If your priority is higher performance for gaming or engineering tasks, the ASUS Vivobook 16X is a better option with a more powerful main processor and GPU, but it's less portable and has lower battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is more portable, offers longer battery life, and comes with a higher resolution display but with less color coverage and a lower performance GPU, making it suitable for general use and some light engineering tasks. Both have similar RAM and storage, but the ASUS may be slightly cheaper and features a backlit keyboard and hardware for ray tracing and DLSS, beneficial for graphics-intensive applications. 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 Vivobook 16X
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
6.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Vivobook 16X 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
8.2/10
7.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X excels in engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful Intel i7-13700H CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, contributing to better performance in complex computations and 3D rendering, coupled with an excellent screen that boasts high color accuracy and a comfortable 16:10 aspect ratio. In comparison, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, while also suitable for engineering and design with its capable Intel i7-1255U CPU and Nvidia MX570 GPU, offers superior portability owing to its lighter weight and a smaller form factor, along with a higher-resolution display, though it may not match the raw performance of the Vivobook.
Screen Quality
7.3/10
6.5/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X's larger and higher resolution display offers a clear and vivid viewing experience for general tasks and detailed work in engineering, complemented by good color accuracy essential for design work. However, its lower refresh rate makes it less suitable for 3D applications and gaming, where fluid motion is key. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with a smaller screen and decent resolution, provides an adequate experience for everyday tasks and some technical work, but it lacks the superior color range designers need and the smoothness gamers seek due to an average refresh rate.
Battery
5.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has 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.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has very good portability, while the ASUS Vivobook 16X has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,200
$971
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The ASUS Vivobook 16X has a price of $1,200 and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 costs $971.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Vivobook 16X offers strong performance with a robust CPU and ample RAM, a bright, high-contrast screen good for various lighting conditions, and a larger screen size which enhances multitasking but has average battery life and more heft which affects portability. Conversely, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, while also equipped with a capable CPU and ample RAM, prioritizes portability with a lighter build and longer battery life but settles for a smaller display and less powerful graphics which may limit its use in graphics-intensive tasks. Both laptops provide good keyboard and speaker qualities and manage heat and noise well, making them versatile for general use.
Content Creation
7.7/10
7.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Vivobook 16X and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both good for content creation.
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
7.4/10
7.4/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and ASUS Vivobook 16X 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.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook 16X and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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 Vivobook 16X and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 compare to other laptops
"I think the ASUS Vivobook 16X is fantastic. Great performance, decent battery life, good keyboard and trackpad, and a massive screen – just that the screen quality itself is kinda subpar. If you’re okay with the screen, then I think this is an okay laptop. However, I’d like to see a price drop."
"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 Vivobook 16X 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.
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