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Alienware X16 R2 offers improved futuristic features including onboard Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for boosting up AI activities. However, in gaming, it seems that the NPU at the moment provides nor incentives and may even hinder the functionality of the CPU which in result impacts the gaming experience. If this is the right trade-off for a gaming laptop is tilt for debate.
Last year Dell launched the ultra-thin Alienware X16 series with the Alienware X16 R1. In this year 2024, Dell came with the Alienware X16 R2 that comes integrated with the Intel’s Meteor Lake processors. From outside, the changes that differentiate R2 from R1 are minimal as the physical appearance of the two is the same in fact internally, there are differences.
The review unit of the Alienware X16 R2 comes with the latest micro-architecture of the Intel Core Ultra 9-18 5H with 175W NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. This keyboard has a great display by current standards, the 1600p QHD, with a 240 Hz refresh rate, and Cherry MX keys. For a staggering Rs. 4.6 lakhs, the question arises: In this Alienware X16 R2 review, let’s find out if it is a worth it gaming laptop.
As per the Alienware X16 R2 review, it offers some of the highest specifications that one can expect from a portable system for gaming and computing. Coupled with the advanced Intel Core Ultra 9 185H chip and the Shuttle GeForce NVIDIA 4090XT graphics card, it guarantees smooth game performance, as well as the stability of advanced graphics. Fixed together with DDR5-7467 RAM and a capacious 1 TB NVMe SSD, users will achieve record levels of data retrieval and multitasking. The QHD+ 16-inch display combined with a 240 hertz refresh rate makes the visuals and motions clearer and smoother especially for gaming. Priced at Rs. 4,61,990 Rupees, the Alienware X16 R2 is a new product that will appeal to the audience of enthusiasts who want a small but a very powerful gaming laptop.
As for the build, the Alienware X16 R2 is identical to the Alienware X16 launched last year according to the Alienware X16 R2 Review. The general look of the laptop symbolizes the Alienware brand standards, the silver aluminum is on the lid, the hexagonal ventilation grilles, the LED ring at the back, the matte black keyboard and the illuminated Alienware logo in the center of the lid with the X below it at the base. The back light is produced through the Cherry MX mechanical switches providing a better typing and gaming feel than through chiclet keys. The laptop also features a backlit touchpad and both of these can be managed using the Alienware Command Centre. As for the subject of this report, it is relatively unknown, being only 18 slim SLs tall. 57 mm thick, that puts the laptop at fairly beefy, with the weight coming in at roughly 2. 7 kg, which can be attributed to its elongated rear part where all the ports are located.
In this regard, the Alienware X16 R2 comes with a standard set of the I/O connections that are as follows: 3. 5mm audio combo jack, two Type-C ports which are; Thunderbolt 4 and the other supports PD+Display and finally two USB A 3. Two Gen 1 ports, a mini DisplayPort, and an HDMI 2. They are one USB port, microSD card slot, and a DC-in jack. Missing ethernet port can be mentioned but it is not a big disadvantage.
It was incorporated with a review unit that had a QHD+ IPS panel with a resolution of 2560 x1600p and the refresh rate of 240 Hz. It also has a 1920×1200 screen and has a 480 Hz refresh rate screen also. The maximum brightness that was achieved in the test amounted to 349 nits and can be considered slightly below the average in terms of price range. The color reproduction is very good thanks to a hundred percent sRGB rating and a Delta-E of 98. A 4 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
All benchmarks were conducted with the PC set to the ‘Performance’ profile in the Alienware Command Centre. The each ‘Overdrive’ preset gives a little tip, that is 2-5 percent of performance increase. The Alienware X16 R2 comes with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H as the CPU along with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with a TGP of 175W. As compared to the Alienware X16 R1 that has Intel Core i9-13900HK, the Ultra 9 rendered notably less performance in both single core & multi core benchmark tests against 14 Core Intel Core i9-14900HX and 13 Core Intel Core i9-13980HX. Get the R2 version with the faster DDR5-7467 RAM that has better Read, Write, and Copy results although greater latency is observed here.
In real-world gaming benchmarks, the Alienware X16 R2 performs worse compared to non-Ultra processors in the competition similarly priced gaming laptops. The figures are not horrible, they are quite low when one compares it to other gaming laptops with the same GPU and TGP.
When running stress tests, the highest temperature seen on the CPU core was at 92 °C and the GPU attained the temperature of 80 °C. The surface temperatures ranged and hovered between about 34 degrees and the hottest part, the WASD cluster, was at 44 degrees Celsius.
The Alienware X16 R2 is designed for the future with an NPU for boosting any operations that involve artificial intelligence. But in the case of gaming, the NPU at the moment does not provide an uplift in performance, and yes, prior build even lowered the brute force CPU performance. This decreases the gaming performance and, as a result, one can question if the NPU presence can be useful for many gaming laptops.
The final Alienware X16 R2 review is that the Alienware X16 R2 has good specifications and aesthetic look and feel on the other aspect the performance in general usage and in particular in the games it may not be worth the price paid. Gamers interested in advanced technology for A. I. oriented operations might be interested, however, archetypical gamers might want to look at other offerings of Alienware or from other manufacturers.
Q1: What are the key features of the Alienware X16 R2?
The Alienware X16 R2 features include an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, QHD+ 16-inch display with a 240 Hz refresh rate, and DDR5-7467 RAM, among others.
Q2: How does the Alienware X16 R2 perform in gaming benchmarks
The gaming performance of the Alienware X16 R2 is analyzed against its competitors with benchmarks highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in various games.
Q3: Does the Alienware X16 R2 include a Neural Processing Unit (NPU)?
Yes, the Alienware X16 R2 is equipped with an onboard NPU designed to boost AI operations, although its impact on gaming performance is debated.
Q4: What are the thermal performance and cooling capabilities of the Alienware X16 R2?
The review covers the temperatures observed under stress tests, including CPU and GPU temperatures, and evaluates the laptop's thermal management system.
Q5: Is the Alienware X16 R2 suitable for gaming and professional use
This FAQ addresses the laptop's dual suitability for gaming and professional tasks, considering its powerful hardware and potential limitations.
Q7: What are the connectivity options and ports available on the Alienware X16 R2?
Detailed information about the I/O ports, including USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4 and PD+Display), USB A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI 2.1, mini-DisplayPort, and more.
Q8: How does the Alienware X16 R2 compare to its predecessor, the Alienware X16 R1?
A comparison of the Alienware X16 R2 with its predecessor, highlighting improvements in performance, design, and features.
Q9: What is the battery life like on the Alienware X16 R2?
An assessment of the battery performance during typical usage scenarios, including gaming sessions and productivity tasks.
Q10: What are the display specifications of the Alienware X16 R2
Details about the QHD+ display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, its refresh rate, color accuracy, and overall visual experience.
Q11: Is the Alienware X16 R2 worth the premium price tag?
An evaluation of whether the Alienware X16 R2 offers value for money based on its performance, features, and intended use cases.
