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Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" depends on your priorities. The Dell is more budget-friendly, has a larger screen, and a slightly better battery life, which makes it a good choice for everyday use and entertainment. However, the Surface Laptop is more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size, and it delivers better performance due to its higher-resolution screen and superior processor, which might be important if you do more demanding tasks like photo editing or multitasking. Essentially, if cost and a larger screen are crucial, go with the Dell, but if you need a better performer and greater portability, the Surface might be worth the extra cost. 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 Inspiron 16 5620
- The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.2
7.2
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
265.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
If you prioritize a sharp, vibrant display for activities like browsing or document editing, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a higher resolution and brightness, resulting in better overall screen quality for these tasks. For tasks that require accurate color representation, like photo editing or CAD work, the same laptop would also be preferable due to its superior color gamut coverage. However, for gaming or 3D applications, neither laptop is ideal, but the Surface's lower refresh rate would be more of a drawback compared to the Dell Inspiron 16 5620, although both may not satisfy gamers or professionals using 3D applications who need smoother visuals.
Portability
Good
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Inspiron 16 5620 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$500
$1,200
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has a price of $500 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.4
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
265.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 offers a larger screen and more ports for connectivity which, along with its solid performance and build, make it a good choice for general use, but it is less portable and offers shorter battery life compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which shines with its higher-resolution touchscreen display, lighter build, and longer battery life, making it very suitable for on-the-go usage. While both laptops are equipped with capable processors and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, the Surface Laptop generally provides a better balance of portability, screen quality, and battery longevity, but its port selection is more limited.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.1
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are considered fair for gaming and 3D due to limitations in their integrated graphics (both have Intel Iris Xe) and standard screen refresh rates of 60Hz, which can handle casual gaming but might not offer the smoothest experience for more demanding games and 3D applications. The Inspiron 16 sports a larger screen that might be preferred for viewing content, whereas the Surface Laptop 5, with its higher screen quality and portability, provides a sharp and vibrant display in a more compact and travel-friendly form.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.1
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Inspiron 16 5620 are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are well-suited for engineering and design due to their substantial RAM and capable processors which handle demanding applications needed in these fields; they also have quality IPS screens, although the Surface Laptop offers a higher resolution and touch screen capability for detailed work. The Dell's larger screen and number pad might benefit design tasks, while the Microsoft's device has superior portability, keyboard, and is quieter, making it a solid choice for engineers and designers working on the go.
Content Creation
7.6
7.4
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
7.5
7.2
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 16 5620 has 8 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 16 5620 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2022 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.9'' x 0.68'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.12 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.05" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1235U | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 265 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 16 5620
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Stuff
Brett Venter | January 2023
"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)."
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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CNET
Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 16 5620 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
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