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Updated March 21, 2024·
Choosing between the Dell Alienware m18 R1 and the Framework Laptop 16 requires considering your priorities. The Alienware is better suited for high-end gaming or demanding software due to its robust performance, but it's heavier and less portable, with potentially shorter battery life. The Framework, on the other hand, is more affordable, easier to carry, and offers good performance for general use and moderate work tasks; it also stands out for its repairability and customization options. If top-tier gaming or resource-intensive applications are essential and cost is not an issue, Alienware is a suitable pick, otherwise, for everyday use and the flexibility of upgrades, the Framework might suffice. 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 m18 R1
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
- Very good overall display quality
- Good portability
- Good battery life
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
9.1
6.8
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
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 m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1, with its superior GPU and high screen refresh rate, delivers a smoother and more immersive gaming and 3D experience, essential for fast-paced and visually intensive tasks. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 16 (2023), while also equipped with a capable GPU and decent screen refresh rate, doesn't match the Alienware's performance in these aspects, making it suitable for less demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
9.1
8.1
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is equipped with a high-end CPU, substantial RAM, and a powerful GPU which are essential for demanding engineering tasks, plus it has a superior screen quality for detailed work, but it's less portable and can be noisier under load. The Framework Laptop 16, while also having a good screen, keyboard, and speakers, offers a balance of performance suited for engineering tasks in a more portable form factor, though it has a less powerful CPU and GPU compared to the Alienware, making it slightly less optimal for the most intensive applications.
Screen Quality
7.8
8.4
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
281.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 16 for content creation, while the Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 offers a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks and detailed enough for engineering work, but its lower refresh rate impacts its performance in rendering fast-paced gaming graphics smoothly. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) excels in general use and engineering with a high-quality display that has vivid colors and sharp details due to its better coverage of professional color spaces, making it ideal for color-critical work. However, like the Alienware, it falls short for gaming and 3D applications where a high refresh rate is crucial for fluid motion and reduced screen tearing.
Battery
4.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has 4 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
8.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m18 R1 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,600
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a price of $2,600 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
281.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1, with its high-performance CPU and ample RAM, excels in handling demanding tasks and providing a vivid display, but it's heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers a good balance of performance with decent CPU and RAM, a high-quality screen, and is designed for easier transport and longer battery usage, though it may not match the Alienware in raw power for the most resource-intensive applications.
Content Creation
8.4
8.1
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very 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
8.0
8.0
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very 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
8.0
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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 m18 R1 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m18 R1 | Framework Laptop 16 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,600 | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 16.2'' x 12.6'' x 1.05'' | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.9 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 16.15" | 14.04" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 12.59" | 10.63" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13900HX | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 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 | 4 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 | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 281 nits | 490 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.1/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 4 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware m18 R1
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | July 2023
"Dell's Alienware m18 delivers on its promises: This is a large, powerful gaming laptop with the premium flair and feel you expect from an expensive purchase. The drawbacks are really the price and battery life, which in context are reasonable. (We'd also like to see more ports on the laptop's sides.) This price tier exists for deep-pocketed enthusiasts, and if you’re considering anything in this range, the m18 isn’t an outlier. For the majority of shoppers, of course, all of these mighty 18-inch systems are likely too expensive."
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 m18 R1 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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