When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the HP Omen Transcend 14, consider that the Alienware is likely built for high-end gaming performance, with a larger screen size which can be better for immersive experiences but less convenient for travel. The Omen, meanwhile, should offer solid performance and may be more portable due to its smaller size, which can be advantageous if you move around a lot. Both should handle general use and engineering tasks well, but the Alienware may have an edge for 3D tasks and gaming, while the Omen may offer better battery life and easier transportation. 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 HP Omen Transcend 14
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
Software Development
7.6/10
8.1/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is 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.
Screen Quality
8.2/10
8.6/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the HP Omen Transcend 14 for gaming and AI, while the HP Omen Transcend 14 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When looking at screen quality for general use, both the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Omen Transcend 14 offer high resolution and brightness, making text sharp and visuals clear in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design work, both laptops provide wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation for tasks like photo editing and graphic design. However, for gaming and 3D applications, they fall short due to lower refresh rates, which can lead to less smooth visuals in fast-paced games and animations.
Battery
6.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The HP Omen Transcend 14 has 11 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
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Omen Transcend 14 has 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
7.2/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the HP Omen Transcend 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Omen Transcend 14 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the HP Omen Transcend 14, the HP Omen may offer a better balance for general use due to its lighter weight and longer battery life, making it more portable, while still providing a high-quality screen and ample RAM for efficient multitasking. The Alienware, however, might offer a slight edge in CPU performance suitable for more demanding applications, but this could come with a tradeoff in portability and battery life, making it less ideal for users who are often on the move.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
7.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Omen Transcend 14 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Omen Transcend 14 have powerful GPUs and high screen refresh rates, making them excellent choices for smooth gaming and 3D rendering performances. While both laptops offer robust CPUs and high-quality screens, the Alienware tends to have a slight edge in build quality and cooling systems, which can be important for long gaming sessions.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
8.5/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen Transcend 14 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-end CPU, RAM, and GPU, caters excellently to demanding engineering software, and its superior screen quality enhances detailed design work, though it may be less portable and noisier under load. On the other hand, the HP Omen Transcend 14 also excels in performance for engineering tasks and offers a commendable screen, while being more portable, possibly at the expense of louder operating noise due to its compact design.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.3/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HP Omen Transcend 14 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.
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 HP Omen Transcend 14 costs $1,699.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the HP Omen Transcend 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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the HP Omen Transcend 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
131,295
Recommendations made
28,448
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.