Dell Alienware m16 R1 (2023)

Dell Alienware m16 R1 (2023)

Manufacturer	Dell
Product family	Alienware
Release date	January 2023 (2023-01)
Introductory price	USD 1349.99 to 5000
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Can be configured with Windows 11 Pro)
CPU	Intel Core i7-13650HX Intel Core i7-13700HX Intel Core i9-13900HX AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
Memory	16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB DDR5-4800 MHz or DDR5-5600 MHz XMP
Memory slots	2 user accessible
Storage	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, or 8.5 TB M.2 NVMe
Storage slots	2 user accessible
Removable storage	1 SD card slot
Display	Screen size: 16 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1200, 2560 x 1600 Refresh rate: 165, 240, or 480 Hz Brightness: 300 Nits sRGB: 100 % DCI-P3: 100 % VRR: G-Sync, AMD FreeSync
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 8 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 16 GB GDDR6 AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT 8 GB GDDR6
Sound	2 x 2 W stereo speakers Realtek ALC3254 audio chip
Camera	Front: 1080p at 30 fps FHD camera or 1080p at 30 fps FHD IR camera
Touchpad	Multi-touch gesture touchpad
Connectivity	Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 or AX1690i Bluetooth 5.3 2 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4.0, USB 4 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, 15W Power Delivery) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A with PowerShare 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack
Dimensions	H: 1 inch (2.5 cm) W: 14.5 inches (37 cm) D: 11.41 inches (29.0 cm)
Mass	6.67 pounds (3.03 kg)
Power brick	330W AC adapter
Battery	6-cell, 86 Wh, lithium-ion
Keyboard	1-zone or per-key RGB backlit
Chassis	Color: Dark Metallic Moon Materials:
Number pad	No
Fingerprint reader	No
Facial recognition	Yes (optional)
Special features	AlienFX Lighting Zones, Alienware Command Center
Website	Dell

All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.

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The Dell Alienware m16 R1 (2023) is a high-performance gaming laptop equipped with Intel 13th gen HX series mobile processors and Nvidia Geforce RTX 4000 series mobile GPUs. Available configurations vary by store and location. The m16 R1 is designed for gamers seeking powerful hardware and advanced features in a portable form factor.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The Alienware m16 R1 (2023) can come with the following processors:

• Intel Core i7-13650HX with 14 cores and 24 MB cache, up to 4.90 GHz.
• Intel Core i7-13700HX with 16 cores and 30 MB cache, up to 5 GHz.
• Intel Core i9-13900HX with 24 cores and 36 MB cache, up to 5.40 GHz.
• AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX with 8 cores and 32 MB cache, up to 5.10 GHz.
• AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX with 12 cores and 64 MB cache, up to 5.20 GHz.
• AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX with 16 cores and 64 MB cache, up to 5.40 GHz.

Dell provides these processors with sufficient power and cooling for demanding tasks, ensuring high performance in both gaming and productivity applications. The processors are capable of handling intensive workloads, making the m16 R1 suitable for gamers and professionals alike. The Intel Core i9-13900HX variant, in particular, is noted for its ability to handle demanding games like _Cyberpunk 2077_ and _Alan Wake 2_ with ease, although it runs extremely hot and loud under load.

The Intel Core i7-13700HX variant is also capable of maintaining high performance, with benchmark results above the CPU average in mains operation. However, in battery mode, the performance drops significantly.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX variant offers excellent performance sustainability, with multi-thread performance about 20 to 25 percent slower than the Ryzen 9 7945HX but well ahead of the Ryzen 7 7745HX.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • i9-13900HX: ~24574 pts (multi-core), ~1867 pts (single-core)
  • i7-13700HX: ~22598 pts (multi-core), ~1933 pts (single-core)
  • Ryzen 9 7845HX: ~26876 pts (multi-core), ~1852 pts (single-core)

Graphics

In addition to the integrated graphics, the Alienware m16 R1 ships with the following discrete GPUs:

• Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory.
• Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory.
• Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory.
• Nvidia Geforce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU with 12 GB GDDR6 memory.
• Nvidia Geforce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with 16 GB GDDR6 memory.
• AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU with 8 GB GDDR6 memory.

These GPUs support advanced gaming features such as DLSS, ray tracing, Nvidia G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync, providing smooth and immersive gaming experiences. The RTX 4080 variant, for instance, is capable of running demanding titles like _Cyberpunk 2077_ and _Alan Wake 2_ at high settings with impressive frame rates, although it contributes to the laptop's high thermal output and noise levels.

The RTX 4060 variant, tested by NotebookCheck, shows performance above the average for this GPU, making it suitable for QHD+ gaming at high to maximum settings.

The AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT variant offers competitive performance, with the NotebookCheck review noting its suitability for high settings in modern games.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark Time Spy:
  • RTX 4060: ~10855 pts
  • RX 7600M XT: ~10000 pts

Memory

The Alienware m16 R1 supports up to 64 GB of DDR5 memory, with configurations available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. The memory operates at speeds of 4800 MHz or 5600 MHz XMP, providing fast and efficient performance for multitasking and gaming.

Storage

The m16 R1 can be configured with a variety of storage options, including 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, and up to 8.5 TB M.2 NVMe SSDs. These storage options provide ample space for games, applications, and media files, with fast read and write speeds for quick data access. The review unit tested by XDA Developers featured two 1TB SSDs in RAID 0 configuration, offering extremely fast data transfer speeds.

The NotebookCheck review unit came with a 512 GB Kioxia SSD, which delivered good data rates without thermal throttling.

Benchmarks:

• CrystalDiskMark 8:
  • Kioxia SSD: ~6000 MB/s (read), ~3641 MB/s (write)

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The Alienware m16 R1 features an Alienware mSeries keyboard with options for 1-zone or per-key RGB LED AlienFX lighting. The keyboard includes anti-ghosting technology and N-key rollover, providing a responsive and customizable typing experience for gamers. The keyboard is available with ultra-low-profile Cherry mechanical key switches for those who prefer a mechanical feel. The mechanical keys provide a better and more satisfying typing experience than the base keyboard.

The NotebookCheck review unit had a membrane keyboard with medium travel, a clear pressure point, and firm resistance. Individual key lighting (RGB) is also possible.

Touchpad

The laptop is equipped with a multi-touch gesture touchpad, allowing for smooth navigation and control. While the touchpad is larger than those found on some Alienware X-series laptops, it is still considered basic and may not provide the best tracking experience for precise gestures.

Webcam

The m16 R1 includes a 1080p FHD camera, with an optional IR camera for facial recognition. The camera is suitable for video conferencing and streaming, although its performance in facial recognition for Windows Hello is noted to be less reliable. The webcam provides a sharp picture, which is a welcome inclusion in a sea of lower-res cameras.

Output Devices

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Display

The Alienware m16 R1 offers several display options, including:

• 16-inch, QHD+ 2560 x 1600, 165 Hz, anti-glare, 100% sRGB, 300 nits.
• 16-inch, QHD+ 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz, anti-glare, 100% DCI-P3, 300 nits.
• 16-inch, FHD+ 1920 x 1200, 480 Hz, anti-glare, 100% DCI-P3, 300 nits.

These displays provide vibrant colors and smooth visuals, with support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync to reduce screen tearing. The 240Hz QHD+ panel is particularly praised for its stunning visuals and excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for both gaming and productivity tasks.

The NotebookCheck review unit featured a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 165 Hz panel with G-Sync support. The panel showed good color representation with a DeltaE of around 2.6, which was further reduced to 0.85 after calibration. The panel fully reproduces the sRGB color space but not the AdobeRGB and DCI P3 color spaces.

The AMD configuration with the BOE NE16NZ4 panel offers full P3 colors, fast refresh rates, and a high resolution, making it suitable for both gaming and content creation.

Audio

The m16 R1 is equipped with stereo speakers powered by the Realtek ALC3254 audio chip, delivering clear and balanced sound for gaming and media consumption. However, the speakers may not be sufficient to mask the noise from the laptop's fans under load.

The NotebookCheck review noted that the speakers can play relatively loud (82.1 dB) but have nearly no bass, with an average 24% lower than the median.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The laptop features Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675 or AX1690i, providing fast and reliable wireless connectivity for online gaming and streaming. AMD configurations come with Qualcomm WCN6856-DBS Wi-Fi 6E.

The NotebookCheck review noted that the Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX1690i provided good performance, with iperf3 transmit speeds of ~1302 MBit/s and receive speeds of ~1681 MBit/s.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity is included for wireless peripherals and accessories.

USB

The Alienware m16 R1 includes a variety of USB ports:

• 2 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4.0, USB 4 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, 15W Power Delivery)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A with PowerShare

The NotebookCheck review noted that the USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4, including DisplayPort and Power Delivery, but cannot be used to power the notebook or charge the battery.

Display Outputs

The laptop offers multiple display outputs, including HDMI 2.1 and Mini DisplayPort 1.4, allowing for easy connection to external monitors and displays.

Case

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The Alienware m16 R1 features a Dark Metallic Moon color scheme, with a sleek and modern design. The chassis is built for durability and style, with AlienFX lighting zones that can be customized with up to 16.8 million colors. The design includes sharp edges, smooth curves, and honeycomb-patterned vents, contributing to its "gamer" aesthetic. The m16 features Alienware's updated design style first seen in the x16, with a dark color and mostly unadorned style giving it a stark, minimalist look. The lid features embossed “16” text and the signature backlit alien-head logo, while the keyboard deck is black with some honeycomb-shaped vents.

The chassis is essentially a thicker version of the Alienware x16 R1, based on the same Legend 3.0 industrial design. It features a rubberized perimeter foot, aluminum outer lid, hexagonal ventilation grilles, rear LED ring, and matte black keyboard deck.

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The m16 R1 is powered by a 330 W AC adapter, providing ample power for its high-performance components. The laptop's power consumption is high, with the Intel Core i9-13900HX CPU drawing around 150W under sustained load and the RTX 4080 GPU operating at over 170W under heavy GPU load.

The NotebookCheck review noted that the power consumption during load was around 119W on average, with a maximum of 323W.

Battery Life

The laptop is equipped with a 6-cell, 86 Wh lithium-ion battery, offering up to 5 hours and 56 minutes of battery life, depending on usage. However, real-world usage often results in around three hours of battery life, even with the brightness set to 50%. PCMag recorded a battery life of 5 hours and 20 minutes during their tests.

The NotebookCheck review recorded a battery life of 4 hours and 46 minutes in the WiFi test and 5 hours and 36 minutes in the video test.

Software

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The Alienware m16 R1 comes with Windows 11 Home, with an option to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. It includes the Alienware Command Center for system customization and performance tuning.

Accessories & Warranty

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The laptop comes with a 1-year Basic Warranty, with options to extend up to 5 years. Additional support and accidental damage services are available.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The Alienware m16 R1 is praised for its high-performance capabilities, particularly in gaming, with powerful hardware configurations and advanced features. It is considered a solid choice for gamers seeking a high-performance laptop at a competitive price point. However, its large size, weight, and below-average battery life make it less suitable for everyday use or work.

Problems Summary

• Large and heavy compared to most 16” laptops.
• Gets warm under light/typical use.
• Very small trackpad.
• Advanced Optimus is buggy.
• Subpar speakers and webcam.
• Below average battery life.
• USB-C charging issues.

Relevant Links

• Dell (Intel)
• Dell (AMD)
• XDADevelopers
• PCMag
• Notebookcheck (Intel)
• Notebookcheck (AMD)
• UltrabookReview