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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Gigabyte Aorus 7, consider this: if your priority is high-end gaming or tasks that need top-tier graphics and processing power and you don't mind spending more, the Alienware could serve you well, acknowledging its cost and potential heft. However, if you seek a balance between solid performance, affordability, and easier mobility, the Aorus 7 is a worthwhile option, although it may have a lesser build quality and not match Alienware's raw power or premium features. 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
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aorus 7
- The Gigabyte Aorus 7 has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware m16 R2.
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
351.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Gigabyte Aorus 7 for engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a high-resolution display and brightness, making it easy on the eyes for productivity and media consumption, while the Gigabyte Aorus 7 provides a similar experience with slightly less vibrancy. In the realm of engineering and design, the Alienware's wide color gamut ensures precise color representation crucial for professional work, surpassing the Aorus 7, which is adequate but not as accurate. However, for gaming and 3D work, the lower refresh rate of both laptops may lead to less fluid visuals compared to models designed specifically for these purposes.
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 7 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 7 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,190
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Gigabyte Aorus 7 costs $1,190.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.6
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
351.0 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 7 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with a high-performance CPU and ample RAM, offers powerful processing and multitasking capabilities suitable for various tasks, paired with a quality screen that enhances visual experience, although it's less portable and has shorter battery life than some alternatives. The Gigabyte Aorus 7 also features a robust CPU and sufficient RAM for general use, with decent screen quality, but like the Alienware, it sacrifices portability and battery longevity for performance, and while both have adequate storage, their keyboards, speakers, and heat management are serviceable without being exceptional.
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.1/10
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
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 7 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 7 both offer high-quality GPUs and fast screen refresh rates, making them excellent for gaming and 3D applications which demand smooth visuals and quick responses. While the CPU performance and screen quality are also notable strengths in these models, they're secondary to the superior graphics handling and fluid on-screen action that gamers and 3D users require.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 7 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers powerful CPUs, ample RAM, high-quality GPUs, and superior screen resolution, making it well-suited for demanding engineering software and design work, but it may be less portable and have a louder operating noise. The Gigabyte Aorus 7, similarly equipped with robust performance hardware and a quality display, provides a competitive alternative with a slight trade-off in keyboard and speaker quality for a balance between performance and multimedia experience.
Content Creation
7.9
7.6
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Gigabyte Aorus 7 are both good for content creation.
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
7.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
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 7 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 7 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Gigabyte Aorus 7 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Gigabyte Aorus 7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,190 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | March 1, 2023 | |
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 i5-12500H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 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 | 351 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 | 7.5/10 | |
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 | 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."
Gigabyte Aorus 7
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Matt Hanson | July 2020
"The Gigabyte Aorus 7 is a gaming laptop that is pitched at perhaps the hardest market to get right: the mid-range. So, unlike high-end gaming laptops that can throw the latest and greatest components together in a bid to attract gamers with plenty of money to spend, or budget gaming laptops that can make wise cuts that are justified as long as the price is low enough, mid-rangers like the Gigabyte Aorus 7 have to balance the two."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Gigabyte Aorus 7
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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