The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is a midrange-priced laptop with a strong performance for 3D work, machine learning, and engineering, with good heat management and a premium build, but it is less portable due to its weight. In contrast, the Gigabyte G5 is a lower midrange-priced option that is significantly less expensive and more portable, but has lower performance capabilities and might not handle intensive tasks as well as the Alienware. If cost is a concern and you need a machine for everyday tasks, Gigabyte G5 is a good choice; if performance and build quality for more demanding work are important and you're willing to invest more, consider the Alienware x14 R1. 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 software development
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Gigabyte G5
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.8/10
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
411.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
248.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
3.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Gigabyte G5 are both good for general use, though the Dell Alienware x14 R1 is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is rated higher for general use than the Gigabyte G5 due to a combination of better portability – being lighter and having a longer battery life – along with higher quality components, such as a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a higher screen quality with better color accuracy and brightness. In contrast, the Gigabyte G5 offers a larger screen and more gaming-oriented features like a newer GPU, but it compromises on aspects like a shorter battery life and lower screen color accuracy, making it less ideal for tasks outside of gaming.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gigabyte G5 is good.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is better suited for engineering and design due to its more powerful main processor and higher RAM, which enhance performance for intensive tasks, and its superior screen quality with higher brightness and color coverage. The Gigabyte G5, while offering a strong GPU and ample screen size, has a less powerful processor and less RAM, and its screen has lower brightness and color coverage, making it less ideal for engineering and design work despite being more affordable.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Gigabyte G5 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
7.7/10
6.8/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for software development, while the Gigabyte G5 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
7.9/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
411.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
248.0 nits
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a better screen than the Gigabyte G5 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 offers a display with higher resolution and brightness, which enhances visibility and clarity for tasks like browsing and document editing, making it good for general use. For engineering and design, it likely has a wider color gamut, providing more accurate color reproduction which is crucial when precision in color is needed for professional work. However, for Gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, its lower refresh rate can lead to less fluid visuals compared to screens with higher refresh rates, hence the poor rating in that regard.
Battery
9.0 Hours
3.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 hours of battery life. The Gigabyte G5 has 3.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good portability, while the Gigabyte G5 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good build quality, while the Gigabyte G5 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,201
$868
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a price of $1,201 and the Gigabyte G5 costs $868.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Gigabyte G5 are both good for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and the Gigabyte G5 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Gigabyte G5 KE is a midrange gaming laptop that checks most boxes. Gigabyte makes good use of the Core i5-12500H and RTX 3060 Laptop GPU combo, and we find no untoward issues with overall performance. The dual-fan quad-heatpipe cooling arrangement does well to ensure that the underlying hardware doesn't throttle under load. That being said, the display is below par when compared to 2023 standards, especially when competing devices."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware x14 R1 or the Gigabyte G5
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
130,995
Recommendations made
28,383
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.