If performance during tasks such as gaming or 3D modeling is paramount and the higher cost isn't a deterrent, the Acer Predator Helios 16 is the superior option, although it comes with less portability due to its weight and size. On the other hand, if you prefer a more budget-friendly laptop that offers decent performance for everyday use and easier transport, the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is a more suitable choice, albeit with potentially lower performance in demanding applications. Battery life will typically be better with less powerful laptops like the Dell, which is something to consider if you're often on the move. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios 16
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
Good portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.5/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 excels in gaming and 3D due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 240Hz, facilitating smooth and detailed gameplay. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 16 5630, with a modest integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and a standard 60Hz screen refresh rate, provides a less immersive experience, suitable for less demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
7.7/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 offers a higher-end CPU and GPU combination and superior screen quality which makes it very suitable for engineering and design tasks that require intensive computational power and accurate color representation. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is lighter and quieter, which may be preferred for portability and work environments sensitive to noise, though it has a less powerful GPU and lower screen resolution.
Screen Quality
8.8/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Acer Predator Helios 16 offers exceptional clarity and vividness due to its high resolution and brightness, making it ideal for browsing, video playback, and document work. The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 also provides clear and bright images but lies a step behind the Acer in terms of overall display quality. For engineering and design, the Acer excels with its wider color gamut, ensuring more accurate color reproduction essential for professional photo editing and CAD work, while the Dell, although competent, may not display colors as faithfully. When it comes to 3D tasks and gaming, the lower refresh rate of both laptops means less fluid motion and responsiveness, which might detract from high-speed gaming or complex 3D animations.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has good portability, while the Acer Predator Helios 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,599
$849
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a price of $1,599 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 costs $849.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and Acer Predator Helios 16 are both very good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is rated higher for general use largely due to its longer battery life and lighter weight which contribute to its greater portability, along with excellent heat management and a very good keyboard and speaker quality, making it well-suited for various daily tasks.
Content Creation
8.2/10
8.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Inspiron 16 5630 are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.9/10
7.9/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Inspiron 16 5630 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Inspiron 16 5630 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 compare to other laptops
"The Predator Helios 16 stacks up well against its closest competition in benchmark comparisons. The Acer Predator Helios 16 isn't perfect. It's bulky, its lid feels flimsy and some of its keys are just too damned small – but none of its problems are fatal, and it shines where it counts. The powerful graphics and processor combo are spot on for this price point, the fans stop it getting hot under pressure, and the display is as good as you’ll find under $2,500. It's simply one of the best laptops to play demanding games on."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
111,195
Recommendations made
24,093
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.