Alienware m16 R2 assessment: The most effective RTX 4070 gaming laptop computer

Desk of contents

The Alienware m16 r2 may be very understated and really cute. It does not have to have all of the glitz and glamour and flashy design to be a gaming laptop computer.

In comparison with its predecessor, the Alienware m16 r2 is extra understated and fewer “gaming-like” (No, that’s not a phrase, however I’m certain you recognize what I imply.)

Whereas the efficiency numbers aren’t excellent, it nonetheless delivers spectacular benchmark scores in our assessments, particularly for a mid-range gaming laptop computer.

There are some elements of the m16 r2 that I do not like, comparable to brightness and sound. However total, this gaming machine is not that dangerous. Learn on to search out out if we put the m16 r2 on our listing of the very best gaming laptops.

Alienware m16 r2 – Worth and specs

The Alienware m16 r2 I examined for this assessment prices $1,899 at Greatest Purchase and has the next specs:

• Intel Core Extremely 7 155H processor

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU

• 16GB RAM

• 1 TB SDD storage

• 2560 x 1600 pixel show with a refresh charge of 240 Hz

If you happen to want extra storage, you may get the 2TB configuration from Amazon for $1,949.99, however for my part, 1TB must be sufficient in case you do not thoughts uninstalling video games as soon as you do not want them anymore.

Design of the Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 r2 is the successor to the Alienware m16 r1. Design-wise, the Alienware m16 r2 not has the odd-looking LED-lit cooling shelf that protrudes from behind the hinge.

Dell says it discovered a option to shrink the cooling system contained in the Alienware m16 r2 to fully take away the eyesore—er, I imply “warmth shelf”—that protruded above the laptop computer.

I’ve at all times most well-liked a minimalist design. I’ve by no means appreciated gaming laptops that seem like a flashy disco social gathering. In truth, the Alienware m16 r2 is designed for killjoys like me – players who need a subdued gaming expertise with out all of the glitz and glamour.

However regardless of how a lot Dell tried to suppress the “gaminess” of the m16 r2, it nonetheless seems very very like a gaming laptop computer – as if it was created by an Autobot from Transformers or a futuristic spaceship management panel. On the lid, you will discover the Alienware brand with an alien’s head. On the underside proper, you will discover a big “16” in techno-inspired, cybernetic textual content.

The anodized aluminum casing is available in a coloration that Dell calls “Darkish Metallic Moon.”

If, like me, you do not prefer to social gathering together with your gaming laptop computer, you may flip off the RGB lighting of the 2 alien heads (on the lid and deck) in addition to the keyboard and touchpad borders by way of the Alienware Command Heart app.

You is perhaps questioning, “Is the Alienware m16 r2 transportable?” I might say it’s extra transportable than its predecessor, however I’m not somebody who believes {that a} 16-inch laptop computer weighing 2.7 kg and a pair of.0 cm thick may be transportable. It is going to positively make your baggage fairly heavy in case you journey with it. And commuting with it gained’t be nice both, however to be sincere, not many gaming laptops are transportable. actually transportable (besides perhaps the MSI Cyborg 14).

Above the keyboard you will discover honeycomb vents, in addition to some air intakes on the underside. Oh, and there are some air retailers on the perimeters too.

The sturdy, well-made casing is extra proof against fingerprints, however grease accumulates on it.

Alienware m16 R2 show

The Alienware m16 r2 encompasses a 16-inch show with 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, a refresh charge of 240 Hz and a response time of three ms.

It helps Nvidia G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync. This implies you get easy gameplay with G-SYNC and Freesync that ensures seamless frames so you do not have to fret about display tearing and stuttering.

My solely want could be for Dell to supply a configuration with a mini-LED or OLED panel for higher distinction, improved coloration accuracy, and extra energy effectivity.

In any other case, the show of the Alienware m16 R2 is okay, whether or not I play video games on it or watch Netflix or YouTube. When watching Netflix The Union On the M16 R2, I used to be drawn to the beautiful ruby ​​and gold uniform of a bellboy. In a single scene, I might see the tiny vellus hairs on Halle Berry’s pores and skin.

I performed Cyberpunk2077 on the Alienware m16 R2, and whereas I used to be impressed with the distinction and vibrant colours, I want the m16 R2’s 300-nit display was brighter in some darkish scenes.

By the best way, the M16 R2’s display folds again 180 levels. I am undecided why I would like that although. (I assume in case you have a wild little one who likes to check the pliability of shows, this is perhaps helpful to keep away from breakages.)

Alienware m16 R2 ports

The Alienware m16 r2 has I/O choices all over the place: on the perimeters and on the again.

On the left:

• RJ-45 Ethernet jack

• Headset jack

On the again:

Proper:

• microSD card reader

• Kind A (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

• Kind A (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

Since my energy supply is on my left, I personally want the DC enter was on the left as nicely. However this can be a minor criticism that does not have an effect on my total score of the Alienware m16 r2 (particularly since each desk is ready up otherwise).

Alienware m16 R2 audio

The m16 r2’s audio system, with side-firing audio system on the perimeters of the laptop computer, is mediocre.

On the plus aspect, they get fairly rattling loud. Nonetheless, after launching the “Immediately’s Hits” playlist from the Apple Music app, the songs on the m16 r2 sounded too hole, tinny and flat for my liking. That is positively not a laptop computer for a music producer.

Keyboard and trackpad Alienware m16 R2

As a keyboard snob, I am proud of the M16 R2 island-style keyboard with 1.8mm key journey. It is tremendous clicky and has that springy “bounce” really feel when you hit the actuation level.

The black spherical keys with white letters and symbols are giant and spacious. The keyboard helps single-zone and single-key lighting. There are additionally many key combos. For instance, you may activate “sleep mode” by urgent the Fn and F2 keys. Nonetheless, if you wish to activate “efficiency mode”, you may press the Fn and F1 keys.

The touchpad can be high quality. It is smaller than I would count on on a 16-inch laptop computer, however nonetheless affords satisfactory house. It is also fairly attentive to my Home windows 11 touchpad gestures, together with pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling.

Efficiency and benchmarks of the Alienware m16 R2

To reiterate, the m16 r2 has 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H CPU, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. (It does not get higher than a 4070.)

Let’s discuss concerning the GPU for a minute. The m16 R2 helps Nvidia’s Superior Optimus characteristic, which implies that the system can robotically swap between the m16 R2’s built-in graphics (that might be the not-really-gaming-friendly Intel Iris Xe graphics) and the discrete GPU (i.e. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU) relying on the duty.

For instance, in case you’re simply searching the online or taking part in movies, the m16 r2 will resort to the Intel Iris Xe graphics, however when it is time to fireplace up a triple-A sport, it’s going to resort to the RTX 4070 GPU.

I discovered the trade to be fairly easy.

This gaming rig additionally encompasses a MUX swap that means that you can manually flip off the Intel Iris Xe graphics in favor of the 4070 GPU, which is helpful if you wish to concentrate on getting essentially the most out of your devoted graphics.

When it comes to efficiency, the m16 R2 kicked its rivals’ butts. Take a look at the frames per second I received when operating the Cyberpunk2077 “Excessive” scale :

Examine that to the HP Victus 16 we examined, which options an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and RTX 4060 GPU:

In 3DMark’s TimeSpy benchmark, which evaluates graphical efficiency, the m16 r2 achieved a rating of 12,224, that beats the HP Victus’ 9,328 rating.

Battery lifetime of the Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 r2’s battery is not that nice – even when it is only a gaming laptop computer.

In simply 59 minutes over PCMark 10 gaming battery life checkThe Alienware m16 R2 has the second-worst runtime among the many gaming laptops we examined. (The 4090-equipped Lenovo Legion 9i was the worst at 41 minutes.)

In order for you longer battery life, contemplate the HP Victus 16, which lasted virtually 2 hours throughout a steady gaming session. (With its 4060 GPU, you will have to simply accept a slight efficiency penalty, although.)

Alienware m16 R2 webcam

The Alienware m16 r2’s 1080p webcam is about mid-range, as you’d count on.

When taking a selfie, I observed that the colours have been a bit off and the photograph was fairly noisy.

On the optimistic aspect, due to the IR digital camera, it helps Home windows Hi there facial recognition.

Is the Alienware m16 R2 price it?

The Alienware m16 R2 delivers spectacular efficiency when taking part in demanding video games, however you will not need to unplug it. (Sure, it is a gaming laptop computer, however even in comparison with the machines we have examined, the battery life is fairly brief.)

The tinny, hole sound, the weak show and the lame webcam are additionally one thing to place up with. I might say it is price it in case you do not thoughts the aforementioned shortcomings.

There’s not a lot you are able to do concerning the panel or the shooter, however you may at the least get headphones.

Regardless of its minor flaws, the Alienware m16 r2 deserves a spot on our listing of the very best gaming laptops. In any case, that is the last word RTX 4070 beast of a gaming laptop computer you may get.