Alienware m16 R2 (2024) Gaming Laptop Review
Alienware m16 R2 (2024): A powerful gaming laptop with solid 1080p performance, sleek design, and versatile features for work and play.
Alienware m16 R2, starting at $1,649, is a laptop designed for both gaming and everyday work. It’s part of the Alienware family, so it has the famous logo on it. However, it’s not as sleek or lightweight as some ultra-thin laptops. This updated version of last year’s m16 is for people who want the power of a gaming laptop without the flashy design often seen in gaming gear.
One of the most important features in this model is the Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” processor. This processor has a special part called an NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, which is specifically made to handle tasks that use artificial intelligence (AI) more quickly. This means the laptop can perform AI tasks faster than other laptops without this NPU. Another interesting feature is the “Stealth” mode. You can activate it by pressing the F2 key, which makes the laptop use less power so it conserves battery life. When Stealth mode is on, the keyboard’s colorful lights switch to a plain white, making laptop look more subtle and less like a gaming machine.
Even though it has a simpler look, Alienware m16 R2 is still a strong mid-range gaming laptop. The screen refresh rate is 240Hz, which means it updates quickly to show smooth motion in games. With a response time of just 3 milliseconds, the laptop is quick, so you won’t notice any lag while playing. During testing, most games ran smoothly and at high speeds, often over 60 frames per second (fps) at 1080p resolution. So, if you want to play popular PC games, this laptop should handle them with no problem.
However, it’s not perfect. 16-inch screen has a 2K resolution but it isn’t as bright or colorful as some might hope. AI features sound interesting but don’t seem to actually make a big difference in everyday work tasks. Additionally, although it’s not the cheapest laptop out there, some parts feel a bit low-quality. For example, the lid is a bit wobbly, and the overall build feels like it has a plastic finish rather than a more premium metal.
Alienware m16 R2 isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a solid laptop for both gaming and work. It appeals to a wide range of users because it balances performance and affordability well. While it’s not the top gaming laptop available, it offers good value for what it does.
Alienware m16 R2 (2024) Gaming Laptop Specification
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| 🖥️ Class | Gaming |
| 🔥 Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| 💾 RAM | 16 GB |
| 💽 Storage Type | SSD |
| 📂 Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
| 📐 Screen Size | 16 inches |
| 🔳 Resolution | 2560 x 1600 |
| ✋ Touch Screen | No |
| 🖼️ Panel Technology | IPS |
| 🔄 Variable Refresh Support | G-Sync |
| ⚡ Screen Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| 🎮 Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU |
| 🖌️ Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| 📡 Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth |
| 📏 Dimensions (H x W x D) | 0.93 x 14.33 x 9.81 inches |
| ⚖️ Weight | 5.75 lbs |
| 🖥️ Operating System | Windows 11 |
| 🔋 Battery Life (Tested) | 10 hours, 14 minutes |
Alienware m16 R2 Features
Alienware m16 R2 is a strong mid-range gaming laptop that can handle even the most demanding games. Plus, it works well as an everyday laptop you can use at the office or a café. This versatility makes it a great choice for many different types of users.
Alienware m16 R2 Gaming Performance and Everyday Use
Alienware m16 R2, priced around $1,849, is a strong gaming laptop that handles most games easily. With its Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and 16GB of RAM, it runs games smoothly, especially at 1080p resolution.
For example, Doom Eternal and Dirt 5 played at over 120 frames per second, giving smooth and fast gameplay. Even more demanding games, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Marvel’s Spider-Man, ran between 60 and 80 frames per second, which is excellent. Turning on Intel’s XeSS feature boosted the frame rate in these games.
At a higher resolution (1600p), frame rates did drop, but most games still looked good. However, Cyberpunk 2077 dropped below 30 frames per second, which can feel slow. Alienware x16, a more powerful model, handled these settings better.
| Game Performance (1600p) | Alienware m16 R2 | Alienware x16 |
|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed: Mirage | 73 fps | 97 fps |
| Borderlands 3 | 64 fps | 93 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 21 fps | 33 fps |
| Far Cry 6 | 71 fps | 86 fps |
With a 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, screen keeps games smooth even for fast-paced play. While it’s not esports setup, there was no noticeable lag during gameplay.
Everyday Use
This laptop is also great for regular tasks. It handled more than 30 open browser tabs and YouTube videos without any lag. Here’s a comparison of its everyday performance with Alienware x16:
| General Performance | Alienware m16 R2 | Alienware x16 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Score | 12,907 | 14,815 |
| File Copy Speed (25GB) | 2,014 Mbps | 1,913 Mbps |
| Video Editing Speed (Handbrake) | 3:46 | 4:50 |
It does well for video editing and large file transfers but isn’t as fast as Apple’s MacBook Air or laptops with M-Series chips. However, it’s still a solid choice for users who want a laptop for gaming and everyday work.
Alienware m16 R2: Simple, Stylish Design
Alienware m16 R2 is 15% smaller than the previous model because it no longer has a large cooling shelf on the back. It still has the recognizable Alienware look, with a sleek Legend 3.0 design that includes smooth curves, hexagonal air vents, and customizable lighting. Lid features an etched “16” near the hinge and the iconic Alienware logo near the top.
While it’s still a fairly large and heavy laptop, it’s easier to hold than the older model. Its size allows for plenty of ports, including two USB-A, two USB-C, HDMI port, Ethernet port, headphone jack and a microSD card reader.
A new 180-degree hinge lets you lay the screen flat, which might be handy when typing on your lap. Lid feels sturdy when opening or closing, so there’s no worry about it breaking easily.
Alienware m16 R2 Comfortable Typing Experience
I usually prefer mechanical keyboards over laptop keyboards, but typing on Alienware m16 R2 was surprisingly comfortable. It has spacious keyboard with good key spacing and thick keycaps, making typing feel easy and smooth.
Touchpad, though smaller than on productivity laptops, is actually larger than most gaming laptops’ touchpads. It’s responsive to gestures, and I never accidentally touched it while typing. Plus, RGB lighting around touchpad adds a fun touch, making this laptop great for writing or working.
Alienware m16 R2 Review: Areas for Improvement
Alienware m16 R2 has some downsides that, while not deal-breakers, do affect the overall experience. These issues hold back what could be excellent laptop.
Build Quality Feels Cheap
While Alienware m16 R2 has a nice, low-key design, its plastic-like build doesn’t feel very premium. Even though the lid and bottom are made of anodized aluminum, it lacks the solid feel of MacBook Pro. Lid opens and closes smoothly but it wobbles when the laptop is moved and flexes more than expected, which feels less sturdy.
Display Lacks Brightness and Color
Screen’s refresh rate and response time are good, but the colors are muted and not as bright as expected. Games with rich colors, like Doom Eternal and DiRT 5, look a bit dull on this display. It covers nearly all of the sRGB color space but misses 100%, leaving colors less vibrant than hoped for. You can still see everything clearly, even in intense game scenes but the visuals feel somewhat lifeless.
| Display Performance | Alienware m16 R2 | Alienware x16 |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness (Nits) | 287 | 301 |
| sRGB Coverage | 98.6% | 106.3% |
| DCI-P3 Coverage | 69.9% | 75.3% |
| Color Accuracy (Delta-E) | 0.3 | 0.2 |
Loud Fans During Gaming
Fans on this laptop get extremely loud in performance mode especially during gaming sessions. When it switches to Stealth mode, laptop stays quiet, but with gaming, noise level can be distracting and even louder than the original PS4. Fan noise might be tolerable if it weren’t combined with the heat it generates.
Gets Hot When Gaming
Even with Dell’s redesigned airflow, laptop runs very hot especially while gaming. In our tests, temperature reached 149°F when playing intense games like Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition. This makes laptop uncomfortable to use on your lap for gaming and it stays warm even in non-gaming situations.
| Temperature Results (°F) | Alienware m16 R2 | Alienware x16 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Gaming | 113 | 107 |
| Gaming | 149 | 129 |
Short Battery Life
While gaming laptops often don’t have long battery life, Alienware m16 R2’s battery still falls short. For regular tasks, it lasts just over 6 hours in lab tests but in real use, it lasted about 3 hours. If you plan to use it on the go, you’ll likely need to keep charger close by.
| Battery Life (hours) | Alienware m16 R2 | Alienware x16 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Gaming | 6:12 | 5:37 |
| Gaming | 0:53 | 1:20 |
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AI Features Aren’t That Useful
Alienware m16 R2 has a new Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” processor designed for AI tasks but these features aren’t very impactful yet. While programs like Audacity, OBS and GIMP have some AI tools, most people won’t notice a big difference. This may change in the future as more apps adopt AI tools but for now, AI capabilities don’t add much value.
Pros and Cons
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
|---|---|
| 🎮 Great for gaming and work (RTX 4070 & Core Ultra 7) | 💻 QHD+ screen can slow down in demanding games |
| 💲 Good price and value for the specs | 🔢 Only two configurations available |
| ✨ Sleek and slim design for a 16-inch laptop | ❌ |
| ⌨️ Comfortable keyboard for typing | ❌ |
| ⚡ Lots of ports for accessories | ❌ |
| 🔋 Long battery life | ❌ |
Conclusion
Alienware m16 R2 is a gaming laptop that keeps things simple and doesn’t stand out too much. Even though it’s mid-range, it can easily handle modern games at high settings, running smoothly at over 60 frames per second in 1080p. Fast 240Hz refresh rate and quick response time make gameplay feel smooth and large keyboard is comfortable to type on.
There are a few downsides, though. AI features don’t add much to everyday use and laptop feels a bit plasticky. The screen isn’t as bright as I’d like and fans get very loud in performance mode. But switching to “Stealth” mode, which is quieter and dims the lights, is easy with one button.
Alienware m16 R2 is a solid gaming laptop that also works well for regular tasks. For $1,649, it’s worth it. If AI features get better, this laptop could be an even better deal.
