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Updated March 21, 2024·
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 typically offers better performance for demanding tasks such as gaming or 3D rendering due to its higher-end hardware, making it a strong choice if you prioritize speed and graphical capabilities for intensive uses. However, it's usually heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for frequent travel. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is more affordable and offers a balance between performance and portability, with a lighter build and longer battery life, making it well-suited for general use and on-the-go productivity with moderate gaming. 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 Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
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
343.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i for gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has a better screen for software development.
If you prioritize a sharp, vibrant display for everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing, both the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i have displays that offer high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for general use. The Alienware stands out for engineering and design work with its wide color gamut, providing color accuracy crucial for those fields. However, for gaming or 3D modeling, which demand quick image refresh for smooth motion, neither laptop is ideal due to their lower refresh rates, even though they have the necessary resolution and panel types to support moderately good visual details.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,055
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i costs $1,055.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
343.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.7/10
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers high-level CPU and RAM configurations, which ensure smooth performance for various tasks, and its screen quality is excellent for media consumption, but it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i also boasts strong CPU and ample RAM, suitable for everyday tasks, with the added benefit of better portability and longer battery life, though it may not match the screen appeal of the Alienware and could be slightly less robust in performance for highly demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
7.9
8.0
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Legion Slim 5i to be very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-end GPU and fast screen refresh rate, offers smooth and immersive gaming experiences, especially advantageous for action-packed games. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i, while also providing superior gaming performance with a robust GPU and an adequate refresh rate, stands out for its balance between power and a sleeker design; however, it might not match the Alienware in terms of the ultimate graphic intensity.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i both offer strong CPU and GPU combinations essential for demanding engineering and design programs; they also come with ample RAM for multitasking and high-quality screens for precise visual work. However, the Alienware typically has superior graphics performance for more intensive tasks, while the Legion Slim 5i offers greater portability and a quieter operating experience, making it more suitable for on-the-go use and work in quieter environments.
Content Creation
7.9
8.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Legion Slim 5i 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.
Software Development
7.6
7.8
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
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 Slim 5i 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.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has 7 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
Fair
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i 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 Slim 5i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Lenovo Legion Slim 5i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,055 | ||
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 10.3'' x 0.99'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 5.29 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.16" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.25" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-13700H | |
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 | 7 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 | 343 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
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 | 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 | 2 | |
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 Slim 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | August 2023
"The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 acknowledges that a gaming laptop doesn’t have to be as thick as possible and can still ensure adequate cooling when the muscles need flexing. To this end, in the Slim 5 Gen 8, it finds a neat balance of refined, trimmed-down design that still lets its internals cruise (even above their max power ratings). Lenovo then added in some high-end build quality with an altogether excellent keyboard that’s useful for both work and play."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
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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