I still remember my first laptop, a giant of a thing wrapped in a bright blue shell that I was so proud of. Back then I was playing Age of Empires on repeat and a sprinkle of The Sims in-between, which back then pushed the hardware to its limits. Seems weird to say that now considering how far we’ve come, but a gaming laptop in my lifetime was loud, hot and heavy. That’s one of the reasons why modern gaming laptops are so superior, forgoing the bulkier, battery-draining builds with something far sleeker and actually portable. Such is the case with the Alienware M16 R2, an impressive kit that appeals in both performance and cost.
There are two available configurations to the M16 R2, though for the purpose of this review we have the fully upgraded kit featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, a GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB DDR5 5600 MT/s memory and 1TB M.2 SSD storage. The package comes complete with a 16” QHD+ (2560×1600) display running at 240Hz with a 16:10 aspect ratio, encased within an aluminium chassis at a total weight just a touch over 2.6kg. The starting price for the M16 R2, with a lower end Intel Core Ultra 7 and RTX 4060, comes to $3,399 and puts it within range of affordability for those looking for a powerful laptop that can run everything. Even at this higher setup, the cost remains under $4000 which doesn’t put it out of range for those in the market.
In terms of preloaded software, the M16 R2 keeps things simple with the usual Windows 11 Home and its custom Alienware Command Center, a no-nonsense program that gives you control over your installed games, system performance and preset keyboard colours among a handful of options. There are four system presets that change the way the laptop reacts to what you prefer, whether it’s performance mode that overclocks the CPU to unlock graphical capability, or quiet mode that reduces things down to a whisper, placing the emphasis on battery efficiency.
A nice piece of kit all told
You can also preset options for every game you have installed, so as soon as you load up say Call of Duty Black Ops 6, performance mode will auto kick in and keyboard backlighting adjusts to your preferred colours. It’s a clean backend setup that allows for plenty of tinkering without overdoing it, though it has to be said that any version of Windows 11 with Copilot is an annoyance that cannot be removed, but at least you get a free month of Xbox Game Pass for your troubles.
One thing Alienware laptops were always known for were their immense physicality, punctuated by large lit up curves at the rear. The M16 R2 goes in the opposite direction, a more modest design that from a distance doesn’t look like a gaming laptop at all. There’s no super garish ‘this is most definitely for gamers’ outside of the traditional, lit up Alien logo adorning the top of the shell. The giant 16 etched into the aluminium case is the only outlier but it’s ultimately not a major eyesore.
Inside, things are clean and concise, a comfortable keyboard (though non-mechanical) and soft-touch inner surface coupled with a clean and accurate touchpad. A matching alien logo represents the power button near the top, another traditional element of the brand, flanked by the grills of the in-built stereo speakers. It’s an impressive overall design that’s enjoyable to use whether gaming or otherwise, and there’s more than enough ports both on each side and along the rear to plug in just about every accessory you need (including, lo and behold, a headphone jack).
These images don’t do the screen any justice, but this is close
Now, to performance. Unsurprisingly, the Alienware M16 R2 runs things extremely well at high performance levels. Running the always efficient Forza Horizon 5 achieved a solid 60 fps running at the suggested extreme quality, barely dropping below that mark with ray tracing on full and environmental texture quality at the highest possible setting. Similarly, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 had zero hiccups running at the highest graphical settings, though whatever issues I came across were more to do with the game itself and not the hardware (having to impatiently wait for the windows client to download the higher texture packs, for example).
The recently released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle equally ran at a silky-smooth 60fps or more, a title that’s known to ask a lot of any hardware setup at higher settings. I noticed no dropped frames or texture issues, and Bethesda kindly included setting notifications for any choices you make that your hardware can’t support due to the memory you have. It’s unfortunate that the 8GB of available VRAM meant missing out on some of its even higher possible results, but I can hardly complain with results like these. All told, it’s exactly what I expected of the system’s specs, but graphical quality isn’t the only thing of note here.
The M16 R2 does output plenty of heat when pushed, settling on an average between 60°C and 70°C when in quiet mode, and closer to 80°C when overclocked in performance mode. The cooling systems are more than adequate to keep the vast the hot air well away from the user, the rear and side vents keeping the underside of the system comfortable to use on any surface. I will say I did invest in a cooling pad given my penchant to using a laptop on the couch, but that’s entirely by choice and not necessary. The hottest point to the touch seems to be near the back left hand corner of the chassis, though importantly that’s nowhere near any ports so you’ll never likely be near it, and playing consistently for a few hours at a time saw no obvious dip in performance nor sudden spike in temperature.
As gaming laptops go, it’s very sleek with plenty of external ports
The equipped QHD+ display plays its part within the overall experience, with colours popping off wonderfully, whether in the darker opening scenes of Black Ops 6 or the brighter, colourful offerings of Forza Horizon. Unfortunately, the High Dynamic Range options are limited to viewing video media only, which means you’ll miss out on the full gamut of possibilities in-game. The included HDMI 2.1 port on the rear can output HDR to a compatible display if you so desire, and I was suitably impressed otherwise at the brightness levels and colour yield.
Elsewhere, the built-in stereo speakers are surprisingly loud and effective, which is a relief since no gaming laptop experience would be complete without loud cooling systems. I was comfortably hearing every headshot ping or whip crack without having to resort to a headset to enjoy it, and even at their loudest the fans are hardly overbearing. Laptop speakers will hardly blow you away, but I was pleasantly surprised by how effective they were here, with supported digital surround sound adding to the experience.
One last thing of note for those curious, let’s talk battery life. The M16 R2’s battery performance is more than adequate for everyday use if you do happen to travel. Even at default levels I was able to get a few hours of use, but you can easily stretch that out by reducing the display brightness, and the included Nvidia G-Sync support with Advanced Optimus auto switches between the Intel onboard and Nvidia graphics card to increase battery life when your dominant app is Word or a web browser. The Alienware Command Center also includes an option called Stealth Mode that turns off any coloured lighting and fan sounds, a neat touch that’s available via a hotkey. Don’t expect long hours if you’re pushing performance mode, but that should be obvious.
Final Thoughts
The Alienware M16 R2 is a quiet achiever, performing wonderfully under pressure but providing plenty of options to turn it into whatever you need. It’s a portable powerhouse that’s pleasant to the eye, incorporating plenty of external ports and one of the better battery performances I’ve seen in a gaming laptop. It’s a far cry from the comically large Alienware’s of old for all the right reasons, at a price point that’s surprisingly fair for either preset configuration. There are some minor shortcomings, but it’s a package well worth investing in if you’re in the market for a major upgrade.
Review unit supplied by manufacturer
Click here for more information on WellPlayed’s review policy and ethics
