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Updated January 10, 2024·
Based on your needs, consider the following: If you value portability and a machine suitable for general use with a good battery life, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is more affordable and may serve you well. It also has a touchscreen and is quieter. However, if you require higher performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Pulse GL66, despite being less portable and more expensive, offers a more powerful Intel processor and a dedicated Nvidia graphics card which are better suited for intensive tasks. The MSI laptop also has additional gaming features such as a higher screen refresh rate and hardware ray tracing support. 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
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.2
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625, while sufficient for casual gaming and 3D tasks, may not provide the smoother visuals and response times that the MSI Pulse GL66 offers due to its superior GPU and higher screen refresh rate. Additionally, the MSI's more powerful CPU and better screen quality contribute to a more immersive and fluid experience in demanding gaming and 3D applications compared to the Dell.
Software Development
7.5
7.0
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for software development, though the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.2
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
265.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and the MSI Pulse GL66 have screens that don't reach the high brightness and resolution that provide the most clarity and comfort for everyday tasks, but they serve basic needs adequately. When it comes to engineering and design, neither laptop has a wide color gamut necessary for precise color work, which professionals in these fields often require. As for gaming and 3D, the lack of high refresh rates results in less fluid motion, and while the resolution and panel types are acceptable, they don't deliver the premium visual experience that enthusiasts look for.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Pulse GL66 has 4 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
15.6in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Pulse GL66 both have good portability, though the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$800
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a price of $800 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.3
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
265.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is well-suited for general use due to its combination of a solid main processor, ample RAM, and a high-quality IPS screen that offers good color coverage and brightness, alongside a touch-enabled display which enhances usability; its lightweight design and fanless operation ensure easy portability and quiet use. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 offers a powerful CPU and high-end GPU which deliver excellent performance for more demanding tasks, complemented with a high screen refresh rate, yet its gaming-oriented design and heavier weight make it less portable compared to the Dell Inspiron.
Engineering and Design
7.1
7.5
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is well-suited for engineering and design tasks thanks to its reliable AMD processor with integrated Vega graphics and a screen with a higher resolution and aspect ratio that's conducive to productivity, though it's not ideal for intensive gaming. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66 is equipped with a powerful Intel processor and Nvidia RTX GPU, making it excellent for engineering simulations and design work that require more graphics power, plus it has a high refresh rate screen for smoother visuals, but it sacrifices some portability and has a lower screen color score.
Content Creation
7.6
7.2
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Pulse GL66 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.
Build Quality
7.0
7.4
The MSI Pulse GL66 and Dell Inspiron 16 5625 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and the MSI Pulse GL66 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 16 5625 | MSI Pulse GL66 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$800 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2022 | March 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.9'' x 0.68'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.12 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.05" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.92" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5825U | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 53 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 265 nits | 245 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 16 5625
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Ultrabook Review
Derek Sullivan | January 2023
"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."
MSI Pulse GL66
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | April 2022
"The MSI Pulse GL66 has a lot of potential for improvement. Although the RTX 3060 is only able to use 105 watts, we still liked the gaming performance, particularly since this also makes the Pulse comfortably efficient but not slow by any means. Neither the dark display with its lame response times, nor USB 2.0 or the lack of Thunderbolt will please real gamers. The use of a sticker factory seal, which is at least questionable, also won't inspire any enthusiasm. It is obvious that the laptop is really designed for price-conscious gamers."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 or the MSI Pulse GL66
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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