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Updated March 21, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Alienware X17 R2 and the MSI Titan 18 HX, consider that the Alienware is typically less expensive and offers high performance for gaming and demanding tasks, yet the larger and more costly MSI Titan 18 HX stands out with even more robust capabilities for the most intense engineering software, 3D rendering, and advanced gaming. However, the Titan's size may impede portability, and its battery life may be shorter than the Alienware’s, which is already limited due to their powerful components. Decide based on whether maximum performance or a balance between cost, performance, and portability aligns with your needs. 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
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the MSI Titan 18 HX
- Best in class for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.2
8.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
367.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
2.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are both very good for general use, though the MSI Titan 18 HX is somewhat better.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Titan 18 HX both offer high-end CPUs and ample RAM, ensuring smooth performance for a variety of tasks, while their premium screen quality provides a great visual experience; however, the portability and battery life of these laptops might be less ideal due to their larger sizes and power-hungry components. Despite their heft, they include sizable storage, responsive keyboards, clear speakers and are designed with features to manage operating noise and heat, although these factors are secondary in consideration to their powerful performance.
Gaming and AI
8.9
9.4
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Titan 18 HX boast powerful GPUs and high screen refresh rates, ensuring smooth and visually stunning gaming and 3D experiences. While both have high-quality CPUs and screens, their standout graphics performance is what makes them particularly well-suited for these demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
9.1
9.9
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
9.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
The MSI Titan 18 HX is best in class for engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is excellent.
The Dell Alienware X17 R2, with its high-end CPU, ample RAM, and powerful GPU, delivers smooth, swift performance for engineering software and enjoys a high-quality screen for detailed visuals, but it's heavier, which might affect portability. On the other hand, the MSI Titan 18 HX steps up with comparable processing capabilities and an equally impressive display and graphics, while typically offering a very robust keyboard and quieter operation, making it an excellent workstation replacement, albeit with added weight and size that might limit its mobility for some users.
Content Creation
8.3
9.0
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
32.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The MSI Titan 18 HX is excellent for content creation, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very 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
7.8
8.9
9.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
128.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
10.0/10
The MSI Titan 18 HX 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
9.2
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
480Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
367.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen than the MSI Titan 18 HX for gaming and AI, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MSI Titan 18 HX boasts the best screen quality because of its superior panel type, resolution, and brightness, which enhance visual clarity and comfort for everyday tasks. In engineering and design, where color accuracy is critical, the MSI Titan 18 HX's wider color gamuts provide a more precise and vibrant display, essential for professional creative work. However, for gaming and 3D scenarios that demand fast motion rendering, both laptops' screens fall short due to lower refresh rates, making them less suitable for high-speed games where smooth visuals are key.
Battery
2.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life. The MSI Titan 18 HX has 4 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
Poor
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
7.9 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has only fair portability, while the MSI Titan 18 HX has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,000
$4,949
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a price of $2,000 and the MSI Titan 18 HX costs $4,949.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and MSI Titan 18 HX 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware X17 R2 and the MSI Titan 18 HX compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware X17 R2 | MSI Titan 18 HX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,000 | $4,949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | February 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | 15.9'' x 12.1'' x 1.26'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.82 lbs | 7.93 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.72" | 15.9" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.79" | 12.08" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-12900HK | Intel i9-14900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 128 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 4096 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 2 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 87 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 480Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 367 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
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 | 10/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
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."
MSI Titan 18 HX
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"With no new Nvidia GPU this year for laptops, MSI had to refresh everything surrounding the graphics card to make up for it. Users are getting a new 18-inch chassis design, new 14th gen Intel HX CPU, new AC adapter, larger keys, and a new 120 Hz HDR1000 mini-LED 4K display to accompany the high price tag. Most of these changes are a step up from last year's GT77, but users are ultimately getting the same gaming performance out of both models."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware X17 R2 or the MSI Titan 18 HX
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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