Alienware m16 R2 vs Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
42.1Performance30.7
49Display26.5
86.7Battery33.3
30.4Portability76.6
6 spec wins — Alienware m16 R23 spec wins — Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
InnoReviews verdict
Alienware m16 R2 wins this laptop face-off, 51.5 to 38.5, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+53) and display (+23). Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Alienware m16 R2
- Stronger performance score: 42 vs 31
- Stronger display score: 49 vs 27
- Stronger battery score: 87 vs 33
- 300% higher Refresh rate: 240 Hz vs 60 Hz
- 300% higher charging: 240 W vs 60 W
Reasons to pick the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
- Stronger portability score: 77 vs 30
- 50% lower weight: 1.3 kg vs 2.61 kg
- 33% higher Peak brightness: 400 nits vs 300 nits
- 21% lower thickness: 18.5 mm vs 23.5 mm
- Lower launch price: $699 vs $1,499
Display
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16 ″+31% | 12.2 ″ |
| Panel type | IPS (G-Sync, Advanced Optimus) | LCD (glass, convertible touchscreen, MPP 2.0/USI 2.0 stylus support) |
| Resolution | 2560x1600 | 1920x1200 |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz+300% | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 300 nits | 400 nits+33% |
Performance
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core 3 304 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (RTX 4060 / 4070 optional) | Intel Graphics (1 Xe3 core, up to 2.3GHz) |
| RAM | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM type | DDR5-5600 (2x SO-DIMM) | DDR5-6400 (SO-DIMM) |
| Storage | 1,024 GB+100% | 512 GB |
| Storage type | PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2 slots) | M.2 2230 NVMe SSD |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,383Bottom 18% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 12,670Bottom 42% | — |
Battery
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 90 Wh+80% | 50 Wh |
| Charging | 240 W+300% | 60 W |
Design
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.61 kg | 1.3 kg+50% |
| Thickness | 23.5 mm | 18.5 mm+21% |
| Material | Anodized aluminum lid, soft-touch deck | Overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over plastic with an internal metal structure |
Connectivity
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort 1.4, 15W PD), USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE RJ-45, microSD, 3.5mm combo | 4x swappable Expansion Cards (2x rear Thunderbolt 4, 2x front USB 3.2 Gen 2; USB-C/USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, microSD/SD options), 3.5mm combo jack |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (Wi-Fi 7 optional) | Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE213) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 1080p 30fps (2MP OmniVision OV02C sensor, 80° FOV), hardware privacy switch |
| Biometrics | IR face (Windows Hello) | None on this configuration — fingerprint reader is bundled only with the Core 5 320/Core 7 350 pre-built tiers, not Core 3 304 |
Software
| Spec | Alienware m16 R2 | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Fedora 44 (KDE Plasma) (Windows 11 Home/Pro option available) |
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