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What we think
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Updated March 22, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming or high-end graphics tasks and don't mind spending more, the Dell Alienware laptop is designed for performance with its superior graphics capabilities, though it may be heavier and have shorter battery life. On the other hand, the HP Spectre x360 is better for general use, offers great versatility with its 2-in-1 design, and is more portable with longer battery life, making it ideal for on-the-go productivity but less suited for intensive gaming or demanding software tasks. 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 HP Spectre x360 14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good portability
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.9
8.7
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
For general use, the HP Spectre x360 14's high-quality screen and long battery life, combined with its portability due to light weight and compact design, make it a better fit, especially for those who are often on the move. Although the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers powerful CPU and RAM capabilities ideal for more demanding tasks, it is heavier and typically has shorter battery life, making it less convenient for frequent travel or extended use away from power sources.
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.8
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 excels in gaming and 3D applications due to its superior graphics processing unit (GPU) and higher screen refresh rate, which enable smoother visuals and better performance in graphically intensive tasks. The HP Spectre x360 14, while offering quality visuals and competent processing power, falls short for gaming and 3D due to a less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate, making it less ideal for those specific activities.
Content Creation
7.9
8.7
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
The HP Spectre x360 14 is 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
8.4
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
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 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
8.6
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 14 for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Spectre x360 14 both feature displays with high resolution and brightness, which enhances the viewing experience for general tasks and provides clear visualization for detail-oriented engineering and design work. Their color accuracy, covering wide color gamuts, is crucial for professionals in design fields who need precise color representation. However, both laptops have lower refresh rates, which might make them less suitable for gaming or running 3D applications where smooth motion and fast update are critical for an optimal experience.
Battery
6.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The HP Spectre x360 14 has very 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
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Spectre x360 14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, due to its high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, excels in tasks requiring computational power and graphics handling, which is critical for engineering and design software, and it offers a high-quality screen for precision work. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360 14 not only provides respectable performance with its CPU and RAM but also lends enhanced portability with its convertible design, alongside a high-quality keyboard and lower operating noise, making it a balanced choice for on-the-go engineers and designers who also value user experience.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and HP Spectre x360 14 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
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the HP Spectre x360 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | HP Spectre x360 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 12.4'' x 8.7'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 3.45 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 12.35" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 8.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 68 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 2160p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
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 | 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."
HP Spectre x360 14
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Rami Tabari | February 2024
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the HP Spectre x360 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.
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