'That thing is a beast and I love it.' This monstrous gaming laptop is massively discounted, even after Prime Day

Sometimes when you shop for a gaming laptop you want a budget-friendly machine that can squeak by running PC games at low frame rates or reduced settings. At other times, you want a portable powerhouse that can tear through graphically demanding titles. If the latter aligns with your current mood (and budget), Best Buy has a deal on the Alienware m16 R2 that's up your alley. The model with an Intel Core Ultra 7 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is $550 off. Best Buy's "Black Friday in July" event ended at the same time as Prime Day, but this deal is still around.

Alienware m16 R2 | $1,849.99 now $1,299.99 at Best Buy

Alienware m16 R2 | was $1,849.99 now $1,299.99 at Best Buy

This powerful gaming laptop can handle intense and demanding games, thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. The PC also features a QHD+ display with a 240Hz refresh rate and support for NVIDIA G-SYNC.

✅Perfect for: PC gamers who want to play demanding games at high frames per second.

❌Avoid if: You are on a budget or need a screen that is extremely bright.

💰Price check: $1,899.99 at Dell

🔥The hottest post-Prime Day 2024 deals🔥

Why I recommend this deal

Alienware m16 R2 touchpad loop lighting.

The Alienware m16 R2 keeps the gamer aesthetic of its lineup, including an RGB keyboard and several other lights. (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)

TIP🔍Buying a My Best Buy membership before ordering the Alienware m16 R2 will get you free two-day shipping, an extended return window, and other perks. If you subscribe to My Best Buy Total, you'll get 24/7 tech support, a protection plan, and 20% off repairs.

Being part of the Windows Central team is fun for several reasons, including the fact that my coworkers genuinely enjoy the tech they cover. Our Rebecca Spear loves gaming, and she's played a massive range of titles. She has also used an expansive collection of PCs, ranging from the best gaming handhelds to powerful gaming PCs. In our Alienware m16 R2 review, Spear said the PC's internals "provide unparalleled portable gaming with high frame rates."

I love reading about the experiences of my colleagues, and I love chatting with them about geeky gadgets. The Alienware m16 R2 falls firmly in the category of tech to geek out about.

That thing is a beast and I love it.

Rebecca Spear

Earning 4.5 out of 5 stars is no small feat, but the Alienware m16 R2 did just that. The PC earned high marks for its gaming performance, stealth mode, port selection, and customizable RGB lighting.

Spear also praised the battery life of the Alienware m16 R2, though it's always important to put the battery life of a gaming laptop in perspective. If you only use day-to-day programs, the laptop can get around eight hours of battery life. But you probably aren't going to buy an Alienware m16 R2 with an RTX 4070 to use Microsoft Word. Spear only got around one hour of battery life when playing intensive games. That's fine for a gaming laptop in this category and with the high-end specs it holds.

If you need to switch over to everyday work, the laptop has a stealth mode that turns off RGB lighting and switches your keyboard to white backlighting. But the star of the show is the Alienware's m16 R2's internals. The laptop pairs an Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 1 with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, meaning the PC can play the best PC games at high frame rates.

Before writing this piece I messaged Spear and asked if anything has happened to change her mind about the Alienware m16 R2 since publishing her review. She replied, "Nah. That thing is a beast and I love it." Enough said.

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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.