Alienware m16 R2 vs. Alienware x16 R2: Which 16-inch mannequin is best?

Alienware is understood for making top-tier, high-end gaming laptops, albeit at a premium worth level. With its 2024 lineup lastly taking form, prospects now have the choice of selecting between two 16-inch fashions — the m16 R2 and the x16 R2. While the previous has been fully redesigned, the brand new x16 R2 opts for a similar design to last year’s model.

There are sure similarities on paper, like the brand new Intel CPU choices and the QHD+ show, however each laptops are fairly completely different when stacked up towards one another. Here’s an in depth comparability between the 2.

Specifications

Prices and configuration

The Alienware m16 R2 and x16 R2 aren’t all that completely different when it comes to specs. The m16 R2 begins at a decrease GPU possibility, the RTX 4050, whereas the x16 R2 permits for the quicker RTX 4080 and 4090. CPU, reminiscence, and storage choices are all an identical. Even the shows have the identical specs — a 2560 x 1600 IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh charge.

And but, when configured with the identical specs, the Alienware x16 R2 at present sells for $500 greater than the m16 R2.

Design

This second technology of the Alienware m16 introduces a redesign geared toward enhancing its enchantment and performance. Notable adjustments embrace a thinner chassis, diminished weight, and modernized options like a smaller backside bezel and a extra centered touchpad with an RGB define.

The elimination of the “thermal shelf” and Stadium gentle ring contributes to a extra mainstream look, though key Alienware components stay, together with such because the light-up emblem and honeycomb sample.

The keyboard boasts 1.8mm of journey that feels responsive for typing. It is complemented by RGB backlighting (accessible in single zone or per key) that’s managed by way of the Alienware Command Center. There are helpful operate keys on the best and a devoted full quantity pad that’s often reserved for higher-end fashions just like the Alienware m18.

While the touchpad has been moved nearer to the middle for a extra balanced look and incorporates a refined RGB define, its plastic-feeling floor detracts from the general expertise. It gives much less clean monitoring in comparison with glass touchpads just like the one discovered on the Alienware x16.

Despite these adjustments, the m16 R2 maintains its Alienware identification whereas adapting to a extra generic, off-the-shelf midrange gaming laptop computer aesthetic. The construct high quality stays respectable, though it might not exude the high-end really feel of premium supplies. Overall, it manages to steadiness Alienware’s signature type with a extra sensible design, making it appropriate for players looking for a mix of efficiency and fashionable aesthetics.

The Alienware x16 R2 continues to supply the identical chassis as final 12 months’s mannequin, which launched the corporate’s Legend 3.0 design language. The laptop computer comes with premium supplies like anodized aluminum, magnesium alloy, and stainless-steel within the full-metal chassis to reinforce sturdiness with out growing weight.

For a 16-inch gaming laptop computer, it gives one of many slimmest profiles at simply 0.73 inches, though the 11.4-inch depth, attributed to the 16:10 display and substantial warmth sink, can really feel barely cumbersome.

The Lunar Silver end offers a extra fashionable contact to the general look, whereas the in depth RGB implementation, from the trackpad to the keyboard and the Stadium ring across the rear exhaust, provides to the gamer enchantment. The redesigned cooling system, that includes airflow channels with a quad-fan system, guarantees environment friendly warmth dissipation and quiet operation even below demanding duties.

Display

The Alienware m16 R2 comes with a single show possibility that includes a 2560 x 1600 decision, 240Hz refresh charge IPS panel with a 3-millisecond response time. It incorporates Nvidia G-Sync and Advanced Optimus applied sciences, catering to players’ wants for clean visuals and diminished display tearing.

However, not like its opponents who’ve embraced OLED or mini-LED shows, Alienware continues to stay with typical matte LED panels. While the show on the m16 R2 is quick and appropriate for gaming, its Delta-E of two.19 and comparatively dim brightness of 289 nits counsel room for enchancment in colour accuracy and luminosity in comparison with different choices available on the market.

Although the absence of OLED or mini-LED choices will not be shocking given the m16’s positioning in Alienware’s lineup, it’s notable that equally priced alternate options from opponents supply these superior show applied sciences. Improved HDR capabilities and colour accuracy would elevate the general visible expertise on the m16 R2, particularly when in comparison with brighter and extra color-accurate screens just like the one discovered on the Alienware x16. Despite these concerns, the m16 R2’s show stays stable for gaming, albeit with the potential for enhancements in brightness and colour constancy.

The new x16 R2 comes with the identical panel configuration possibility because the m16 R2, which is actually the identical as final 12 months’s x16 mannequin. We haven’t acquired our arms on the brand new 2024 mannequin, however we count on the efficiency and visible expertise to be comparable if not higher.

Performance

Both the Alienware m16 R2 and the x16 R2 are being supplied with two CPU choices this 12 months, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and the Core Ultra 9 185H. These new Meteor Lake chips supply the identical complete core rely of 16 (6 efficiency cores + 10 Efficiency cores) however differ when it comes to base and enhance clock speeds.

They could be configured with as much as two 2TB PCIe NVMe SSDs, however reminiscence configurations are barely completely different. The m16 R2 comes with typical SODIMM RAM, primarily permitting you to improve sooner or later, and it may accommodate as much as 64GB of DDR5 at 5600MT/s. Due to its slimmer chassis, the x16 R2 has soldered LPDDR5X reminiscence, so the one two manufacturing facility choices that you’ve got are 16GB or 32GB clocked at 7467MT/s.

We not too long ago had an opportunity to take a look at the brand new Alienware m16 R2 powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. While artificial benchmark checks weren’t as spectacular, the laptop computer delivers reasonably nicely relating to gaming efficiency. It managed to surpass different laptops that includes the RTX 4070 in 3DMark Time Spy. In our recreation checks, it achieved a median of 61 frames per second (fps) in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p Ultra Ray Tracing with DLSS 3 enabled. For smoother gameplay, it went as much as 117 fps at 1200p Medium with FSR 2.1 activated. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the Alienware m16 R2 maintained a median of 69 fps whereas working at its native decision and Ultra graphics settings.

Performance on the x16 R2 needs to be quite a bit higher. Even although we haven’t examined the brand new machine but, this laptop computer gives a chassis with a bigger floor space and a extra highly effective vapor chamber cooling system that’s paired with a particular gallium-silicone thermal compound, 4 cooling followers, and 6 warmth pipes. The x16 R2 can also be accessible with the choice of extra highly effective GPUs, so you’ll be able to count on increased body charges and visible constancy.

Which one do you have to choose?

Most individuals selecting between these laptops ought to follow the Alienware m16 R2. When configured the identical, it’s $500 cheaper, that means it’s going to carry out fully the identical regardless of being significantly extra inexpensive. Yes, the Alienware x16 R2 has a extra premium design, however there isn’t sufficient there to justify the worth distinction.

Between these two gaming laptops, the Alienware x16 R2 ought to actually solely be chosen you probably have a bigger funds and are prepared to go for one of many dearer RTX 4080 or 4090 configurations. We haven’t examined these fashions but ourselves, however in idea, the distinction in efficiency is the one facet that may make leaping to the x16 R2 price it.

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