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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Creator M14, consider that the Alienware typically offers more power for gaming and intensive tasks but may be bulkier and have a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for travel. The MSI, on the other hand, is likely lighter and may have longer battery life, suitable for on-the-go use and creative tasks, but it might lack the robust performance of the Alienware for demanding games or software. Your decision should prioritize whether performance or portability and battery life is more crucial for your needs. 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 display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for content creation
- Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.3
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Creator M14 are both good for gaming and AI, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, excels in delivering smooth gaming and 3D rendering experiences, essential for fast-paced action and detailed graphics work. Meanwhile, the MSI Creator M14 also offers a capable GPU and solid screen refresh rate, plus it tends to have a strong CPU and high-quality screen, making it suitable for gamers and creative professionals who need reliable performance and color accuracy for their projects.
Screen Quality
8.2
7.5
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Creator M14 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the MSI Creator M14 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 boasts a higher resolution and brightness, making it suitable for general use and detailed engineering work, while its vast color range supports precision in design tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate can detract from the smoothness and responsiveness desired by users. In contrast, the MSI Creator M14 offers suitable quality for everyday and professional design use but shares a similar limitation in refresh rate for gaming and 3D work.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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
14.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 has 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
7.8
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Creator M14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator M14 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers powerful CPU and RAM capabilities suited for intensive tasks and has a high-quality screen, but its bulky design and shorter battery life can be a drawback for portability. The MSI Creator M14, while also providing strong CPU and RAM performance for general use, boasts a balance of a quality screen, better portability, and longer battery life, making it more versatile for users on the go.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2, with its high-performance CPU, abundant RAM, and powerful GPU, excels in demanding engineering and design tasks, complemented by a high-quality screen that enhances visual clarity. The MSI Creator M14, while also equipped with robust specs for CPU, RAM, and GPU, offers a balance between performance and portability, with a focus on screen quality and a comfortable keyboard, but may be noisier and have less impressive speakers compared to the Alienware.
Content Creation
7.9
8.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator M14 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
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator M14 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.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 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 | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the MSI Creator M14
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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