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Updated March 21, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Pulse GL66, consider that the Alienware usually offers higher performance for tasks like gaming or intensive engineering software, which also makes it more expensive. However, the MSI Pulse GL66 provides good value with respectable performance for most typical tasks and some gaming at a lower price point. The Alienware may have a more premium build and potentially better screen quality, but it's likely heavier, impacting portability. Battery life often favors less intense hardware, so the MSI might last longer on a charge, convenient for those who are frequently on the move. 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
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.9
7.3
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a powerful CPU and ample RAM that make it adept at handling various tasks smoothly, complemented by a high-quality screen, while its greater weight and shorter battery life can make it less ideal for on-the-go use. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66 provides similar general-use capabilities but is more portable, though it may compromise slightly on screen quality and have a less robust battery life compared to other laptops geared primarily towards mobility.
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for gaming and AI, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 boasts a high-end GPU and a fast screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth graphics and responsive gameplay in gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Pulse GL66 also offers a powerful GPU and competitive refresh rates, but with a different balance of CPU and screen quality, providing another option for users to choose based on their personal priorities and budget.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.5
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Pulse GL66 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 boasts a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a high-end GPU, which are ideal for demanding engineering software, plus its screen quality enhances detailed design work. The MSI Pulse GL66 also provides a solid CPU and sufficient RAM for engineering tasks; though its GPU and screen may not match the Alienware's, it gains points for being more portable and often quieter, making it a good fit for those who frequently move around and prefer a less noisy environment.
Content Creation
7.9
7.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
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
7.0
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development, though the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is somewhat better.
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
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize vivid colors and sharp details for tasks like browsing and office work, the Dell Alienware with its high-resolution and bright screen makes an excellent choice; however, its lower refresh rate may disappoint gamers who seek fluid motion in fast-paced games. For engineering and design professionals needing color accuracy for media creation, the Dell's adherence to professional color standards ensures precise color representation crucial for their work. The MSI Pulse, offering a balance of acceptable resolution and brightness, covers the basics for diverse tasks but doesn't excel in any particular area, making it a versatile, yet not exceptional, pick across the board.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Pulse GL66 has 4 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Pulse GL66 to have good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
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."
MSI Pulse GL66
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | April 2022
"The MSI Pulse GL66 has a lot of potential for improvement. Although the RTX 3060 is only able to use 105 watts, we still liked the gaming performance, particularly since this also makes the Pulse comfortably efficient but not slow by any means. Neither the dark display with its lame response times, nor USB 2.0 or the lack of Thunderbolt will please real gamers. The use of a sticker factory seal, which is at least questionable, also won't inspire any enthusiasm. It is obvious that the laptop is really designed for price-conscious gamers."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the MSI Pulse GL66
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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