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What we think
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Updated March 21, 2024·
When considering the Dell Alienware m17 R5 versus the Framework Laptop 16, the Alienware typically offers robust performance suitable for gaming and demanding applications, but this comes with decreased portability due to its weight and larger size. Meanwhile, the Framework is designed to be more customizable and repair-friendly with a focus on sustainability, potentially offering better longevity, but it may not match the raw power of the Alienware for intensive tasks. If you're seeking top-tier gaming or need to run high-performance programs regularly and don't mind a heavier laptop, the Alienware is a strong choice; if you value modularity, ease of repair, and portability, consider the Framework. 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 m17 R5
- Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7
6.8
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 is equipped with a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth and detailed gaming and 3D experiences. The Framework Laptop 16, while offering decent performance for many tasks, doesn't match the Alienware in terms of graphics prowess and display fluidity, which might affect the gameplay and 3D rendering quality.
Software Development
7.4
8.0
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 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
8.1
8.4
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
301.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 16 for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 offers a solid balance between resolution and brightness, making it suitable for general tasks and engineering work that requires clarity and good color representation. The Framework Laptop 16 shines in the same areas with a display that provides vibrant colors and sharp details crucial for professionals in engineering and design, thanks to its coverage of professional color gamuts. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D work where a high refresh rate is key to smooth visuals, and despite their adequate resolution and panel types, neither is optimized for those high-frame-rate needs.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has 5 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
7.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,100
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 has a price of $1,100 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
301.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 is good.
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 boasts high-grade CPU and RAM configurations suitable for intensive tasks and gaming, but it's heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable for day-to-day use; whereas the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers a balance between performance and portability with a quality screen, longer battery life, and easier to carry design, better suited for varied general use while still accommodating demanding applications. Both possess ample storage and good keyboard and speaker quality, but the Framework tends to run quieter and cooler, adding to its comfort for regular use.
Engineering and Design
8.1
8.1
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
7.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m17 R5 offers a more powerful CPU, RAM, and GPU setup which is essential for the demanding tasks in engineering and design, and it also comes with a high-quality screen, but it's less easy to carry around and may have louder operating noise. Meanwhile, the Framework Laptop 16 (2023), while also geared towards engineering and design with good performance parts and screen, balances portability better and has a reputation for a quality keyboard and quieter speakers, but might not handle the most intensive tasks as well as the Alienware.
Content Creation
7.8
8.1
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 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
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to have very good build quality, while the Dell Alienware m17 R5 has 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 m17 R5 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m17 R5 | Framework Laptop 16 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 11.8'' x 1.05'' | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.3 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.64" | 14.04" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.76" | 10.63" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 97 Wh | 85 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 301 nits | 490 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware m17 R5
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | January 2023
"Overall, the all-AMD system in the Alienware m17 R5 is impressive, especially the graphics performance. However, various driver issues and unnecessary inconsistencies prevent us from truly enjoying such a potent gaming machine. In addition to strong 3D performance, we particularly like the build quality, the fairly bright UHD display with high color space coverage, and the fact that the gamer is often quiet when not under load and also rather quieter than some competitors under load."
Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m17 R5 or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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