When choosing between the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Dell Inspiron 16 5620, consider that the MacBook Air generally offers a more powerful graphics chip and a higher-resolution display in a lighter and thinner design, advantages that come with a higher price tag. It also features a fanless design for silent operation and typically longer battery life. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron provides more storage and memory at a lower cost and includes a range of ports without needing additional adapters. It runs Windows, which is more compatible with a wider range of software, especially for business and gaming. The MacBook runs macOS, preferred for its user interface and software ecosystem, including creative applications. If cost is a significant factor and you need a computer for general use with ample storage, the Dell Inspiron might be the better choice. However, if you are focused on high-resolution media, better graphics performance, and a lighter device for on-the-go use, and you're willing to invest more, consider the MacBook Air. 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 Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5620
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023).
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.6/10
7.0/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inspiron 16 5620 are both good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is well-suited for engineering and design thanks to its high-resolution IPS screen, powerful integrated Apple M2 GPU, and efficient Apple M2 CPU, making it great for visually intensive tasks while being lightweight and silent. In comparison, the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 offers more RAM and storage along with a capable Intel Iris Xe GPU and Intel i5 CPU, delivering good performance for engineering applications; however, it has a lower screen resolution and color accuracy, making it less optimal for design work that requires precise color representation.
Software Development
8.1/10
7.5/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
7.8/10
6.2/10
15.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
265.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air 15, with its high-resolution display and exceptional brightness, offers crisp, clear visuals and vibrant colors, making it excellent for general tasks and engineering work where precision and color accuracy are key. Its screen covers a wide spectrum of color gamuts ensuring that design professionals see true-to-life colors. However, its standard refresh rate, while sufficient for everyday tasks and professional design, falls short for 3D applications where smoother motion provided by higher refresh rates is crucial.
Battery
15.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 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
Very Good
Good
15.3in
SIZE
16.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 costs $500.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inspiron 16 5620 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) features an M2 processor, along with a high resolution IPS display that provides superior screen quality and vibrant colors, making it ideal for general use, with additional benefits like silent operation and very good portability due to its light weight and long battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5620, on the other hand, offers double the storage and RAM, an excellent keyboard, and sufficient performance for general use, but with reduced portability and screen vibrancy compared to the MacBook Air.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.2/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Dell Inspiron 16 5620 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.6/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 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.
Give feedback
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How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Air 15 is boringly good. The new MacBook Air 15 is a very good, but also boring device, because apart from the larger screen and the higher price, there are no differences compared to the smaller MacBook Air M2 from last year. No new processor, no additional ports, just the usual basic hardware - but the overall package is extremely good and it simply works. Above all, the lack of fans is an aspect that should not be underestimated in everyday use. In our opinion, the Air could be a lot better, but Apple goes easy on itself here."
"If the world is exciting enough right now, you can do far worse than a solid performer that you know will get the job done. Our review model is as powerful as you'd want an office machine to be unless you're performing specialist tasks and the price point is pretty attractive (unless work will let you have a MacBook Air instead)."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Dell Inspiron 16 5620
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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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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.