The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a powerful 16-inch laptop designed for content creators. It boasts high-end CPU performance, efficient cooling, and discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics, features typically found in gaming laptops. This review explores the Inspiron 16 Plus’s performance, design, and features, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus closed lid
Specifications and Configurations
The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (7640) offers a range of hardware configurations. Our review model featured an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD. Other configurations include Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 9 CPUs, RTX 4050 graphics, or integrated Intel Arc graphics. RAM can be expanded up to 64GB. Display options include a 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS display (as tested) and a 1920×1200 display with an optional touch screen. The laptop supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with Wi-Fi 7 available as an upgrade. It’s important to check the specific specifications of the model you’re considering.
Key specifications of our review unit:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
- Memory: 16GB RAM
- Graphics/GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
- Display: 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS, 120Hz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
- Webcam: 1080p with privacy shutter
- Connectivity: 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, microSD card reader, audio jack, power input
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
- Battery: 90 Watt-hours
- Dimensions: 14.05 x 9.87 x 0.69 inches
- Weight: 4.94 pounds
- Price: $1,499 (as tested)
Design and Build
The Inspiron 16 Plus boasts a solid all-metal chassis with a sleek silver finish and a black bezel around the display. The build quality is excellent, with minimal flex. The hinge mechanism allows the keyboard to tilt upwards for a comfortable typing angle, although the screen cannot lie flat. Weighing 4.94 pounds, it’s reasonably portable for a 16-inch laptop with a large battery and discrete GPU.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus hinge
Keyboard and Trackpad
The full-size keyboard offers white backlighting and responsive keys. While the key travel is somewhat shallow, the typing experience is generally comfortable. The fingerprint reader integrated into the power button works flawlessly. The centrally located trackpad is smooth and responsive, with good palm rejection.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus keyboard
Display and Audio
The 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS display offers vibrant colors and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides ample vertical space. While the 300-nit brightness is adequate for indoor use, it may not be ideal in bright sunlight. The anti-glare coating minimizes reflections. The four-speaker system (two upward-firing and two downward-firing) delivers decent sound, although the bass is somewhat lacking.
Dell Inspiron Plus 16 open
Webcam and Connectivity
The 1080p webcam with a privacy shutter delivers decent image quality and supports Windows Studio Effects. The microphone quality is good, although it may pick up some background noise. Connectivity options include a single Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port (also used for charging), two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, and an audio jack. The limited number of USB-C ports is a drawback.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus fingerprint reader
Performance and Battery Life
The Inspiron 16 Plus delivers excellent performance for content creation tasks. Benchmarks show strong CPU and GPU performance, with efficient cooling preventing thermal throttling. The 90 Watt-hour battery provides impressive battery life, lasting over 17 hours in our video playback test.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus left ports
Conclusion
The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a compelling option for content creators seeking a powerful and versatile laptop. Its strengths include excellent performance, long battery life, and a robust build. However, the limited USB-C connectivity and lack of facial recognition are notable drawbacks. Overall, the Inspiron 16 Plus offers a good balance of performance and features at a competitive price.
