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Updated March 21, 2024·
When deciding between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, if you're seeking top-tier gaming performance and have a larger budget, the Alienware is a strong choice despite being heavier and potentially having shorter battery life. Conversely, if you prioritize savings and a lighter device for easier portability, and you use your laptop for casual gaming and everyday tasks, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a cost-effective option, though it may not handle demanding games and 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
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.9
7.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for general use, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its fast CPU and ample RAM, delivers smooth performance for general tasks and has a high-quality screen, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life; whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers decent performance for everyday use, is more portable with better battery life, but may not match the screen quality and performance under high workload conditions. Storage, keyboard, speaker quality, operating noise, and heat management are also factors to consider, with the Alienware typically excelling in heat management and build quality, while the Lenovo may offer quieter operation and sufficient quality in other aspects for general use.
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.5
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its higher-end GPU and faster screen refresh rate, offers more fluid visuals and can handle complex gaming scenarios better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. While the Lenovo has a capable CPU and decent screen quality, it doesn't match the Alienware's superior hardware which delivers a smoother gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its superior CPU, ample RAM, and high-end GPU, delivers robust performance and vibrant screen quality for demanding engineering and design tasks, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers solid CPU and GPU capabilities for mainstream engineering uses but may not handle intensive graphics as smoothly. The Alienware's heft and operating noise detract from its portability and can be more noticeable than the IdeaPad, which balances a more travel-friendly design with a decent keyboard and speaker quality for everyday use.
Content Creation
7.9
7.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
8.2
7.2
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 boasts a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and brightness suited for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, but its lower refresh rate makes fast-moving images in gaming less smooth. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers adequate resolution and color range for both casual use and professional design, but like the Dell, it doesn't have the high refresh rate sought after by gamers and 3D artists for fluid visuals. Both laptops prioritize color accuracy and clarity over gaming performance, making them better suited for productivity and creative tasks than for high-end gaming or 3D rendering.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has 8 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.2
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$549
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 costs $549.
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Key similarities
Software Development
7.6
7.3
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 to have 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $549 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 14.2'' x 10.5'' x 0.86'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.1 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.16" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.49" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 60 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 329 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | Yes | |
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."
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | October 2022
"The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the most powerful RTX 3050 Ti laptops. If you disregard the mediocre quality of the case in terms of the material and workmanship, Lenovo has created a successful budget gaming laptop with the IdeaPad Gaming. Thanks to high TDPs and constant performance development, the Core i5-12500H and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti are able to show their full power, while in contrast, the (mostly slower) competitors deliver a better battery life. However, hardly any of the alternative laptops are able to reach the image quality of the Gaming 3. Most of the competitors are left behind in terms of the color space and brightness."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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