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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13, consider that the Alienware is tailored for high-end gaming and demanding software, offering superior performance but at a higher cost and with less portability due to its weight and size. On the other hand, the ThinkPad X13 is more budget-friendly, highly portable, and well-suited for business and general use, though it won't handle intensive gaming and complex engineering tasks as well. Battery life also tends to be longer on the ThinkPad, favoring users who need a laptop on the go. 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
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good portability
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.9
8.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers exceptional CPU and RAM capabilities, making it well-suited for demanding tasks, but it is less portable and has a shorter battery life compared to the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, which boasts excellent screen quality, portability, and longer battery life, making it more convenient for everyday use. While both have good storage, keyboard and speaker quality, the ThinkPad X13 tends to be quieter and cooler, enhancing its suitability for general use.
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.7
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 boasts a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate which are crucial for smooth and visually rich gaming and 3D experiences, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, although adequate, lacks the graphics performance and screen responsiveness prioritized by gaming and 3D applications, offering though a professional design and solid CPU for general usage. Even with a decent screen, the ThinkPad cannot match the Alienware's tailored display features that enhance gaming and 3D rendering.
Software Development
7.6
8.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 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
6.9
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
321.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a vibrant, high-resolution display that's bright and crisp, providing a comfortable viewing experience for everyday tasks, while the Lenovo ThinkPad X13, though slightly less impressive, still delivers a clear and bright picture. For engineering and design work, the Alienware's wider color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation, which is crucial for detailed design work, a strength shared by the ThinkPad X13, although it may not cover the color spectrum as extensively. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate of the Alienware makes it less suitable for fast-paced visuals compared to laptops designed for gaming, and the ThinkPad X13 follows suit with similar limitations.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has 8.5 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 has very good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,650
$1,459
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 costs $1,459.
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Key similarities
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and powerful GPU, excels in running demanding engineering software and rendering tasks, complemented by a high-quality screen for precise visual work. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13, while still suitable for engineering, trades some performance for increased portability and is recognized for its robust keyboard quality, making it a good choice for engineers on the go who prioritize a balance between power and mobility.
Content Creation
7.9
8.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad X13 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,459 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | September 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 11.9'' x 8.5'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 2.87 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 11.88" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 8.46" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 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 | 8.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 321 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1440p | |
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 | 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 ThinkPad X13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | September 2023
"The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 G4 has very good input devices, a wide array of security features and ports as well as 5G in the tested configuration. It is more compact and lightweight compared with its predecessor, and it has improved speakers and a slightly better webcam. On the other hand, the fan is more annoying and the performance is barely improved. The battery is worse as well, but this is primarily attributable to the OLED screen - if this aspect is important, buyers should choose the IPS Low Power LCD."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Lenovo ThinkPad X13
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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