The MacBook Pro 16” (2021) features the Apple M-Series ARM 64-bit 10-core Apple M1 Pro (10C, 16G) up to 10-core Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G) with a clock speed of 0.00 GHz. While the 2021 Alienware X15 R1 features the 45W 11th Generation Intel Tiger Lake 8-core Intel Core i7-11800H up to 8-core Intel Core i9-11900H with the boost speed up to 4.90 GHz.
If you want to know more what's the difference between the 16.2″ MacBook Pro 16” (2021) and the 15.6″ Alienware X15 R1 (2021), we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.
MacBook Pro 16” (2021) vs. Alienware X15 R1: Specs Comparison
All-New MacBook Pro Design - the new design focus on functionality and performance. It has a larger chassis that provides more room for an advanced thermal system that can move 50 percent more air than the previous generation.
New M1 Pro and M1 Max Chip - The new 16” MacBook Pro features the new M1 Pro, and M1 Max applies a system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture. Both processors feature fast unified memory and increased memory bandwidth up to 400GB/s, 8-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and with best-in-class performance per watt and industry-leading power efficiency.
New Liquid Retina XDR with ProMotion Display - featuring mini-LED technology used in iPad Pro, the Liquid Retina XDR display delivers up to 1,000 nits of sustained, full-screen brightness, an incredible 1,600 nits of peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
Better Battery Life - It delivers up to 21 hours of video playback, which is seven additional hours compared to the previous-generation MacBook Pro.
Alienware Element 31 thermal interface material - made of a Gallium-Silicone matrix that delivers a 25% improvement in thermal resistance over the previous generation.
Alienware’s Quad Fan Design - produces dedicated airflow using evacuative fans and dual opposite outlet fans. Moving this much air and managing heat enables this level of performance with this thin design.
11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors - features the latest 11th Generation of Intel H-Series processors up to 8-Core Intel Core i9-11900H up to 4.90 GHz.
GeForce RTX™ 30-series graphics - it now comes with the second generation of RTX™ technology that available in NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060, 3070, and up to RTX 3080 with 8GB of GDDR6.
Nvidia G-Sync & Advanced Optimus Technology - Available on QHD 240Hz and FHD 360Hz display. While the ComfortView Plus, hardware-based low blue light technology available on all x15 configurations.
1920 x 1080141 PPIComfortView Plus3ms response time300 nits16:9100% sRGB color gamut1000:1Anti-glareWVA6W
15.6” FHD with 360Hz
1920 x 1080141 PPIComfortView PlusNVIDIA G-SyncAdvanced Optimus1ms response time300 nits16:9100% sRGB color gamut1000:1Anti-glareWVA7.6W
15.6” QHD with 240Hz
2560 x 1440188 PPIComfortView PlusNVIDIA G-SyncAdvanced Optimus2ms response time400 nits16:999% DCI-P3 color gamut1000:1Anti-glareWVA10.15 W
Exterior
MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Alienware X15 R1
Size Comparison
Dimensions
Height: 0.66 inch (1.68 cm)
Width: 14.01 inches (35.57 cm)
Depth: 9.77 inches (24.81 cm)
14.16” x 10.915” x 0.642” (359.7 x 277.25 x 16.3 mm)
With FHD 165Hz diplay.
14.16” x 10.915” x 0.626” (359.7 x 277.25 x 15.9 mm)
With FHD 360Hz or QHD 240Hz diplay.
Weight
4.7 pounds (2.1 kg)
M1 Pro models.
4.8 pounds (2.2 kg)
M1 Max models.
5 - 5.2 lbs (2.27 - 2.36 kg)
Colors
Space GraySilver
Lunar light
Keyboard and Trackpad
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
Touch ID
Ambient light sensor
Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
Keyboard
Alienware X-Series thin keyboard
Per-key RGB LED with AlienFX lighting
Anti-ghosting and N-key rollover technology.
1.5mm key travel.
Touchpad
Multi-touch gesture Premium Precision glass touchpad with integrated scrolling.
4.13 x 2.36 in (105 mm x 80 mm) precision touchpad with multi-touch gesture support.
Supports AlienFX touchpad.
Ports
Left
2 x Thunderbolt™️ 4
Supports USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), DisplayPort, and charging.
1 x MagSafe 3
1 x Headphone jack
Right
1 x Thunderbolt™️ 4
Supports USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), DisplayPort, and charging.
1 x SDXC card slot
1 x HDMI port
Left
1 x Headset port
Right
1 x Power/DC-in Port
Back
1 x Thunderbolt 4
Supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, and PD output 15W (5V/3A).
1 x USB-C
Supports USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, and PD output 15W (5V/3A).
* All configurations include 8-phase HyperEfficient graphics voltage regulation.
Memory
16GB32GB64GB
Unified Memory
Memory Slots
Onbaord memory
Memory Configurations
Speed: 3200MHz
Memory Type: Dual-channel DDR4
Minimum Memory: 16 GB
Maximum Memory: 32 GB
Storage
512GB1TB2TB4TB8TB
SSD
1 x M.2 2230 slots (Up to 256GB)
2 x M.2 2280 slots (Up to 2TB each)
Supports RAID-0
Connectivity
MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Alienware X15 R1
Wi-Fi
802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
Rivet Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675x
Dual Band 2.4 GHz/5 GHzUp to 2400 MbpsWiFi 6 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Bluetooth 5.2
Battery
MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Alienware X15 R1
Size
100 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
87 WHr, 6-cell smart lithium-ion battery
Battery Life
Up to 14 hours wireless web
Up to 21 hours of Apple TV app movie playback
Power Supply
140W USB‑C Power Adapter
Charging up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes with included USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable.
240W
power adapter.
Software
MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Alienware X15 R1
OS
Shipped with macOS Monterey
Windows 10 HomeWindows 10 Pro
Upgradable to Windows 11
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Alienware Command Center
AlienFX lightingGame LibraryAuto-tune game profile functionalityFusionAlienware AdrenalinAlienware Mobile Connect
Microsoft Office 365 (30-day trial)
Camera & Audio
MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Alienware X15 R1
Camera
1080p FaceTime HD camera
Advanced image signal processor with computational video.
Front-facing camera.
Alienware HD (1280x720 resolution) camera.
Optional Windows Hello IR support.
Audio
High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers
Wide stereo sound
Support for spatial audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos on built-in speakers
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when using AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming
3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
Controller: Realtek ALC3281
7.1 Digital Audio out using HDMI out connection
Alienware Sound Center via Alienware Command Center
Speakers:
2 x 4W speakers
Microphone:
Dual-array microphones
Misc
MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Alienware X15 R1
Sensors
Touch ID sensor
Windows Hello IR Camera
Security
Touch ID sensor
Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
16‑inch MacBook Pro
140W USB‑C Power Adapter
USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)
Warranty
Your MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ for Mac to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.
1 Year Hardware Service with Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis
More
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:
Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Pro) or
Up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Max)
Thunderbolt 4 digital video output
Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
HDMI digital video output
Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
The Alienware x15 is the world’s most powerful sub-16mm gaming laptop. It is also among the first generation of X-series laptops and while they command an innovation-first prerogative, they are PC gaming masterpieces. Their evolved Legend industrial design makes them beautiful on the outside and the exclusive Alienware Cryo-tech™️ cooling technology is what makes the performance at this thinness a possibility. Any gamer looking for a high-performance gaming laptop that prioritizes design, mobility and wants reassurance of its thermal management needs to look no further. Behold the Alienware x15.
Alienware X15: Intro Video
Alienware X15: First Look
Popular Comparisons for MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for MacBook Pro 16” (2021):
