When a lot much less power makes for a better laptop computer laptop
The Alienware m16 R2 is a rarity amongst modern laptops. That’s because of normally after a severe revamp, gadget makers want to protect new fashions within the market for as long as attainable to scale back manufacturing costs. Nonetheless, after its predecessor launched last yr sporting a latest design, the company reengineered the entire system as soon as extra for 2024 whereas moreover limiting how large of a GPU can match inside. So what supplies? The trick is that by wanting on the configurations people actually bought, Alienware was able to rework the m16 proper right into a gaming laptop computer laptop with a sleeker design, larger battery life and a further approachable starting worth, which is an efficient recipe for a well-balanced pocket e-book.
Design
There are so many changes on the m16 R2’s chassis it’s exhausting to think about it’s from the similar line. Not solely has Alienware gotten rid of the large bezels and chin from the R1, nevertheless the machine could be way more moveable now. Weight is down better than 20 % to 5.75 kilos (from 7.28 kilos) and it’s moreover significantly further compact with a depth of 9.8 inches (versus 11.4 inches sooner than). For some trend components, Alienware added RGB lighting throughout the perimeter of the touchpad. This consequence’s a severe enhance for anyone who needs to take the laptop computer laptop on the go. It principally changes the system from one factor further like a desktop substitute to a transportable all-rounder.
Engadget
The Alienware m16 R2 is an efficient occasion of a laptop computer laptop designed to swimsuit its prospects, because of whereas it’s not as extremely efficient as its predecessor, it’s further compact, has longer battery life and a further fairly priced starting worth than sooner than.
- Speedy 240Hz show
- Larger than anticipated battery life
- Distinctive design
- Good port selection
- Robust price
- No HDR assist
- Present might very nicely be brighter
- Toasty vents
$1,499 at Dell
Critically, no matter being smaller, the m16 R2 nonetheless has an superior array of connectivity decisions. On its sides are two USB 3.2 Variety-A ports, a microSD card reader, an Ethernet jack and a 3.5mm audio socket. Spherical once more, there are two USB-C slots (one helps Thunderbolt 4 whereas the other has DisplayPort 1.4), a full-size HDMI 2.1 connector and a proprietary barrel plug for power. Often, I like this affiliation as shifting some ports to the rear of the laptop computer laptop helps protect muddle down. That acknowledged, I need Alienware had switched the situation of the Ethernet jack and one in every of many USB-C ports, as I uncover myself reaching for the latter far more usually.
Present
The m16 R2 has a single present chance: a 16-inch 240Hz panel with a QHD+ determination (2,560 x 1,600). It’s utterly serviceable and for aggressive gamers, that high refresh payment might very nicely be worthwhile all through matches the place potential profit points. Nonetheless you don’t get any assist for HDR, so colors don’t pop as lots as they’d on a system with an OLED show. Furthermore, brightness is just OK at spherical 300 nits, which couldn’t be an unlimited deal must you need gaming at night time time or in darker environments. Nonetheless must you plan on lugging this spherical to a spot with large house home windows or various daylight, video video games and flicks may look a bit subdued. That acknowledged, it’s not a deal breaker, I merely need this model had one other present decisions identical to the sooner one.
Effectivity
Whereas the m16 R2’s sleeker design is a severe plus, the trade-off is way much less home for a beefy GPU. So not like its predecessor, the most important card that matches is an NVIDIA RTX 4070. This may possible come as a downer for effectivity lovers, nevertheless Alienware acknowledged it made this alteration after seeing solely a small fraction of customers go for RTX 4080 graphics on the outdated model. Even so, the R2 can nonetheless preserve its private when having fun with AAA titles. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and intensely graphics, it hit 94 fps, barely behind what we seen from the ASUS ROG G16 (95 fps) with a further extremely efficient 4080. And whereas the effectivity gap grew barely after I turned ray tracing on, the m16 nonetheless pumped out a very playable framerate of 62 fps (versus 69 fps for the G16).
Battery life
Certainly one of many best benefits of the m16 R2’s redesign is that it allowed Alienware to place in a much bigger 90Wh battery versus the 84Wh pack in its predecessor. Everytime you combine that with elements and followers larger tailored to the type of effectivity this machine delivers, you get improved longevity. On our rundown examine, the m16 R2 lasted 7 hours and 51 minutes, which is longer than every the Razer Blade 14 (6:46) and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (7:29) and easily shy of what we acquired from a equally specced XPS 16 (8:31). That acknowledged, it’s nonetheless inferior to the ASUS G16’s time of 9:17. Regardless, the ability to go longer between costs isn’t a foul issue. Within the meantime, for people who must pack super light, one in every of many m16 R2’s USB-C ports throughout the once more helps power enter, though you acquired’t get the overall 240 watts reminiscent of you do with Alienware’s included brick.
Wrap-up
For 2024, it should have been very easy for Alienware to current the m16 a major spec refresh and title it a day. Nonetheless it didn’t. As an alternative, the company checked out its prospects’ preferences and gave it a revamp to match. So no matter not having the similar top-end effectivity as sooner than, the R2 stays to be a very succesful gaming laptop computer laptop with a further compact chassis, improved battery life and a lower starting worth of $1,500 with an RTX 4050. Sure, I need its present was brighter and that there was one different panel chance, nevertheless getting 240Hz regular is pretty good.
Really, the most important argument in the direction of the m16 R2 is that for higher-specced strategies like our $1,850 evaluation unit with an RTX 4070, chances are you’ll spend one different $150 for an ASUS ROG G16 with the similar GPU, a brighter and further vibrant OLED present and a very good lighter design that weighs a full pound a lot much less. Nonetheless for people in search of a well-priced gaming machine which will perform a little bit of each factor, there’s various price throughout the m16 R2.
