M1 MacBook Pro 16” vs. Alienware X15 R1

Apple has released the M1 MacBook Pro 16”, a 16.2-inch machine, in late-2021. It is powered by up to 10-core Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G). The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Apple M1 Max iGPU (32 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores).

On the other hand, we have the 15.6-inch Alienware X15 R1 was introduced by Dell around the same year in mid-2021. It comes with up to an octa-core Intel Core i9-11900H with a boost clock speed up to 4.90 GHz. It has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 with 8GB GDDR6 90W TGP.

The M1 MacBook Pro 16” has a 16.2-inch display which is slightly larger than the 15.6-inch Alienware X15 R1. In addition, The M1 MacBook Pro 16” weighs 4.7 lbs. about 6% lighter than the 5 lbs. Alienware X15 R1. Moreover, measured at 14.01” x 9.77” x 0.66”, the M1 MacBook Pro 16” is slightly more portable than the Alienware X15 R1 at 14.16” x 10.915” x 0.626”.

Moving over to upgradability, Apple claims that the M1 MacBook Pro 16” supports up to 64GB Unified memory. However, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. It also has soldered storage, and there are no M.2 slots for expansion.

For Alienware X15 R1, it supports up to 32GB 3200 MHz DDR4 memory. Like M1 MacBook Pro 16”, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Luckily, it has two M.2 slots that users can easily swap or add an extra SSD to get extra space when needed.

Here are some notable new features we found on the M1 MacBook Pro 16”.

• 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.

For Alienware X15 R1, there are also some outstanding new features that we want to point out as well including:

• 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.

The Alienware X15 R1 also has some downsides that you might want to know, including:

• Non-upgradable memory
• No lock slot
• No Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port