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Updated March 22, 2024·
When comparing the Dell Alienware m16 R2 with the Lenovo Legion Pro 5, consider that the Alienware often has a premium build and may offer enhanced gaming features, which can be ideal for demanding games or creative applications, but it's usually heavier and pricier, affecting portability and budget. The Legion Pro 5 generally offers good performance for gaming and general use at a more affordable price, with a balance between power and cost, but it might not match the Alienware's top-tier components and extras that cater to hardcore gamers or professional creators. Your choice should align with your most valued aspects: cutting-edge specs and unique features or a balance between performance, cost, and mobility. 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
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5
- Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
8.0
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 for gaming and AI.
If you prioritize vibrant colors and crisp text for tasks like document editing, web browsing, or media consumption, both the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 have displays that offer great resolution and brightness, ensuring general use is a pleasant experience. For those into engineering and design, the importance of color accuracy means that the coverage of professional color gamuts in these laptops is paramount, and both models serve well in this regard. However, for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is essential for smooth motion, and if this is what you're looking for, neither the Dell Alienware m16 R2 nor the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 excel due to their lower refresh rates, despite their adequate resolution and panel technology.
Battery
6.0 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 has 3.5 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
7.4
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,170
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 costs $1,170.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.6/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 both offer powerful CPUs and ample RAM ensuring smooth performance for general use, with high-quality screens that enhance the viewing experience. However, the Alienware's superior portability and battery life make it more suitable for on-the-go users, while the Legion's focus on heat management and quieter operating noise may appeal to those using the laptop in a static location for extended periods.
Gaming and AI
7.9
8.4
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Legion Pro 5 to be very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers powerful graphics processing and a high screen refresh rate, making it suitable for immersive gaming and 3D applications, but the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 excels with an even better GPU and screen refresh rate, providing smoother visuals and gaming experiences. While both have capable CPUs and good screen quality for general use, the superior screen refresh rate and graphics capabilities of the Lenovo make it a preferred choice for those prioritizing top-tier gaming performance.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.5
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 boasts powerful CPUs, ample RAM, and high-end GPUs, crucial for running complex engineering software smoothly, and it has a high-quality screen that provides clear visuals for detailed work. Although heavier and with more operating noise, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 also offers strong performance with similar specs, and might be chosen for its comfortable keyboard and superior speakers, affecting the experience during long work sessions.
Content Creation
7.9
7.8
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 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
7.6
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 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.
Portability
Fair
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Lenovo Legion Pro 5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,170 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | March 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 14.3'' x 10.3'' x 0.97'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.31" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.25" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 80 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 340 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
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 | 4 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
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 Legion Pro 5
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | July 2023
"It doesn't quite match its Legion Pro 7i sibling as an Editors' Choice winner, but Lenovo's AMD-powered Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a stylish, well-built gaming laptop with solid performance at both 1080p and its sharper native resolution. It's cheaper than some comparably equipped machines and better than some similarly priced ones. That's a recipe for success, even without its frequent availability of discounts or sales. A brighter screen and longer battery life would be nice, but even as is the Legion Pro 5 earns a solid recommendation."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Lenovo Legion Pro 5
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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