The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is a budget-friendly option that's lighter and excellent for basic tasks with its modest processor and essential features, making it highly portable. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is priced higher, offers significantly better performance with a powerful processor suited for intensive tasks, more storage, and higher quality display. It even has a 2-in-1 convertible design for tablet use. If you need better multitasking, a sharper screen and versatility for a range of activities including light gaming or media editing, the Dell is superior; nevertheless, for everyday use like browsing and document editing, the ASUS will serve well and save money. 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 Go 12
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 7420
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6/10
7.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
260.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12, with its Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and basic screen quality, offers lower performance and is less suitable for multitasking, which makes it less ideal for general use compared to the Dell Inspiron 14 7420, which has a more powerful Intel i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a higher-quality screen that provides a better user experience for everyday tasks. The Dell Inspiron also boasts superior portability and battery life, and has a better build overall, making it a more robust choice for those needing a reliable laptop for general use.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.2/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a less powerful GPU, Intel UHD Graphics 600, and a basic screen refresh rate that are not ideal for gaming or 3D applications, whereas the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 comes with the more capable Intel Iris Xe graphics and has a higher screen resolution, providing a better experience for these tasks.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
6.9/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a lower tier CPU, less RAM, and a basic GPU, which makes it less suitable for demanding tasks like engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a better GPU, can handle these tasks more effectively. The ASUS has a lower-resolution TN panel which is inferior, especially for design work, compared to the Dell's higher-resolution IPS display that provides better color accuracy and wider viewing angles, important for detailed engineering work.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.7/10
7.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
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
5.1/10
6.2/10
11.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
260.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 likely has a lower resolution and less vibrant display, affecting clarity and color reproduction, which is not ideal for any usage scenario, including daily tasks, engineering, or gaming. The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 probably offers better resolution and brightness, suitable for everyday activities and adequate for engineering apps, although its color range may not match professional needs for design work. For gaming and 3D applications, the poorer refresh rate on both models hampers the experience, not keeping pace with fast-moving visuals, and the resolution and panel quality only partly compensate.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 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
Excellent
Very Good
11.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
7.4/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$267
$801
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has a price of $267 and the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 costs $801.
"Notable qualities of the Inspiron 7420 2-in-1 include the 16:10 aspect ratio, strong hinges, 12th gen Intel CPU with optional GeForce MX graphics, and easy serviceability. Such features would typically cost hundreds of dollars more on higher-end alternatives from competing manufacturers. The value proposition is therefore relatively high for users looking to maximize bang for the buck."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 or the Dell Inspiron 14 7420
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
99,495
Recommendations made
21,558
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.