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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware m18 R1 and the MSI Creator M14, it's essential to understand their different strengths. The Alienware is a high-performance machine suitable for gaming and demanding applications, but it's heavier and less portable. The MSI Creator, on the other hand, is lighter and more suitable for on-the-go use with enough power for creative tasks but might not handle intense gaming or engineering software as smoothly. If you require top-tier performance and don't mind the extra weight and cost, the Alienware could be a good fit. However, for better portability and value, the MSI Creator is a solid choice. 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
- Very good for software development
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
9.1
7.3
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for gaming and AI, while the MSI Creator M14 is good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 comes with a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for a smooth and immersive gaming or 3D experience, whereas, while the MSI Creator M14 offers a decent GPU and screen refresh rate, they aren't as advanced, potentially compromising performance and fluidity in these scenarios. While both have capable CPUs and good screen quality, the Alienware's superior graphics performance sets it apart for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
9.1
8.4
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
9.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Creator M14 is very good.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1, with a high-end CPU, larger RAM, and superior GPU, excels in handling demanding engineering software and provides an immersive experience with its high-quality screen. However, it's bulkier and louder under load, while the MSI Creator M14 offers decent performance in a more portable package, but with a tradeoff in screen size and ultimate processing power.
Screen Quality
7.8
7.5
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
281.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has a better screen than the MSI Creator M14 for gaming and AI, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m18 R1 and MSI Creator M14 offer excellent visual clarity and brightness, making activities like web browsing and document editing comfortable for your eyes. Their screens display colors precisely, which benefits engineering and design tasks where color accuracy for projects and presentations is crucial. However, their lower refresh rates compared to gaming-optimized laptops might make fast-paced games look less smooth, affecting your gaming and 3D modeling experience.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
8.9 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 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
7.8
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has very good build quality, while the MSI Creator M14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,600
$1,500
$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 MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
281.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
5.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and MSI Creator M14 are both very good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m18 R1, with its robust CPU and ample RAM, excels in performance and screen quality, making it ideal for demanding applications but sacrifices portability and battery life due to its gaming focus. The MSI Creator M14, while still providing good performance and screen quality for general use, offers greater portability and longer battery life, better catering to users who prioritize mobility and all-day use, albeit with less emphasis on high-end gaming capabilities.
Content Creation
8.4
8.0
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 and MSI Creator M14 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
7.8
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware m18 R1 to be very good for software development, while the MSI Creator M14 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.
Battery
4.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware m18 R1 has 4 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware m18 R1 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware m18 R1 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,600 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 16.2'' x 12.6'' x 1.05'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.9 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 16.15" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 12.59" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13900HX | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 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 | 4 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 97 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 281 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 5.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 4 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m18 R1 or the MSI Creator M14
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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