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The Alienware m16 R2 is a rarity among modern laptops. Thats because normally after a major revamp, gadget makers like to keep new models on the market for as long as possible to minimize manufacturing costs. However, after its predecessor launched last year sporting a fresh design, the company reengineered the entire system again for 2024 while also limiting how big of a GPU can fit inside. So what gives? The trick is that by looking at the configurations people actually bought, Alienware was able to rework the m16 into a gaming laptop with a sleeker design, better battery life and a more approachable starting price, which is a great recipe for a well-balanced notebook. Design There are so many changes on the m16 R2s chassis its hard to believe its from the same line. Not only has Alienware gotten rid of the big bezels and chin from the R1, but the machine is also way more portable now. Weight is down more than 20 percent to 5.75 pounds (from 7.28 pounds) and its also significantly more compact with a depth of 9.8 inches (versus 11.4 inches before). For some style points, Alienware added RGB lighting around the perimeter of the touchpad. This result is a major upgrade for anyone who wants to take the laptop on the go. It fundamentally changes the system from something more like a desktop replacement to a portable all-rounder. Critically, despite being smaller, the m16 R2 still has a great array of connectivity options. On its sides are two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a microSD card reader, an Ethernet jack and a 3.5mm audio socket. Around back, there are two USB-C slots (one supports Thunderbolt 4 while the other has DisplayPort 1.4), a full-size HDMI 2.1 connector and a proprietary barrel plug for power. Generally, I like this arrangement as moving some ports to the rear of the laptop helps keep clutter down. That said, I wish Alienware had switched the placement of the Ethernet jack and one of the USB-C ports, as I find myself reaching for the latter much more often. Display Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget The m16 R2 has a single display option: a 16-inch 240Hz panel with a QHD+ resolution (2,560 x 1,600). Its totally serviceable and for competitive gamers, that high refresh rate could be valuable during matches where potential advantage matters. But you dont get any support for HDR, so colors dont pop as much as they would on a system with an OLED screen. Furthermore, brightness is just OK at around 300 nits, which might not be a big deal if you prefer gaming at night or in darker environments. But if you plan on lugging this around to a place with big windows or a lot of sunlight, games and movies may look a bit subdued. That said, its not a deal breaker, I just wish this model had some other display options like the previous one. Performance While the m16 R2s sleeker design is a major plus, the trade-off is less space for a beefy GPU. So unlike its predecessor, the biggest card that fits is an NVIDIA RTX 4070. This may come as a downer for performance enthusiasts, but Alienware said it made this change after seeing only a small fraction of buyers opt for RTX 4080 graphics on the old model. Even so, the R2 can still hold its own when playing AAA titles. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and ultra graphics, it hit 94 fps, barely behind what we saw from the ASUS ROG G16 (95 fps) with a more powerful 4080. And while the performance gap grew slightly when I turned ray tracing on, the m16 still pumped out a very playable framerate of 62 fps (versus 69 fps for the G16). Battery life One of the biggest benefits of the m16 R2s redesign is that it allowed Alienware to install a larger 90Wh battery versus the 84Wh pack in its predecessor. When you combine that with components and fans better tailored to the kind of performance this machine delivers, you get improved longevity. On our rundown test, the m16 R2 lasted 7 hours and 51 minutes, which is longer than both the Razer Blade 14 (6:46) and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (7:29) and just shy of what we got from a similarly specced XPS 16 (8:31). That said, its still not as good as the ASUS G16s time of 9:17. Regardless, the ability to go longer between charges is never a bad thing. Meanwhile, for those who want to pack super light, one of the m16 R2s USB-C ports in the back supports power input, though you wont get the full 240 watts like you do with Alienwares included brick. Wrap-up Photo y Sam Rutherford/Engadget For 2024, it would have been so easy for Alienware to give the m16 a basic spec refresh and call it a day. But it didnt. Instead, the company looked at its customers' preferences and gave it a revamp to match. So despite not having the same top-end performance as before, the R2 is still a very capable gaming laptop with a more compact chassis, improved battery life and a lower starting price of $1,500 with an RTX 4050. Sure, I wish its display was brighter and that there was another panel option, but getting 240Hz standard is pretty nice. Really, the biggest argument against the m16 R2 is that for higher-specced systems like our $1,850 review unit with an RTX 4070, you can spend another $150 for an ASUS ROG G16 with the same GPU, a brighter and more colorful OLED display and an even lighter design that weighs a full pound less. But for people seeking a well-priced gaming machine that can do a bit of everything, theres a lot of value in the m16 R2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/alienware-m16-r2-review-when-less-power-makes-for-a-better-laptop-174027103.html?src=rss
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Netflix and Roblox have teamed up for a digital theme park with activities pulled from the streamers many popular franchises. Netflix Nextworld is an area within Roblox thats currently in early access. The company says the experience is all about bringing fans to the entertainment they love. To that end, Nextworld features activities based on Stranger Things, One Piece, Cobra Kai and even those Zack Snyder Rebel Moon movies that people seem to hate. Theres also an activity based on the upcoming Jurassic World: Chaos Theory cartoon. The whole thing is arranged like a theme park, with mini-games and easter eggs galore. Some of these games look pretty fleshed out, like the survival horror title Stranger Things: Escape from Hawkins High and the fighting sim One Piece: East Blue Brawls. Regular people can make some really cool stuff on Roblox, so a company with resources like Netflix should really raise the bar. There are also a bunch of shorter experiences, like an online version of the game show Is It Cake? in which, well, people try to guess if something is cake. We arent sure how that one will work since none of it is cake. Its just pixels and code. Playing these games and exploring the park nets users collectibles and wearables from various shows, which are then used to decorate a private space called a Fan Pod. Some of these collectibles include a Demogorgon plushie head and the iconic One Piece flag. Netflix Finally, theres something called the Streamship, which is a shared space to watch Netflix content. The company says this home base within Nextworld will provide social features and include events like premieres and viewing parties. Netflix Nextworld is now in early access and is available on any console that supports Roblox, in addition to mobile and PC/Mac. The streamer does say the theme park will feature plenty of surprises, so lets hope for a mini-game based on the driving crooner.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-and-roblox-team-up-for-a-digital-theme-park-thats-heavy-on-corporate-synergy-171944923.html?src=rss
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Nintendo has apparently had enough of Xs (Twitters) API fees. The Mario maker said on Wednesday that starting on June 10, direct integration from the Switchs image album to Elon Musks Nazi-curious platform will no longer work. With Nintendos departure, all three major console makers have pulled the plug on native screen-sharing to X. Xs official gaming account posted a bizarre, downright Orwellian response that ignores its central role in the Mario makers exit. Our partnership with Nintendo remains strong, and we are working together to ensure a smooth transition for all users, @xGaming posted at the end of its nonchalantly misleading reply to Nintendos announcement. We will continue collaborating with partners to bring new and exciting experiences to our global gaming community. Ironically, Xs built-in reader context feature filled in the omitted subtext. This is in direct response to X changing their API, the user-generated context says. Specifically, X is charging companies upwards of $40,000 or more per month to access its API. Sonys PlayStation and Microsofts Xbox already removed integration with X last year. As of June 10, 2024, it will no longer be possible to post screenshots and videos to X (formerly Twitter) from the Nintendo Switch's Album, or send friend requests to social media users via the Friend Suggestions feature.Find out more: https://t.co/rNkouTo109 Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 9, 2024 Wired first reported last year that access to the cheapest Enterprise API plan for The Dumpster Fire Formerly Known As Twitter starts at $42,000 monthly. Higher tiers can allegedly cost $125,000 and $210,000 per month. Microsoft led the charge when it said the Xbox was abandoning Musks API plan in April 2023, while Sony held its nose and stuck it out until November. The $42,000 (or more) monthly cost may not sound like much to these well-heeled mega-corporations, but apparently, even they have their limits. After all, quick screen-sharing to social channels is a marketing feature from a corporate perspective. If their accountants look at the analytics, weigh them against Musks fees and see it isnt paying off, theyll do what profit-driven entities do and reduce the overhead. But hey, at least Xs partnership with Nintendo remains strong. Of course, you can still post Switch screenshots to Musks hellscape; it just has extra steps now. You can send Switch album images to your phone wirelessly or transfer them to your PC using a USB cable, and then post them manually. Nintendo says integrated Facebook sharing is still enabled but warns that it could be discontinued later.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-is-done-paying-elon-musk-for-x-integration-165704399.html?src=rss
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