Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 Comparison

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Dell Alienware m16

16 inches | January 2023

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Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023

16.2 inches | January 2023

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Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 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 2023, two laptops from Dell and Apple. Dell Alienware m16 was introduced to market in January 2023 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 was launched in January 2023. Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2023 were launched within the same month so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and available technology level.

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 2023 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 2023 Key Specs

Launched in January 2023
16.2" Mini LED, 16:10 Aspect Ratio Display
CPU: Apple M2 Pro
GPU: Apple M2 Pro GPU (19-core)
16GB Ram
355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 mm (14 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches)
Weight: 2.15 kg (4.74 lbs)

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 was replaced by Apple Macbook Pro 16 2024. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Apple Macbook Pro 16 2024 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023
Apple Macbook Pro 16 2024 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 2023 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 2023

Refresh Rate	480 Hz vs 120 Hz	Smoother media experience
Screen Type	Matte vs Glossy	potentially less reflections on screen
GPU Fabrication Process	4 nm vs 5 nm	Newer Generation GPU
GPU FLOPS	8.8 TFLOPS vs 6.8 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	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 2023 over Dell Alienware m16

Weight	2.15 kg vs 3.00 kg	0.85 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
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
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	$2400-2800 vs $5200-5600	Lower Price (*may change depending on config, seller, location, and time)

Common Strengths of Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 and Dell Alienware m16

Launch Dates	January 2023 vs January 2023	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
SSD Type	NVMe vs NVMe	Faster Data Transfers
Dolby Atmos Support	Yes vs Yes	3D Surround Sound Support
Wi-Fi Standard	v6E vs v6E	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 2023 and Dell Alienware m16

Touchscreen Capability	No vs No	No Touchscreen Capability

Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: 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 2023.

Physical Specs
Weight	3 kg (6.62 lbs)	2.15 kg (4.74 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 2023 External Dimensions

Weight

Alienware m16 weighs 3 kg (6.62 lbs), whereas the MacBook Pro 16 2023 weighs 2.15 kg (4.74 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

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Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023

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Thickness Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

Dell Alienware m16

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023

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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 2023 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 2023: 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 M2 Pro Apple M2 Max
Base Frequency	2.6 GHz	3.5 GHz
Turbo Frequency	4.9 GHz
Number of Cores	14	12
Number of Threads	20	12
L3 Cache	24 MB
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics (16EU)	Apple M2 Pro GPU (19-core)
CPU Fabrication Process	10 nm	5 nm
Geekbench 5 (Single)	1840	2004
Geekbench 5 (Multi)	14421	15111
Cinebench 23 (Single)	1914	1667
Cinebench 23 (Multi)	21028	14966

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 2023.

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

Laptops with: Intel Core i7 13650HX

Laptops with: Apple M2 Pro

Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023 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 M2 Pro GPU (19-core)
Base Clock Frequency	1455 MHz	450 MHz
Boost CLock Frequency	1755 MHz	1398 MHz
TGP (Total Graphics Power)	50 W	35 W
Nvidia Optimus	MUX
Type	Dedicated	Integrated
FLOPS	8.986 TFLOPS	6.8 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	2432
TMUs	80	152
ROPs	48	76

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 2023 ' has a FLOPS value of 6.8 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 96GB
Memory Bus	2x8 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 2023, 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 CPU/NPU: Intel Core I7 13650hx (No NPU)RAM: 16 GBGPU: Geforce Rtx 4050 Mobile 6gb	Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) CPU/NPU: Apple M2 Pro (NPU)RAM: 16 GBGPU: Apple GPU (Metal, Unified Memory)
Small Models(1-3B):Examples: Phi-2, Qwen-1.8B	✔ Expected performance: "Runs Well" 2B model with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~2.5 GB memory - fits in your 6 GB VRAM (See performance table below for details)	✔ Expected performance: "Runs Well" 2B model with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~2.5 GB memory - fits in your 16 GB RAM
Medium Models(7-8B):Examples: Mistral-7B, Qwen-7B	✔ ⚠ Modest 7B model with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~5.3 GB memory - doesn't fit in 6 GB VRAM, spills to RAM (VRAM + RAM, slower) (Partial GPU offload - expect 5-30x or more slower performance (depends on spill amount)) Expected performance: "Modest Speed" (~5-15 tok/s)	✔ Expected performance: "Runs Well" 7B model with Q4 quantization (recommended): Requires ~5.3 GB memory - fits in your 16 GB RAM
Large Models(13-30B):Examples: Llama 3 14B, Qwen1.5 14B, Dense 30B	⚠ 13–15B: Borderline / Slow. 16–30B: Not practical.	✖ Not supported.
Extra-Large Models(65B+):Examples: LLaMA2-70B, Qwen1.5-72B	✖ Not practical on most laptops (64GB+ workstation laptops may be exceptions).	✖ Not practical on most laptops (64GB+ workstation laptops may be exceptions).

For more detailed LLM evaluation (subcategories, performance ranges, memory breakdown)

Dell Alienware m16|Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)

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

📌 Model Types: Dense 30B Q4 models typically require around 19–22 GB of total memory, so they run best on systems with ≥32 GB unified memory (24 GB systems may work with Q3 quantization, but Q4 is borderline). MoE models like Mixtral 8x7B (≈47B total parameters, usually ≈23–26 GB in 4-bit) also need high memory because all experts must be loaded, even though only a few are active per token. They reduce compute cost per token (similar to a ~12–13B dense model), but not memory usage, so they are not practical on 14–16 GB systems.

Understanding Performance Categories

💡 Since this system uses Apple Silicon (Pro) with unified memory and Metal acceleration, it typically reaches "Runs Well" for 7-14B models, and "Modest Speed" for 20B+ models.

The performance descriptions use general categories because actual speed varies greatly based on your specific hardware, model optimization, context length, and runtime software.

Performance Level	Typical Range	User Experience
Runs Smoothly (High-end dGPU)	50+ tok/s	Real-time response. Feels instant, like ChatGPT.
Runs Well (Mid-range dGPU)	20-50 tok/s	Good interactive performance. Slight delay, but usable.
Modest Speed (iGPU/NPU/CPU)	5-20 tok/s	Usable for tasks that don't need instant responses. Noticeable typing delay.
Borderline / Slow (Limited hardware)	2-5 tok/s	Very slow. Patience required. Better for batch processing.
Not Practical	<2 tok/s	Too slow for regular use. May cause system hangs or instability.

💡 Tip: Your actual results may be higher or lower than these ranges. Test with your specific hardware to know for sure!

⚠️ Note: Performance categorization is based on how much total memory is available for the model (unified RAM) and whether it needs to spill into slower storage. GPU type (memory bandwidth, compute power) can also affect actual performance. Currently, we prioritize whether the model fits in available unified memory for classification. We may refine this categorization in future updates based on more detailed benchmarks.

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 2023 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

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023

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STORAGE
Both laptops, the Alienware m16 and the MacBook Pro 16 2023 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	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 2023: Display Comparison

The display is an essential aspect to consider when comparing the Dell Alienware m16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 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 2023 has a larger16.2" display.The total usable screen area of the Alienware m16 is 742cm² / 115inch² whereas the MacBook Pro 16 2023's total usable screen area is 761cm² / 118inch².

PPI (Pixels per Inch)
Additionally, the MacBook Pro 16 2023 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

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

Brightness
The MacBook Pro 16 2023 offers a higher maximum brightness of 500 nits, delivering a brighter screen.

Brightness Comparison

Displays size 16.0-16.9 inches

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Dell Alienware m16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 Connectivity Comparison

In terms of connectivity,

Wifi
Both laptops offer the same Wi-Fi standard (v6E), ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections.

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 2023 does not have USB-A ports.
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2023 have USB Type-C ports. Alienware m16 has 2x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports, while MacBook Pro 16 2023 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 2023 are equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports.

HDMI
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2023 feature an HDMI port (1x HDMI 2.1) for connecting to external monitors.

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 2023 come with an SD Card Reader for easy access to memory cards.

Audio Jack
Both Alienware m16 and MacBook Pro 16 2023 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	v6E
Bluetooth (latest: v5.4)	v5.3	v5.3
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 2.1
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