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Updated March 13, 2024·
If performance for gaming or graphic-intensive tasks is a priority and you don't mind spending more and dealing with a heavier laptop, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is suitable. However, if you prefer something more affordable, lightweight, and with longer battery life for general use or less demanding tasks, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is a better fit. Keep in mind that while the MSI offers greater portability, it won't match the high performance of the Alienware. 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 build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.9
6.8
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good for gaming and AI, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is only fair.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 offers a high-end GPU and a screen with a fast refresh rate, essential for smooth and immersive gaming and 3D experiences, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, with its modest GPU and lower refresh rate, delivers less powerful performance suitable for more casual gaming and less demanding 3D tasks. Additionally, the Alienware's superior screen quality complements its performance for gaming and 3D work, despite a possibly less powerful CPU compared to the MSI Prestige, which has a good quality screen and CPU but doesn't prioritize the traits most crucial for gaming and 3D content.
Engineering and Design
9.1
8.0
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 offers higher processing power, ample memory, and a superior graphics card which are crucial for demanding engineering software, along with a high-quality screen that enhances visual clarity for detailed design work. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while still capable for such tasks, trades off some performance for greater portability and a quieter operation, with decent keyboard and speaker quality that suit more mobile and versatile uses.
Screen Quality
8.5
8.2
17.3in
SIZE
13.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
367.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo for gaming and AI, and content creation.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo both offer high resolution and brightness alongside panel types that deliver sharp, clear images, making them excellent for general use. Their wide color gamut capabilities ensure precise color representation for professional engineering and design tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates don't provide the smooth visuals that are essential for a high-quality experience in fast-paced or visually demanding scenarios.
Battery
2.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has 8 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
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
13.0in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has very 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
7.4
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has very good build quality, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,000
$1,280
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
367.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
2.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo are both very good for general use.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 offers strong CPU performance and ample RAM, which is great for a variety of tasks, plus it has a high-quality screen, but it's less portable and has shorter battery life. In comparison, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while still delivering good CPU performance and sufficient RAM for general use, stands out for its superior portability and longer battery life, making it a better choice for those who need to work on the go.
Content Creation
8.3
8.1
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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.
Software Development
7.8
7.9
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Dell Alienware X17 R2 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 MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware X17 R2 | MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $1,280 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | 11.8'' x 8.3'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.82 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.72" | 11.77" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.79" | 8.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900HK | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 2 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 87 Wh | 73 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 13" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 367 nits | 415 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware X17 R2 or the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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