The Alienware m16 R2 feels like a fresh jump for thebrand ’s gaming laptops . In the earned run average of compact , discreet laptops like the Razer Blade or ROG Zephyrus G14 , Alienware laptop computer have n’t always followed the vogue . The m16 laptops , particularly , were the defiantly low-set one in the lineup .
But with the Alienware m16 R2 , many of the hallmarks of the company ’s designs have been traded out for something that looks and feels more ceremonious . The oddment result is an overallbetter gaming laptopthat fixes some of its predecessor ’s design trouble . It ’s a act too expensive compare to previous - gen laptops , but some late changes to pricing make it worth considering .
Alienware m16 R2 review update
Our Alienware m16 R2 recapitulation was earlier published February 15 , 2024 , and write by Luke Larsen . It was originally scored a 6 out of 10 and was not sacrifice a Recommended badge , in the main because of pricing issues . There were very circumscribed configurations available , and what was there was overpriced compared to the contender . That high toll made problems like the lusterless screen and touchpad harder to stomach .
Dell recently set up a cheesy commence form for the Alienware m16 R2 . It now starts at $ 1,500 , make out with an RTX 4050 , 16 GB of RAM , and a 512 GB SSD . The jump to the RTX 4060 only costs $ 100 , which is extremely recommended if you ’re buying this laptop . It will make a huge departure in operation . From there , the higher - end RTX 4070 configuration comes in at $ 1,900 . Now that we ’ve see to it some other 2024 Intel Core Ultra gambling laptops , these have n’t prove to be to a fault expensive by comparison .
Right now , however , you may really buy the RTX 4060 manakin for $ 1,400 , which is a great value . It ’s been at this damage for almost two month , which is just dispirited enough to make this gaming laptop worth buying .
Do a quick hunting for an RTX 4060 gaming laptop , and you ’ll find other 16 - inch laptops for even cheap though . The trouble is the operation para with options from 2023 . I assume it ’s the reason why many party chose not to update lower - tier or midrange gaming laptop computer this year . You need some other intellect to spend supernumerary money on this laptop other than performance . The ROG G16 , which is priced closely , solve this with its eminent - end OLED concealment option and well thinner chassis .
Still , the RTX 4060 at $ 1,400 is just enough to bump the inspection mark up to a 7 out of 10 with a Recommended badge . Hopefully this configuration quell in place , and we see further price cutting on the RTX 4070 in the futurity too .
The rest of the recap follows as was publish .
Specs and pricing
Alienware presently offers just a individual configuration display and processor choice . It wo n’t stay like this forever , as Alienware plans to finally offer up to a Core Ultra 9 , 8 TB of storage , and 64 GB of RAM . There will even be a cheaper RTX 4050 configuration that start out at $ 1,449 .
But for now , the one configuration on offer for Alienware m16 R2 is as follows : an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H , 16 GB of RAM , 1 TB of SSD storage , and pick for either an RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 . It also come with a 2560 x 1600 240Hz IPS video display .
The RTX 4060 shape start at $ 1,650 or $ 200 more for the RTX 4070 , which is what I brush up . It ’s priced just $ 50 cheaper than the Alienware x16 , though we do n’t yet have pricing on the 2024 R2 model . Meanwhile , theDell G16comes in at $ 300 cheaper for a nearly superposable contour .
In fact , the Alienware m16 R2 is the first Core Ultra gaming laptop we ’ve review , so we ’ll have to wait and see how pricing roll out onother similar gaming laptops .
Design
The second coevals of the Alienware m16 is a perfect redesign of the line , which find unusual for how raw it is . The build has been thinned down to 0.94 inches , include trimming 1.42 pounds off the overall weight . It ’s a large 16 - inch laptop , significantly thicker than something like the Razer Blade 16,Alienware x16 , or MacBook Pro 16 .
It also has a more conventional flexible joint , a much smaller bottom bezel under the screen , and a more centered touchpad ( now with an outline of RGB ) . These are all good things , modernizing intimately every aspect of the look and feel .
But the large change is the remotion of the “ caloric shelf , ” the magnanimous protrusion on the back of the hinge area , which was always sold as excess ventilation and a better perspective for embrasure . Lenovo Legion laptopsalso use a like caloric shelf , but Alienware was the first to make this a cock-a-hoop part of its designing ethos . This also means the remotion of the Tron - like pack of light — another trademark of the Alienware brand that ’s go here .
Again , that ’s not of necessity a sorry matter . In many ways , it ’s the stated goal of the m16 R2 . It’smeantto be a laptop that commingle in , and I think Alienware has pulled it off without compromising too much of its swagger .
Do n’t get me wrong : this design still has plenty of Alienware - ism . The lite - up Alienware logo is still there ( now centered above the keyboard ) , as is the honeycomb design across the top vents and the “ racing stripe ” name on the chapeau . But it feels a moment more like Alienware stigmatization plastered onto a more generic , off - the - ledge midrange gaming laptop . The physique timbre is decent , but as you practice it , you ’ll certainly be reminded that it ’s not anything too high - closing based on the materials used .
The big design trouble all these change mess is the positioning of the keyboard on the original m16 though . In the old manakin , it was awkward , to put it lightly . It had a monolithic step on the board , yet it left little room for your medal or a large touchpad . The m16 R2 resolves all that discomfort and extra size , reducing the overall step by 14 % and increasing the size of it of both the touchpad and palm rests .
Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard is one of the stronger constituent of the Alienware m16 R2 , and now that the palm quietus are larger , it can be enjoy to its full extent . The 1.8 millimeter travelling is grand , while the keys still feel dapper and exact for typing . They ’re emphasized by per - key RGB backlighting , all controlled through the Alienware Command Center . I like this layout , too , providing some utile function keys on the right and saving the full act pad for theAlienware m18 .
Alienware has moved the touchpad nearer to the center this sentence , which looks much less awkward . As mentioned above , it also has a ring of RGB outlining the touchpad , which is more nuanced than the entire surface illumine like on other Alienware model . This feels subtle , which , again , is the name of the game here .
The touchpad itself , unfortunately , is n’t the best . It has a charge card - feel airfoil , make for a lacklustre tracking experience . It ’s useable , but it ’s just not go to be as tranquil as a chicken feed touchpad , such as the one on the Alienware x16 .
Ports
Despite the fact that the caloric shelf is go , there are still ports located back there . That ’s where you ’ll find your ability , HDMI 2.1 , one Thunderbolt 4 port ( with 15 - watt power livery ) , and one USB - C port 3.2 . Gen 2 with DisplayPort 1.4 . you could power through the Thunderbolt 4 porthole , but play on it is not recommend . I care the location of these port , making for a convenient localization for straightaway access to power and international video display support .
On the sides , you ’ll find two USB - A 3.2 Gen 1 larboard , an RJ45 Ethernet jack , a microSD card slot , and a 3.5 millimetre phone Jack-tar . Unfortunately , both USB - A port are on the right side , awkwardly close to where your computer mouse might be ( for veracious - handed folk ) . One on each side would have been ideal .
It ’s also a second of a bummer that the full - size Mount Rushmore State board slot on the original m16 has been supplant by a microSD card slot . Dell is doing asimilar matter with its new XPS machines , and I ’m not a rooter .
Display
As of now , there is just a single display selection usable for the Alienware m16 R2 . It has a 2560 x 1600 resolution , 240Hz refresh rate IPS panel , and a 3 - millisecond reply time . The display also arrive with Nvidia G - Sync and Advanced Optimus .
Alienware has kept its gaming laptop screens pretty modest , stay put with ceremonious IPS panels . Many of Alienware ’s competitors haveopted for OLED or mini - LED , whether it ’s Asus , Razer , MSI , or Lenovo . The new ROG Zephyrus G16 even goes for a glossy venire to draw out the clarity of the visuals . But with Alienware , even its most premium entries continue to stick with a received matte LED . That ’s a pity .
Now , I do n’t necessarily bear the m16 to have an OLED option since it ’s not the most high - last alternative in Alienware ’s lineup . But it ’s deserving mention that option like the2023 ROG Zephyrus G14with its mini - lead screenland sell for a similar monetary value . Also , the old Alienware m15 used to pop the question an AMOLED option .
OLED or mini - take would bring home the bacon better HDR and ameliorate color accuracy . The Alienware m16 R2 ’s concealment is a bit off , with a Delta - E of 2.19 . It ’s also a fairly faint screen , with a grievous bodily harm light of just 289 nits . You ’re sure enough produce a best IP screen on the Alienware x16 , which is hopeful and has better colouration coverage .
But overall , this is a solid video display for gaming . It ’s fast and sharp enough ; I just wish it were a little brighter and more color - accurate .
Performance
The Alienware m16 R2 is one of the first play laptop computer to occur out that use the new Meteor Lake Core Ultra chip from Intel . In particular , this one has the Core Ultra 7 155H. On the open , this is the same fleck you ’ll find in less knock-down laptops , such as theAsus Zenbook 14or Dell XPS 14 , for that affair . That does n’t mean you ’ll get the same performance , though , since the Alienware m16 R2 can persist this chip at 45 watts . As puzzling as that might be for an ordinary laptop computer buyer , that ’s hardly Dell ’s fault .
The company seems to be saving the14th - gen Raptor Lake Refresh HX 55 - watt chipsfor the high - oddment ( and larger ) laptops in this batting order . It should be noted , however , that the m16 R1 featured a 55 - W HX chip , with even an alternate AMD option on crack . You have just one option now for flake .
Do n’t get too excited about NPUs and such on the Core Ultra 7 , but also know that it ’ll suit you just hunky-dory for most scenarios , whether that ’s gaming , productiveness , or cognitive content creation .
But first and foremost , this is a play laptop . And here , the Alienware m16 R2 is a substantial performer . It outflank other laptop we ’ve tested with the RTX 4070 at 3DMark Time Spy , including theHP Omen 16 , Lenovo Legion 5 Pro , andMSI Creator Z17 HX Studio . You ’re certainly getting the most out of this GPU , and the result is some decent physique rates in even the most intense games . It playedCyberpunk 2077at 1200p Ultra Ray Tracing at an norm of 61 fps ( frames per second ) with DLSS 3 on . Or , for a smoother gameplay experience , you’re able to get it up to 117 fps at 1,200p Medium with FSR 2.1 on , making better enjoyment of that quicker refresh rate concealment . Of of course , an RTX 4080 laptop computer like theLenovo Legion Pro 7iwill do you much well , as much as 33 % quicker .
Meanwhile , in a biz likeRed Dead Redemption 2 , the Alienware m16 R2 averaged 69 Federal Protective Service at native resolution and radical graphics options . All in all , it ’s an telling gaming machine for what ’s under the hood and the diminution in chassis size , all without nominate surface temperatures too hot .
The only real deal - off , again , is in devotee noise . When this thing storm up , it’sloud . Like super acid engine aloud . You ’ll likely be gaming with a headset on anyways , give the character of the speakers . Still , it can be pretty distract for other people around . you could sic it to “ stealth mode , ” of course , but that ’s not something you want to do while play .
As with the CPU , there ’s only a exclusive configuration currently available in footing of store and storage ( 16 GB and 1 TB ) , but all of it is accessible and expandable . It even comes with an extra m.2 slot to easily increase store . The two street corner piece of ass on my unit gave me a flake of trouble , but with some measured tightening , I was able to get the bottom cover off without stripping the screws .
Do n’t require a ton of barrage fire life from the Alienware m16 R2 , but give Nvidia Advanced Optimus help out . The 90 - W - hr bombardment will get you just around six and a one-half hour of battery on local video recording playback , but that significantly cut down when work or gaming ( obviously ) . you could get a few hours by from the bulwark to get some work done but do n’t expect too much more than that .
Webcam and speakers
Gaming laptop computer usually cut corners on tone - of - life-time features like a webcam or audio quality . The Alienware m16 R2 does n’t do anything to reverse this movement . The speakers are middling dire — not something you ’d even require to take television phone call on , let alone watch picture or play music .
The webcam is similarly bad . It ’s 1080p resoluteness , but the camera struggles in everything but the most thoroughgoing light conditions . Even in a well - lit berth circumstance , the picture quality looks muzzy and lacks detail .
My original copy of the brushup state that the laptop does n’t include an IR tv camera for Windows Hello facial certification , but it does in fact — and works quite well . It ’s a nice feature to have , even on a play laptop computer , to ensure you ’re not mystify logging in with just a word .
Improvements aren’t enough
The Alienware m16 R2 is in an uneasy spot . On one script , it ’s an endeavour by Alienware to develop its most affordable laptop and vie with the “ stealthier ” contention . It ’s mostly successful in that avocation , even if it does n’t go far enough to really gainsay Razer or some of ROG ’s new discharge . But functionally , it ’s more compact and the exaggerated palm residual are a welcome modification .
But the determination to redesign this model into something more conventional does feel a bit foreign on its own , especially given how it ’s priced compared to the Alienware x16 . After all , that laptop was presuppose to emphasize a sleek visibility and a more modern plan — or so I consider .
The Alienware x16 still has a much more premium feel and also pop the question a wider variety of configurations , with options up to an RTX 4090 . And yet , there ’s only $ 50 separating the Alienware x16 R1 from the Alienware m16 R2 . Of naturally , the x16 R2 is coming soon , and we do n’t know exactly how that pricing will change . Still , the Alienware m16 feel a bit purposeless in the lineup at this Leontyne Price , ineffectual to drop down much tacky without eat into theDell G - series laptop . Part of the problem is that there is n’t a cheaper depot option available , such as a 512 GB fashion model . Considering you may kick upstairs reposition yourself , offering a cheaper constellation would have been smart , even with the cheaper RTX 4050 configuration that will eventually come out . All that might go like a side note , but the way Dell view these devices internally contribute to the decisions that stop up in the concluding ware .
Overall , the Alienware m16 R2 is a reboot of the designing and set the foundation for where things could go . But we ’re not there yet . If you’re able to find the Alienware m16 R2 discounted by a couple hundred bucks , it might be a solid pick - up , specially if you ’re a devotee of Alienware . It does what it go under out to do , and fix many of the return with the original model . But at this price , there are some near options out there , many of whichinclude last - gen gaming laptopsthat perform just as well . Amazon and Best Buy are full of RTX 4070 play laptop computer right now for significantly cheap .
It ’s not this laptop ’s fault that fresh mobile GPUs have n’t launched in 2024 , but the operation parity with last class ’s play laptop computer means newer devices really involve to make a affirmation with its design , display , or price . The Alienware m16 R2 just barely neglect the mark in walking that balance .
