The Alienware m16 R2 is a rarity amongst trendy laptops. That’s as a result of usually after a significant revamp, gadget makers wish to preserve new fashions available on the market for so long as doable to reduce manufacturing prices. Nevertheless, after its predecessor launched final yr sporting a recent design, the corporate reengineered the complete system once more for 2024 whereas additionally limiting how large of a GPU can match inside. So what provides? The trick is that by trying on the configurations individuals really purchased, Alienware was in a position to rework the m16 right into a gaming laptop computer with a sleeker design, higher battery life and a extra approachable beginning worth, which is a good recipe for a well-balanced pocket book.
Design
There are such a lot of modifications on the m16 R2’s chassis it’s onerous to consider it’s from the identical line. Not solely has Alienware gotten rid of the large bezels and chin from the R1, however the machine can also be far more transportable now. Weight is down greater than 20 % to five.75 kilos (from 7.28 kilos) and it’s additionally considerably extra compact with a depth of 9.8 inches (versus 11.4 inches earlier than). For some model factors, Alienware added RGB lighting across the perimeter of the touchpad. This result’s a significant improve for anybody who needs to take the laptop computer on the go. It essentially modifications the system from one thing extra like a desktop alternative to a conveyable all-rounder.
Engadget
The Alienware m16 R2 is a good instance of a laptop computer designed to swimsuit its prospects, as a result of whereas it’s not as highly effective as its predecessor, it’s extra compact, has longer battery life and a extra inexpensive beginning worth than earlier than.
- Speedy 240Hz display screen
- Higher than anticipated battery life
- Distinctive design
- Good port choice
- Stable worth
- No HDR assist
- Show might be brighter
- Toasty vents
$1,499 at Dell
Critically, regardless of being smaller, the m16 R2 nonetheless has an amazing array of connectivity choices. On its sides are two USB 3.2 Sort-A ports, a microSD card reader, an Ethernet jack and a 3.5mm audio socket. Round again, there are two USB-C slots (one helps Thunderbolt 4 whereas the opposite has DisplayPort 1.4), a full-size HDMI 2.1 connector and a proprietary barrel plug for energy. Usually, I like this association as transferring some ports to the rear of the laptop computer helps preserve muddle down. That mentioned, I want Alienware had switched the position of the Ethernet jack and one of many USB-C ports, as I discover myself reaching for the latter far more usually.
Show
The m16 R2 has a single show possibility: a 16-inch 240Hz panel with a QHD+ decision (2,560 x 1,600). It’s completely serviceable and for aggressive players, that prime refresh fee might be precious throughout matches the place potential benefit issues. However you don’t get any assist for HDR, so colours don’t pop as a lot as they might on a system with an OLED display screen. Moreover, brightness is simply OK at round 300 nits, which could not be a giant deal when you favor gaming at evening or in darker environments. However when you plan on lugging this round to a spot with large home windows or quite a lot of daylight, video games and flicks might look a bit subdued. That mentioned, it’s not a deal breaker, I simply want this mannequin had another show choices just like the earlier one.
Efficiency
Whereas the m16 R2’s sleeker design is a significant plus, the trade-off is much less area for a beefy GPU. So in contrast to its predecessor, the most important card that matches is an NVIDIA RTX 4070. This may increasingly come as a downer for efficiency fans, however Alienware mentioned it made this modification after seeing solely a small fraction of patrons go for RTX 4080 graphics on the outdated mannequin. Even so, the R2 can nonetheless maintain its personal when taking part in AAA titles. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and extremely graphics, it hit 94 fps, barely behind what we noticed from the ASUS ROG G16 (95 fps) with a extra highly effective 4080. And whereas the efficiency hole grew barely once I turned ray tracing on, the m16 nonetheless pumped out a really playable framerate of 62 fps (versus 69 fps for the G16).
Battery life
One of many largest advantages of the m16 R2’s redesign is that it allowed Alienware to put in a bigger 90Wh battery versus the 84Wh pack in its predecessor. Once you mix that with elements and followers higher tailor-made to the type of efficiency this machine delivers, you get improved longevity. On our rundown take a look at, the m16 R2 lasted 7 hours and 51 minutes, which is longer than each the Razer Blade 14 (6:46) and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (7:29) and simply shy of what we bought from a equally specced XPS 16 (8:31). That mentioned, it’s nonetheless not so good as the ASUS G16’s time of 9:17. Regardless, the flexibility to go longer between expenses isn’t a nasty factor. In the meantime, for many who need to pack tremendous gentle, one of many m16 R2’s USB-C ports within the again helps energy enter, although you received’t get the complete 240 watts such as you do with Alienware’s included brick.
Wrap-up
For 2024, it might have been really easy for Alienware to provide the m16 a fundamental spec refresh and name it a day. However it didn’t. As a substitute, the corporate checked out its prospects’ preferences and gave it a revamp to match. So regardless of not having the identical top-end efficiency as earlier than, the R2 remains to be a really succesful gaming laptop computer with a extra compact chassis, improved battery life and a decrease beginning worth of $1,500 with an RTX 4050. Certain, I want its show was brighter and that there was one other panel possibility, however getting 240Hz commonplace is fairly good.
Actually, the most important argument towards the m16 R2 is that for higher-specced techniques like our $1,850 evaluation unit with an RTX 4070, you possibly can spend one other $150 for an ASUS ROG G16 with the identical GPU, a brighter and extra colourful OLED show and a good lighter design that weighs a full pound much less. However for individuals searching for a well-priced gaming machine that may do a little bit of the whole lot, there’s quite a lot of worth within the m16 R2.