Alienware M16 R2 vs Legion Slim 5 - Need suggestion

[maritrunks]

Hey guys, I have these 2 laptops that I recently bought during BF/boxing day but I'm need to some input on which one to keep and which one you guys think is a better deal overall. Here are the specs and prices

Alienware M16 R2
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
16GB DDR5 (2x8GB DDR5 5600MT)
1TB SSD
RTX 4060 135W
16" 240hz QHD IPS Display 100% srgb
WIfi 7

Got this one for $1377 (No Tax) after EPP coupon and also 15% cashback (which is yet to be credited on my acct should be about $200)

vs

Legion Sliim 5
Ryzen 7 7735HS
16GB DDR5 (1x 16GB 4800MT)
1TB SSD
RTX 4070 140W
16" 165Hz QHD IPS Display 100% srgb
Wifi 6E

$1366 including tax (no cashback)



Overall, I really like look and feel of the alienware as it's very premium quality, aluminum top and bottom, and the keyboard is amazing with a really nice feeling palmrest and good RGB lighting that is customizable, it's also slightly thinner and lighter, and smaller footprint than the Lenovo. The lenovo does have the RTX 4070 but with single channel DDR5 and Ryzen 7 7735HS ( I think the Intel core ultra 155h should be better but in my experience, I find the intel runs slightly hotter)

Previously, I know Lenovo laptops are good quality too and they seem to last a long time, I don't have any experience with Alienware as this is the first time I bought one and I'm just worried about issues later on. Has anyone have experience with Alienware laptops before?


Anyways, what you guys think is better and why? (PS, I only have 2 more days to return the lenovo, so I need to decide this weekend)

 

[Bond007]

Without being able to see/feel screen, keyboard and build quality (so basically from the specs), I would keep the Lenovo if its going to be used for gaming. Similar cost, better GPU, personal bias towards Lenovo over dell (feel free to discount that one if you like), and its all too easy to drop another 16gb stick in to bring it up to 32GB dual channel.

 

[maritrunks]

Without being able to see/feel screen, keyboard and build quality (so basically from the specs), I would keep the Lenovo if its going to be used for gaming. Similar cost, better GPU, personal bias towards Lenovo over dell (feel free to discount that one if you like), and its all to easy to drop another 16gb stick in to bring it up to 32GB dual channel.

Appeciate the feedback. Any reason why you like Lenovo over Alienware? Is alienware less durable or that the marketshare is so less for Alienware that there isn't enough data?

 

[Bond007]

Appeciate the feedback. Any reason why you like Lenovo over Alienware? Is alienware less durable or that the marketshare is so less for Alienware that there isn't enough data?

Lenovo laptops have just lasted a long time for me (and continue to as I gave them to family members)...knock on wood. Not to say Dell/Alienware can't last as long, I have just had very positive experiences with Lenovos (so it is personal and limited in quantity). Not the same experience with Dell and Acer for me.

 

[SugarJ]

I still have my Alienware M15 I bought 7-8 years ago. It works well other than the battery needs replacing, my daughter still uses it daily to play The Sims 4. Soultribunal just replaced his Alienware laptop after it being his daily driver for 5-6 years. Anecdotal evidence, but I would buy another Alienware in a heartbeat.

 

[JD]

Lenovo is better known for their ThinkPad reliability. While I'm sure some of the same processes are used on the Legion gaming lineup, I don't know if I'd say it's going last any longer than the Alienware. I have an old Alienware here (13R3) though I don't use much anymore, but it still works perfectly fine. Even my 2007 XPS M1330 still works, and that went to college with me everyday. There's good and bad products from any manufacturer is all I'm saying

Since it sounds like you prefer the feel of the Alienware, I would say keep that as long as the performance is also acceptable for what you do.

 

[Marzipan]

I agree the Lenovo should be kept...but funny enough, the Alienware will likely have the higher resale value.

 

[maritrunks]

I agree the Lenovo should be kept...but funny enough, the Alienware will likely have the higher resale value.

If this is true, then I'm more inclined to keep the Alienware, I like the build quality and compact footprint too

 

[Marzipan]

If this is true, then I'm more inclined to keep the Alienware, I like the build quality and compact footprint too

Alienware is more familiar to the consumer consciousness and while it has the better CPU, the Lenovo Legion has the superior GPU, which is why you should keep it and not the Dell. the faster screen spec is unimportant as 165hz is more than enough and more likely to match the 4070 performance capabilities at QHD resolutions. WiFi 6E vs 7 is also moot...6 is what most people have support for and almost no one has an internet connection that would benefit from WiFi 7. one more thing to consider is which will be easier to get support for...Lenovo has the superior support system in place, with certified repair partners all over the country. you don't have to deal with tier 1 phone support if you don't want to. pull up the repair partner locator tool and you'll see where you can walk in and get help.

there are a few things you need to think about and figure out for yourself though...like:
are they both US English keyboards or is one bilingual?
which one will be easier to move around?
- which one is heavier
- which one is physically larger
you mentioned build quality and it sounds that leans towards the Alienware over the Legion?
- another thing is bling / boasting factor as Lenovo Legion is not as eponymously associated with cool like the name Alienware is

 

[maritrunks]

Alienware is more familiar to the consumer consciousness and while it has the better CPU, the Lenovo Legion has the superior GPU, which is why you should keep it and not the Dell. the faster screen spec is unimportant as 165hz is more than enough and more likely to match the 4070 performance capabilities at QHD resolutions. WiFi 6E vs 7 is also moot...6 is what most people have support for and almost no one has an internet connection that would benefit from WiFi 7. one more thing to consider is which will be easier to get support for...Lenovo has the superior support system in place, with certified repair partners all over the country. you don't have to deal with tier 1 phone support if you don't want to. pull up the repair partner locator tool and you'll see where you can walk in and get help.

there are a few things you need to think about and figure out for yourself though...like:
are they both US English keyboards or is one bilingual?
which one will be easier to move around?
- which one is heavier
- which one is physically larger
you mentioned build quality and it sounds that leans towards the Alienware over the Legion?
- another thing is bling / boasting factor as Lenovo Legion is not as eponymously associated with cool like the name Alienware is

Both are US Keyboards, and both keyboards have lots of travel so both keyboards are great for typing
Lenovo is slightly heavier
Lenovo is bigger footprint for sure, the Alienware M16 R2 was redesigned last year and the back exhaust are was cut off to make it the same size as a tradition laptop so the its more portable (fits in a regular laptop sleeve)

I'm just really surpised how Alienware was able to fit a full gaming laptop in such a thin laptop without the back hump that other gaming laptops have such as G15/G16, Asus Strix, and of course the Legion