Alienware's M16 R2 - The answer to Legion Laptops

The Alienware M16 R2 is a gaming laptop that can go anywhere and do anything but primarily its meant to compete against the Legion Pro 5 series. Then there's the new Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16...and those are two laptops we really need to have a talk about.
Check out the Thermaltake Tower 200 (Sponsor) - geni.us/TOWER200
Timestamps
0:00 - The 2024 Dell Lineup
0:21 - NEW Alienware M16 r2 is Smaller!
1:04 - Exterior Design
1:46 - Display
2:21 - New keyboard and HALO Trackpad!
3:02 - Stealth Mode
3:48 - Less ports?
4:16 - Specs / Pricing
5:26 - Sponsor spot
5:57 - A FRESH XPS 14 & XPS 16 lineup!
6:42 - Design Impressions
7:30 - Edge to Edge Keyboard
7:40 - Capacitive FN keys...ummm....
9:10 - Seemless trackpad is super clean!
10:10 - Display Options
10:54 - I/O RANT!
12:12 - Specs / Pricing
14:45 - Its Gonna be Tough....
Preview unit provided free of charge by Dell. This video is sponsored by Thermaltake. As per Hardware Canucks guidelines, no review direction was received from manufacturer. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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#hardwarecanucks

[@demimascot]

Alienware are downgrading screens, thermals and keyboards to make an update? Seems logical.

[@crysiss8635]

I was an AW fan boy for years, till you guys showed me Legion.

[@cameronbosch1213]

Legion looks really underwhelming this year. Personally, I would sit out this year.

[@niko1even]

​@@cameronbosch1213 Only ones I really am intrigued by is the Raider 18 HX and the ROG Scar 18. I got last year's scar 16 model because the 18 inch lacked the mini-led panel, but apparently they put it in this year's model. It's probably one of few (if not the only one) laptop with an 18 inch WQXGA 240hz mini led panel with 2000 dimming zones. It looks like an absolute joy to game on. The raider on the other hand doesn't have the amazing panel, but looks like an absolute powerhouse. It is heavier than the scar, but it seems to be much more of a stationary use laptop than the scar 18 (which is ironic to say because no one would probably carry around an 18 inch laptop). Given MSI's track record with reliability in laptops, I am still hesitant to recommend anyone an MSI laptop for now though. Their reliability and quality has gone up dramatically in the past few years though.

[@joelconolly5574]

​@@cameronbosch1213same.

[@James-xs9mn]

The Legion stuff is admittingly nice but I personally don't want to give my money or information to a Commie brand that has strong connections to the CCP and PLA so I'll stick with western/Taiwanese brands.

[@kennetha6594]

Legion peaked in 2022.

[@Belgarath777]

As soon as I saw that they weren't taking the displays seriously, I knew that I'd be going to a different brand in 2024.

[@steveburnspeople]

What brands do you think are most worthwhile this year? I'm looking to buy a powerful-ish laptop in the next couple months, so it'd be nice to hear some informed opinions :D

[@farii__]

​@@steveburnspeoplethe asus zephyrus g14 and g16 look very promising with the new build, haven't seen anything about the prices yet though

[@cameronbosch1213]

​@@farii__With all soldered RAM and the G14 having less performance than the 2023 model? No thanks.

[@farii__]

@@cameronbosch1213 well that power comes at a cost, i think that despite the soldered ram and lesser power, it's overall a more durable build and the person above has said "powerful-ish," i don't think they're looking to go all out.

[@cameronbosch1213]

@@farii__ It's worse than a MacBook Pro, and I hate Apple, but I hate Dell even more now. At least Apple has the performance and battery life for the high price. Dell just seems to be evolving backwards.

[@sneakyfox1876]

I bought a m16 r1 at best buy open box with a 4080 for 1600. It was a good deal but the fact that alienware is out of touch with consumers needs for a good panel STILL frustrates me.

[@DonutAgain]

I was eyeing that exact model with Ryzen 9 7845HX CPU, but I was traveling during the holidays. By the time I got home post holidays and I was ready to sit down to purchase, it was already gone. Sad!😢

[@pinkhairblackman8141]

less fans, less storage upgrades, slower and to stubborn to increase the nits. Alienware is just killing itself...

[@joelconolly5574]

Less fans because it has better cooling and still has 2 storage upgrades like the rest of the laptop industry and slower because it using an Ultra processor? I don't know what is there to complain about.

[@zerohbeat]

Probably this is to make the x16 r2 version the main choice for most people. This way they can also standardize the m16 version by having less choices. Maybe even cut more the cost of production of that model.

[@deadgoldenheart9560]

too* not to, there's a difference

[@artusanctus997]

@@joelconolly5574 I swear PC gamers are toxic and spoiled.

[@TheRubsi]

It's a good move. The 2023 version still exist, why not offer more?

[@Sourav-Bose]

I bought Alienware m16 with 4060 and i7 13700hx a week back. Was skeptical about the waiting time of the r2 version to come to my country. Glad to say that I am relieved. After watching this vid, checked out what dell for offering in its website for R2 with 4060. Considering everything, R1 is better than R2! :D

[@robertwinters7487]

great video. love the detail and chapter breakdown!

[@cameronbosch1213]

Dell: "We're evolving, just backwards."

[@stevens1041]

I want to see Alienware succeed. Low brightness, and took away its unique design identity--its a miss from me. Will wait to see what they do with the X-series laptops.

[@babatundeoshodi6262]

With the Xseries...Not much apparently. Still the same design. They boast it will have better thermals and faster RAM speeds (more than the 6000 MT/s on the X16 R1). The release date of the X16 R2 has not been announced yet though.

[@KeithSchwerin]

For myself i like the new design I avoided them do to the previous one. I definitely agree on the display though.

[@fbkensarhd5279]

Not with Lenovo legion making it look like a fool's laptop

[@SirCaco]

Yeah, it's a damn shame. They're quickly just turning into that brand that you only see as product placement in shows.

[@ryans3795]

Glad I just got the m r1, I think the cooling and durability might be a bit better, though that trackpad looks amazing.

[@makwikus]

Maybe change the title and the thumbnail, so they don't chase people away thinking they're almost clicked on a 15 minute video about an Alienware product. This is a great video about a bunch of new Dell laptops!

[@crappyslappy]

😂😂😂😂

[@joelconolly5574]

Kinda weird that they didn't do this with their X series laptops which is supposed to be a thin and light and instead redesigned their M series laptops.

[@steez1439]

For me, im okay with the no oled on this laptop, because when you're gaming too long or studying in this laptop there some oled burn. But the prices too, yikes.

[@Incognitotrader8]

WTF!!!! They removed the aura light in the back. I am so disappointed...... Now this is just a premium dell g15!!!

[@riichobamin7612]

I personally prefer this more muted design but I do see your point. For people who LOVE RGB party, this is definitely a downgrade.

[@bradhaines3142]

hard to tell what's premium about it now

[@Incognitotrader8]

@@riichobamin7612 yeah, back in the days alienware had a distinctive character different from every other laptops. All the users showing their blue alien head in cafes, arenas, classes and even in movies but now they became like everyone, lost their distinctive character. It would have been fine if they didnt have the g series gaming laptops as they are a bit more downgraded versions of alienware. Now these two are just the same making the customers feel like the device is not upto the price as all the attention to detail is lost.

[@Wolf_Mxxn]

Excited for the sleek designs, but can we talk about the questionable port choices on the XPS models? Micro SD instead of full-size SD? 🤦‍♂

[@bradhaines3142]

i know drones take micro, do cameras use straight micro yet or are they still full SD slots?

[@evansafrifa6396]

I WILL BUY THE NEW ASUS ZEPHYRUS G16 OVER THE NEW DELL XPS 16 ANYDAY!

[@cameronbosch1213]

Not to mention just one SSD slot, loss of the RTX 4080 model (which will destroy the RTX 4070 laptops), and all soldered RAM.

[@carlicbread8199]

Ah the m16, you can bring it to school but shouldn't talk about it.

[@donjames5761]

im more interested in the new ryzen 8000 apus. do you know if going be able to buy an apu only laptop?

[@zerohbeat]

When coding Ctrl + F5 or F7, that's probably the only time I ever use the function keys, maybe Volume Up / Down as well. XPS look really sleek, more than ever before. If I had to travel for work more, I can see myself getting the 14 or 16 version...

[@soulofcinder3694]

my issue with alienware they are overprice compare to many other brands in gaming hardware etc, other brands have better things and for less money

[@bradhaines3142]

alienware is also a hell of a dice roll for quality. and its not like razer QC issues where you might get a good one that last 5-10 years or a bad one that quits in under a year. alienware has an issue on like a per model basis. some are good, some are ok, some are just bad. and most of the have an alternative that's either as good but cheaper or as cheap but better. its rare they're the best choice

[@Qimchiy]

another issue, its a dell.

[@fbkensarhd5279]

And crap

[@anshuman6923]

I came here to say this exact thing. I was just looking at a few $2200 laptops and MSI Raider, HP Omen, Lenovo Legion, Acer Predator Helios, Asus ROG Zephyrus all offer competing models while the similar spec'd Alienware is around $3000. What is this $800 premium Dell seem to think Alienware is worth over Asus, MSI, HP, Lenovo and Acer, especially in 2024?

[@ctgaming168]

​@@anshuman6923that $800 premium is for the alien head logo obviously. 🤣

[@jonathanparedes6107]

look at where the plastic meets the aluminum when he shows the side ports, you will see uneven seams I've exchanged my m16 r2 three times and every single one had imperfections in gaps between the two materials some gaps big enough to fit a card into

[@thisisamazingrl]

Wow seeing this, I'm glad I went with the previous gen! I was afraid that I'd want to sell it in order to buy the new one but nope nope nope!

[@vlouco]

Can we please have data displayed not only in inches/lbs but also cm/kgs?

[@TechDaemon]

Am I the only one who would prefer a slightly thicker and heavier "GAMING" laptop if it means better cooling and thus slightly better performance?

[@soulfabuk]

Are there similar changes to the M18 and what is Alienware doing with the X16?

[@babatundeoshodi6262]

Not much apparently. Still the same design. They boast it will have better thermals and faster RAM speeds (more than the 6000 MT/s on the X16 R1). The release date of the X16 R2 has not been announced yet though.

[@bashbromayhem]

No full size sd card slot is an absolute deal breaker for me. I'd rather get the 2024 g16

[@cmedeir]

Prices go up and the features go down. Hard pass.

[@laualbert1740]

I have heard that dell’s laptop drops a lot in quality because they switch to another oem, is that true?

[@strumbi217]

Is it getting as hot as razer blade 15 or 16?

[@user-mx7bg2fs1m]

Gotta a 4060 gen 8 Legion and i've never been more happier with a laptop

[@seanvideoediting]

Is this faster than m3 pro macbook pro? Around the same price

[@rawrss]

Would HardwareCanucks be able to compare the latest 2024 Zephyrus, Alienware, Razer and Legion offerings someday? It'd be great to see them stacked against each other at 14'' and 16'' sizes.

[@Eber.Antony]

You bet!

[@GUY-on-Earth]

300nits after everyone complaining about the 300nit peak brightness is crazy

[@AntonChigurh-]

I'm surprised the display is trash since Alienware gaming monitors are actually some of the best in class.

[@crissnickers_frog6689]

if a power cord can show the power consumption ,why not a laptop over a small lcd??

[@CodyTheAI]

"Am I out of touch? No, it's the consumers who are wrong." - Dell 2024. High prices, less value, and design for design's sake. It's gonna be a 'no' from me dawg.

[@theguard1]

Razer doesn't have a full-size SD card slot on its 14 so it makes sense that the 13 and 14 come with the micro. However, the Blade 16 does have a full-size so there is absolutely no justification for the XPS 16 to not have that too.

[@TheSonoranSniper]

XPS is not supposed to be a gaming laptop. that's not a very fair comparison still though, there is no excuse to not have a full size

[@dann5480]

Nothing can beat Lenovo Legion.

[@Robskimask]

I switched to Omen a few years back and it changed the game for me. Omen hands down one of the best

[@kashyapchodankar7568]

I nice they went with the aesthetic there are too many do it all laptops we get more variety

[@TheOnlyEpsilonAlpha]

That Ethernet Clamp already drives me nuts. That will (not could) break over time.

[@sebastianromero113]

no m17 this year? Im in market for 17 this year.

[@247hustlerr]

The title made me clicked the video... and now I discovered ur channel. LOL

[@arunantony3207]

Damn I was really looking forward to the alienware. But now I might have to look elsewhere cause I was expecting at bare minimum was looking for an MINI-LED display:/

[@c1p0]

Having as much ports as possible on the back is massively underrated imo

[@SweetMelaninn]

Same. I like a mix of ports on the sides and back

[@salih-khan]

Please do M16 R2 vs M18 R2

[@troubletitty8605]

Alienware should have just thrown in an i714Hx for processor m16 -4060/4070 125-145W with mini LED since it's a relatively thicker chaise than legion 7i with and i9Hx for m18 with 4080/4090 (165-175)W and quantum OLED display for X series 16&18 inch models with core ultra 7 and 9 equipped with a better 1440p 5-10 mp camera, better speakers and battery to make it more of a creative laptop with enough power for 3D professional work.

[@AnhBui-xz7mp]

AW always got the look but man, if you're not a fan - sure go for Legion. And now even the Thinkbook line can beat the Xps. My Thinkbook x1 carbon from 2014 still rock

[@KeithSchwerin]

Really would have liked to see the XPS14 get a 4060 GPU

[@wunlymshim7768]

Also previous generation had 4 m.2 slots btw.

[@kennysponto6568]

A blue light outlined touchpad. Just in case you can’t find it!

[@kenjiwang7165]

that snowing outside ?

[@xmaverickhunterkx]

I wish they dropped the Alien icon and just kept the name

[@zeldera]

I liked the designs of alienware laptops compared to the other laptop brands

[@sgz647]

Its kinda sad to see that all the gaming laptop manufacturers are toning down RGB lighting with every model. You already have the boring professional lineups in parallel, just leave something for people who prefer the unique looks :|

[@ChaitanyaShukla2503]

There are better options out there and with better CPU options as well.

[@cameronbosch1213]

Yeah. Especially given how bad the XPS laptops this year are.

[@user-nb8df2wj1o]

I don't understand why AW is not making their gorgeous white models thesedays.

[@juliogomezyt]

Much power for a notebook.

[@brrrburberry2554]

my friend the prices in europe are 20-30% more then america and is in euro

[@mikicamickeysporea1815]

HI, I ADORE YOUR VIDEOS AND ENJOYING SO MUCH. ONE THING WILL BE AWESOME 4U TO CHANGE. IT'S ABOUT YOUR MEASURES FOR DIMENSIONS AND FOR WEIGHT. WILL BE GOOD TO SHOW IN (DIMENSION IN CM & WEIGHT IN KG) :) ALL THE BEST FROM NEW ZEALAND

[@ImPrisonMike0309]

The LED halo rings burns like hell because of the heat. Looks like a mess after a couple of years

[@ojwh]

Looks good.

[@jonaskerl8450]

i think i would definetely pick the xps 15 and 17 before the 14 and 16. The ports and the upgradebility sucks

[@michaels8607]

Sorry XPS I need those missing ports..no thank you..I already have a gaming laptop..

[@iMapleCreator]

Why in 2024 are they still making such small trackpads it just baffles me

[@ianv.rodriguez8367]

I love my legion but if alienware had num pads I would consider them

[@foehammerone]

lol 300 nits on a gaming laptop that cost over 2000 dollars starting - Trash. Capacitive Touch Function buttons on the XPS - Also Trash idea. And they still didn't bother to add back even one USB-A. XPS = garbage. Alienware = Garbage. Who's running this division in Dell?

[@seanvideoediting]

How bad is a 60w 4070?

[@wilsonbarret4935]

im selling my brand new 4070 for 1500 if you are interested

[@supeejuntranggur4309]

What is dell doing with that basic IPS again?! ASUS G16 is now an OLED.

[@NailShorts168]

I like RGB keyboard on this Laptop

[@theworkoutgeek]

Guess, no make that, I'm sure, I won't be going to Alienware to update my M15 R7. No OLED or Mini LED screens only 300 nits when you're 2 years old version has more brightness is a missed opportunity and shows Dell/Alienware is not listening to their customers or the reviews despite saying they do. Hey Alienware, the screen is what the gamer looks at and interacts with the most! I'll be upgrading to Lenovo who actually do listen to the customers and who offer Mini LED screens and more value for the money!

[@Eternalozzie]

i dont like the look and feel of the XPS keyboards. i LOVE my x14 Alienware rev 1.

[@laszlosarkozi1385]

XPS laptops are a no go. The new Zenbooks are better.

[@ojwh]

It's snowing behind Eber.

[@kotenkostiantyn1282]

If you see 140w 4070 in 2024 laptop you know they did not do any upgrades from 2023

[@dheerajj7496]

Legion's are love ......

[@mnazas2299]

thank you dell for making the new 2016 macbook pro

[@Jasmohan]

The lack of enthusiasm in the reviewer's voice while listing all the features and downgrades really says a lot about the Alienware M16 R2 laptop

[@sgtnik4871]

i would take it with ryzen

[@user-ki1wq6pt9u]

Quite a disappointment seeing them move away their iconic design for this years m16, aswell as using such a mediocre panel. Alienware really dropped the ball with this one.

[@Xale-yt]

Still would get a Legion

[@PhillipLearnTeach]

Yeah we are going with Legion then...no SD port or even sufficient

[@supersavagegodgaming6888]

that why i love legion laptops lenovo have fair prices

[@coleruston920]

Even when the video isnt about Lenovo you still manage to make it about Lenovo. Bought & paiiiiid.

[@seanvideoediting]

Why do you prefer 1200p Ips over 4k oled 90hz? 😮

[@barcafan94]

Simply unacceptable that they refuse to use miniLED displays on their top end laptops. Standard IPS is not good enough for a 4000EUR laptop

[@draegus0072]

I’ve always felt like the Alienware laptops always suffered with their “low nit” displays and their XPS line always suffered with their port selection. Some people still want to use type A ports for their mice. Always thought it was stupid to have nothing but USB-c ports

[@iansteelmatheson]

well the port selection of the XPS laptops was fine until they copied Apple in 2020 and took away everything that wasn't USB-C...

[@xmaverickhunterkx]

USB A needs to be put to sleep.

[@draegus0072]

only if mice and keyboard companies can finally make USB-c dongles...lol@@xmaverickhunterkx

[@mikejames6588]

It's a nice computer. Runs well and is tuned for its design. Have had 0 issues

[@fbkensarhd5279]

Lenovo legion looks pretty safe lol. 🤣

[@grospoulpe951]

See ya in 2025 with OLED, Lunar lake and/ore RTX5000 series (not AMD CPU/GPU on Dell, I guess) ... and Windows 12...

[@LetsCreateYourWEBSITE]

This design is so ugly in comparison to the old ones. I bought one Alienware x17 and it is so much better looking (of course nightmare to carry , but very aesthetic)

[@TheSonoranSniper]

I don't really care that it's IPS, but the fact they redesigned it to be portable, but don't understand that people on the go want more than 300 nits is sad.

[@strkilla89]

I can't believe the company that INVENTED the new camm laptop ram standard to help with space savings isn't even using it on their xps lineup. That combined with worse ports, 1 fewer nvme slot, and an abysmal keyboard makes the xps lineup for this year an abject failure from my perspective. It makes my decision to get a macbook pro look really good rn.

[@powergi3996]

I'll stick with Lenovo Legion series thank you very much.

[@mlgxxx808]

Are gaming laptops weak to hardware ban wave for pc games

[@De4thG0d]

The M16 looks like the old vostro laptops

[@RobertDiMelo]

Yeah I liked it, and would like also if they revisited the design language from the Alienware 15r3/15r4 from 2018 for the coming years

[@Deschit]

dell seems to always be held back by hw and bios designs...

[@user-ui8xq6fh3n]

300-400 nits is not acceptable for 2024. They are bugging out. And no upgrading.... yeah. Ill pass. Cute keyboard though

[@bubblegumtycoon2983]

New XPS laptops looks cool, but impractical

[@digiduke2979]

I don't understand the obsession with OLED screen. I have an Alienware R3 13 OLED and that was one of the first laptops to do it. Great colors, useful? Not really. Ghosting? absolutely. Have to always choose the wallpapers carefully. Are people really taking these laptops outside? Then why is 300-400 nits not good if its always inside. That's still good for a coffee shop. Alienware has done it in the past and they know its useless for a gaming laptop.

[@ebukaezike9308]

Please include the metric system not everyone is from US

[@ragnnohab]

Especially when these guys are based out of Canada.