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Updated March 22, 2024·
If you're looking for higher performance for gaming or demanding applications, the MSI Raider may be a better choice despite the higher cost, but if budget is a concern and you're looking for a balance between performance and value, the Dell Alienware could be more appropriate. The MSI Raider typically offers better graphics and processing power which is ideal for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming at high settings, but it might be heavier and have shorter battery life, making it less portable. The Dell Alienware, being less expensive, is a solid choice for general use and less demanding gaming, but it may not perform as well with extremely intensive tasks. 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 battery life
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Raider GE77Hx
- Very good for general use
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9
8.7
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers powerful GPU options and high screen refresh rates, making it suitable for gaming and 3D applications, but the MSI Raider GE77Hx often includes even more advanced GPUs and competitive refresh rates, providing an edge for the most demanding games and 3D tasks. While both laptops have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the superior GPU in the MSI typically delivers better performance for intensive graphical workloads.
Screen Quality
8.2
8.4
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE77Hx has a better screen than the Dell Alienware m16 R2 for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
In selecting a laptop, if you prioritize a crisp display and vibrant colors for everyday tasks and professional design work, both the Dell Alienware m16 R2 and the MSI Raider GE77Hx offer excellent screen resolution and high brightness, along with wide color gamuts ensuring accurate color reproduction. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is crucial, neither of these models excels due to their lower refresh rates, which may result in less smooth gameplay and motion rendering compared to laptops with higher refresh rates. The type of panel they use, although great for color and viewing angles, is not optimized for the fastest response times that gamers often seek.
Portability
Fair
Poor
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability, while the MSI Raider GE77Hx has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,650
$1,999
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the MSI Raider GE77Hx costs $1,999.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
302.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
6.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.8/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE77Hx to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a high-performance CPU and ample RAM, ensuring smooth operation for daily tasks, but it trades off against battery life and is less portable due to its heavier design. The MSI Raider GE77Hx, while also providing a powerful CPU and plenty of RAM for seamless multitasking, has a superior screen quality and generally better battery life, making it an excellent choice for long hours of use on the go, despite being a bit heavier and louder under heavy load.
Engineering and Design
8.4
8.8
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE77Hx and Dell Alienware m16 R2 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Raider GE77Hx both offer high-quality CPUs and GPUs, essential for demanding tasks in engineering and design, and come with ample RAM which aids in multitasking and handling complex software; both also sport excellent screen quality for precise visual work. However, while their portability is lower due to size and weight, they make up for it with superior keyboard and speaker quality, though they may produce more operating noise under heavy loads.
Content Creation
7.9
8.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE77Hx 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
7.9
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx 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
5.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE77Hx has 5.5 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 and MSI Raider GE77Hx 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 MSI Raider GE77Hx compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m16 R2 | MSI Raider GE77Hx |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,650 | $1,999 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.8'' x 0.93'' | 15.6'' x 11.2'' x 1.02'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.75 lbs | 6.39 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.33" | 15.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 11.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-12800HX | |
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 | 5.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 302 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
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 Raider GE77Hx
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | July 2022
"The MSI Raider GE77 offers a lot of power for a lot of money. The main components consist of a Core i9-12900HX CPU, a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU (175 watts TGP, 16 GB VRAM), and 64 GB of RAM, which makes for a high overall performance level. The GeForce GPU in particular scores some of the highest scores we have seen from this chip. Both the CPU and the GPU are able to run at continuously high clock speeds. The relatively high heat and noise emissions match our expectations for this device class. With approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours, the battery life is good for a powerful 4K laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the MSI Raider GE77Hx
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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