CES 2024 | Alienware m16 R2 official with Intel Meteor Lake processors and a 240 Hz QHD+ screen

The Alienware m16 R2 is now official alongside the larger Alienware m18 R2 and Alienware x16 R2. Unlike the former, it opts to use Intel's new Meteor Lake processors and is reminiscent of the former in many ways. The key differences between the Alienware m16 R2 and Alienware x16 R2 lie in the GPU choices.

For now, the only Alienware m16 R2 variant one can buy is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. The Core Ultra 9 185H powered model will hit shelves later on. GPU choices include a GeForce RTX 4050 (135 W), RTX 4060 (135 W) and RTX 4070 (140 W). RAM caps out at 64 GB of DDR5 5,600 and storage at 4 TB or 2x 2 TB drives in RAID 0.

The Alienware m16 R2 draws power from a 90 Wh battery and supports Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 on some models and Wi-Fi 6E on others. I/O is the same as its X-branded counterpart and includes a Thunderbolt 4.0 port, a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an RJ 45 Ethernet jack, an SD card reader, an HDMI 2.1 port, a miniDP 1.4 port and 3.5 mm audio jack.

Dell now offers the Alienware m16 R2 with just one display configuration: 16-inch QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600), 240 Hz, 3 ms response time, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync certified, 300 nits peak brightness and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. A lower-specced alternative, like the one found on last year's model (curr. $1,854 on Amazon), would have been ideal as the GeForce RTX 4050 is better suited for 1080p gaming.

Dell briefly mentions an upcoming feature called "stealth mode", which switches off all lights and turns the keyboard white. This is supposedly meant for situations where flashing lights could be distracting. The company says it will be available "soon". The Alienware m16 R2 can be purchased on January 11 for $1,699. Its entry-level variant ($1,499) and higher-end ones will arrive later.