The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is a high-end laptop that's more expensive but comes with a top-tier Intel i9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics, ideal for intensive engineering tasks or gaming due to its superior performance. However, its larger screen and weight reduce its portability. In contrast, the Gigabyte Aorus 15P is less expensive and offers solid performance with an Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics. It's more portable, but not as powerful as the Alienware, making it better suited for general use and moderate gaming or engineering work. 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
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Excellent for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Gigabyte Aorus 15P
Very good overall display quality
Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
9.1/10
7.8/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
300Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P is good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is equipped with a more powerful graphics card and a higher resolution screen, enhancing gaming and 3D experiences compared to the Gigabyte Aorus 15P which has a less potent graphics card and lower resolution but compensates with a significantly higher screen refresh rate for smoother visual motion. While both boast substantial CPU capabilities and screen quality, the superior GPU and screen details on the Alienware provide an edge for visually demanding tasks, though the Aorus 15P's refresh rate may appeal to gamers seeking fluid motion during fast-paced gaming.
Engineering and Design
9.1/10
8.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P is very good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 stands out for engineering and design due to its superior CPU and GPU, which ensures smoother operation in resource-intensive tasks, and a higher resolution screen that offers more detailed visuals critical for design precision. Meanwhile, the Gigabyte Aorus 15P, while boasting respectable processing power and a high-quality GPU, falls slightly short in performance and display clarity compared to the Alienware, but offers better portability and thus can be preferable for users who need to move around frequently.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for content creation, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P 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
8.0/10
7.3/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for software development, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P 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
7.8/10
8.1/10
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
300Hz
281.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
280.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a better screen than the Gigabyte Aorus 15P for software development, and content creation, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, a laptop like the Dell Alienware m18 R1 with its adequate resolution, panel type, and brightness ensures comfortable day-to-day use like browsing and video streaming. When it comes to engineering and design work, the same laptop offers a wide range of colors, crucial for precision in visual tasks, though for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate might detract from a smooth, immersive experience. Similarly, the Gigabyte Aorus 15P, while providing sharp and vivid visuals for everyday tasks and professional design, may fall short for gamers and 3D artists seeking fluid motion graphics and rapid on-screen action.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
8.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Gigabyte Aorus 15P has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m18 R1 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.4/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,600
$1,950
$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 Gigabyte Aorus 15P costs $1,950.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware m18 R1 to be very good for general use, while the Gigabyte Aorus 15P is good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 excels in general use due to its higher-performing CPU and quality screen, which leads to better multitasking and visual experience but sacrifices portability and has a shorter battery life compared to the Gigabyte Aorus 15P. The Aorus 15P, while still having a robust CPU and ample RAM for general tasks, offers better portability, and longer battery life, making it a balanced option for those who need to work on the go.
Battery
4.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has 4 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte Aorus 15P has 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.
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How the Dell Alienware m18 R1 and the Gigabyte Aorus 15P compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Aorus 15P is a high-end gaming laptop with fast 360 Hz display. Gaming performance in the Aorus 15P YD is very high thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 installed here. However, with the use of the Intel Core i7-11800H, CPU performance also closes in on the strong competition from AMD. SSD performance is excellent as well, and it leaves no room for criticism. Thanks to the built-in Intel Core i7-11800H, the system performance of the Aorus 15P YD increases significantly."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m18 R1 or the Gigabyte Aorus 15P
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 Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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