The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) tends to be more expensive with higher build quality, a more color-accurate screen, and superior performance for general use and 3D/machine learning tasks due to its M1 chip. Its battery life is noteworthy, and it's well-suited for mobile use due to its light weight and smaller size. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 offers a larger screen with a higher number of storage options at a lower price point. The Dell is better equipped for those needing a numeric keypad, multiple ports, and preferable for users who prioritize having a larger screen over portability. The MacBook Pro operates silently without fans, while the Dell's performance in engineering tasks and 3D rendering is decent but not on par with the MacBook Pro. Consider the MacBook if performance and build quality are paramount, and the Dell if you prefer a larger screen and a lower price. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Best in class battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5625
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020).
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.6/10
6.2/10
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
265.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 for general use, AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The MacBook Pro 13’s higher resolution and bright display make it excellent for general use and design work, where fine detail and color accuracy are crucial. Its screen covers a broad spectrum of color gamuts, which is essential for engineering and design tasks where precise color representation matters. However, for 3D work, the MacBook's lower refresh rate compared to specialized gaming laptops makes it less ideal, as smoother motion and faster screen updates are key in that realm, a domain where the Dell Inspiron also falls short despite its fair resolution and display type for general and engineering use.
Battery
20.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 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
13.3in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$800
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 costs $800.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.2/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
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 Pro 13 (2020) and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has an Apple M1 GPU which is not typically designed for high-end gaming or 3D applications, and some popular games may not be supported on its MacOS; however, the screen quality is excellent with a high resolution and color accuracy, suitable for 3D design work within its compatibility range. The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U Vega 8 GPU that provides decent capability for gaming and 3D graphics, and it boasts a larger screen and runs Windows 11 Pro, which supports a wider range of games, but its screen refresh rate is standard, which may not be ideal for the most responsive gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
7.1/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is geared towards engineering and design with its high screen pixel density and color accuracy, complemented by the efficient Apple M1 processor that integrates both CPU and GPU functions. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 offers a larger screen and a stronger CPU and GPU combination within the AMD Ryzen 7, providing more RAM as standard, which is beneficial for resource-intensive design tasks.
Content Creation
7.8/10
7.6/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 are both 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
7.8/10
7.5/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 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.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 compare to other laptops
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
"I think there is fair value in the Inspiron 16 this year. Very little has changed with the laptop and my opinion hasn’t really changed either. In other words, I like it. Overall, I think the pros far outweigh the cons of this laptop and the price is certainly justifiable. I found this to be a great typer and I could potentially work all day on this machine, provided I don’t need a graphics card."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the Dell Inspiron 16 5625
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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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.
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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.
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