Considering your needs, the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is a robust option with an AMD Ryzen processor providing ample computing power for general use, and its larger screen with higher resolution is beneficial for tasks that require more screen space and clarity, like photo editing or multitasking with multiple windows. However, it is heavier and bulkier, which may not be ideal if portability is a top priority for you. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, while having a smaller and lower-resolution screen, is significantly lighter, making it easier to carry around, and it also boasts an Intel processor with integrated graphics that can handle everyday tasks effectively. If long battery life is important, the Lenovo seems to offer slightly better performance, but if you're looking for silent operation, the Dell stands out. Choose the Dell if performance and screen size matter the most, or the Lenovo if portability and battery life are your main concerns. 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 7i
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.6/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
265.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i offers clearer images and brighter visuals, making it more pleasant for everyday activities like browsing and watching movies. The IdeaPad's superior color gamut coverage ensures more accurate color representation for engineering and design tasks, which is crucial for professionals in those fields. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates, although the resolution and panel type may still provide an adequate experience for casual use.
Battery
8.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.8/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Inspiron 16 5635 both have good build quality, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$700
$899
$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 7i costs $899.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 16 5635 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 is highly favored for general use as it offers a larger, high-resolution screen, more storage, and a good balance of performance with its AMD Ryzen CPU and integrated graphics, although it sacrifices some portability due to its larger size and weight. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, while providing a less powerful Intel CPU and smaller storage, boasts a higher-quality screen and excellent portability with a lighter build and a superior battery life, making it suitable for users who prioritize mobility and screen quality over storage capacity and screen size.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
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 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
7.1/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
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 7i are both good for engineering and design.
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
7.9/10
7.7/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
7.7/10
7.5/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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
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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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