Dell Precision 5680 vs Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
The Verdict
These laptops serve vastly different purposes and budgets. The Dell Precision 5680 is a professional workstation built for demanding creative and technical tasks, featuring a stunning 16-inch OLED touch display with 3840 x 2400 resolution, 32 GB DDR5 ECC RAM, and Intel's i9-13900H processor with 14 cores. Its 86 Wh battery delivers up to 10 hours, while dual Thunderbolt ports enable rapid data transfers critical for professionals handling large files. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro targets mainstream users needing solid everyday performance at a fraction of the cost. Its 16-inch IPS display (2560 x 1600, 120 Hz) is respectable but lacks the OLED vibrancy and touch functionality. The Ryzen 7 8845HS with 8 cores and 16 GB RAM handles multitasking adequately, though it's substantially less powerful than the Precision. Storage starts at 512 GB versus the Dell's 1 TB. Battery life edges ahead at 12 hours due to the smaller capacity and less demanding components. For content creators, engineers, or video professionals, the Dell's superior display technology, processing power, and pro-grade features justify the premium. For students or general users editing documents and browsing, the Lenovo delivers excellent value and practical performance without overspending.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Dell Precision 5680 if…
- →NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada workstation GPU with ISV certifications
- →4K OLED touch display with 100% DCI-P3 for color-critical work
- →ECC memory option for error-free computation in CAD/simulation
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16" if…
- →2.5K 120Hz display is exceptional for a sub-$900 laptop
- →Ryzen 7 8845HS with Ryzen AI for local AI processing
- →75 Wh battery delivers genuine all-day use for productivity
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Dell Precision 5680
Pros
- NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada workstation GPU with ISV certifications
- 4K OLED touch display with 100% DCI-P3 for color-critical work
- ECC memory option for error-free computation in CAD/simulation
- Compact for a mobile workstation — smaller than most 16-inch laptops
- Dell's enterprise support and manageability tools
Cons
- Expensive starting at $2,499 with workstation GPU configs much higher
- Only USB-C/Thunderbolt — no built-in USB-A or HDMI
- OLED display limited to 60Hz refresh rate
- Fan noise under sustained workstation loads is loud
- Battery life drops to 4-5 hours under GPU-intensive tasks
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
Pros
- 2.5K 120Hz display is exceptional for a sub-$900 laptop
- Ryzen 7 8845HS with Ryzen AI for local AI processing
- 75 Wh battery delivers genuine all-day use for productivity
- Full-size HDMI and SD card reader — no dongles needed
- 16-inch display is ideal for split-screen multitasking
Cons
- 350-nit brightness is dim for outdoor use
- No Thunderbolt — USB-C only for charging and peripherals
- 4.41 lbs is heavier than ultrabook competitors
- No discrete GPU option for light gaming
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell Precision 5680 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16" |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 4.49 lbs (2.04 kg) | 4.41 lbs (2.0 kg) |
| Material | CNC machined aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 13.64 x 9.17 x 0.74 inches | 14.06 x 9.99 x 0.68 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 86 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | OLED touch | IPS |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5 ECC | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 14 cores (6P + 8E) | 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Chipset | Intel Core i9-13900H (13th Gen) | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Dell products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the Dell Precision 5680 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16".