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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is typically much more expensive than the Gateway 15.6", offering better performance for gaming and engineering tasks due to its powerful Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX graphics. The Alienware also has a higher screen refresh rate, which is great for fast-motion content. If portability is a concern, the Alienware is slightly lighter and thinner, making it a more travel-friendly option despite its robust capabilities. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly choice and don't require the high-end performance features for gaming or engineering software, the Gateway, with its modest Intel i5 processor and integrated graphics, may suffice for general use. It trades off some potential in processing and graphical power for a more affordable price. Both have similar storage and RAM, but the Gateway's battery life and details about its power capabilities are less clear, which could be a consideration for mobile use. 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
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good for software development
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 15.6"
- The Gateway 15.6" has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware x14 R1.
Key differences
General Use
7.8
7.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
411.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Gateway 15.6" are both good for general use, though the Dell Alienware x14 R1 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 excels in performance for general use because of its higher-end CPU and GPU, leading to better multitasking abilities and smoother graphics, on top of having a display with superior color accuracy and brightness compared to the Gateway 15.6". While both laptops have similar RAM and storage, the Gateway 15.6" falls short in screen quality, but its larger screen size may be preferable to some users, and it has ample ports for connectivity; both systems offer an IPS panel with the same resolution, though with different qualities.
Gaming and AI
7.6
6.0
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 offers superior gaming and 3D capabilities due to its higher-end Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a screen with a high refresh rate of 144Hz, compared to the Gateway 15.6" laptop with a more basic Intel Iris Xe GPU and a lower screen refresh rate of 60Hz. While both have good CPUs and screen quality, the Dell's GPU and refresh rate make it much better suited for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.2
6.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is superior for engineering and design due to its robust CPU and GPU (Intel i7-12700H with Nvidia RTX 3060), providing strong performance necessary for demanding tasks, along with a high-quality screen boasting impressive color coverage and brightness. Conversely, the Gateway 15.6" is comparatively less suitable for such tasks as it has a weaker CPU and integrated graphics (Intel i5-1135G7 Iris Xe), leading to lower performance, and its screen, while adequate, has more modest color accuracy and brightness.
Content Creation
7.9
7.0
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Gateway 15.6" are both good for content creation, though the Dell Alienware x14 R1 is somewhat better.
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
6.7
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for software development, while the Gateway 15.6" 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
7.9
6.1
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
411.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a crisp and vivid display for tasks like browsing and streaming, the Dell Alienware x14 R1's higher resolution and brightness make it a superior option over the Gateway 15.6", enhancing your everyday experience. For engineering and design, the Dell’s wider color gamut ensures that it delivers more accurate and vibrant colors needed for detailed work, while Gateway's fair color reproduction may not satisfy professional color requirements. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Dell's lower refresh rate could make motion appear less smooth compared to laptops designed with higher refresh rates, reducing its appeal for fast-paced interactive visuals despite its better resolution and panel quality.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good portability, while the Gateway 15.6" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
5.1
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,201
$600
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a price of $1,201 and the Gateway 15.6" costs $600.
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Key similarities
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 hours of battery life. The Gateway 15.6" has 8 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 x14 R1 and the Gateway 15.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware x14 R1 | Gateway 15.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,201 | $600 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 10.3'' x 0.57'' | 14.8'' x 9.5'' x 0.77'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.06 lbs | 4.8 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.66" | 14.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.34" | 9.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 411 nits | 250 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware x14 R1
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Gateway 15.6"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | July 2022
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware x14 R1 or the Gateway 15.6"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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