The Alienware m16 R2 is a rarity amongst fashionable laptops. That’s as a result of usually after a serious revamp, gadget makers prefer to hold new fashions in the marketplace for so long as potential to reduce manufacturing prices. Nevertheless, after its predecessor launched final yr sporting a contemporary design, the corporate reengineered your entire system once more for 2024 whereas additionally limiting how massive of a GPU can match inside. So what offers? The trick is that by wanting on the configurations folks truly 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 arduous to imagine it’s from the identical line. Not solely has Alienware gotten rid of the massive bezels and chin from the R1, however the machine can be far more moveable 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 type factors, Alienware added RGB lighting across the perimeter of the touchpad. This result’s a serious improve for anybody who desires to take the laptop computer on the go. It basically modifications the system from one thing extra like a desktop substitute to a conveyable all-rounder.
Engadget
The Alienware m16 R2 is a good instance of a laptop computer designed to go well with 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 reasonably priced beginning worth than earlier than.
- Speedy 240Hz display screen
- Higher than anticipated battery life
- Distinctive design
- Good port choice
- Stable worth
- No HDR help
- Show could possibly be brighter
- Toasty vents
Critically, regardless of being smaller, the m16 R2 nonetheless has an amazing array of connectivity choices. On its sides are two USB 3.2 Kind-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. Typically, I like this association as transferring some ports to the rear of the laptop computer helps hold litter down. That stated, I want Alienware had switched the location of the Ethernet jack and one of many USB-C ports, as I discover myself reaching for the latter way more typically.
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 avid gamers, that prime refresh price could possibly be priceless throughout matches the place potential benefit issues. However you don’t get any help 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 should you desire gaming at evening or in darker environments. However should you plan on lugging this round to a spot with massive home windows or loads of daylight, video games and flicks could look a bit subdued. That stated, 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 serious plus, the trade-off is much less house for a beefy GPU. So in contrast to its predecessor, the largest card that matches is an NVIDIA RTX 4070. This may occasionally come as a downer for efficiency lovers, however Alienware stated 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 enjoying 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 greatest 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. If 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 check, 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 stated, it’s nonetheless not so good as the ASUS G16’s time of 9:17. Regardless, the flexibility to go longer between expenses is rarely a foul factor. In the meantime, for individuals who wish to pack tremendous mild, 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 could have been really easy for Alienware to offer the m16 a primary spec refresh and name it a day. Nevertheless it didn’t. As an alternative, 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. Positive, I want its show was brighter and that there was one other panel possibility, however getting 240Hz commonplace is fairly good.
Actually, the largest argument in opposition to the m16 R2 is that for higher-specced techniques like our $1,850 evaluation unit with an RTX 4070, you may 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 folks in search of a well-priced gaming machine that may do a little bit of all the things, there’s loads of worth within the m16 R2.