If you prioritize performance and are willing to invest more, the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 can handle intensive tasks well. However, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is more budget-friendly and offers sufficient performance for general use and basic computing tasks. The larger display on the Dell might be better for multitasking or demanding visual work, yet it's less portable compared to the smaller Lenovo. The Lenovo could be a smart pick if you value portability and don't require advanced computing power, but if you need a more robust laptop for heavy applications, the Dell could 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 5630
Very good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14"
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.2/10
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is outfitted with a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a larger, higher-quality screen which contribute significantly to its very good general use performance, yet these features also lead to a heavier device with less battery life compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, which is lighter and lasts longer on a single charge but has a less capable CPU, less RAM, and a smaller lower-quality screen, making it only fair for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.0/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 offers fair gaming and 3D capabilities primarily due to its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle moderate gaming demands, but its standard 60Hz screen refresh rate limits the smoothness of fast-paced games. Similarly, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" comes with AMD Vega 7 graphics that are suitable for casual gaming, and it too has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a common baseline but not ideal for high-frame-rate gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
6.1/10
8.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.1/10
8.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" 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
7.9/10
7.1/10
8.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both good for software development, though the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 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
6.8/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 for general use, its high resolution and brightness, along with a superior panel type, result in a crisp and clear display, but for gaming and 3D applications, its lower refresh rate could hinder the smoothness of motion graphics. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 may offer acceptable screen quality for general activities with fair resolution and brightness, though it falls short for specialized tasks like engineering and design due to limited color accuracy and range. For gamers and those interested in 3D, both laptops lack the high refresh rate necessary for optimal motion rendering, affecting the overall visual experience.
Battery
8.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has 10 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
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$849
$390
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has a price of $849 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" costs $390.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 16 5630 to have good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" compare to other laptops
"The low-priced IdeaPad 3 14 delivers on core functionality. Lenovo's IdeaPad 3 14 meets all the basic requirements for an inexpensive office laptop. The matte IPS display is bright enough, the performance is high for the class, and the input devices are rock solid. In addition, the mostly quiet operation including the useful performance modes, cool surface temperatures, easy maintainability as well as expandable working and mass storage all contribute to the IdeaPad 3 14's value proposition."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14"
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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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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