Dell XPS 16 (9640) vs Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Both laptops pack identical Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processors and 16GB RAM, but diverge significantly in display and build quality. Dell's XPS 16 features a premium aluminum-carbon fiber chassis, brighter 500-nit IPS panel at 1920x1200, and superior 13-hour battery life powered by a larger 99.5Wh cell. Lenovo's IdeaPad Pro 5i counters with a crisper 2.5K resolution (2560x1600), faster 120Hz refresh rate, better port selection including full HDMI and SD card, and lighter 1.98kg weight—all at half the price. The IdeaPad's plastic base construction and dimmer 350-nit display represent compromises for budget-conscious buyers. For creative professionals prioritizing build quality and battery endurance, the XPS 16 justifies its premium. Value-focused users needing sharper visuals and faster refresh rates should choose the IdeaPad Pro 5i 16.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell XPS 16 (9640) | Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.13 kg | 1.98 kg |
| Material | CNC aluminum and carbon fiber | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 358.1 x 240.1 x 18.7 mm | 356.2 x 248.2 x 18.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 1 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours mixed use | Up to 11 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 99.5 Wh | 84 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.3 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | InfinityEdge IPS non-touch | 2.5K IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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 Pro 5i 16
Pros
- Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- 2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
- Upgradeable RAM and SSD
- 84 Wh battery supports all-day use
Cons
- Plastic base panel feels less premium
- Display brightness of 350 nits is modest
- No discrete GPU on base model
- Fans audible under sustained workloads
- Heavier than comparable ultrabooks
Related Comparisons
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