Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 Comparison

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Dell Alienware m16

16 inches | January 2023

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Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021

16.2 inches | October 2021

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Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 Comparison Overview

Dell Alienware m16

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Apple MacBook Pro 16...

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Dell Alienware m16

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Apple MacBook Pro 16...

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In this review, we will be comparing Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021, two laptops from Dell and Apple. Dell Alienware m16 was introduced to market in January 2023 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 was launched in October 2021. There is 15 months difference between Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 so it would still give an advantage to younger Alienware m16.

Click for Available Configurations of the Laptops

Here is a brief look at the main features of Dell Alienware m16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Dell Alienware m16 Key Specs

Launched in January 2023
16.0" IPS LCD, 16:10 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Intel Core i7 13650HX
GPU: GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile 6GB
16GB Ram
368.9 x 289.9 x 23-25.4 mm (14.52 x 11.41 x 0.91-1 inches)
Weight: 3 kg (6.62 lbs)

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 Key Specs

Launched in October 2021
16.2" Mini LED, 16:10 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Apple M1 Pro
GPU: Apple M1 Pro GPU (16-core)
16GB Ram
355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm (14 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches)
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.63 lbs)

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 was replaced by apple-macbook-pro-16-2023. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
apple-macbook-pro-16-2023 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021
apple-macbook-pro-16-2023 vs Dell Alienware m16

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 compares and decide which one is better for you.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Dell Alienware m16 over Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021

Refresh Rate	480 Hz vs 120 Hz	Smoother media experience
Screen Type	Matte vs Glossy	potentially less reflections on screen
DCI-P3 Color Gamut	100% vs 99.1%	Wider DCI-P3 Color Gamut
Response Time	3 ms vs 67 ms	Faster Response screen
GPU Fabrication Process	4 nm vs 5 nm	Newer Generation GPU
GPU FLOPS	8.8 TFLOPS vs 5.2 TFLOPS	Dedicated GPU unit
GPU Type	Dedicated vs Integrated	More RAM Options
Upgradable RAM	Yes vs No	Easily increase the Storage when needed
Upgradable Storage	Yes vs No	More advanced Bluetooth connectivity
Bluetooth	v5.3 vs v5	Better HDMI connectivity
HDMI Version	2.1 vs 2.0	Option to use Display port to connect to external monitors
Display Port	Yes vs No	Connects to the local network via Ethernet RJ45
Ethernet RJ45 Port	Yes vs No	Better typing feel
Key Travel	1.8 mm vs 1 mm

Reasons to choose Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 over Dell Alienware m16

Weight	2.10 kg vs 3.00 kg	0.9 kg lighter
Screen-to-Body Ratio	~86.2% vs ~69.4%	Larger screen area ratio
Side Bezel Thickness	3.4 mm vs 12.1 mm	8.7 mm thinner bezels
Display Size	16.2 inches vs 16 inches	Larger Screen Estate
Noise Level	37.4 dB vs 57 dB	Less fan noise
Screen PPI	254 ppi vs 142 ppi	More pixels per inch
Screen Resolution	3456 x 2234 pixels vs 1920 x 1200 pixels	Higher pixel count screen
Max Brightness	500 nits vs 300 nits	Brighter Screen
CPU Fabrication Process	5 nm vs 10 nm	Newer Generation CPU
Charging Port Position	Left, Right vs Bottom	Flexible cable positions
Number of Microphones	3 vs 2	Better Sound capture
Speaker Loudness	84.7 dB vs 70 dB	Generates higher sound levels
Fingerprint Sensor	Yes vs No	Easy login with fingerprint
Number of USB-C Ports	3x USB 4.0 vs 2x USB 4.0	Connect more device at the same time
Touchpad Size	15.5 x 9.9 cm vs 11.2 x 6.5 cm	Larger Touchpad Area
Avg. MSRP Price	$1600-2000 vs $5200-5600	Lower Price (*may change depending on config, seller, location, and time)

Common Strengths of Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 and Dell Alienware m16

Launch Dates	January 2023 vs October 2021	Both laptops are recent models
HDR Support	Yes, Dolby Vision vs Yes, Dolby Vision	Watch HDR Clips
Fast Charging Support	Yes vs Yes	Charge the battery in a shorter time
USB Power Delivery	Yes vs Yes	Charging via USB port gives flexibility
Dolby Atmos Support	Yes vs Yes	3D Surround Sound Support
Wi-Fi Standard	v6E vs v6	Fast and Reliable Wi-Fi Connections
Thunderbolt Port	v4 vs v4	Fast data and power transfer via Thunderbolt Port
HDMI Output	1x HDMI 2.1 vs 1x HDMI 2.1	Connect to External Displays via HDMI cable
VGA Output	No vs No	Connect to External Displays via VGA cable
Built-in SD Card Reader	Yes vs Yes	Read & Write SD Cards
Keyboard Backlight	Yes vs Yes	Easily see the keys under low light

Common Weaknesses of Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 and Dell Alienware m16

Touchscreen Capability	No vs No	No Touchscreen Capability

Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021: Physical Specs Comparison

In this section, we will be comparing the physical specifications and body features of the Dell Alienware m16 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021.

Physical Specs
Weight	3 kg (6.62 lbs)	2.1 kg (4.63 lbs)
Surface Area	1069 cm2 (165.7 inches2)	882 cm2 (136.8 inches2)
Screen to Surface Ratio	~69.4%	~86.2%
Side Bezel Thickness	~12.1 mm	~3.4 mm
Weight per Inch of Screen	0.19 kg/inch	0.13 kg/inch
	0.418 lbs/inch	0.286 lbs/inch
Colors	Gray	Silver, Gray
Cover Opening Angle	135Â°	135Â°

Comparison of the Dell Alienware m16 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 External Dimensions

Weight

Alienware m16 weighs 3 kg (6.62 lbs), whereas the MacBook Pro 16 2021 weighs 2.1 kg (4.63 lbs). There is a notable difference in weight between these two laptops. However, it's important to consider that comparing their weights directly may not provide a complete picture since they also have different display sizes.

Weight Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

Dell Alienware m16 3.00 kg

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 2.10 kg

Min 1.17 kg

Average 2.08 kg

Max 3.15 kg

Thickness Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

Dell Alienware m16 25.40 mm

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 16.80 mm

Min

1.70 mm

Average 20.33 mm

Max 30.80 mm

Another value that we use for comparing the weights of the laptops is the Weight per Inch of Screen, which is calculated by dividing the total weight of the model with its usable diagonal screen size. This value for the Dell Alienware m16 is 0.19 kg/inch.In comparison, this value for the Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 is 0.13 kg/inch.Here are some of the best performing laptops in this area:

Microsoft Surface Go 4: 0.05 kg/inch
LG Gram SuperSlim 15.6 2023: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus ProArt PZ13 HT5306: 0.06 kg/inch
Asus Zenbook A14 UX3407: 0.06 kg/inch
Microsoft Surface Pro 12: 0.06 kg/inch
Dell Latitude 7330: 0.07 kg/inch
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2: 0.07 kg/inch
LG Gram 14 2022: 0.07 kg/inch

Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021: Internals (CPU, GPU, RAM, Battery, SSD, etc.) Comparison

CPU Comparison

CPU Model	Intel Core i7 13650HX Intel Core i7 13700HX Intel Core i9 13900HX AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX	Apple M1 Pro Apple M1 Max
Base Frequency	2.6 GHz	2.0 GHz
Turbo Frequency	4.9 GHz	3.2 GHz
Number of Cores	14	10
Number of Threads	20	10
L3 Cache	24 MB
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics (16EU)	Apple M1 Pro GPU (16-core)
CPU Fabrication Process	10 nm	5 nm
Geekbench 5 (Single)	1840	1780
Geekbench 5 (Multi)	14421	12589
Cinebench 23 (Single)	1914	1537
Cinebench 23 (Multi)	21028	12182

Above you can see the CPU options and the CineBench and GeekBench test scores for both laptops, which gives an idea about what kind of performance difference you may experience between the Dell Alienware m16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021.

You may also read reviews of latest laptops with the same CPUs and compare them:

Laptops with: Intel Core i7 13650HX

Laptops with: Apple M1 Pro

Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 Compare

GPU Comparison

GPU Model	GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile 6GB GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile 8GB GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile 8GB GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile 12GB GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile 16GB	Apple M1 Pro GPU (16-core)
Base Clock Frequency	1455 MHz	450 MHz
Boost CLock Frequency	1755 MHz	1296 MHz
TGP (Total Graphics Power)	50 W	30 W
Nvidia Optimus	MUX
Type	Dedicated	Integrated
FLOPS	8.986 TFLOPS	5.2 TFLOPS
Memory Size	6 GB	System Shared
Memory Type	GDDR6	LPDDR5
Memory Bus	96 bit	256 bit
Memory Speed	2000 MHz 16 Gbps effective	6.4 Gbps
Shading Units Cores	2560	2048
TMUs	80	128
ROPs	48	64

GPU is as critical as the CPU for graphic heavy applications and the table above gives a picture of how the two GPU compares. FLOPS is a measure of a GPU's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second. Dell Alienware m16 has a FLOPS value of 8.8 TFLOPS whereas the Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 ' has a FLOPS value of 5.2 TFLOPS. If graphical performance of the laptop is important for your use type, the Dell Alienware m16 may be the better choice between these two setups.

RAM Comparison

RAM	16GB 32GB 64GB	16GB 32GB 64GB
Memory Bus	1x8 GB	4x4 GB
RAM Clock	4800 MHz	6400 MHz
RAM Type	DDR5	LPDDR5
Upgradable	Yes	No
Max RAM Size	64 GB
Total Slots	2
Memory Bus	PCI-E Gen 4.0 (4x)	Custom

Both laptops, the Alienware m16 and the MacBook Pro 16 2021, come with similar RAM capacities of 16 GB, providing comparable performance in memory-intensive tasks.

LOCAL LLM Compatibility Evaluation

This quick guide shows what types of large language models (LLMs) each of these laptops could support, based on their respective hardware specifications. It's meant to help you compare their suitability for running AI models locally.

LLM Category	Dell Alienware m16	Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Small Models(1-3B):Examples: Phi-2, Qwen-1.8B	✔ Run smoothly.	✔ Run smoothly.
Medium Models(7-8B):Examples: Mistral-7B, Qwen-7B	✖ Not supported.	✔ Good performance.
Large Models(13-30B):Examples: Mixtral, Qwen-14B	✖ Not supported.	✖ Not supported.
Extra-Large Models(65B+):Examples: LLaMA2-70B, Qwen1.5-72B	✖ Not supported on most systems. Requires high-end GPU or advanced setup.	✖ Not supported on most systems. Requires high-end GPU or advanced setup.

Note: Optimized (e.g., 4-bit) models may run on limited hardware. Performance depends on runtime and setup.

📌 MoE Models: Some models like Mixtral 8x7B and Qwen3-30B-A3B use a Mixture of Experts (MoE) design, activating only part of the model during inference. This means they can often run efficiently on laptops with 12–16 GB of VRAM when quantized.

BATTERY

BATTERY	86 Wh	100 Wh
Battery Type	Li-Ion	Li-Po
Replaceable	No	No
Fast Charging	Yes	No
USB Power Delivery	Yes	Yes
Charging Port Position	Bottom	Left, Right
Charge Power	300 / 330 W	140 W
Voltage	11.4 V
Full Charging Time	2:00 hr	1:25 hr

On the other hand, the MacBook Pro 16 2021 features a higher battery capacity of 100 Wh, delivering longer usage time compared to the Alienware m16's 86 Wh.

Battery Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

Dell Alienware m16 86 Wh

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 100 Wh

Min 38.00 Wh

Average 73.72 Wh

Max 100.00 Wh

STORAGE
Both laptops, the Alienware m16 and the MacBook Pro 16 2021 have similar max. storage capacities of 8 TB, allowing for ample space to store files and applications.

Storage Options	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB	512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB
Upgradable	Yes	No
Storage type	SSD (M2)	SSD (M2)
NVMe	Yes

If your budget allows, we recommend opting for the largest possible disk size, considering the potential increase in storage capacity needs in the future. However, please keep in mind the question 'What will the laptop be used for?' when making this decision. Of course, you can later upgrade the hard disk capacity by getting a larger disk. However, if your laptop has only one disk slot, it may not be as straightforward as a RAM upgrade, where you simply add or replace a module, as moving or cloning files to a new disk may be necessary.

Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021: Display Comparison

The display is an essential aspect to consider when comparing the Dell Alienware m16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 since its is the component that you interact the most and significantly impact the experience.

Screen Area and Dimensions

Now let's look at the comparison of the actual display areas of both laptops below, keeping the bezels around the screens out of the equation. Alienware m16 has a display size of 16.0".On the other hand, MacBook Pro 16 2021 has a larger16.2" display.The total usable screen area of the Alienware m16 is 742cm² / 115inch² whereas the MacBook Pro 16 2021's total usable screen area is 761cm² / 118inch².

PPI (Pixels per Inch)
Additionally, the MacBook Pro 16 2021 features a higher pixel density with 254 pixels per inch (PPI), ensuring sharper image details.

Screen PPI (Pixels Per Inch) Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

Dell Alienware m16 142 ppi

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 254 ppi

Min 137 PPI

Average 167 PPI

Max 283.00 PPI

Refresh Rate
The Alienware m16 offers a higher refresh rate of 480 Hz, resulting in smoother motion and improved visual experience.

Furthermore, the Alienware m16 boasts a faster response time of 3.0 ms, reducing motion blur for fast-paced content.

Brightness
The MacBook Pro 16 2021 offers a higher maximum brightness of 500 nits, delivering a brighter screen.

Brightness Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

Dell Alienware m16 300 nits

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 500 nits

Min

40 nits

Average 407 nits

Max 1250.00 nits

Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2021 Connectivity Comparison

In terms of connectivity,

Wifi
Alienware m16 features a more advanced Wi-Fi standard v6E, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections compared to MacBook Pro 16 2021 (v6).

Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.

Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds

Standard	Speed	Release Date	Network	Frequency Bands (GHz)
Wi-Fi 7	up to 40 Gbps (5 GB/s)	2023	802.11be	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6E	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2020	802.11ax	2.4, 5, 6
Wi-Fi 6	up to 9.6 Gbps (1.2 GB/s)	2019	802.11ax	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 5	up to 6.93 Gbps (866.25 MB/s)	2014	802.11ac	2.4, 5
Wi-Fi 4	up to 600 Mbps (75 MB/s)	2009	802.11n	2.4, 5

* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.

USB
Alienware m16 is equipped with 2x USB 3.2 USB-A ports. MacBook Pro 16 2021 does not have USB-A ports.
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 have USB Type-C ports. Alienware m16 has 2x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports, while MacBook Pro 16 2021 has 3x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports.

Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.

USB Type and Speeds

USB Type	Version	Speed	Date	Other Features/Explanations
USB4	Gen 4 (2.0)	80 Gbps	2022	Also known as USB 80Gbps
USB4	Gen 3×2	40 Gbps	2019	Also known as USB 40Gbps
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2x2	20 Gbps	2019	Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.1
USB 3.2	3.2 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2017	Previously known as USB 3.0
USB 3.1	3.1 Gen 2	10 Gbps	2013	Faster data transfer rates
USB 3.0	3.1 Gen 1	5 Gbps	2010	SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates
USB 2.0	2.0	480 Mbps	2000	High-speed data transfer
USB 1.0	1.0	1.5 Mbps	1996	Original USB standard

Thunderbolt
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 are equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports.

HDMI
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 feature an HDMI port. Alienware m16 offers 1x HDMI 2.1, while MacBook Pro 16 2021 offers 1x HDMI 2.0.

Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.

HDMI Comparison Table

HDMI Version	Maximum Resolution	Bandwidth (Gbps)	Color Depth (bits)	Release Date
HDMI 2.1-2.1b	7680 x 4320 *(8K)* @ 60p 3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 120p	48.0	48	2017
HDMI 2.0-2.0b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 60p	18.0	48	2013
HDMI 1.4-1.4b	3840 x 2160 *(4K)* @ 30p	10.2	48	2009
HDMI 1.3-1.3a	2560 x 1440 @ 60p	10.2	48	2006
HDMI 1.0-1.2a	1920 x 1200 @ 60p	4.95	24	2002

* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.

SD Card Reader
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 come with an SD Card Reader for easy access to memory cards.

Audio Jack
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2021 are equipped with a 3.5mm Audio Jack, providing seamless connection to headphones and speakers.

To summarize the connectivity and ports details, please refer to the table below to see them listed.

Connectivity and Ports
WiFi Standard (latest: v7)	v6E	v6
Bluetooth (latest: v5.4)	v5.3	v5
USB-A (latest: 3.2)	2x USB 3.2	No
USB Type-C (latest: USB4 2.0)	2x USB 4.0	3x USB 4.0
Thunderbolt (latest: 5)	Thunderbolt 4	Thunderbolt 4
HDMI (latest: 2.1)	1x HDMI 2.1	1x HDMI 2.0
Display Port (latest: v2.0)	1x v1.4	No
VGA	No	No
Fingerprint Sensor	No	Yes
Optical Drive	No	No
Audio Jack 3.5mm	Yes	Yes
Ethernet RJ45	Yes	No
SD CardReader	Yes	Yes
Proprietary Charging Port	Yes	Yes