The ASUS ROG Strix G18 offers superior performance suitable for gaming, 3D rendering, and intensive engineering tasks due to its high-end processor and powerful graphics card. However, it is less portable because of a larger screen and heavier weight. If portability is a priority and your tasks are more general use and less resource-intensive, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a good fit since it's lighter and more compact, but it will not match the ASUS in terms of raw power or gaming capabilities. The Dell's lower price point also makes it attractive for budget-conscious customers who still need competent performance for everyday tasks and light to moderate workloads. 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 G18
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
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
Very good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.7/10
6.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
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
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
8.9/10
7.8/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 outshines the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful Intel i9 processor, superior Nvidia RTX graphics, and higher quality screen with better color accuracy and refresh rate. While both have significant RAM and high-resolution displays, the ASUS gives a larger screen and more advanced features suited for intensive tasks, whereas the Dell provides a balance of solid performance and better portability due to its lighter weight and smaller size.
Content Creation
8.6/10
7.9/10
9.9/10
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 ASUS ROG Strix G18 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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.
Screen Quality
8.7/10
7.0/10
18.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
422.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 likely has a high-resolution display with excellent color reproduction, making it ideal for engineering and design tasks that require accurate colors, but its lower refresh rate may not be optimal for gaming where smooth motion is key. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus probably offers a balance of resolution and brightness that suits general use, with colors good enough for design work, yet it also falls short in the high refresh rates desired for 3D applications and gaming. Both models, while capable in general use and design, may not satisfy gamers or professionals in 3D fields who prioritize fluid visuals.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has 8 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
Poor
Very Good
18.0in
SIZE
14.0in
6.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,299
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a price of $2,299 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus costs $1,000.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G18 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 outperforms the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus in general use mainly due to its superior CPU and GPU, providing higher performance for demanding applications, and it has a higher-quality screen with better brightness and color coverage, which enhances visual experiences. However, the ASUS is less portable due to its larger size and weight, and it has shorter battery life, which might not be ideal for those who require mobility and longer use away from power sources.
Software Development
8.1/10
7.7/10
9.9/10
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Strix G18 to be very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Strix G18 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus compare to other laptops
"With the ROG Strix G18, Asus has made an almost consistently good debut in the still quite new 18-inch laptop segment. The base unit case shows a few signs of weakness in the area of stability and is something which has an effect on the perceived quality of the input devices (the chassis tends to rattle a bit). Nevertheless, thanks to generous port features (incl. Thunderbolt 4), a striking design, and extensive lighting (keyboard, LED strip on the front), gamers get a fitting gaming platform."
"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 ASUS ROG Strix G18 or the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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
101,595
Recommendations made
22,013
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.