The Dell Alienware m15 R7 stands out for high-performance tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, and engineering due to its powerful processor and high-end graphics card, but the tradeoff is in its heavier weight and lower battery life. If portability and longer battery use are priorities and your tasks are more general, such as office work or multimedia, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 with its integrated graphics may be a better fit, offering a lighter design and better battery life at a more affordable price. However, it won't handle intensive tasks as well as the Alienware. 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 Dell Alienware m15 R7
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5625
Good portability
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.8/10
6.2/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 offers a superior GPU and higher screen refresh rate, making it well-suited for demanding gaming and 3D tasks; whereas the Dell Inspiron 16 5625, with modest GPU performance and a lower refresh rate, is adequate for less intensive use and will not perform as smoothly with high-end games or complex 3D applications. While both have competent CPUs and screen quality, the Alienware's focus on gaming-centric features clearly sets it apart for enthusiasts seeking a more immersive experience.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
8.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is good.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 is notably superior for engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU, higher-end GPU, and a higher resolution display, which are critical components for demanding tasks and fine detail work. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625, while lighter and offering a quieter fanless design, has a less powerful integrated GPU, which may limit its performance in intensive engineering applications and graphic design.
Screen Quality
8.2/10
6.2/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
265.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a better screen for content creation.
If you prioritize vibrant colors and sharp images for tasks like document editing and web browsing, the Alienware m15 R7's superior resolution and brightness will serve you well, but for engineering and design, its wider color gamut ensures more accurate color representation. On the other hand, the Inspiron 16 5625's fair screen means you can comfortably use it for day-to-day tasks or engineering at a more affordable price, though color fidelity and sharpness won't match the Alienware. Gamers and 3D designers would find the Alienware's lower refresh rate limiting, affecting the fluidity and responsiveness of fast-paced visuals, while the Inspiron likewise falls short for these uses.
Battery
5.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has 5 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
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m15 R7 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has very good 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
$2,200
$800
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 has a price of $2,200 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 costs $800.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 are both good for general use.
The Dell Alienware m15 R7 offers powerful performance with a top-tier CPU and ample RAM making it great for demanding tasks, but its weight and size reduce its portability and its battery life is shorter for general use. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625, with a capable processor and good RAM, also provides a quality screen and longer battery life, in a lighter and thinner package, making it highly portable for everyday use with less concern for nearby power outlets.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.6/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 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
7.3/10
7.5/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Dell Alienware m15 R7 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 Dell Alienware m15 R7 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 compare to other laptops
"The Alienware M15 offers solid gaming and leading endurance. It makes the most of its CPU and GPU while delivering stellar battery life for a gaming laptop. Opening the lid presents a full-size keyboard with honeycomb cutouts above it on the deck. An oblong RBG lightning element surrounds the entire rear panel and can be color-synced with the other lights on the laptop. There’s not a lot to dislike about the M15 Its productivity performance lagged in some areas, particularly in the storage benchmark, and it’s a bit heavy. Alienware has a clear winner here with the M15 based on its strong overall performance and endurance."
"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 Dell Alienware m15 R7 or the Dell Inspiron 16 5625
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 is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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