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Updated January 12, 2024·
When selecting between the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14", consider the following: the Dell offers significantly higher storage and more memory, which is better for multitasking and data-intensive tasks, as well as having a more powerful processor and dedicated graphics, making it suitable for demanding software and light gaming. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life than the Lenovo, which could be an issue if portability and all-day use are important. The Lenovo is much more affordable and offers silent operation due to its fanless design. Although it has limited storage and lower memory, it's satisfactory for basic tasks such as web browsing and document editing, plus it has a longer battery life, making it convenient for use on the go. The choice depends on your needs for performance and multitasking against cost and portability. 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 Dell Inspiron 14 5420
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Good speakers
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 5420.
Key differences
General Use
7.6
6.1
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
279.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
239.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 excels in general use with a higher-end CPU, more RAM for multitasking, and a superior screen with better resolution and colors, providing clearer and more vibrant visuals, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" falls short with a basic processor, lower RAM limiting performance, and a lower quality screen, affecting clarity and color reproduction; although its portability and battery life are good, it lags in crucial areas that impact daily computing experiences.
Gaming and AI
6.4
5.5
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 offers fair performance for gaming and 3D applications largely because it includes an Nvidia MX570 GPU, which can handle gaming graphics better than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"'s Intel UHD Graphics 600. Furthermore, the Dell's higher screen resolution will provide clearer images, although both laptops are limited by a 60Hz screen refresh rate, which is adequate but not optimal for fast-paced gaming.
Engineering and Design
7.1
5.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is suited for engineering and design due to its robust CPU, ample RAM, dedicated Nvidia graphics card, and superior screen quality, which all contribute to handling complex tasks and viewing detailed graphics. Conversely, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is hampered in these tasks by its basic CPU, limited RAM, integrated graphics, and lower quality screen, making it less appropriate for intensive engineering and creative software.
Content Creation
7.5
6.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.5
5.3
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
239.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, a screen's resolution and brightness greatly affect readability and comfort; the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a balance that is adequate for day-to-day activities, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has lower resolution and brightness, making it less suitable for prolonged use. When it comes to engineering and design, accurate color representation is key; the Inspiron's fair color gamut coverage meets minimum requirements for amateur design work, but professionals may find it lacking, and the IdeaPad falls short in this area, suggesting it is not ideal for color-sensitive tasks. As for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate contributes to smoother visuals; the Dell's standard rate is serviceable for casual gaming, but the low refresh rate on the Lenovo IdeaPad alongside modest resolution and panel type creates a less immersive experience.
Build Quality
7.0
6.0
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$971
$153
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a price of $971 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" costs $153.
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Key similarities
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 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
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 5420 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$971 | $153 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 12.9'' x 9.3'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.4 lbs | 3.09 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 12.88" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 9.25" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 32 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | TN | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 279 nits | 239 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 14 5420
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Dig into reviews and images
Smarthouse
Nick Ross | March 2023
"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."
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | August 2021
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
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.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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