Alienware m16 R2vsAcer Predator Helios 18

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Alienware
Alienware m16 R2
m16 R2

Quick Stats

The Alienware M16 R2 delivers top-notch performance with high frame rates and smooth gaming sessions always guaranteed.
The Alienware M16 R2's build is a mixed bag, prioritizing performance over aesthetics and user experience.
The Alienware M16 R2's display struggles to maintain color accuracy and contrast in bright environments.
The Alienware M16 R2 features a powerful RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU with Core i7 processor and up to 64GB RAM.
Acer
Acer Predator Helios 18
Predator Helios 18

Quick Stats

The Acer Predator Helios 18 delivers impressive performance with strong CPU and GPU capabilities overall.
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts impressive build quality and material selection, justifying its premium status effectively overall.
The Acer Predator Helios 18's mini LED display offers exceptional quality for gaming and content creation uses.
The Acer Predator Helios 18 boasts impressive specs, including a powerful Intel i9 processor.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Alienware m16 R2
#236
Acer Predator Helios 18
Winner
#234
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Alienware m16 R2
#447
Acer Predator Helios 18
#440
Winner
Display
Alienware m16 R2
#178
Acer Predator Helios 18
#171
Winner
Performance
Alienware m16 R2
#10
Acer Predator Helios 18
#6
Winner
Build
Alienware m16 R2
#427
Acer Predator Helios 18
#411
Winner
Features
Alienware m16 R2
#683
Acer Predator Helios 18
#678
Winner

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Alienware Alienware m16 R2
Acer Acer Predator Helios 18
up to 128GB
up to 64GB
up to 16000GB SSD
up to 16000GB SSD
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Intel Core i9-14900HX
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (Laptop, 140W)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop, 175W)
2x 2280 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 See photo
2x 2280 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 See photo

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Alienware m16 R2

Strengths

Delivers a really comfortable gaming experience
Keyboard is very comfortable
Soft material on the palmrest feels nice
Fan noise is not obnoxious and the heat you feel is manageable
Best possible performance out of these components
Reasonably priced with MSRP ranging from $1,500 to $22,000
Supports USB-C charging for easy power-up

Weaknesses

Gaming performance is around mid-range for a laptop this size
Gotchas with this laptop that prevent it from living up to its full potential
Ports location sucks and can get in the way of your mouse
Ethernet port requires a right-angled cable which should not be necessary
Speakers don't get as loud as they should and lack bass
Webcam is not good even in ideal lighting conditions
Command Center Software is hard to use and has stability issues

Acer Predator Helios 18

Strengths

The 18in QHD 250Hz mini LED display is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for media consumption and games.
Performance is right where it should be, with unfr CPU performance in turbo mode and competitive results in our benchmarks.
The RTX 480 GPU performs admirably, being one of the fastest of NVIDIA's second best mobile cards we have ever tested.
System performance is also very snappy, both subjectively and backed up by our PC Mark 10 tests.
The design approach ASA is taking with their 2023 Helios lineup is tasteful and well-executed, with a fine line between gamer and subtle performer.

Weaknesses

The notebook performs rather poorly in our SSD benchmarks, with the Samsung Drive offering some very fast initial read rates that get fuddled quite severely rather quickly.
Fan noise can be an issue, especially in turbo mode, which makes the Helios one of the loudest notebooks we have ever tested.
Battery life is not great, with around 4 and 1/2 hours in our Wi-Fi test with the screen and SDR set to 150 nits.
The webcam is just okay, if nothing special.
Throttled SSD performance under prolonged and probably also not very realistic load can be a limitation.
Read Full Reviews

Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware M16 R2 is a formidable gaming laptop that promises to deliver exceptional performance and comfort. With its robust design, comfortable keyboard, and impressive cooling system, it's well-equipped to handle demanding games and tasks. However, some minor drawbacks, such as mediocre trackpad and awkward port placement, prevent it from reaching its full potential. Priced reasonably between $1,500 and over $22,000, this laptop offers a compelling balance of quality and affordability, making it a strong contender for gamers on a budget.

Acer Predator Helios 18

The Acer Predator Helios 18 is a behemoth of a laptop, boasting a massive 18-inch QHD 250Hz mini LED display. We've been eager to get our hands on one, and after nearly nine months, we finally have the review sample in-house. Powered by Intel's i9-3900HX processor, an RTX 480 GPU, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this laptop promises serious gaming chops. Let's dive into the details and see if it lives up to its impressive specs sheet.

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