A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is an excellent premium choice with a high-resolution Mini LED display, long battery life, and stellar build quality, which makes it perfect for demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design, as well as general use. The Dell Alienware X17 R2, on the other hand, has a focus on gaming with its high refresh rate screen and dedicated Nvidia graphics card, which also makes it suitable for 3D rendering and engineering tasks. The MacBook Pro is lighter and has a higher portability score, but the Alienware offers more customization with available RAM and storage slots, plus a full array of gaming-focused features. If portability and display quality are top priorities, and budget is less of a concern, the MacBook Pro is excellent; however, for a focus on gaming or if you're after more affordability, the Alienware X17 R2 might better suit your needs. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
- Excellent for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Excellent for software development
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Alienware X17 R2
- The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
9.4
7.9
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
344.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
2.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in general use due to its powerful CPU, substantial RAM, high-quality Mini LED screen, longer battery life, and lighter weight for better portability, despite a higher price. The Dell Alienware X17 R2 also offers high performance suitable for general use with a capable CPU and good RAM, but is less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight, and has a shorter battery life, though it might be more affordable.
Engineering and Design
9.3
8.6
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for engineering and design, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has a Mini LED display with a higher resolution, providing superb screen quality for design work, and its Apple M2 Max chip offers potent CPU and GPU performance for engineering applications, but with greater portability and longer battery life. Conversely, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 boasts a powerful Intel CPU and Nvidia GPU tandem ideal for demanding engineering tasks, and though it offers a lower-resolution IPS screen, it compensates with superior gaming capabilities.
Content Creation
9.3
8.0
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is very good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
9.3
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.2/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for software development, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
9.4
8.3
16.2in
SIZE
17.3in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
344.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Dell Alienware X17 R2 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in screen quality for general use and engineering with its high resolution, bright display, and wide color gamuts, providing sharp images and accurate color representation crucial for design work. However, its lower refresh rate makes it less suitable for 3D applications, where a high refresh rate is vital for smooth rendering of fast-moving images. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware X17 R2, while having a very good display for general use and adequate color coverage for engineering tasks, falls short in gaming and 3D contexts due to a refresh rate that isn't as high as dedicated gaming laptops which prioritize smooth motion.
Battery
17.5 Hours
2.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Alienware X17 R2 has 2 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Fair
16.2in
SIZE
17.3in
4.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Alienware X17 R2 has very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$3,299
$1,880
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has a price of $3,299 and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 costs $1,880.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Gaming and AI
8.1
8.5
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware X17 R2 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) are both very good for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in 3D tasks due to its high-performance Apple M2 Max GPU, a brilliant Mini LED screen with exceptional color coverage that is beneficial for design accuracy, and a fluid refresh rate though it runs on macOS, which limits gaming options. Meanwhile, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 is designed for gaming, offering the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti GPU for intense graphics processing, a screen with a much higher refresh rate for smoother gameplay, and it comes with Windows 11 Home, which supports a vast library of games.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the Dell Alienware X17 R2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) | Dell Alienware X17 R2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$3,299 | $1,880 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | December 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | 15.7'' x 11.8'' x 0.82'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.7 lbs | 6.82 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 Max (12C) | Intel i7-12700H | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | M2 Max (30C) | RTX 3070 Ti (150 W) | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | Yes | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 17.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.6 Wh | 87 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16.2" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 360Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 487 nits | 344 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Keyboard Lighting Color | |||
Keyboard Lighting Color | White | RGB | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 4 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
Dell Alienware X17 R2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The Alienware x17 R2 recognizes targets a significantly higher TGP of 175 W for a roughly 30 percent performance boost over laptops running on the ~100 W GeForce RTX 3080 Ti like the Razer Blade 15 or Gigabyte Aero YE5. Similar results can be found through the CPU as well. This single aspect of the Alienware is perhaps the biggest differentiating factor between it and other ultrathin gaming laptops. Of course, the "performance at all cost" approach comes with drawbacks. Power consumption in particular is through the roof and battery life suffers because of it even when on the lowest performance settings."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) or the Dell Alienware X17 R2
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
VS
Compare Dell Alienware X17 R2 vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware X17 R2 vs. Gigabyte Aorus 17H
VS
Compare Dell Alienware X17 R2 vs. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
56,295
Recommendations made
12,198
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Nick Landia, Ph.D
Chief Data Scientist
Nick is a machine learning expert with a Ph.D in recommendation systems from the University of Warwick.
Aaron Koller, Ph.D
Head of Product
Aaron is a product leader and recommendation enthusiast with a Ph.D in philosophy from Syracuse University.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
