With the new X series Alienware, you get to experience luxury in the form of gaming notebooks. The Alienware X16 R1 is powered by Intel Core i9 13900 HK and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080. It is supported with 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1 TB NVMe SSD for memory and storage. Based on the configuration and performance, it is right for the price tag to start at $2,049.
So, let’s get to know more about Alienware X16 R1 and what is its range of configurations that you would get in this premium notebook.
Specification
- Weight: 2.72kg
- Size: 14.36 x 11.41 x .7 inches
- CPU: Intel Core i9 13900 HK
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
- Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5 6000MHz
- Display: 16-inch, QHD+ (2560 x 1600) 240Hz
- Ports/Connectivity: 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
- Additional ports: 1x HDMI 2.1
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C for display/power delivery
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
1x Thunderbolt 4 DisplayPort with G-Sync
MicroSD Card slot
Design and Build Quality
The Alienware X16 R1 has a distinctly Alienware design, with a sleek and angular chassis, a large Alienware logo on the lid, and plenty of RGB lighting on the keyboard, touchpad, power button, and rear vents. The laptop is available in two colors: Lunar Light (white) and Dark Side of the Moon (black). The laptop measures 0.73 by 14.4 by 11.4 inches and weighs 6 pounds, making it relatively slim and light for a 16-inch gaming laptop.
The Alienware X16 R1 is not as compact or portable as some of its competitors, such as the Razer Blade 15 Advanced or the MSI GS66 Stealth, which have smaller footprints and thinner bezels. However, the Alienware X16 R1 has a more durable and sturdy build quality, with an aluminum alloy frame and a magnesium alloy palm rest. The laptop also has an excellent port selection, including three USB Type-A ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a mini DisplayPort 1.4 port, an Ethernet port, a microSD card reader, a headphone jack, and a power port.
Performance and Power
The Alienware X16 R1 is equipped with the latest Intel and NVIDIA hardware, offering impressive performance for almost any task. The laptop can be configured with up to an Intel Core i9-13900HK processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 laptop GPU, 32GB of LPDDR5-6000 memory, and 4TB of SSD storage.
Our review unit had an Intel Core i9-13900HK processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 laptop GPU, 32GB of LPDDR5-6000 memory, and a 1TB SSD.
The Alienware X16 R1 excels at GPU performance, delivering high frame rates and smooth gameplay on demanding titles at high settings. The laptop scored 10,890 points on the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark, surpassing the average score of 9,500 points for premium gaming laptops. The laptop also ran Shadow of the Tomb Raider at an average of 97 frames per second (fps) at QHD+ resolution and highest settings.
However, the Alienware X16 R1 falls short in CPU performance, lagging behind other laptops with similar or lower-end processors. The laptop scored 7,980 points on the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, trailing the average score of 8,500 points for premium gaming laptops. The laptop also took longer than average to complete tasks such as video editing and file compression.
The Alienware X16 R1 also struggles with thermal management, getting hot and noisy under load. The laptop’s fans can reach up to 60 decibels (dB) when gaming, which is louder than most gaming laptops. The laptop’s keyboard and palm rest can also get uncomfortably warm after prolonged use.
Display and Audio
The Alienware X16 R1 has a stunning display that offers high refresh rates and color accuracy. The laptop has a 16-inch QHD+ (2560×1600) IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and G-Sync support. The display has a peak brightness of 400 nits and covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The display also has thin bezels on three sides, giving it an immersive look.
The Alienware X16 R1 also has an option for a retina display with an FHD+ (1920×1280) resolution and a whopping 480Hz refresh rate. This display is ideal for competitive gamers who want the fastest response times possible. However, this display sacrifices some color accuracy and brightness compared to the QHD+ display.
The Alienware X16 R1 has loud and clear speakers that deliver rich and balanced sound. The laptop has two upward-firing speakers on the sides of the keyboard and two downward-firing speakers on the bottom of the chassis. The speakers can fill a medium-sized room with sound without distortion or crackling. The laptop also supports Dolby Atmos software for enhanced audio quality.
Accessories
You can easily fit a webcam on the top of Alienware X16 R1. It has a camera with 1080p that is well enough to conduct meetings and other work purposes. It also has a microphone to continue your chit-chat while gaming, but most importantly, Alienware X16 R1 fails in terms of performance when compared with other laptops in the same price range. It might be a little lagging behind, which we are sure will be looked after in its revised version.
However, do not worry, you can easily play games like Metro Exodus, enhanced with an impressive triple-digit frame rate. Another aspect that you might not like is the sound that it creates. It can be quite surprising that the sound can go pretty loud. On the other hand, you would love the battery performance while playing heavy-duty games.
Pros:
- The notebook is stylish, and its sleek and slim design with lighting effects is quite attractive.
- It has a 16-inch 240 Hz 1440p display and is one of the best gaming laptops.
Cons:
- It is quite expensive, and you can get cheaper alternatives in the same range.
- If you like to work in a quiet environment, then this notebook might not be satisfactory.
Is Alienware X16 R1 a good gaming laptop?
Yes, Alienware X16 R1 is indeed a good gaming laptop, and owing to its impressive design, performance, and screen quality, it is designed for long hours of gaming sessions. The package also comes with a keyboard and a solid thermal performer, which makes it a dedicated high-end machine. It also has cutting-edge technology and has been designed to handle massive performance.
