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Updated January 10, 2024·
If your primary focus is high performance for gaming or intensive engineering tasks, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 with its advanced processor and powerful dedicated graphics card would be the better choice, though it's more expensive and heavier, which impacts portability. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is more affordable, lighter, and offers a longer battery life with integrated graphics suitable for more general tasks and some lighter engineering work; although, it lacks the gaming-grade graphics and overall muscle of the ASUS. The Dell's display also refreshes at a lower rate, which may be less ideal for fast-paced gaming or high-end graphics work. 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 Zephyrus M16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
- Very good portability
- Good battery life
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5
6.6
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
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a high-end Nvidia RTX graphics card and a very high screen refresh rate, making it exceptional for gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus features a more modest integrated graphics solution and a standard refresh rate, still performing well for gaming and 3D tasks but not at the same high-end level as the ASUS.
Engineering and Design
8.8
7.8
9.5/10
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 Zephyrus M16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is superior for engineering and design due to its high-end CPU and powerful GPU, which outmatch the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus's components, along with a screen that offers significantly greater brightness and color accuracy. The Zephyrus M16, while slightly heavier and bulkier, ensures better rendering and processing capabilities for complex tasks, although the Inspiron 14 Plus, being lighter, offers greater portability and longer battery life for on-the-go use.
Screen Quality
9.0
7.0
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
627.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 features a high-resolution display that is bright and uses a panel type favored for crisp and clear images, which is ideal for general use and detailed engineering work, and it covers a wide range of colors that professionals need for design tasks. However, its refresh rate is lower, meaning that fast-paced scenes in gaming and 3D applications won't be as smooth. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a good resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and engineering software, but like the ASUS, it lacks the high refresh rate critical for a smooth gaming and 3D modeling experience.
Battery
4.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has 4.5 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
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.4
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,842
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a price of $1,842 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
627.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
4.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is a robust option for general use with its high-quality CPU, ample RAM, and a superior screen that excels in brightness and color coverage, but its heavier build and lower battery life make it less portable than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus; the latter still delivers strong performance for everyday tasks, with a competent CPU, plenty of RAM, and a high-quality display, while also being lighter and offering a longer battery life, making it a practical choice for on-the-go usage. Both laptops come with substantial storage and notable extras like backlit keyboards and good quality speakers, the ASUS edges ahead in gaming capabilities, while the Dell provides professional aesthetics and quieter operation.
Content Creation
8.2
7.9
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 to be 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.
Software Development
7.7
7.7
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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.
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How the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 | Dell Inspiron 14 Plus |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,842 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | July 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.7'' x 0.83'' | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 12.36" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.69" | 8.96" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i9-13900H | Intel i7-12700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 64 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2240 x 1400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 627 nits | 326 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | March 2023
"The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is not yet as optimised as its predecessor. Compared to the previous gen, performance and efficiency have improved significantly. What's more, the wonderful, Mini-LED Nebula display is a contender for the main highlight and almost manages to put the CPU and GPU in the shade. We already found its predecessor to be a well-rounded and well-optimised gaming machine. Generally, but not unequivocally, that also applies to the new Asus M16. Similar to most of the current, new laptops, we are dealing with a double generational leap in terms of the CPU and GPU. However, this change doesn't always run smoothly."
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | August 2022
"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 Zephyrus M16 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.
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