The Acer Predator Helios 16 is significantly more expensive but offers better performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and intensive gaming due to its superior processor and graphics card. However, it has a shorter battery life and is heavier, making it less portable. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is more affordable and lighter with longer battery life, better suited for general use and tasks that don't require intense graphics. Its performance in demanding tasks is lower compared to the Acer but it handles general engineering software well. The tradeoff is between higher performance for specialized tasks with the Acer and affordability and portability with the Dell. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Acer Predator Helios 16
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5635
Good portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.3/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
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 5635 is only fair.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 surpasses the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 in gaming and 3D due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU that supports hardware ray tracing and advanced features like DLSS, and a higher screen refresh rate, providing smoother visuals.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
7.3/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is good.
The Acer Predator Helios 16, with a more powerful Intel i7 CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU, excels in engineering and design tasks, reflected in its better performance for intensive uses like gaming, but it is heavier and has a louder operating noise. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 16 5635, while still adequate for engineering with its AMD Ryzen CPU and integrated Vega graphics, gives up some performance for a lighter design and silent operation, making it more suitable for those who prioritize portability and a quieter environment.
Screen Quality
8.8/10
6.6/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
498.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
265.0 nits
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
When considering the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 for general use, the Acer is likely to provide a clearer and more vibrant visual experience due to a higher resolution and brightness level, which make everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming more enjoyable. For engineering and design work, the Acer's display, with a broader color coverage, ensures more accurate color representation that professionals need for tasks like photo editing or CAD work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is crucial, the Acer falters with a lower refresh rate resulting in less smooth visuals compared to displays optimized for such purposes.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Acer Predator Helios 16 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 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
4.1 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 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
$735
$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 5635 costs $735.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Inspiron 16 5635 are both very good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 edges out the Acer Predator Helios 16 in general use due to its lighter weight and fanless, silent operation which contribute to better portability and a quieter experience, alongside longer battery life which is crucial for everyday tasks. While both have the same screen size and resolution, the Acer falls short on portability and battery life but offers a more powerful CPU and GPU, making it a tradeoff between performance for intensive tasks and general usability for day-to-day activities.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.9/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Predator Helios 16 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is good.
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
7.7/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Dell Inspiron 16 5635 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 5635 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Predator Helios 16 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 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."
"Compared to the previous year’s Inspiron, Dell upgraded the screen aspect ratio on this generation, but also transitioned to a more minimalistic centered keyboard flanked by up-firing speakers. The 16-inch screen is huge plus and I really appreciate the extra real estate without sacrificing the footprint much. This year’s model is a little larger than last, though, as the former model was already very small for a 15 incher."
Get a great deal on the Acer Predator Helios 16 or the Dell Inspiron 16 5635
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.
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