When much less energy makes for a greater laptop computer

The Alienware m16 R2 is a rarity amongst fashionable laptops. That’s as a result of usually after a serious revamp, gadget makers wish to hold new fashions in the marketplace for so long as potential to attenuate manufacturing prices. Nonetheless, after its predecessor launched final 12 months sporting a recent design, the corporate reengineered the whole 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 capable of 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 superb recipe for a well-balanced pocket book.

Design

There are such a lot of adjustments on the m16 R2’s chassis it’s exhausting to consider 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 also be far more transportable now. Weight is down greater than 20 p.c 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 fashion factors, Alienware added RGB lighting across the perimeter of the touchpad. This result’s a serious improve for anybody who needs to take the laptop computer on the go. It basically adjustments the system from one thing extra like a desktop substitute to a conveyable all-rounder.

Engadget

The Alienware m16 R2 is a superb 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.

Professionals

• Speedy 240Hz display screen
• Higher than anticipated battery life
• Distinctive design
• Good port choice
• Strong worth

Cons

• No HDR help
• 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 shifting some ports to the rear of the laptop computer helps hold 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 way more usually.

Show

The m16 R2 has a single show choice: a 16-inch 240Hz panel with a QHD+ decision (2,560 x 1,600). It’s completely serviceable and for aggressive avid gamers, that top refresh price might be beneficial 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’d on a system with an OLED display screen. Moreover, brightness is simply OK at round 300 nits, which could not be an enormous deal in case you want gaming at evening or in darker environments. However in case you plan on lugging this round to a spot with large home windows or loads of daylight, video games and flicks could 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 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 will come as a downer for efficiency fanatics, however Alienware mentioned it made this variation after seeing solely a small fraction of consumers 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 after 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. While you mix that with elements and followers higher tailor-made to the form 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 obtained from a equally specced XPS 16 (8:31). That mentioned, it’s nonetheless inferior to the ASUS G16’s time of 9:17. Regardless, the power to go longer between fees is rarely a foul factor. In the meantime, for individuals who need to pack tremendous mild, one of many m16 R2’s USB-C ports within the again helps energy enter, although you gained’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 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 continues 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 choice, however getting 240Hz customary is fairly good.

Actually, the largest argument towards the m16 R2 is that for higher-specced programs like our $1,850 assessment unit with an RTX 4070, you’ll be able to spend one other $150 for an ASUS ROG G16 with the identical GPU, a brighter and extra colourful OLED show and an excellent lighter design that weighs a full pound much less. However for individuals 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.