Dell - Alienware m18 R2 vs ASUS - Zenbook S 14 UX5406

The Alienware m18 R2 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 17.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the Alienware m18 R2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are cpu cores, refresh rate, battery, among others.

Pick the Zenbook S 14 UX5406 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are claimed battery life, weight, thunderbolt ports, among others.

Both ship with comparable ram, storage, backlit keyboard, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the Alienware m18 R2 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.