For better performance in intensive tasks like engineering, with a more powerful CPU and more RAM, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus stands out, though it is heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable than the ASUS Zenbook 13. The Zenbook is lighter and offers a longer battery life for increased portability, but has a less powerful CPU for demanding applications. Its OLED screen provides vibrant colors, which is excellent for visual tasks, whereas the Inspiron 14 Plus with an IPS panel has a higher resolution and larger screen. Both laptops are similarly priced but have different strengths; your choice depends on whether portability or power is your priority. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 13
Excellent portability
Good speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
7.8/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for engineering and design, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers superior CPU performance, double the RAM, and a higher resolution screen compared to the ASUS Zenbook 13, making it better suited for demanding engineering and design tasks. Despite being less portable due to its larger size and weight, the Dell's advantages in screen quality and processing power outweigh the ASUS's OLED screen and more compact, lighter design for these specific use cases.
Screen Quality
7.8/10
7.0/10
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
378.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a vibrant and sharp display for everyday tasks and detailed work in areas such as graphic design or CAD, the ASUS Zenbook 13, with its better screen resolution and brightness, will serve you well. Its wide color gamuts ensure that colors are accurately represented, essential for professional design and engineering work. However, if gaming or 3D rendering is a frequent activity, neither laptop is ideal due to their lower refresh rates, but ASUS's higher resolution and panel quality may offer a slightly better experience for less demanding games or 3D tasks.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 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
Excellent
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.0in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 offers a balance of strong CPU performance, ample RAM, and a high-quality screen, all in a lightweight and portable design with impressive battery life, making it ideal for on-the-go use with everyday tasks. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus also provides good CPU and RAM for smooth operation, along with a decent screen, but leans towards more substantial weight and slightly less portability, though it compensates with a robust battery, making it well-suited for prolonged general use where the slight extra weight is not a concern.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook 13, with an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U integrated GPU, offers fair gaming and 3D performance, suited for lighter tasks, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus comes with an Intel i7-12700H Iris Xe GPU which provides better graphics handling capabilities, making it good for gaming and 3D applications.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.9/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and ASUS Zenbook 13 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
7.3/10
7.7/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and ASUS Zenbook 13 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
7.4/10
7.4/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 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.
Cost
$890
$873
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a price of $890 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus costs $873.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 13 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus compare to other laptops
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
"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 Zenbook 13 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.
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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