. With the Aorus 17 XE4, Gigabyte delivers a well-rounded, high-performance gaming notebook."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Gigabyte Aorus 17
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 Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
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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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