The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is slightly more expensive with more storage than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i. The Dell has a slightly better performance for general use while both laptops have similar capabilities for engineering tasks. The Lenovo has a better battery capacity, and both have similar portability. The Dell's display offers higher resolution, but the Lenovo's screen is brighter with better contrast, which might be favorable for media consumption. If budget is a concern and you're looking for better screen brightness and contrast, the Lenovo might be preferable; if you need more storage and slightly better general performance, the Dell could be the better choice. 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 5635
Very good for general use
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for content creation, though the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.6/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
265.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the screen quality of both laptops is fair due to their adequate resolution and brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and document editing. However, in engineering and design, the same screens may fall short as they likely lack the wide color gamuts necessary for precise color work. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates of these displays may not provide the smooth visuals desired for high-speed graphics or animation, placing them in the poor category for these uses.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Dell Inspiron 16 5635 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.
Cost
$700
$828
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 has a price of $700 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i costs $828.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 16 5635 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 offers a more powerful AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and higher screen resolution, enhancing performance and visual clarity for general use, at the cost of reduced portability due to its slightly higher weight. In comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i, while still providing good general performance with its Intel i5 processor and ample battery life, comes with better keyboard and heat management features, making it a quieter and more comfortable option for extended use.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
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 Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both considered fair for gaming and 3D because they have integrated graphics, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U Vega 8 and Intel i5-1335U Iris Xe respectively, which are sufficient for light gaming but not for high-end games.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
7.0/10
6.9/10
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 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 with its AMD Ryzen CPU and integrated Vega 8 GPU, combined with a high-resolution screen, makes for a robust engineering and design option that also offers considerable on-board storage for projects and applications.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 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 5635 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
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Dell Inspiron 16 5635 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i compare to other laptops
"Compared to the previous year’s Inspiron, Dell upgraded the screen aspect ratio on this generation, but also transitioned to a more minimalistic centered keyboard flanked by up-firing speakers. The 16-inch screen is huge plus and I really appreciate the extra real estate without sacrificing the footprint much. This year’s model is a little larger than last, though, as the former model was already very small for a 15 incher."
"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 5635 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.