When choosing between the Dell Alienware and the Dell Inspiron, consider that the Alienware is tailored for high-end gaming and demanding tasks, which means it delivers superior performance but at a higher cost and usually with shorter battery life. It's also heavier, so it's less convenient to carry around. In contrast, the Inspiron is more budget-friendly, offers decent performance for everyday tasks and some light gaming or media creation, has better battery life, and is easier to transport due to its lighter weight. Decide based on what you'll use the laptop for and how much you value portability and battery life compared to performance. 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 m16 R2
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 5630
Very good for general use
Very good for content creation
Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
6.5/10
8.5/10
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
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 offers a high-end GPU and a screen with a fast refresh rate, enhancing gaming and 3D performance, which appeals to users who prioritize smooth and responsive visual experiences. Conversely, the Dell Inspiron 16 5630, while capable for moderate use, has a less powerful GPU and a lower refresh rate screen, making it suitable for casual gaming but not for the demanding needs of serious gamers or professional 3D work.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
7.7/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 stands out for engineering and design use with a high-performance CPU, substantial RAM, and a powerful GPU, which all contribute to handling complex tasks and software with ease, while its sharp screen ensures crisp visuals; however, it is less portable and might have louder operating noise due to its gaming-oriented design. The Dell Inspiron 16 5630, while also suitable for engineering and design, has a slightly less capable CPU and GPU, which makes it more affordable and portable, but with a tradeoff in peak performance and screen quality compared to the Alienware, though it may offer better keyboard and speaker quality for comfortable daily use.
Screen Quality
8.2/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
302.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Dell Alienware m16 R2 excels due to its high resolution and brightness, delivering crisp and vibrant visuals, while the Inspiron 16 5630 provides a slightly less brilliant but still clear and bright display. In engineering and design, the Alienware's wider color gamuts ensure more accurate color representation which professionals need, whereas the Inspiron still offers decent color accuracy but with less range. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Alienware's lower refresh rate may lead to less smooth visuals compared to laptops designed for gaming, despite its high resolution and panel quality, which are less critical than refresh rate in this context.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has 6 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
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has good portability, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.0/10
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,650
$849
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 has a price of $1,650 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 costs $849.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 16 5630 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 is good.
The Dell Alienware m16 R2 is equipped with a high-performance CPU and plenty of RAM, making it suitable for demanding tasks, but it's less portable and has a shorter battery life due to its gaming-oriented hardware. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 offers a balance with good screen quality and longer battery life at the expense of lower performance, better suited for everyday tasks with the added benefits of being easier to carry around and more comfortable to use for longer periods.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.1/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 16 5630 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Alienware m16 R2 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
7.6/10
7.9/10
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and Dell Alienware m16 R2 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 m16 R2 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 compare to other laptops
"Alienware’s m16 R2 is a solid gaming laptop that leaves much to be desired, particularly in its quest to fulfill your needs as a product for productivity. Battery life under eight hours and a dim display are both vital issues for something that will accompany you through school projects or a workday. However, the Alienware m16 R2 is an exceedingly powerful gaming laptop, consistently being one of the best in our performance tests when compared against similar products. Even then, its display is lacking color, its fans get pretty darn loud, and its speakers aren’t punchy enough to rise above that noise."
Get a great deal on the Dell Alienware m16 R2 or the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
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
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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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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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