A new line of gaming notebooks entered the market shortly after Intel’s new 12th generation Alder Lake mobile CPUs were introduced. One of the first companies to release new gaming laptops using the new Intel chips was Razer, followed by Dell. This article will compare the Razer Blade 15 vs. Alienware x15 R2 to determine the superior gaming laptop to purchase in 2022.
Both of these devices are fully equipped with some of the greatest internals available for gaming laptops today. Before delving into the laptops’ display, design, ports, and other features, we’ll be taking a close look at the specifications table. Therefore, without further ado, let’s compare them to see which one will be added to our list of the best 15-inch gaming laptops.
Razer Blade 15 vs Alienware x15 R2: Specifications
Before we begin the comparison, here’s a quick look at the specifications of each notebook:
| Specification | Razer Blade 15 (2022) | Alienware x15 R2 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H (14 cores, 20 threads, up to 5GHz, 24MB cache) 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12800H (14 cores, 20 threads, up to 4.8GHz, 24MB cache) | 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H (14 cores, 20 threads, up to 5GHz, 24MB cache) 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12800H (14 cores, 20 threads, up to 4.8GHz, 24MB cache) |
| Graphics | Discrete:NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB GDDR6) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (8GB GDDR6) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (16GB GDDR6)Integrated:Intel UHD Graphics | Discrete:NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB GDDR6) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (8GB GDDR6) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (16GB GDDR6)Integrated:Intel UHD Graphics |
| RAM | Up to 32GB DDR5 4800MHz dual-channel memory | Up to 32GB DDR5 5200MHz dual-channel memory |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD (M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4) | Up to 4 TB RAID 0 (2 x 2 TB), M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Display | 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS, 360Hz, up to 100% sRGB 15.6-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) IPS, 240Hz, NVIDIA G-SYNC, 100% DCI-P3 15.6-inch Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) IPS, 144Hz, 100% DCI-P3, Corning Gorilla Glass | 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS, 165Hz, 3ms 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS, 360Hz, 1ms 15.6-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS, 240Hz, 2ms |
| Battery | 80Whr battery230W charger | 87Whr battery |
| Ports | 3 x USB3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Ports 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Ports (USB-C) 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x UHS-II SD Card Reader 3.5mm headphone jack Power port | 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port with PowerShare 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 1 Universal Audio Jack 1 HDMI 2.1 port 1 power-adapter port |
| Audio | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers, stereo tweeter 2 W x 2 = 4 W total |
| Webcam | 1080p Full HD webcam + IR camera | Alienware HD (1280×720 resolution) camera |
| Windows Hello | Facial recognition with IR camera | Facial recognition with IR camera |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Color | Black with green Razer logo | Lunar Light |
| Size (WxDxH) | 355 x 235 x 16.9 mm (13.98 x 9.25 x 0.67 in) | Alienware x15 165Hz & 360Hz: 359.70 x 277.33 x 16.75 mm (14.16 x 10.91 x 0.66 in) Alienware x15 240Hz: 359.70 x 277.33 x 17.15 mm (14.16 x 10.91 x 0.67 in) |
| Weight | 2.01 kg (4.4lbs) (Most SKUs) 2.08 kg (4.59 lbs) (4K display) | 2.35 kg (5.20 lbs) |
| Price | Starting at $2,499.99 | Starting at $2,149 |
Performance: Ultimate machines
The new 12th generation Alder Lake mobile processors from Intel power the Razer Blade 15 and Alienware x15 R2 gaming laptops. These computers include Alder Lake H-series processors and are high-performance gaming notebooks. The new hybrid Intel architecture with performance and efficiency cores is present in these new 12th-generation CPUs. The Intel Core i9-12900H and Intel Core i7-12800H both have a total of 14 cores and 20 threads.
Since the Core i9 models in both notebooks can reach a peak frequency of up to 5GHz, they will certainly be more powerful. Intel claims that the new Core i9 mobile chip is about 30% faster than the outgoing Core i9-11980HK processor, while we haven’t been able to test these devices side by side for comparison. You may read our review of the Intel Core i9-12900HK to get a sense of the performance level you can anticipate from this CPU.
Given that we are comparing two laptops using Nvidia’s new 30-series discrete graphics chips, both laptops in our comparison are similarly powerful in the graphics department. In fact, you have the option to outfit both laptops with the newest and greatest Nvidia graphics card for notebooks, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. Even the most basic configuration of every notebook includes an RTX 3060, which in our opinion, is more than adequate for running even the most recent AAA games that will be available in 2022. To discover how the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti performs, we advise you to read our ASUS ROG Strix G15 (2022) evaluation.
We’re looking at two ultimate gaming systems that are outfitted to provide the best gaming experience thanks to the CPU and the most recent graphics options from Nvidia. The performance difference between these two identically equipped Razer Blade 15 and Alienware x15 R2 models will solely be determined by how each of them manages the thermals.
Both laptops are equipped with the newest DDR5 memory modules for storage and memory. Although the dual-channel DDR5 modules in the Alienware x15 R2 have a slightly faster frequency, we don’t think that will make much of a difference. However, the Alienware x15 R2 is clearly superior to the Razer Blade in terms of storage since it can be configured to have up to 4TB as opposed to just 2TB. You won’t save as much money, but you can never have too much storage, right?
Display: High resolutions or High-refresh rate?
These two laptops both have remarkably similar displays. The 15.6-inch displays on both laptops come standard, but you can select from various resolutions. The display on the Razer Blade 15 comes with options for FHD, QHD, and UHD resolutions with refresh rates of 360Hz, 240Hz, and 144Hz, respectively. In contrast, Dell only provides the Alienware x15 R2 with an FHD or a QHD panel.
For the FHD panel, you can pick between 360Hz and 165Hz, whilst the QHD panel is fixed at 240Hz. Regarding the display choices, the Razer Blade 15 is unquestionably the better choice. That UHD panel option is also excellent for content producers, so you might want to consider that.
We believe both laptops have a solid range of panels with high resolutions and quick response times for gamers. To choose which choice is ideal for you, we advise you to look at the specifications table once again. Given that it delivers the best of both worlds, we believe the QHD 240Hz screen on both laptops will be the one to choose.
We don’t believe you will see many differences between a 1440p and a 4K screen, especially on a 15.6-inch monitor, unless you specifically deal with 4K material as a content creator. Thankfully, the webcam on top of the display is still present on both laptops, but the Razer Blade 15 has a better 1080p camera than the Alienware x15, which only has a 720p camera. Read More; Razer Blade 14, 15, or 17: Which one is right for you?
Design
Moving on to the appearance, we believe the Razer Blade 15 has a slightly more polished appearance. It’s still a powerful gaming system, but Razer has always produced products with simple, elegant aesthetics. The new Alienware x15 R2 maintains many “gamer” aesthetics with sharp edges and RGB lighting, even though it looks better than some of the hefty Alienware notebooks we’ve previously seen. In addition to being smaller and lighter than the Alienware x15 R2, the Razer Blade 15 also has a similar thickness to the latter.
Both computers include a respectable keyboard with per-key RGB lighting, but the keyboard deck of the Alienware X15 also features top-facing speakers and several vents near to the Alienware logo. On the other hand, the keyboard deck on the Razer Blade 15 is extremely basic and only includes speakers that face front. Although the design is totally arbitrary, we believe the Razer Blade 15 has a more understated appearance and doesn’t come across as an overtly garish gaming laptop. It’s one of those gadgets you can easily carry to a business meeting and feel completely at ease.
Having said that, the Alienware x15 R2 also has a fantastic appearance. Over the years, this device has seen several changes, and we particularly enjoy how these new Alienware laptops look. However, if we had to choose one based primarily on portability, we believe the Razer Blade 15 to be the superior choice.
Ports and Connectivity
Both laptops have a good range of ports, but we believe the Razer Blade 15 has an advantage over the Alienware x15 R2. The Alienware x15 R2 only has one Type-A port, while the Razer Blade 15 has three USB3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports. Additionally, we’re comparing the Alienware x15 R2’s single Thunderbolt 4 port to the Razer Blade 15’s dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DP and PD. With its SD card reader, which is a terrific feature for multimedia creators, the Razer Blade 15 also scores points. An HDMI 2.1 port is a feature both laptops have, which is a plus.
It’s also important to note that the Razer Blade 15 has ports evenly spread on both sides, whilst the Alienware x15 R2 has all of its ports on the rear. Although it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, we feel that the Razer Blade 15 makes it handier always to be able to access the ports on the rear.
Both the Razer Blade 15 and the Alienware x15 R2 feature WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless networking. This shouldn’t be a surprise because, by 2022, we anticipate seeing these new connectivity possibilities on all current computers. Read Also; Alienware x15 R2 Review: Portable Gaming Power
Alienware x15 R2 vs. Razer Blade 15: Which one should you buy?
If you read the entire comparison, you presumably already know that the specifications of both of these laptops make them equally potent. Both of them have updated 12th-generation Intel Core processors, the RTX 30-series GPUs from Nvidia for playing contemporary games, high-resolution displays, and more. How well each of them manages thermals will determine the laptop’s overall performance. It will be fascinating to see how Alienware’s X-series gaming laptop, which is reported to include innovative cooling technology, performs in actual use.
However, we believe the Razer Blade 15 has a tiny advantage over the Alienware x15 R2 in terms of other elements like ports, connection, design, etc. The Razer Blade 15 is more compact and lighter overall and has a greater port choice. However, it also depends on your particular preferences. The Razer Blade 15 is the way to go if you want a more portable device with a minimalist design.
But the Alienware x15 R2 is a great option if you’re looking for a gaming laptop with a striking appearance and lots of RGB flares. Keep in mind that the Alienware laptop is also a little more affordable than the Razer Blade 15 in terms of the base model.
Whichever one you choose, you’re sure to get good gaming performance out of it. You can even play some of the more recent games on them because they both have powerful internals. The Razer Blade and Alienware X-series laptops are both offered in a smaller 14-inch form-factor as well, giving you more size options.
