When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the HP Dragonfly Pro, consider that the Alienware is likely to offer superior performance for tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or intensive engineering software, but it will cost more and may be heavier, affecting its portability. The HP Dragonfly Pro, being less expensive, should handle general use and business tasks well, offers greater portability, and likely has a longer battery life, but it may not handle high-performance applications as smoothly as the Alienware. 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
Advantages of the HP Dragonfly Pro 14"
Very good for general use
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
6.5/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
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 HP Dragonfly Pro 14" is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which provide smoother and more detailed gaming and 3D experiences, whereas the HP Dragonfly Pro, with a less capable GPU and lower refresh rate, offers a sufficient but less optimal experience for these tasks. The CPU and screen quality of the HP Dragonfly Pro are suitable for everyday activities and professional use but don't match the higher performance and visual fidelity benefits that gamers and creators would get with the Alienware.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
7.6/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.7/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-performance CPU, larger RAM capacity, and robust GPU, excels in handling complex engineering and design tasks, and offers superior screen quality for detailed work. In contrast, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" provides satisfactory performance for engineering with decent CPU, RAM, and GPU, it gains an edge in portability, and also offers a balance with a quality keyboard and quieter operation, which might appeal to users who prioritize comfort and mobility along with their work needs.
Screen Quality
8.2/10
7.1/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
405.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has a better screen for content creation.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m16 R2's superior panel type, resolution, and brightness enhance clarity and visibility, making it very good, while the HP Dragonfly Pro also offers a quality experience though slightly less impressive due to its good panel quality and adequate resolution and brightness. In engineering and design, the Dell excels with a very good color range covering DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, ensuring precise color representation, important for professional design work, whereas the HP, with a good but not as extensive color gamut, is sufficient but not top-tier. When it comes to 3D and gaming, the Dell's screen falls short due to a lower refresh rate which can cause motion blurs, while the HP also struggles with this aspect, making both less ideal for fast-paced, graphic-intensive activities.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has 10 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
3.4 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Dragonfly Pro 14" has very good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,650
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the HP Dragonfly Pro 14" costs $1,400.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Dragonfly Pro 14" to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with a powerful CPU and ample RAM, excels in demanding tasks but can be bulky and may have a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go users. The HP Dragonfly Pro 14", on the other hand, with its high-quality screen, lightweight design, and longer battery life, provides a balance of performance and portability, suitable for everyday tasks and travel, but might not handle intensive workloads as well as the Alienware.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Dragonfly Pro 14" 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
7.6/10
7.8/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Dragonfly Pro 14" 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
8.5/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Dragonfly Pro 14" 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 HP Dragonfly Pro 14" 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."
"I’d say that the HP Dragonfly Pro checks off most of the boxes for this freelancer. It feels nice to use, is zippy and responsive, has great speakers, and even has a relatively sane price. Although it’s an unorthodox choice to pick AMD for this kind of machine, it’s clear that when Ryzen is given a chance to shine, it can kick a lot of butt."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the HP Dragonfly Pro 14"
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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