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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.

Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Dell
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
$1,899
8.4/10
Winner
VS
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
$899
7.8/10

Full Specifications

SpecDell XPS 16 (9640)Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
SoftwareWindows 11 HomeWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight2.13 kg4.41 lbs (2.0 kg)
MaterialCNC aluminum and carbon fiberAluminum
Dimensions358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm14.06 x 9.99 x 0.68 inches
Ports
SD card
Thunderbolt ports3
HDMI
USB-A ports1
USB-C ports2
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 13 hours mixed useUp to 12 hours
Capacity99.5 Wh75 Wh
Display
Size16.3 inches16 inches
TypeInfinityEdge IPS non-touchIPS
Resolution1920 x 12002560 x 1600
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)500350
Storage
SSD512 GB NVMe512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Processor
RAM16 GB LPDDR5x16 GB DDR5
Cores16-core (6P+8E+2LPE)8 cores / 16 threads
ChipsetIntel Core Ultra 7 155HAMD Ryzen 7 8845HS

Category Scores

Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16"
Value
7.5
9.1
Battery
8.2
8.0
Display
9.0
8.5
Performance
8.8
8.4
portability
8.5
8.3

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

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".