The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 offers higher-performance components like a more powerful CPU and dedicated graphics, suitable for demanding tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software, yet it's heavier and less portable. Conversely, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is lighter and more convenient to carry around but has lower performance, making it more suited for general use rather than intensive tasks. The Zenbook has a larger screen but lower resolution, while the Inspiron's smaller, higher-resolution screen might offer sharper images, plus it's touch-enabled. Battery life is longer on the Zenbook, beneficial for extended use without a power source. Lastly, the Zenbook is pricier than the Inspiron, which may influence your decision if budget is a concern. 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 Zenbook Pro 17
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 7420
Very good portability
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
260.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 offers superior performance with a more powerful CPU and double the RAM of the Dell Inspiron 14 7420, making it better suited for demanding tasks; its screen also shows colors more accurately, although its greater size and weight reduce portability compared to the lighter Dell Inspiron 14, which offers the flexibility of a 2-in-1 convertible design and has a sharper display.
Gaming and AI
6.9/10
6.2/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17's higher-end graphics card, the Nvidia RTX 3050, elevates its gaming and 3D performance beyond the Dell Inspiron 14 7420, which relies on the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. Despite both having the same screen refresh rate, the ASUS's superior graphics hardware and a larger screen size make it better equipped for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
6.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is suitable for engineering and design due to its robust AMD Ryzen 9 processor, generous 32GB RAM, and capable Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, along with a 17.3-inch screen offering good color coverage, essential for detail-oriented tasks.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 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
7.9/10
7.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both good for software development, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is somewhat better.
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
7.2/10
6.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
260.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 offers a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and bright visuals, providing a pleasant and detailed viewing experience for everyday tasks. In engineering and design, this laptop shines with a wider color coverage, essential for color-sensitive work, whereas the Dell Inspiron 14 falls short with less emphasis on color accuracy. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the Zenbook's lower refresh rate holds it back from delivering the smooth visuals that these tasks typically demand, making neither laptop ideal for high-refresh-rate gaming.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has 9 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
Good
Very Good
17.3in
SIZE
14.0in
5.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has very good portability, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,500
$801
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a price of $1,500 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 Zenbook Pro 17 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.
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