Dell Inspiron 14 5420 vs Dell Inspiron 15 3525

The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is seen as better for general use due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor, larger RAM which aids in smoother multitasking, and a higher-resolution screen for sharper visuals, all packaged in a lighter and more portable design with a longer battery life. In comparison, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while offering the same storage and a touchscreen, has a less powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor, less RAM which can limit multitasking effectiveness, and a lower screen resolution, in a slightly heavier build with a shorter battery life.

The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 offers better performance for engineering and design due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor, dedicated Nvidia GPU, and higher RAM, coupled with a higher resolution display that provides clearer visuals. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while still capable, has a less powerful Ryzen processor with integrated graphics, less RAM, and a lower resolution display, which makes it less suitable for demanding engineering tasks despite its slightly larger screen and touch capability.

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.

For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the Inspiron 15 3525 offer suitable screen characteristics with adequate resolution and brightness that are pleasant for daily tasks and productivity. In engineering and design work where color accuracy is key, their fair color coverage may suffice for entry-level tasks, but professionals requiring precise color representation could find them lacking. However, for gaming and 3D applications, neither model excels as their refresh rates are lower than what is ideal for smooth visuals, and while they have decent resolution and panel technology, those features aren't enough to compensate for the slower screen refresh.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.

The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a dedicated Nvidia MX570 GPU, which is better for gaming and 3D applications compared to the integrated AMD Vega 7 graphics in the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, but both have the same screen refresh rate of 60Hz. The Inspiron 14 possesses a higher resolution non-touch screen, offering sharper visuals, while the Inspiron 15 has a slightly larger touch-enabled screen, with both having decent quality displays, contributing to their fair assessment for gaming and 3D tasks.

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.