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Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M vs Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500

Hello, tech fans! If you've been searching for a top-tier gaming laptop, you're in the right place. We're examining two powerhouses in this space: Dell's Alienware 17 R1 and Digital Storm's Banshee. Each of these 17.3" marvels impress with their Intel i5 processors and 8GB RAM, yet subtle contrasts may tip the scale in favor of one over the other. It could be Alienware's ample 1TB storage or possibly the Banshee's exceptional processor speed that grabs your attention? Regardless, get comfortable as we pit these two gaming titans against each other in an ultimate clash of power, performance and overall user experience. Let’s delve into the details to help you make a well-informed choice for your upcoming virtual escapade!

Performance

System and application performance

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M
16
Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
35
Gaming

Performance in popular 3D games

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M
16
Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
35
Display

Viewing angle, color accuracy...

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M
37
Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
37
Connectivity

Ports, webcam and other interfaces

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M
56
Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
79
Battery Life

Potential battery life

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M
50
Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
50
Design

Materials, durability and portability

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M
43
Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
40

Design Comparison

Size Comparison

When analyzing the design features of the Dell Alienware 17 R1 and the Digital Storm Banshee, various factors come into play that greatly influence user experience. Let's explore these aspects to provide insights into how each laptop meets distinct user requirements and preferences:

Design Elements Comparison:

Weight and Portability:

  • The Dell Alienware 17 R1 weighs 9.1 pounds, slightly lighter than the Digital Storm Banshee at 10.6 pounds, impacting portability considerations for users focused on mobility.

Keyboard:

  • Both laptops have a backlit keyboard, making them user-friendly in low-light settings. This feature may be attractive to students or professionals who work late hours or in poorly lit areas.

Connectivity:

  • The Digital Storm Banshee provides users with more USB 3.0 ports (5 compared to Dell's 4) and extra RJ45 ports (2 compared to Dell's 1). This feature can be advantageous for individuals who need to connect multiple devices simultaneously, like professionals managing various devices at once.

Wireless Connectivity:

  • Both laptops offer Wi-Fi connectivity, with the Digital Storm Banshee supporting Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) alongside Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). This addition delivers faster wireless speeds and enhanced connectivity, benefiting users who heavily depend on wireless networks for productivity or entertainment.

Additional Features:

  • The Digital Storm Banshee boasts a fingerprint scanner and an SPDIF out port, enhancing security and audio output options respectively. These features may appeal to professionals seeking added security measures or audiophiles looking for high-quality audio experiences.

Usability Impact:

  • Students: The Dell Alienware's lighter weight might be preferable for students commuting between classes, while the Digital Storm Banshee's additional connectivity ports could benefit those needing versatile connections for projects.
  • Professionals: The Digital Storm Banshee's advanced Wi-Fi capabilities and additional security features like the fingerprint scanner cater to professionals requiring fast internet speeds and enhanced data protection.

Aesthetic Appeal:

  • Both laptops boast sturdy construction and stylish designs appealing to gamers, students, or professionals looking for a contemporary look.

Conclusion:

In summary, the Dell Alienware 17 R1 is slightly more portable because of its lighter weight, whereas the Digital Storm Banshee stands out with its wide range of connectivity options and advanced features such as Wi-Fi 5 support and a fingerprint scanner.

Screen Comparison

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210MDigital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
ResolutionFull HDFull HD
Screen Size17.3"17.3"

When comparing the Dell Alienware 17 R1 with the Digital Storm Banshee 17.3" laptop screen, we'll provide a detailed analysis to help you make an informed decision.

When selecting a laptop, the screen plays a vital role in enhancing your viewing experience, whether for gaming, graphic design, or movie watching. Let's compare the screen specifications of the Dell Alienware 17 R1 and the Digital Storm Banshee to assist you in making an informed decision based on your requirements.

Screen Size:

  • Dell Alienware 17 R1: Boasts a generous 17.3-inch display.
  • Digital Storm Banshee: Equally offers a 17.3-inch screen size.

*Both laptops provide ample screen real estate for immersive gaming experiences and multitasking in professional environments.*

Resolution:

  • Dell Alienware 17 R1: Features a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.
  • Digital Storm Banshee: Additionally provides a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

*Expect sharp, detailed visuals for gaming or graphic design tasks with identical resolutions on both laptops.*

Display Technology:

  • Dell Alienware 17 R1: Utilizes LED-backlit LCD technology for vibrant colors and energy efficiency.
  • Digital Storm Banshee: Features IPS LCD with LED backlighting for wider viewing angles and color accuracy.

*The Dell Alienware offers vibrant colors and energy efficiency, while the Digital Storm Banshee stands out for its color accuracy and wider viewing angles, making it perfect for graphic design professionals.*

In conclusion, both laptops provide great screen sizes and resolutions that cater to different tasks like gaming, graphic design, or multimedia use. Your decision between them might depend on your preferences for color accuracy and viewing angles. Opt for the Dell Alienware if you value vibrant colors and energy efficiency. Conversely, choose the Digital Storm Banshee if color accuracy and wide viewing angles matter more to you.

Hardware Comparison

Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210MDigital Storm Banshee 17.3" Intel Core i5 6500
RAM8GB8GB
Storage Size1000GB250GB

Comparing the hardware of the Dell Alienware 17 R1 and the Digital Storm Banshee involves examining crucial components such as CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage to assess their influence on daily tasks and performance.

Dell Alienware 17 R1

  • CPU: Intel i5 4210M 2.6GHz
  • GPU: Not provided in the given specs
  • RAM: 8GB DDR3, 1600 MHz
  • Storage: 1TB HDD
  • Memory Slots: 2
  • CPU Speed: 2 GHz

Analysis:

  • The Intel i5 4210M CPU provides satisfactory performance for everyday computing tasks.
  • Equipped with 8GB of RAM and a spacious 1TB HDD, this device excels at multitasking and offers ample storage capacity for extensive data.
  • The lower CPU speed of 2GHz may impact heavy software operations or demanding games.

Digital Storm Banshee

  • CPU: Intel Core i5 6500 3.2GHz
  • GPU: Not provided in the given specs
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4, 2133 MHz
  • Storage: 250GB SSD (Flash Storage)
  • Memory Slots: 2
  • CPU Speed: 4 GHz

Analysis:

  • The Intel Core i5 6500 CPU offers superior processing speeds when compared to the Dell Alienware.
  • Incorporating a 250GB SSD for Flash Storage results in faster boot times and application loading.
  • The system's overall performance can be improved with faster RAM speed clocked at 2133 MHz.

Practical Applications:

  • Multimedia Tasks: The Digital Storm Banshee with its faster CPU and SSD storage would excel in handling multimedia tasks like photo/video editing or rendering compared to the Dell Alienware.
  • Heavy Software Operation: For heavy software operations such as running complex simulations or editing large datasets, the higher CPU speed and SSD storage of the Banshee make it a more suitable choice.

In conclusion, if you prioritize speed and responsiveness for multimedia tasks or heavy software operations, the Digital Storm Banshee might be more suitable due to its faster CPU speed and SSD storage. However, if storage capacity is a priority for you, the Dell Alienware with its larger HDD might be preferable.

Verdict

Why Dell Alienware 17 R1 17.3" Intel i5 4210M?

  • Dell Alienware offers a larger 1TB HDD for extensive storage needs.
  • The Dell Alienware is slightly lighter at 9.1 pounds, enhancing portability.
  • The design of Dell Alienware features vibrant LED-backlit LCD technology for rich colors.

Why ?

  • Digital Storm Banshee features a faster Intel Core i5 6500 CPU for superior processing speeds.
  • The Banshee offers faster boot times and application loading with its 250GB SSD storage.
  • Enhanced multitasking capabilities with 8GB DDR4 RAM clocked at 2133 MHz.
  • Suitable for multimedia tasks and heavy software operations due to its superior CPU speed and storage configuration.