When choosing between the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, consider that the ASUS is built for gaming and high-performance tasks with its likely superior graphics and processing capabilities, making it ideal for 3D rendering, machine learning, and modern games, but expect it to be heavier and possibly have a shorter battery life, impacting its portability. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron is more budget-friendly and offers a balance of performance and portability suitable for general use and some engineering applications; however, it may not handle intensive tasks as well as the ASUS. 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 ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.1/10
7.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
459.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its superior CPU and RAM, excels in performance for demanding tasks and offers a high-quality screen while sacrificing battery life and portability, making it less ideal for on-the-go use. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 offers a balance with competent processing power and RAM, decent screen quality, increased portability, and better battery life, suited for users with general computing needs who value mobility and longer usage away from power outlets.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
6.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its high-end GPU and fast screen refresh rate, excels in delivering smooth, detailed graphics crucial for immersive gaming and 3D applications, whereas the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with a less powerful GPU and slower refresh rate, offers an adequate but less impressive visual experience. While both have capable CPUs, the superior screen quality of the ASUS provides a richer, more vibrant display which enhances overall user engagement compared to the Dell's sufficient but less exceptional screen.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
7.1/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers superior CPU, RAM, and GPU specs, enhancing its capability for resource-intensive engineering software and providing a high-quality screen for detailed design work, although it's less portable and could have higher operating noise. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has decent performance for engineering tasks with good portability, but it might not handle heavy design work as smoothly, and while it has a quality keyboard and speakers, the screen and overall power may not satisfy the most demanding users.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.5/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) 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
8.0/10
7.4/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) 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
8.8/10
6.5/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
459.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a high-resolution display and good brightness which make it appealing for general use and engineering since these aspects offer clear and vivid visuals important for productivity and detailed work, but its lower refresh rate is less ideal for gaming, where smooth motion is key. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 provides decent resolution and brightness, making it adequate for everyday tasks and some professional design work, though it may not offer the full range of colors that a professional might need. Both laptops have screens that fall short for 3D gaming and high-end gaming experiences due to their lower refresh rates which can't deliver the seamless motion that gamers often require.
Battery
8.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 8 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.
Portability
Fair
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 both have good build quality, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,599
$971
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,599 and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 costs $971.
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"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 ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) or the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
101,895
Recommendations made
22,078
Consumer hours saved
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.