The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is an upper midrange laptop with high performance, suitable for intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming due to its Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics. It has a premium build, a high-refresh-rate screen, and more memory and storage, but is less portable and significantly more expensive. On the other hand, the HP 15" Laptop is a budget-friendly option with an Intel i3 processor and integrated graphics, designed for general use with good battery life and a larger screen for comfortable viewing, but it may not handle demanding tasks well. If performance for advanced computing is a priority and budget allows, go with the Alienware; if you prioritize affordability, portability, and basic tasks, the HP is more suitable. 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 general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the HP 15" Laptop
The HP 15" Laptop has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware x14 R1.
Key differences
General Use
7.8/10
6.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
411.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for general use, while the HP 15" Laptop is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 outperforms the HP 15" Laptop in terms of CPU and RAM, which contribute to overall better performance for general use; it also has superior screen quality, with higher brightness and color coverage, and is more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size. While the Alienware has better battery life and superior heat management, the HP 15" offers a larger screen size but at the cost of lower screen image quality, lower battery capacity, and its CPU and RAM are less powerful, making it fair for general use as opposed to good.
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
5.9/10
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
8.7/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP 15" Laptop is poor.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 excels in gaming and 3D due to its Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics and a high screen refresh rate of 144Hz, enhancing visual fluidity and detail in fast-paced scenarios. In contrast, the HP 15" Laptop, with its Intel UHD Graphics and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, provides a more modest visual experience, making it less optimal for those specific demands.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
6.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is very good for engineering and design, while the HP 15" Laptop is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 stands out for engineering and design use with its powerful Intel i7 processor, substantial RAM, and high-quality Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU, which along with a high-resolution, color-accurate screen provides excellent performance for demanding applications.
Content Creation
7.9/10
6.9/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for content creation, while the HP 15" Laptop 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
7.7/10
6.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for software development, while the HP 15" Laptop 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
6.3/10
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 HP 15" Laptop for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell Alienware x14 R1's screen is bright and crisp due to its high resolution and quality panel, making it pleasant for daily activities like browsing and video streaming. In engineering and design, this laptop's screen offers a wide range of colors, supporting industry-standard color gamuts that ensure accurate color representation necessary for professional work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate on the Alienware may lead to less fluid visuals compared to screens designed with higher refresh rates that can provide smoother motion and better responsiveness.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 hours of battery life. The HP 15" Laptop 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.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.0/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good build quality, while the HP 15" Laptop has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,201
$375
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a price of $1,201 and the HP 15" Laptop costs $375.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware x14 R1 to have very good portability, while the HP 15" Laptop has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and the HP 15" Laptop 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."
"Chances are high that the HP 15 is one of the first laptops to pop up when you search for an inexpensive notebook. Indeed, its price tag is very tempting for many, and of course, this is the reason for its popularity. However, the HP 15" suffers from poor performance due to low power consumption. On the bright side, one of the good things about it is the port selection. On the inside, this includes two SODIMM slots for memory, an M.2 PCIe x4 slot for storage, and a SATA drive bay. However, the TN panel, and mediocre input devices are not ideal."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware x14 R1 or the HP 15" Laptop
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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