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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is a more expensive option praised for exceptional performance, especially in 3D, machine learning, and engineering tasks, and it features a powerful Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU suitable for intensive gaming but with limited portability due to its larger size and heavier weight. On the other hand, the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is less costly, offers good performance with a lighter and more portable build, and includes touch capability with its screen, making it suitable for general use and casual gaming, but it may not be the best fit for highly demanding tasks and gaming due to a less powerful RTX 3050 GPU. 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
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Slim 7 16
- Good portability
- Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.9
6.6
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 excels in gaming and 3D tasks primarily due to its superior Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 480Hz, which ensures smoother visuals critical for fast-paced gaming. In contrast, the Lenovo Slim 7 16, equipped with a mid-range Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a lower refresh rate of 165Hz, offers decent performance but is better suited for less demanding games and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
9.1
7.5
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.2/10
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 stands out for engineering and design due to its powerful Intel i9 processor, double the RAM, and a top-tier Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU, ensuring exceptional performance for demanding applications, although its larger size and weight make it less portable. Meanwhile, the Lenovo Slim 7 16's AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU provide good capability for engineering tasks, and its lighter weight and longer battery life offer greater portability, but with less raw power for intensive tasks compared to the Alienware.
Content Creation
8.3
7.6
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 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.
Screen Quality
8.5
8.3
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
367.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the Lenovo Slim 7 16 for gaming and AI, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and Lenovo Slim 7 16 both offer displays with high resolution and brightness, making them suitable for tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, which are typical in general use. These laptops are also equipped with panels that cover a wide color gamut, necessary for professionals in engineering and design who require accurate color representation for their work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth visuals, which neither of these laptops prioritize, leading to a less optimal experience for fast-paced interactive media.
Battery
2.0 Hours
9.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has 9.5 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
Fair
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.8
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,000
$1,440
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a price of $2,000 and the Lenovo Slim 7 16 costs $1,440.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
7.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
367.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
2.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware X17 R2 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 excels in general use due to its high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen, but it is less portable and has shorter battery life; whereas the Lenovo Slim 7 16 offers good balance for general use with a solid CPU and enough RAM, better portability, and longer battery life, but it falls short in storage compared to the Alienware. Additionally, both laptops have quality keyboards and speakers, but the Alienware may have the edge in premium features at the cost of more operating noise and heat, which the Slim 7 manages more efficiently.
Software Development
7.8
7.6
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and Lenovo Slim 7 16 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 X17 R2 and the Lenovo Slim 7 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware X17 R2 | Lenovo Slim 7 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $1,440 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | 14'' x 9.7'' x 0.69'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.82 lbs | 4.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.72" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.79" | 9.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900HK | AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 2 Hours | 9.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 87 Wh | 75 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 367 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
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."
Lenovo Slim 7 16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | March 2022
"At $1,011, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Pro is a real bargain among full-sized laptops, with a handsome 16-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio touch screen, a speedy CPU, a comfortable keyboard, ample memory, and a roomy solid-state drive. It's not a blazing gaming rig or mobile workstation, but it doesn't pretend to be. Its biggest negative is that it may be hard to find—during our review, it sold out and was marked "Temporarily Unavailable" on Lenovo's site."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware X17 R2 or the Lenovo Slim 7 16
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.
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