Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
Both laptops serve different market segments effectively. Dell XPS 16 excels with its premium Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, superior 500-nit display brightness, and exceptional build quality using CNC aluminum and carbon fiber, though it weighs slightly more at 2.13kg. Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16 counters with a sharper 2560x1600 resolution, faster 120Hz refresh rate, and better port variety including HDMI and SD card reader—practical features often overlooked. Performance-wise, the Intel chip edges out the Ryzen 7 8845HS in single-threaded tasks, yet real-world productivity differences are minimal. Battery life favors Dell marginally at 13 hours versus 12 hours. At nearly half the price ($899 vs $1899), the Lenovo delivers remarkable value with genuine performance competence, making it ideal for budget-conscious professionals. The XPS 16 justifies its premium through superior display quality, build materials, and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. Choose XPS 16 for ultimate prestige and brightness-intensive work; select IdeaPad 5 Pro for outstanding value and practical everyday computing.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 16 (9640) | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16" |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.13 kg | 4.41 lbs (2.0 kg) |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm | 14.06 x 9.99 x 0.68 inches |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 12 hours |
| Capacity | 99.5 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.3 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Pros
- Premium CNC aluminum chassis with edge-to-edge keyboard
- Optional 4K OLED touch display available
- Powerful Core Ultra and RTX 4050-4070 GPU options
- Large 99.5 Wh battery
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No USB-A, HDMI, or SD card slot
- Capacitive touch function row is divisive
- Invisible haptic trackpad takes adjustment
- Heavy and runs hot under load
- Mediocre battery life with discrete GPU
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
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Explore more in laptops, see all Dell products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the Dell XPS 16 (9640) or the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16".
