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Updated March 21, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023), consider that the Alienware is tailored for gaming with high performance and a robust build but is heavier and less portable, possibly with shorter battery life. The Framework, while typically more expensive, offers a larger screen, is upgrade-friendly for future-proofing, and focuses on sustainability. It’s also likely to be lighter and more portable, making it suitable for a range of tasks beyond gaming, such as general use or work-related tasks. Choose based on whether your priority is gaming performance or versatility and portability. 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 x14 R1
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good portability
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 display quality
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6
6.8
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
144Hz
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 x14 R1 is good for gaming and AI, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is equipped with a stronger GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth gameplay and rendering 3D graphics, making it a solid choice for gamers and professionals in 3D fields. On the other hand, the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers decent gaming and 3D performance but may not handle the most demanding tasks as well due to its less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate.
Screen Quality
7.9
8.4
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
411.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware x14 R1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Alienware x14 R1's panel type, resolution, and brightness deliver a clear and vibrant experience suitable for everyday tasks, while the Framework Laptop 16 improves upon this with even sharper visuals and better illumination. In engineering and design, both laptops offer wide color gamuts providing accuracy for detailed work, but the Framework Laptop 16 may edge out slightly with more precise color representation. However, for gaming and 3D, the poor refresh rate on both machines means less fluid motion and slower response times, which could detract from immersive and fast-paced visual experiences.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,201
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a price of $1,201 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
411.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.0/10
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 x14 R1 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16's superior CPU and RAM contribute to its high efficiency for various applications, and its premium screen quality enhances user experience for general use, coupled with its excellent battery life and portability, making it a stand-out device. Though the Dell Alienware x14 R1 features competitive CPU and RAM specifications, it leans more towards users needing extra power for gaming or intensive tasks, with trade-offs in battery life and portability compared to the Framework Laptop.
Engineering and Design
8.2
8.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1, with its high-performance CPU, GPU, and ample RAM ensures smooth operation for computationally intensive tasks like 3D modeling and simulation, while its premium screen quality provides excellent visual clarity for detailed engineering work. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) also offers good performance and screen quality, but emphasizes repairability and modularity which can appeal to users who prioritize customization and long-term use, with portability, keyboard, speaker quality, and operating noise being factors that are decent but not the primary focus for either device.
Content Creation
7.9
8.1
9.1/10
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 x14 R1 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
7.7
8.0
9.1/10
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware x14 R1 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
9.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Dell Alienware x14 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 x14 R1 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware x14 R1 | Framework Laptop 16 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,201 | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 10.3'' x 0.57'' | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.06 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.66" | 14.04" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.34" | 10.63" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | 85 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 411 nits | 490 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 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 | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 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 x14 R1
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NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The Alienware X14 series is thinner, but also slower than the competition. With the X series, you get plenty of modern technology: Intel Alder Lake CPUs, GeForce RTX 3000 GPUs, Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6E, G-Sync, and Advanced Optimus. However, the slim design has some drawbacks, just like its larger siblings. The shifted hinge position results in a very deep device with a large footprint compared to the competition."
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 x14 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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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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