A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 21, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming and high-end performance for tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, both the Dell Alienware and Lenovo Legion are suitable. The Alienware often has a distinctive design, which may appeal if aesthetics are important to you, and it might have features aimed specifically at gamers. The Lenovo Legion typically offers a more subdued look that could fit better in a professional environment and might have a slight edge in build quality and keyboard comfort. Remember, both will be heavier and less portable compared to ultrabooks, and battery life usually takes a hit because of their powerful hardware. Consider which brand's design and features appeal more to you in balancing performance needs and personal taste. 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
- The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo Legion 7.
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 7
- Good portability
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
8.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
469.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion 7 for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo Legion 7 has a better screen for general use.
For general use, both the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo Legion 7 offer high resolution and bright displays with panel types that render sharp images and vibrant colors, providing an enjoyable viewing experience for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption. In engineering and design, professionals will appreciate the wide color gamuts of both laptops, which ensure accurate color representation essential for detailed work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, despite adequate resolution and panel type, the lower refresh rates on both models may not deliver the smoothest visuals that gamers seek for fast-paced action and rendering-heavy tasks.
Cost
$1,650
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Lenovo Legion 7 costs $1,500.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
469.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Legion 7 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 both offer high-quality CPUs and ample RAM, which ensures smooth performance for a range of applications, while their superior screen quality makes them suitable for tasks that require visual precision. However, if portability and long battery life are a priority, the Legion may have an edge, though the Alienware's focus on gaming might attract users looking for specialized features like enhanced heat management and a robust keyboard.
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
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
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 both offer powerful GPUs and high screen refresh rates suited for smooth gaming and 3D applications; these features are crucial for rendering complex graphics and ensuring fluid motion. While both laptops also have capable CPUs and high-quality screens, these attributes, although important, play a secondary role to the GPU and refresh rate when prioritizing gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 both come equipped with powerful CPUs and substantial RAM, crucial for running engineering applications smoothly, and they include high-end GPUs and screens with excellent quality for detailed design work. However, the Alienware tends to be less portable due to its bulk, and both models offer satisfying keyboard and speaker quality, but operating noise can be a concern during intense tasks.
Content Creation
7.9
7.9
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
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 7 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
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 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.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion 7 has 6.5 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.5 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Legion 7 to have 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
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion 7 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo Legion 7 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Lenovo Legion 7 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 14'' x 10.3'' x 0.86'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6.5 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 | 469 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
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
See more
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 7
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | September 2022
"The Lenovo Legion 7 is a fast 16-inch gamer with 165 Hz display. The new Lenovo Legion 7 is a very good gaming notebook that, despite its comparatively compact compact 16-inch case, does not have to do without the most powerful components. Thanks to good cooling, no compromises are made in terms of performance. Both the Core i9-12900HX and the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti perform at a very high level."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Lenovo Legion 7
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell Alienware m16 R2 vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
VS
Compare Dell Alienware m16 R2 vs. Acer Predator Helios 16
VS
Compare Dell Alienware m16 R2 vs. ASUS TUF Gaming A15
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion 7 vs. ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion 7 vs. ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion 7 vs. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (2024)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
Featured in
