When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, consider that the MacBook Pro tends to be pricier but offers superior build quality, a higher resolution and brighter screen with better color accuracy, and more powerful graphics, making it well-suited for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, or software development. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron is more wallet-friendly with midrange performance that effectively handles everyday tasks and light gaming. The Dell model also comes with a variety of ports including HDMI and Ethernet, while the MacBook opts for Thunderbolt ports, so consider the type of peripherals you'll use. Despite being similar in weight, the MacBook Pro offers a significantly longer battery life, making it a better option for long work sessions away from a power source. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
8.5/10
7.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
489.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is highly regarded for general use because of its superior CPU and GPU, elevated screen quality with high brightness and color accuracy, and a stronger battery life, which all contribute to better performance and viewing experience. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, while also good for general use, is recognized for its good portability, competitive battery life, and quality keyboard, but it lacks the same level of CPU and screen excellence, impacting its suitability for the most demanding tasks and visual quality.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
6.4/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
7.1/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
5.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
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
8.5/10
7.5/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
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
8.4/10
7.4/10
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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
9.2/10
6.5/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
489.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro shines with a high-resolution display and exceptional brightness, ensuring crisp, clear visual experience, while the Dell Inspiron 14 offers a more modest display that delivers adequacy rather than excellence. When it comes to engineering and design, the MacBook Pro's wide color gamut coverage offers vivid and accurate colors essential for professional creative work, which the Dell Inspiron may not match. For 3D applications, however, the MacBook Pro's lower refresh rate might not be as smooth as other options specifically geared toward gaming or 3D modeling, where higher refresh rates provide a more fluid visual experience.
Battery
13.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,700
$971
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has a price of $1,700 and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 costs $971.
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"If laptops were food, then the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is arguably a Big Mac. There are cheaper and more expensive options, but this arguably represents the baseline of quality and value in the world of mobile computing… something that’s underlined by the attractive $1,279 price tag."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) or the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
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
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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.