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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming or high-performance tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is equipped with a stronger graphics card and processor that suit these needs. However, its larger size and heavier weight make it less portable, and it has a shorter battery life. The HP Spectre x360, on the other hand, is more compact, lighter, and offers longer battery life, making it ideal for general use and portability. Though less powerful for specialized tasks, its touchscreen and higher resolution display provide a superior experience for multimedia and everyday productivity. 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 X17 R2
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360
- Very good for software development
- Good portability
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.9
6.6
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 outshines in gaming and 3D due to its high-performance Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti graphics card and an extremely high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth visuals in fast-paced games. In contrast, the HP Spectre x360, while still decent for gaming and 3D tasks, offers a more modest performance with its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a standard refresh rate, which is less optimal for intensive gaming scenarios.
Engineering and Design
9.1
8.0
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent for engineering and design, while the HP Spectre x360 is very good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2, with its high-end Intel i9 CPU and superior Nvidia RTX GPU, has greater power for resource-intensive engineering software and tasks compared to the HP Spectre x360, which, despite having a high resolution screen, is equipped with a mid-tier Intel i7 CPU and integrated graphics. The HP Spectre x360 offers portability and a higher quality display, beneficial for design clarity and mobility, while the Alienware's focus is on performance, sacrificing portability and with a lower resolution screen not as optimal for fine detail work as the Spectre's.
Software Development
7.8
8.3
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 is very good for software development, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 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
8.5
7.6
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
367.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the HP Spectre x360 for general use, and gaming and AI, while the HP Spectre x360 has a better screen for content creation.
For general use, both the Dell Alienware X17 R2 and HP Spectre x360 offer clear, high-resolution displays with ample brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, and document editing. In engineering and design, the importance of accurate color representation means that both laptops are equipped with displays that cover a wide range of color gamuts, allowing for precise color work in applications that require it. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as their screens do not offer high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and a responsive gaming experience.
Battery
2.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 has 11 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
Fair
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP Spectre x360 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,000
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a price of $2,000 and the HP Spectre x360 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
367.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
406.0 nits
2.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and HP Spectre x360 are both very good for general use.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 boasts a high-performance CPU and abundant RAM, enhancing multitasking and intensive processing tasks, while its robust graphics card guarantees crisp visuals on its large 17.3-inch screen; portability and battery life, however, are less impressive due to its larger size and more power-hungry components.
Content Creation
8.3
8.2
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3072 x 1920
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and HP Spectre x360 are both very 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.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and HP Spectre x360 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 X17 R2 and the HP Spectre x360 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware X17 R2 | HP Spectre x360 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | 14.1'' x 9.7'' x 0.78'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.82 lbs | 4.74 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.72" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.79" | 9.66" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900HK | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 2 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 87 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3072 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 367 nits | 406 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1440p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware X17 R2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The Alienware x17 R2 recognizes targets a significantly higher TGP of 175 W for a roughly 30 percent performance boost over laptops running on the ~100 W GeForce RTX 3080 Ti like the Razer Blade 15 or Gigabyte Aero YE5. Similar results can be found through the CPU as well. This single aspect of the Alienware is perhaps the biggest differentiating factor between it and other ultrathin gaming laptops. Of course, the "performance at all cost" approach comes with drawbacks. Power consumption in particular is through the roof and battery life suffers because of it even when on the lowest performance settings."
HP Spectre x360
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | August 2022
"As we said, Lenovo's Yoga 9i is a tough competitor to the Spectre with an equally admirable OLED display. We're sad that neither of them has an HDMI port nor a niche or slot to hold the stylus, though the HP wins points for its bundled mini docking station and magnetically attached pen. Your choice will come down to screen shape—and in our eyes, just as seeing an OLED screen spoils you for an IPS panel, enjoying a tall 3:2 display spoils you for a more conventional view. The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is our new favorite 2-in-1."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware X17 R2 or the HP Spectre x360
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.
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