m18 R1 or XPS 17 9730?

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new here and I'm eyeing the m18 R1 to be able to act as a backup desktop, do productivity and some gaming. In that order.

It's this or the XPS 17 9730 model.

Ultimately I want the battery to last ideally 8/9 hours in "productivity" use and obviously fewer when gaming.

If you could give me some feedback on the m18 R1, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Stefos1 welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.

The Alienware m18 R1 (1/20/2023) is a high performance gaming notebook and consequently battery does not last for many hours in real-world browsing usage or gaming performance. Alienware m18 R1 laptop review: Bigger and heavier than the MSI Titan GT77 - NotebookCheck.net Reviews. Battery life has never been a strong point for the Alienware series.

The Dell XPS 17 9730 laptop review: GeForce RTX 4070 multimedia monster - NotebookCheck.net Reviews, battery life is about 10 hours in real-world browsing usage.

Stefos1 · Answer

Hi crimson,

Thank you for your fast reply

I feel as though the XPS 17 will give me length of hours without charging BUT given its weak processor it is kind of already behind the "future proofness" that the M18 gives.

Can I bring the M18 with me to a coffee shop and have it last a lot longer time wise if it's plugged in?

I want my laptop to replace my desktop should it be needed to do so.

Stefos1

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Stefos1 using the heavier Alienware m18 R1 or the Alienware m18 R1 AMD notebook powered by the ac adapter (charger) makes the battery last longer. However, both come with a 330W charger which is heavy. Getting a smaller wattage charger should be considered if going to coffee shop and just browsing the internet. Although using mobile phone or Dell tablet or Dell 2-in-1 notebook with detachable tablet would be less cumbersome.

Stefos1 · Answer

Hi again crimson, It appears there is no happy ground between the XPS 17 9730 & Alienware M18. Thank you for your help & insights Stefos1

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Stefos1 suggest having a look at what other people use when they visit coffee shop.

Stefos1 · Answer

Hi, The Dell Notebook Power Bank Plus 65Wh is only for XPS & Latitude models. Are there Dell and non-Dell power banks that I could use? Stefos1

Stefos1 · Answer

Hi crimson,

I have and they are mostly Mac Books.

I want a Windows pc with enough HD space to partition it to add Linux as well.

It really seems that a "one laptop solution" is some years away. When I compare the XPS 17 specs and the M18 specs, the M18 wins hands down.

I might probably just buy that and stay indoors with the laptop. I wonder if I can buy powerbanks/portable batteries and just charge them up for when I'm not indoors.

Stefos1

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Stefos1 thankyou for sharing feedback.

The OS (C:) boot drive should be 2TB or more to provide Windows/Linux dual boot capability. Dual Booting Explained: How You Can Have Multiple Operating Systems on Your Computer (howtogeek.com).

Dell Notebook Power Bank Plus 65Wh Here or similar is available to charge Alienware m18 R1, but this is extra weight to carry around when using notebook away from home.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Stefos1 apologies, USB-C chargers are not supported by the m18 R1 notebook which is a shame because it means you're tethered to the ginormous 330W ac adapter (charger) wherever you go.

There is the Dell 4.5 mm/7.4 mm barrel Laptop Power Bank Plus 65 Wh - PW7015L, Note: Compatibility list has not been updated to include the 2023 Alienware m18 R1.

Please look at goodhousekeeping.com/electronics/g43731661/portable-laptop-battery-packs/.

Search internet best portable notebook power bank 2023 at DuckDuckGo.

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m18 R1 or XPS 17 9730?

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