The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is pricier and offers superior performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks, thanks to its more powerful graphics card, making it well-suited for intensive gaming as well. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is lighter and typically more affordable, providing longer battery life and a better portability score, ideal for general use and when on the move. The Dell boasts a higher refresh rate display for smoother visuals, which is beneficial for gaming. Both have similar screen sizes and resolutions, but the Dell has a slightly brighter screen and better color coverage. If high performance for demanding applications and gaming is your priority, the Dell is the stronger choice, while for everyday tasks, portability, and cost savings, the Lenovo might suit you better. 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 overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
Very good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
6.2/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
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
9.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1, with a higher-end Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, delivers better performance for gaming and 3D applications compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, which uses an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and offers a lower 60 Hz refresh rate. The Alienware's GPU advantage makes it more suitable for demanding tasks, while the Slim 7i's integrated graphics are suited for less intensive usage.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 excels in engineering and design due to its superior CPU, which is better for complex tasks, more powerful GPU suitable for graphics-intensive applications, and screen that provides high brightness and color accuracy. In comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, while still good for these tasks due to a competent CPU and sufficient RAM, falls behind in GPU capability and screen quality but offers better portability and quieter operating noise.
Screen Quality
7.9/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
411.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, both the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i have panels with sufficient resolution and brightness, ensuring clear and vibrant display quality for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. When it comes to engineering and design, both laptops cover a wide range of color spectrums, essential for accuracy in color-critical work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their screens lack the high refresh rates desired for smooth motion rendering, which might detract from the immersive experience in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
9.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Alienware x14 R1 both have very good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.8/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,201
$899
$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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 offers a higher performance CPU and GPU, providing stronger performance for demanding tasks, but this results in a heavier build and shorter battery life compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, which offers a more balanced performance suitable for day-to-day tasks, longer battery life, and lighter portability, making it ideal for on-the-go use.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for content creation.
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
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for software development.
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.
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How the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware x14 R1 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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