When deciding between the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and the HP Spectre x360 14, consider that the Alienware is tailored for gaming with higher performance graphics and a faster processor, ideal for demanding tasks, but it is heavier and may have shorter battery life. The Spectre, on the other hand, is more versatile with its convertible design and pen support, making it suitable for general use and creative tasks, and it is lighter with likely longer battery life, but it may not handle intensive gaming or engineering software as well. Choose based on whether performance in gaming and intensive tasks or portability and versatility is your priority. 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
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
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
General Use
7.8/10
8.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
411.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 offers high CPU and RAM capacities which are crucial for demanding applications, but the tradeoff comes with its heavier build and shorter battery life, making it less portable and convenient for on-the-go use compared to the HP Spectre x360 14, which balances solid performance with a higher screen quality, better battery longevity, and lightweight design suitable for everyday mobility and varied general use scenarios. However, the HP Spectre might not match the Alienware in handling intense tasks, but it compensates through a superior combination of keyboard, speaker quality, and efficient heat management, creating a more comfortable user experience.
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
6.8/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 14 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1, with its more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, excels in gaming and 3D applications, providing smoother visuals and better performance for demanding tasks. In contrast, while the HP Spectre x360 14 offers a good CPU and screen quality, its lower-tier GPU and screen refresh rate make it less suitable for intensive gaming or 3D work, but still capable for casual use.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Spectre x360 14 is 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
7.7/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is 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.
Screen Quality
7.9/10
8.6/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
411.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware x14 R1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and HP Spectre x360 14 both have panels with high resolution and brightness, ensuring crisp, vibrant visuals for everyday tasks. For engineering and design, the HP Spectre surpasses the Alienware due to superior color accuracy, offering wider color gamuts that professionals require for precise color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short because they don't prioritize the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion, making them less suitable for these fast-paced activities despite their high-resolution displays.
Cost
$1,201
$1,630
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a price of $1,201 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Dell Alienware x14 R1 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1, with a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a robust GPU, excels in demanding engineering applications and offers a vibrant screen for design work, while the HP Spectre x360 14's high-resolution display and powerful internals also make it a solid choice for design tasks, with added benefits of portability and a premium keyboard. However, the Alienware may be bulkier and louder during heavy use, whereas the HP Spectre offers a balance of performance and convenience, with better speakers for multimedia use.
Battery
9.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Dell Alienware x14 R1 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and HP Spectre x360 14 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 HP Spectre x360 14 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 numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware x14 R1 or the HP Spectre x360 14
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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