If you prioritize a higher quality display and a better-quality webcam, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i seems suitable as it has a brighter screen and a good webcam. However, if you prefer a slightly quieter working environment as its fan operation is considered silent, and you want a backlit keyboard with a numpad, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 would be preferable. Regarding performance for general use, Lenovo has a slight edge, although both are similar for engineering tasks and not ideal for intensive gaming. Both have similar battery life and portability, with the Lenovo being a bit newer and usually less expensive, while the Dell is somewhat more costly but offers Windows 11 Pro. Choose Lenovo for a better display and lower cost, or Dell for a silent operation and a useful keyboard layout for data entry. 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 5625
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.2/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
265.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i have screens suitable for general use largely because their resolution is high enough to make text and images sharp, while their panel types provide wide viewing angles and their brightness levels are adequate for most indoor environments. However, for engineering and design, their screens fall short due to limited color gamut coverage, meaning they don't display the wide range of colors professionals need for precise color work. For gaming and 3D applications, both laptops' screens disappoint because of their lower refresh rates, leading to less smooth motion and responsiveness compared to displays designed specifically for these tasks.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 both have good build quality, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 with its AMD Ryzen processor and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i with its Intel i5 processor both offer efficient performance for general use, backed by an adequate amount of RAM and similar battery life. They flaunt 16-inch screens with good resolution and quality, making for a pleasant visual experience, while their storage capabilities and physical designs support everyday portability and user experience, which includes quality keyboards and satisfactory speaker performance.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are considered fair for gaming and 3D due to their integrated GPUs, which are generally less powerful than dedicated gaming GPUs, and their standard 60Hz screen refresh rates. Even though both laptops possess decent CPUs and screen quality, neither is built specifically for high-end gaming or intensive 3D work that would benefit from more robust graphics hardware and faster display panels.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
7.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and a Vega 8 GPU, and features an IPS display with good color coverage and sharpness, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i includes an Intel i5 processor with an Iris Xe GPU, and has a slightly brighter IPS screen, which can be beneficial for design clarity. Both have solid processing power and RAM for engineering applications, but the Dell Inspiron offers silent operation which might be preferable for long engineering work sessions, while the Lenovo IdeaPad stands out with its superior keyboard and lighter build for better portability.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
7.5/10
7.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$800
$828
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a price of $800 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i costs $828.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i compare to other laptops
"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."
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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.
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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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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.