The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is a premium laptop with a high price tag, suitable for users willing to invest in top-tier performance for tasks such as gaming, 3D modeling, and intensive engineering work. It boasts a high-end processor and graphics card, large storage, and ample memory, providing a superior user experience for demanding applications. However, its large size and heavy weight diminish its portability, and its battery life is considerably shorter compared to less powerful laptops.
On the other hand, the HP 250 G10 is a budget-friendly laptop that offers modest specifications sufficient for general use such as web browsing, office applications, and media consumption. This laptop has basic processing capabilities and integrated graphics, opting for economy over performance. It is lighter and likely has a longer battery life than the Alienware, presenting a more portable option for users who need a laptop for everyday tasks and value extended usage on the go. However, its lower resolution display and less robust hardware make it less suitable for 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 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
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the HP 250 G10
Good portability
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.2/10
6.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
281.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
5.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for general use, while the HP 250 G10 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 excels in general use due to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, high-quality screen, and robust heat management, though it's less portable and has a shorter battery life. In contrast, the HP 250 G10, while highly portable and with better battery life, offers a fair performance for general use due to its modest CPU, lower RAM, and inferior screen quality.
Gaming and AI
9.1/10
5.7/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the HP 250 G10 is poor.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and 3D because it includes a powerful Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, providing smooth graphics and gameplay. In contrast, the HP 250 G10 is poor for gaming and 3D as it only has an Intel UHD Graphics (N200) which is much less capable, and its screen refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz, resulting in less fluid motion and rendering.
Engineering and Design
9.1/10
5.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for engineering and design, while the HP 250 G10 is poor.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is equipped with a high-end CPU, substantial RAM, advanced GPU, and high-quality screen that support the demanding tasks in engineering and design, while the HP 250 G10 offers a basic CPU, less RAM, an entry-level integrated GPU, and a lower-resolution screen which may not handle engineering applications effectively. Moreover, the Alienware's weight and size reduce its portability, but it offers a better keyboard and manages operating noise more proficiently, whereas the HP is more portable but falls short in keyboard quality and has lower speaker and build quality.
Content Creation
8.4/10
6.2/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for content creation, while the HP 250 G10 is only fair.
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
6.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is very good for software development, while the HP 250 G10 is only fair.
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
5.3/10
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
281.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a better screen than the HP 250 G10 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a high-resolution display and vibrant colors which are great for general use and engineering tasks where clarity and color accuracy are key, but its lower refresh rate isn't ideal for the smooth visuals critical in fast-paced gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the HP 250 G10's lower brightness and resolution contribute to its poorer screen quality across the board, making it less suitable for both everyday tasks and specialized work that requires fine detail and color precision. Additionally, both laptops may not satisfy users in 3D environments or gaming, where the refresh rate of the Alienware doesn't compensate for its better color and resolution.
Battery
4.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has 4 hours of battery life. The HP 250 G10 has 6 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
15.6in
8.9 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP 250 G10 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
6.0/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has very good build quality, while the HP 250 G10 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,600
$330
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a price of $2,600 and the HP 250 G10 costs $330.
"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 HP 250 G10 is a decent budget device that surprises us with its high CPU frequencies under load. Still, our configuration has a Core i5-1335U which doesn’t require significant cooling, if choose a 28W P-series processor, maybe the situation with the clocks could be different. If you want to play some casual game after work, a memory in dual-channel is a must because it increases greatly the iGPU performance."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m18 R1 or the HP 250 G10
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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