Alienware m15 R6 review
The Alienware Alienware m15 R6 ranks as the #606 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 68. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #179-ranked performance among 11 laptops. Consider the Acer Aspire 7 or Acer Predator Helios Neo 14, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Alienware m15 R6 is an impressive laptop, but its high price tag makes it a hard sell. While it runs games well, the Intel-based model's battery life pales in comparison to other laptops. The keyboard and touchpad are decent, but not worth the premium cost of the Cherry key upgrade. A simple RAM upgrade can boost performance in many games, which is frustrating considering the hefty price tag. Other brands like ASUS and Lenovo are also guilty of this, due to supply shortages. With so many issues for the money spent, it's hard to justify purchasing the m15 R6. It's a decent laptop, but not worth the premium cost.
Build
The Alienware m15 R6's build is a mixed bag. On one hand, the laptop runs relatively cool compared to other Dell/Alienware models, and the decent brightness, color gamut, and advanced Optimus with MUX switch make for a good screen experience. The keyboard and touchpad are also decent, although paying an extra $150 for Cherry keys seems steep. However, there are some drawbacks. Battery life is average at best, and there's no mounting hardware or screw included for the second M.2 slot, making upgrading more complicated than necessary. DisplayPort output over Type-C didn't work in my unit, and HDMI plus Optimus off was slower than on. You might prefer Alienware x15 R2, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The display on the Alienware m15 R6 is decent, with good brightness and color gamut. However, it's not quite as advertised, with a response time of around 5ms rather than the claimed 1ms. The MUX switch for advanced Optimus is a nice touch, but may not be necessary for most users. Unfortunately, displayPort output over Type-C didn't work in my unit, which was frustrating. Overall, the display is good, but not exceptional, and could have been improved upon considering the laptop's premium price tag. For a superior display, Alienware x15 R2 could be the right choice.
Performance
The Alienware m15 R6 delivers decent gaming performance, with smooth gameplay in titles that don't require high-end graphics. However, the laptop's performance is hindered by its x16 memory, which can bottleneck frame rates in certain games. The Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card provide a good foundation for gaming, but the laptop's ability to maintain high frame rates is inconsistent. Overall, the m15 R6 offers decent performance, but it falls short of expectations, especially considering its premium price. A better alternative might be Acer Nitro 17, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The battery life of the Alienware m15 R6 is somewhat underwhelming, as expected from Intel-based laptops in recent years. However, the charging time is manageable. A major drawback is the lack of mounting hardware or screws for the second M.2 slot, which is a standard feature in most other laptops I've reviewed. This oversight makes upgrading the storage more complicated than it should be.
Connectivity
The Alienware m15 R6's connectivity features are somewhat disappointing. DisplayPort output over Type-C didn't work in my unit, which is frustrating for gamers who rely on this feature. Additionally, gaming on an external screen with HDMI and Optimus off was slower than expected. The lack of mounting hardware or screws for the second M.2 slot is also a minor inconvenience. Overall, the laptop's connectivity options are not as seamless as one would hope. If you’re after a better connectivity, Asus ASUS Vivobook Go 14 could be the ideal option.
Features
The Alienware m15 R6 boasts decent brightness, color gamut, and advanced Optimus with MUX switch on its screen. The keyboard and touchpad are satisfactory, but the Cherry keys upgrade feels overpriced at $150 USD. This gaming laptop's top-end configuration runs games well, except for being held back by x16 memory. Upgrading this is possible, but frustrating considering the hefty price tag. Acer Predator Helios 18 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The Alienware M15 R6's support and maintenance aspect is underwhelming. The laptop requires software updates through a proprietary app, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, the keyboard and touchpad shortcuts for volume control and screen brightness are not fully functional in Linux. Overall, the experience feels less polished compared to other gaming laptops on the market.
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