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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, consider that the Alienware is tailored for high-performance tasks such as gaming or demanding software applications, offering robust graphics and processing power, but it comes with a heftier price tag and is less portable due to its size and weight. In contrast, the ThinkPad is more budget-friendly, offers great build quality and keyboard experience, typically has longer battery life, and is easier to carry, making it better suited for business and general use. 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
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.3
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
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
9.1/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a high-end GPU and a screen with fast refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth gaming and effective 3D rendering. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, while still capable, has a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, making it less optimal for these tasks, although its quality CPU and screen maintain decent performance for less demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.3
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-end CPU, ample RAM, and powerful GPU, excels in demanding engineering tasks and offers a brilliant screen for design work, although it's less portable and can be quite loud under load. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13, while offering reliable performance for engineering with a quality CPU and sufficient RAM, boasts superior portability, a robust keyboard, and quieter operation, but its GPU and screen don't match the Alienware's capabilities for intensive design applications.
Screen Quality
8.2
7.0
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2's superior resolution and brightness make it excellent for general tasks and engineering where clear visuals and color accuracy are key, but its lower refresh rate impacts gaming and 3D performance negatively. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13's good resolution and brightness ensure a pleasant experience for generic tasks and a competent one for engineering with decent color reproduction, but like the Alienware, its refresh rate isn't suited for high-end gaming or 3D applications where fluid motion is crucial. While both laptops serve well for daily activities and engineering work due to their display characteristics, neither is optimal for gaming or 3D pursuits due to the screen's refresh limitations.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has 10 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
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has excellent portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,650
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.8
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
379.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 are both good for general use.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a powerful CPU and plenty of RAM to handle demanding applications with a high-quality screen, but its heft and shorter battery life make it less portable, while the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 delivers a balance between performance and portability, with a keyboard that's comfortable for long typing sessions, and a longer battery life, but with less focus on high-end gaming or intensive graphics tasks. The ThinkPad's solid build and efficient heat management also ensure a quieter, cooler experience during use.
Content Creation
7.9
7.8
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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
7.7
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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 Z13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 2.78 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 11.59" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 7.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 6850U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 51.5 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 | 379 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 1080p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
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 ThinkPad Z13
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | September 2022
"In the premium ultraportable space, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 competes with the best of the best, and still manages to shine. The design is an impressive departure from the bland bare-metal laptop that's become so popular in recent years, and the AMD-powered system has performance that's just as impressive. It's a stark alternative to the Intel-based majority, and it stands up well enough to the impressive Apple M2 processor."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
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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