Considering the tradeoffs, the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is lightweight and has silent, fanless operation, making it ideal for on-the-go use and quiet environments. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 offers a 2-in-1 convertible design with twice the storage and memory, and may be better for multitasking and users who appreciate laptop and tablet functionality. The MacBook Air is more suitable for those invested in the Apple ecosystem, with optimized software and hardware integration. For those needing more versatile connectivity and a Windows operating system, the Dell is a compelling choice. Both are similarly priced, so selecting one will depend on prioritized features and intended use. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2022)
Good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 7425
The Dell Inspiron 14 7425 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air (2022).
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
6.9/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 7425 are both good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is somewhat better.
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
8.0/10
7.3/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
6.2/10
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
260.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Air, with its high-resolution and bright display, offers a crisp and vivid experience essential for general usage and engineering tasks that involve attention to color accuracy, thanks to its wide color gamut. However, its typical 60Hz refresh rate isn't ideal for 3D applications, where smoother motion afforded by higher refresh rates is crucial. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron's screen, while sufficient for everyday tasks, lacks the superior brightness and color range that professionals may seek for precision in engineering and design, and similarly falls short for 3D with its standard refresh rate.
Battery
15.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 7425 has 7.5 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
Excellent
Very Good
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 7425 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air, with its efficient M2 chip and fanless design, provides excellent battery life and silent operation, making it well-suited for general use, while also being very portable due to its lightweight build. In comparison, while the Dell Inspiron 14 offers a higher storage capacity and more RAM, which can be better for multitasking and data-intensive tasks, it has a touchscreen as a distinctive feature for enhanced interactivity, although this contributes to a lower battery life compared to the MacBook Air.
Gaming and AI
6.4/10
6.2/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 7425 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022), with its Apple M2 integrated GPU, provides a fair experience for 3D tasks but may be limited by software compatibility, as not all games run on macOS. Both laptops have similar screen refresh rates which are adequate for casual use but may not satisfy demanding gamers or professionals seeking high-refresh-rate displays.
Cost
$799
$800
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $799 and the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 costs $800.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the Dell Inspiron 14 7425 compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
"Overall, this Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 offers a lot to like, especially at its oft-discounted price of $800. It’s a sturdy laptop with strong performance, a convertible touchscreen, loud speakers, and a convenient fingerprint reader. But the trade-offs you’ll make in pursuit of that lower price—most notably the dim display and stiff trackpad—might just keep you from outright loving it."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the Dell Inspiron 14 7425
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.