Alienware M18 R1 vs. Alienware M15 R5: Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between Alienware M18 R1 and Alienware M15 R5 specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

Alienware M18 R1 Pros

Reasons that Alienware M18 R1 is better than Alienware M15 R5.

Newer manufacturing

2023 vs. 2021

Much faster CPU performance

Intel Core i9-13900HX inside Alienware M18 R1 has a 160% better multi-core CPU performance score than the AMD Ryzen 9-5900HX inside Alienware M15 R5.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
Alienware M18 R1 - Intel Core i9-13900HX
20,000
Alienware M18 R1 - Intel Core i7-13700HX
15,438
Alienware M15 R5 - AMD Ryzen 9-5900HX
7,663
Alienware M15 R5 - AMD Ryzen 7-5800H
7,098
Supports larger memory

Alienware M18 R1 supports a larger memory capacity than the Alienware M15 R5. It supports up to 64GB versus 32GB of system memory on the Alienware M15 R5.

Max system memory size
Alienware M18 R1
64 GB
Alienware M15 R5
32 GB
Supports faster memory

Alienware M18 R1 supports a faster memory speed than the Alienware M15 R5. It supports up to 4800MHz versus 3200MHz of system memory on the Alienware M15 R5.

Memory type and speed
Alienware M18 R1 - DDR5
4,800 MHz
Alienware M15 R5 - DDR4
3,200 MHz
15% larger display

Alienware M18 R1 has a 18-inch screen size 15% larger than the 15.6-inch Alienware M15 R5.

Display size
Alienware M18 R1
18-inch
Alienware M15 R5
15.6-inch

Alienware M15 R5 Pros

Reasons that Alienware M15 R5 is better than Alienware M18 R1.

About 24% lighter

Alienware M15 R5 weighed 5.34 pounds, 24% lighter than the 7 pounds Alienware M18 R1.

WeightAlienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Pound
7 lbs.
5.34 lbs.
Kilogram
3.18 kg
2.42 kg

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between Alienware M18 R1 and Alienware M15 R5.

Upgradable memory

Both laptops come with available RAM slots that allow you to replace or upgrade when needed.

MemoryAlienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Slots
x2
x2
TypeDDR5DDR4

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

Alienware M18 R1 Price
Alienware m18 AMD Gaming Laptop - 18-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 480Hz 3ms Display, AMD Ryzen 9-7845HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GDDR6, 1-Year Premium Support - Dark Metallic Moon
Alienware m18 AMD Gaming Laptop - 18-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 480Hz 3ms Display, AMD Ryzen 9-7845HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GDDR6, 1-Year Premium Support - Dark Metallic Moon
By Alienware
$2,851.98
Alienware M18 Gaming Laptop QHD+ Display, Intel Core i7-13700HX, 16 GB DDR5 RAM, 1 TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8 GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home, 1 Year Premium Support, Dark Metallic Moon.
Alienware M18 Gaming Laptop QHD+ Display, Intel Core i7-13700HX, 16 GB DDR5 RAM, 1 TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8 GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home, 1 Year Premium Support, Dark Metallic Moon.
By Alienware
$2,329.95
Dell Alienware m18 Gaming Laptop (2023) | 18" FHD+ | Core i9-2TB SSD - 32GB RAM - RTX 4080 | 24 Cores @ 5.4 GHz - 13th Gen CPU - 16GB GDDR6X Win 11 Home (Renewed)
Dell Alienware m18 Gaming Laptop (2023) | 18" FHD+ | Core i9-2TB SSD - 32GB RAM - RTX 4080 | 24 Cores @ 5.4 GHz - 13th Gen CPU - 16GB GDDR6X Win 11 Home (Renewed)
By Dell
$2,928.42
Alienware M15 R5 AMD Ryzen Price
Alienware M15 R5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6 inch FHD 360Hz 1ms G-SYNC Display, AMD Ryzen R9 5900HX, GeForce RTX 3070, 64GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD, Killer WiFi, RGB Keyboard, Windows 11, Dark Side of The Moon
Alienware M15 R5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6 inch FHD 360Hz 1ms G-SYNC Display, AMD Ryzen R9 5900HX, GeForce RTX 3070, 64GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD, Killer WiFi, RGB Keyboard, Windows 11, Dark Side of The Moon
By Dell
$2,659.00
Dell Alienware m15 R5 Ryzen Edition Gaming Laptop (2021) | 15.6" FHD | Core Ryzen 9-1TB SSD - 32GB RAM - RTX 3070 | 12 Cores @ 4.7 GHz - 8GB GDDR6
Dell Alienware m15 R5 Ryzen Edition Gaming Laptop (2021) | 15.6" FHD | Core Ryzen 9-1TB SSD - 32GB RAM - RTX 3070 | 12 Cores @ 4.7 GHz - 8GB GDDR6
By Dell
$2,584.00
Dell Alienware m15 R5 Ryzen Edition Gaming Laptop (2021) | 15.6" 360Hz FHD | Core Ryzen 7-512GB SSD Hard Drive - 16GB RAM - RTX 3070 | 8 Cores @ 4.4 GHz - 8GB GDDR6 Win 11 Home (Renewed)
Dell Alienware m15 R5 Ryzen Edition Gaming Laptop (2021) | 15.6" 360Hz FHD | Core Ryzen 7-512GB SSD Hard Drive - 16GB RAM - RTX 3070 | 8 Cores @ 4.4 GHz - 8GB GDDR6 Win 11 Home (Renewed)
By Dell
$1,755.99

Availability

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Released20232021
Release Date
  • Announced on January 3, 2023 (CES 2023)
  • Available starting in Q1 2023.
  • AMD models will be available starting in Q2 2023.
Announced on April 20, 2021
PricingStarting at $2,099 or $2,849 (CA)-
Applicable Models
  • Alienware m18 Gaming Laptop
  • Original Alienware m18 Gaming Laptop
  • First Gen Alienware m18 Gaming Laptop
  • Alienware m18 R1 Gaming Laptop
  • Alienware m8 (2023) Gaming Laptop
  • Alienware m18 with 13th Gen Intel-HX55 processors
  • Alienware m18 with RTX 4000-Series
-
Generations-

Exterior

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Dimensions16.15 x 12.59 x 0.95 - 1.05 - 0.988 inch (410.3 x 319.9 x 24.1 - 26.7 - 25.1 mm)14.02” x 10.73” x 0.47 - 0.76” (356.20 x 272.50 x 12 - 19.25 mm)
WeightN/A5.34 - 5.93 lbs (2.42 - 2.69 kg)
Colors
Dark Metallic Moon aluminum
Dark Side of the Moon with High Endurance Clear Coat and Silky Smooth Finish
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Alienware mSeries Per-Keyy AlienFX RGB keyboard.
  • Alienware's CherryMX ultra-low-profile mechanical laptop keyboard with per-key AlienFX lighting.
    • 1.8mm key travel
    • Includes N-key rollover technology
  • Touchpad
    • Multi-touch gesture touchpad with integrated scrolling.
  • Keyboard
    • Alienware mSeries 4-Zone AlienFX RGB keyboard.
    • RGB per-key backlit Cherry mechanical keyboard.
    • AlienFX lighting
    • Includes anti-ghosting and N-key rollover technology
    • 1.8mm key travel
    • 0.2mm-dish concave key design
  • Touchpad
    • 4.13 x 2.36 in (105 mm x 80 mm) precision touchpad with multi-touch gesture support.
Chasis Information
  • Featuring the new Alienware's Legend 3.0 industrial design language
  • Updated Perimeter foot enables increased bottom side airflow aiding system and gaming performance
  • Reformed V-rail edges aid in daily use providing an ergonomic approach to using the laptop
  • All configurations are certified for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies
  • Engineered with Alienware Cryo
  • Tech ™Cooling technology
  • Constructed with copper alloy thermal components
  • Vapor chamber cooling technology over both the CPU and GPU
-

Display

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Size18 Inches15.6 Inches
Info
  • 18” FHD+ 480Hz 3ms
    1920 x 1200, 16:10, 480Hz, 300-nits, 100% DCI-P3 gamut,1000:1 contrast ratio, ComfortView Plus, 3ms response time, NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync + Dynamic Display Switching.
  • 18” QHD+ 165Hz 3ms
    2560 x 1600, 16:10, 165Hz, 300-nits, 100% DCI-P3 gamut, 1000:1 contrast ratio, ComfortView Plus, 3ms response time, NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync + Dynamic Display Switching.
  • 15.6” FHD with 165Hz
    1920 x 1080 141 PPI 9ms response time 300 nits 16:9 100% sRGB color gamut 1000:1 Anti-glare WVA 6W
  • 15.6” FHD with 360Hz
    1920 x 1080 141 PPI 5ms response time 300 nits 16:9 100% sRGB color gamut 1000:1 Anti-glare WVA 8W
  • 15.6” QHD with 240Hz
    2560 x 1440 188 PPI 9ms response time 400 nits 16:9 99% DCI-P3 color gamut 1000:1 Anti-glare WVA 10W

Ports

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Alienware M18 R1 Ports
Image Source: Dell
Left (4)
Alienware M18 R1 Ports - Left
Image Source: Dell
  • 1 x RJ-45
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), PowerShare
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
Right (1)
Alienware M18 R1 Ports - Right
Image Source: Dell
  • 1 x USB-C
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
Back (7)
Alienware M18 R1 Ports - Back
Image Source: Dell
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4
    40 Gpbs, USB 4.0 (40 Gbps), 15W (5V/3A) Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x HDMI
    v2.1
  • 1 x Mini DisplayPort
    v1.4
  • 1 x full-size SD card slot
  • 1 x power port
Alienware M15 R5 Ports
Image Source: Dell
  • 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort
  • 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Port
  • 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare
  • 1 x RJ-45
  • 1 x HDMI 2.1
    Supports up to 4K@120Hz display out.
  • 1 x Headset port
  • 1 x Power/DC-in Port

Internal Specs

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Processor
  1. 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13650HX
    14 cores, 20 threads, 1.90 → 4.90 GHz, 24MB SmartCache, 55W
  2. 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13700HX
    16 cores, 24 threads, 1.50 → 5.00 GHz, 30MB SmartCache, 55W
  3. 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX
    24 cores, 32 threads, 1.80 → 5.40 GHz, 36MB SmartCache, 55W
  1. AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H
    8 cores, 16 threads, 3.20 → 4.40 GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 16MB L3 Cache, 45W
  2. AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    8 cores, 16 threads, 3.30 → 4.60 GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 16MB L3 Cache, 45W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13650HX
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    16 Execution Units, → 1550 MHz
  2. 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13700HX
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    32 Execution Units,
  3. 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    32 Execution Units, 300 → 1650 MHz
  1. AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H
    AMD Radeon™ Graphics
    8 Graphics Cores, 2000 MHz
  2. AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    AMD Radeon™ Graphics
    8 Graphics Cores, 2100 MHz
Memory
8 GB 16 GB 32 GB 64GB
4800 MHz Dual-channel DDR5 SDRAM.
2 x SO-DIMM slots.
8 GB 16 GB 32 GB
3200MHz Dual-channel DDR4 SDRAM.
2 x SO-DIMM slots.
Discrete Graphics
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 - 6GB GDDR6
    TGP: 115W, Dynamic Boost: 25W, Max Power: 140W, 2370 MHz
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 - 8GB GDDR6
    TGP: 115W, Dynamic Boost: 25W, Max Power: 140W, 2070 - 2175 MHz
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4080 - 12GB GDDR6
    TGP: 150W, Dynamic Boost: 25W, Max Power: 175W, 1860 - 2280 MHz
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090 - 16GB GDDR6
    TGP: 150W, Dynamic Boost: 25W, Max Power: 175W, 1590 - 2040 MHz
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Ti
    4GB GDDR6 VRAM.
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060
    6GB GDDR6 VRAM.
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070
    8GB GDDR6 VRAM.
Storage4 x M.2 2230/2280 slots (Up to 2TB each)2 x M.2 2230/2280 slots (Up to 2TB each)
Fans Number4-
Cooling Info7 heat pipes and 5 vents.-

Connectivity

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Wi-Fi
  • Intel Killer 1675i Wi-Fi 6E
  • Intel Killer 1690i Wi-Fi 6E
Rivet Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650x
Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz Up to 2400 Mbps WiFi 6 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
BluetoothBluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 5.2
Ethernet2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ControllerGigabit Ethernet Controller
Transfer rate: 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps

Battery

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Size97 WHr, 6-cell smart lithium-ion battery
  • 56 WHr, 3-cell smart lithium-ion battery
  • 86 WHr, 6-cell smart lithium-ion battery
Power Supply
330W
power adapter.
180W 240W
power adapter.

Software

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
OSWindows 11
Home Pro
Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro
Upgradable to Windows 11
Built-in Apps
  • Alienware Command Center
    • Brand new architecture with redesigned UI/UX
    • The intuitive dashboard navigates all features, including thermals, system performance, overclocking, and themes
    • Game Library to manage titles from multiple services
    • AlienFX supports full RGB values up to 16.8 million colors, keybinds, and calibration settings on peripherals
    • Power Management pre-sets or manual controls
    • Overclocking controls system performance and overclocking profiles
  • Alienware Command Center
    Supports AlienFX lighting, Game
    Library with auto-tune game profile functionality.
  • Alienware Adrenalin
  • Alienware Mobile Connect
  • Microsoft Office 365 (30-day trial)

Camera & Audio

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
Camera
  • Front-facing camera.
    Alienware FHD (1920 x 1080 resolution) camera.
  • Windows Hello IR support.
Front-facing camera
Alienware HD (1280x720 resolution) camera.
Audio
  • Speakers:
    • stereo speakers
  • Microphone:
    • Dual-array microphones
  • Controller: Realtek ALC3254
    • 7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection
    • Alienware Sound Center via Alienware Command Center
  • Speakers:
    • 2 x 2W speakers
  • Microphone:
    • Dual-array microphones

Misc

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
SensorsWindows Hello IR Camera-
Warranty1 Year Premium Support-

Key Features

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5
At Glance
Released in Early
2023
16:10 QHD+
18”
1600p 165Hz
Weight
7 lb
3.18 kg
Up to
Intel Core i9-13900HX
24C/32T, 1.80 → 5.40 GHz
Geekbench 5
2,000
Single Core
Geekbench 5
20,000
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics
32 Execution Units, 300 → 1650 MHz
Upgradable up to
64GB
4800 MHz DDR5
Alienware M18 R1 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
RTX 4090
16GB GDDR6 175W Max
Released in Early
2021
16:9 QHD
15.6”
1440p 240Hz
Weight
5.34 lb
2.42 kg
Up to
AMD Ryzen 9-5900HX
8C/16T, 3.30 → 4.60 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,416
Single Core
Geekbench 5
7,663
Multi-Core
With integrated
AMD Radeon™ Graphics
8 Graphics Cores, 2100 MHz
Upgradable up to
32GB
3200 MHz DDR4
Alienware M15 R5 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
RTX 3070
8GB GDDR6

Comparison Summary

Alienware M18 R1 vs. Alienware M15 R5

Dell has released the Alienware M18 R1, a 18-inch machine, in early-2023. It is powered by up to 24-core Intel Core i9-13900HX with a boost clock speed up to 5.40 GHz. The laptop has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB GDDR6 175W Max.

On the other hand, we have the 15.6-inch Alienware M15 R5 was introduced by Dell about two years earlier in early-2021. It comes with up to an octa-core AMD Ryzen 9-5900HX with a boost clock speed up to 4.60 GHz. It has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 with 8GB GDDR6.

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Alienware M18 R12
13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13700HX1,86593.25%
3
13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX2,000100.00%
Alienware M15 R51
AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H1,33466.70%
2
AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX1,41670.80%
02,000

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Alienware M18 R12
13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13700HX15,43877.19%
3
13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX20,000100.00%
Alienware M15 R51
AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H7,09835.49%
2
AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX7,66338.32%
020,000

The Alienware M18 R1 has a 18-inch display which is considerably larger than the 15.6-inch Alienware M15 R5. In addition, the Alienware M18 R1 weighs 7 lbs. about 31% heavier than the 5.34 lbs. Alienware M15 R5. Moreover, measured at 16.15” x 12.59” x 1.05”, the Alienware M18 R1 is much bulkier than the Alienware M15 R5 at 14.02” x 10.73” x 0.76”.

Alienware M18 R1Alienware M15 R5

Moving over to upgradability, Dell claims that the Alienware M18 R1 supports up to 64GB 4800 MHz DDR5 memory that you can upgrade with two memory module slots on the motherboard. It also comes with four M.2 slots that users can easily upgrade and install additional SSDs to expand the storage on the device.

For Alienware M15 R5, it supports up to 32GB 3200 MHz DDR4 memory that you can upgrade with two memory module slots on the motherboard. It also has two M.2 slots that users can easily swap or add an extra SSD to get extra space when needed.

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