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ASUS ROG Strix G16 vs Alienware m18 R2

The ROG Strix G16 is the better pick for most gamers: a 16-core Ryzen 9 9955HX, RTX 5060, 165Hz display and 5.5 lb body make it a true portable gaming machine. The Alienware m18 R2 is a desktop replacement: an 18-inch 2560x1600 screen, Core i9, 32GB RAM and 2TB storage, but it weighs 8.6 lb and is far less portable. Owners rate both well (4.4 vs 4.5), though the Alienware has far fewer ratings. Step up to the m18 only if screen size and storage matter more than portability.

  • Choose the ROG Strix G16 if you want a genuinely portable 16-inch gaming laptop with a fast 165Hz panel and strong multi-core CPU performance.
  • Choose the Alienware m18 R2 if you want a big 18-inch high-resolution screen, 32GB RAM and 2TB storage and mostly keep the laptop on a desk.

Prices

  • ASUS ROG Strix G16: $1,589.97 at Walmart (last seen Nov 12)
  • Alienware m18 R2: $1,005.54 at Antonline (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the Alienware m18 R2 is $584.43 cheaper than the ASUS ROG Strix G16 at the latest prices (Nov 12 and Nov 13)
ASUS
ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop

ASUS ROG Strix G16

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop

4.4(472 ratings)
$1,589.97at WalmartChecked Nov 12
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • 165Hz anti-glare display with 3ms response and full sRGB coverage
  • 16-core Ryzen 9 9955HX handles gaming and heavy multitasking
  • RTX 5060 with 8GB GDDR7 and ROG Intelligent Cooling
  • 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD and DDR5-5600 memory
  • 5.5 lb is light for a 16-inch gaming laptop
Cons
  • 16GB RAM installed, 32GB max
  • About 4 hours of battery life
  • 1920x1200 resolution is lower than the Alienware's
Alienware
Alienware m18 R2

Alienware m18 R2

4.5(75 ratings)
$1,005.54at AntonlineChecked 17 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Antonline

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • 18-inch 2560x1600 display gives more screen and sharper detail
  • Core i9 with 24 cores
  • 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD out of the box
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 by owners
Cons
  • 8.6 lb makes it hard to carry
  • Lower refresh rate than the ROG
  • Fewer owner ratings, so less feedback to go on

What separates them

ASUS ROG Strix G16Alienware m18 R2
Screen16-inch 1920x1200 anti-glare, 165Hz, 3ms, 100% sRGB18-inch 2560x1600, higher resolution and larger panel
Refresh rate165Hz, better for fast-paced gamesStandard panel, lower refresh rate
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, 16 cores / 32 threads, up to 5.4GHzIntel Core i9, 24 cores
Memory16GB DDR5-5600, expandable to 32GB32GB DDR5 installed
Storage1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD2TB SSD
Weight5.5 lb, carryable8.6 lb, desk-bound
Battery lifeAbout 4 hoursLarge chassis, not built for unplugged use
PortsHDMI and 3.5mm jack listedHDMI and headphone jack listed

Price history

$1,711.99$1,005.54
Oct 31Nov 13
  • ASUS ROG Strix G16: lowest $1,399.00 on Oct 31 at Walmart; $1,711.99 on Nov 13.
  • Alienware m18 R2: lowest $1,005.54 on Nov 12 at Antonline; $1,005.54 on Nov 13.

Prices at every store

ASUS ROG Strix G16

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Premium Electronics Shop

    $1,589.97Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $1,699.00Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $1,711.99Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Newegg
  • Microless.comNew

    In stockShips from abroad · duties may apply

    $1,711.78+ $70.95 shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Microless.com

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 7 stores and price history →

Alienware m18 R2

  • AntonlineNew

    In stock

    $1,005.54Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Antonline
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $1,034.39Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by antonline.comReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $1,023.27+ $18.91 shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $1,061.99Free shippingChecked 17 h ago
    Visit Newegg

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 10 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecASUS ROG Strix G16Alienware m18 R2
colorGrayBlack
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 9Intel Core i9
SSD Size1 TB2 TB
Screen Size (")16.018 inches
Hard Drive TypeSSDSSD
Memory TypeDDR5DDR5
Dedicated Graphic CardYesYes
RAM16 GB32 GB
Resolution1920 x 12002560 x 1600
Operating SystemWindows OSWindows OS
Weight5.5 lb8.6 lb
Drive Capacity1 TB drive2 TB drive
Show all 39 specsShow fewer specs
SpecASUS ROG Strix G16Alienware m18 R2
Installed Memory16 GB RAM32 GB RAM
Available PortsHDMI, 3.5 mm JackHDMI
graphic_cardNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU—
Refresh Rate165Hz—
Graphics Card NvidiaGeForce RTX 5060—
SeriesASUS ROG Strix—
Release Year2025—
Processor Model9955HX—
Graphics ProcessorNVIDIA GPU—
Drive Type

What reviewers say

ASUS ROG Strix G16

  • 4.4 / 5472 ratings

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 472 ratings, buyers generally see the Strix G16 as a fast, well-cooled gaming laptop for the money. Complaints tend to center on fan noise and battery life rather than performance.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the Ryzen 9 and RTX 5060 pair handles modern games and heavy apps without stutter.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 165Hz, 3ms panel is called smooth and responsive for shooters and esports.
  • Fan noiseCriticisedReviewers note the fans ramp up audibly during demanding games.
  • Battery lifeCriticisedOwners report short unplugged runtime, as expected for a gaming laptop.

Alienware m18 R2

  • 4.5 / 575 ratings

Owners of the m18 line generally rate the performance and the large 18-inch display highly, while noting the weight and fan noise as the price of that power.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the i9 and dedicated graphics handle demanding games and creative workloads without stutter.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 18-inch 2560 x 1600 screen is described as large and sharp for both games and work.
  • WeightCriticisedAt 8.6 lb, owners call it a desktop replacement that stays on a desk rather than a laptop to carry.
  • Fan noiseCriticised
Reviews
  • Best Gaming Laptop for 2026 - CNET
  • Best Gaming Laptop for 2025 - CNET

Questions and answers

Which is better for gaming?
The ROG Strix G16, mainly because of its 165Hz panel and lighter body. The m18 R2 wins on screen size and resolution, which helps in slower, detail-heavy games.
Which is better for video editing and 3D work?
The Alienware m18 R2, with 32GB RAM, 2TB storage and a 24-core Core i9. The ROG's 16-core Ryzen 9 is strong, but 16GB RAM is the tighter limit.
Which is easier to carry around?
The ROG Strix G16 at 5.5 lb against 8.6 lb for the m18 R2. The ROG also gets about 4 hours of battery, so it can leave the desk for short trips.
Is the Alienware worth stepping up to?
Yes if you want a big high-resolution screen, more memory and more storage and will mostly leave it on a desk. If you move the laptop often, the ROG is the better fit.
Can I add more RAM to the ROG Strix G16?
Yes, it supports up to 32GB of DDR5. The m18 R2 already ships with 32GB, so it needs no upgrade.
Which has the better screen?
The m18 R2 has the larger, sharper 2560x1600 panel. The ROG's 165Hz refresh and 3ms response make it smoother for fast games.

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Solid State Drive
—
Processor Speed2.5 GHz CPU—
Max Supported RAM32 GB Supported—
Processor BrandAMD CPU—
With Backlit KeyboardYes—
With No-Glare ScreenYes—
Battery Life4 hours battery life—
Connections—1/8" Headphone Jack, HDMI
Touchscreen—No
Webcam—Yes
NFC—No
Processor Speed (GHz)—1.6
Fingerprint Reader—No
Processor Cores—24
Convertible/Hybrid—No
Facial Recognition—No
SIM-Card Slot—No
WiDi—No
Reviewers note the cooling fans become audible under heavy load.