If you prioritize gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks and don't mind carrying a heavier device with likely shorter battery life, the Acer Nitro 16 with its powerful processor and high-end graphics card will serve you well despite its higher cost. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly laptop that is also lighter and more portable, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus could suffice, especially for general use or less demanding engineering software, although it won't perform as well in graphically demanding situations. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Nitro 16
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good overall display quality
Good speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
Very good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.0/10
6.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Nitro 16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is only fair.
The Acer Nitro 16 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a high screen refresh rate, making it very good for gaming and 3D tasks, whereas the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, while still good for gaming and 3D, comes with a less powerful Intel i7-12700H Iris Xe graphics and a lower screen refresh rate. Both laptops have quality displays and capable CPUs, but the Nitro 16's superior GPU and refresh rate give it the edge for more demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
7.0/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
494.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
The Acer Nitro 16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Acer Nitro 16's vivid display and higher resolution enhances everyday activities like browsing and watching videos, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers ample clarity but may not be as vibrant. In engineering and design, the Acer's wider color gamut allows for more accurate color representation, which is crucial for tasks such as photo editing or CAD work, where precision is key, whereas the Dell's color range, while serviceable, lacks the same level of detail. However, for 3D and gaming, the Acer falls short due to its lower refresh rate, leading to less fluid motion, while the Dell also struggles with immersion and responsiveness due to similar limitations, even though both have decent resolutions and panel types.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the Acer Nitro 16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,050
$1,162
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Acer Nitro 16 has a price of $1,050 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus costs $1,162.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Acer Nitro 16 are both good for general use.
The Acer Nitro 16 stands out in general use for its robust CPU and dedicated GPU, ample RAM, and vibrant, large screen, making it suitable for a range of activities, although it is less portable with its larger size and heavier weight. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a comparable CPU and RAM for smooth multitasking but offers greater portability with a lighter weight and a more compact form, though it falls short in battery life and lacks a dedicated GPU.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.8/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Nitro 16 to be very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The Acer Nitro 16 is equipped with a higher-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and slightly better screen quality, which are essential for demanding engineering and design applications, where graphics and detail rendering are crucial. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, while offering good CPU performance and lighter weight for enhanced portability, incorporates Intel Iris Xe graphics which are less powerful than the Acer's GPU, making it less optimal for intensive graphics tasks but more convenient for users who need to carry their laptop frequently.
Content Creation
7.8/10
7.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Acer Nitro 16 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.7/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Acer Nitro 16 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.4/10
The Acer Nitro 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Nitro 16 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus compare to other laptops
"Video editing, rendering and, of course, gaming represent the Nitro 16's core competencies with a Ryzen 7 7735HS and GeForce RTX 4070 providing the necessary power. Both chips run at consistently high clock speeds. A fast PCIe 4 SSD (1 TB) provides the required storage space and ensures short loading times. With the Nitro 16 AN16-41, Acer has a well-specced, mid-range gaming laptop in its portfolio."
"The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is for power users on a budget. If you're looking to maximize CPU and GPU performance on your next 14-inch laptop, then consider the pricier Razer Blade 14 or Asus Zephyrus G14. If you're looking for a thin-and-light 14-inch Ultrabook, then the Asus Zenbook 14 or LG Gram 14 may be better options. For the best of both worlds, however, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 rides a fine line between extreme performance and portability while keeping prices at reasonable levels. Frequent travelers who rely on performance beyond what the Core U-series and integrated graphics series can offer will find the Dell to be a solid solution."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 16 or the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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