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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is a midrange laptop that offers Intel i7 processing power and an Nvidia MX570 graphics card, providing decent performance for general use and some light gaming. However, the Lenovo Slim 7 16 tends to be more affordable and brings a more powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor with Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics, which are better suited for more intensive 3D and machine learning tasks as well as gaming. The Lenovo also boasts a larger screen and higher refresh rate, enhancing visual experience and productivity for tasks like video editing or design work. On the downside, its larger size may affect portability compared to the more compact Dell. If battery life is a priority, note that the Lenovo's battery is larger, which can translate to longer usage between charges. Ultimately, if performance in demanding applications and better visual experience are crucial and you can compromise on portability, the Lenovo Slim 7 16 may offer better value. If you prefer a more portable laptop and can sacrifice some performance, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 might be the right choice. 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
- Very good portability
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Lenovo Slim 7 16
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.5
8.3
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo Slim 7 16 excels with a higher resolution and brighter display, making it ideal for crisp text and vivid images, while the Dell's display is serviceable but lacks the same clarity and luminance. When it comes to engineering and design, the Lenovo's display covers a broader spectrum of colors, essential for precise color work, surpassing the more limited color range of the Dell Inspiron. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short on refresh rate, which is key for smooth motion and gameplay, making neither ideal for those specific demands.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has very good portability, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0
7.8
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 both have good build quality, though the Lenovo Slim 7 16 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$971
$1,440
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a price of $971 and the Lenovo Slim 7 16 costs $1,440.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.7
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
279.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with its smaller screen and lighter weight, offers better portability and sufficient performance for general use, characterized by its Intel CPU and dedicated Nvidia graphics. The Lenovo Slim 7 16, while boasting a larger, higher-quality screen and longer battery life, is slightly heavier and less portable, yet it still provides equally strong performance for general tasks with its AMD CPU and Nvidia RTX graphics; both laptops have the same amount of RAM and storage, providing ample resources for everyday applications.
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.6
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with its Nvidia MX570 GPU and a 60Hz screen refresh rate, offers a basic level of gaming performance suitable for less demanding games and 3D tasks; in contrast, the Lenovo Slim 7 16, housing a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a higher 165Hz screen refresh rate, is equipped to handle more intensive gaming and 3D applications with smoother visuals and potentially better detail rendering.
Engineering and Design
7.1
7.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.2/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with its Intel processor and Nvidia MX570 GPU, provides the computational power and moderate graphics capability needed for engineering and design applications. The Lenovo Slim 7 16, on the other hand, offers a more powerful AMD processor and Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU suitable for demanding tasks, along with a higher resolution and brighter screen, making it an excellent choice for precise, detail-heavy work, albeit at the cost of less portability due to its larger size and weight.
Content Creation
7.5
7.6
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.2/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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
7.4
7.6
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has 9.5 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the Lenovo Slim 7 16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 5420 | Lenovo Slim 7 16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$971 | $1,440 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 14'' x 9.7'' x 0.69'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.4 lbs | 4.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 9.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 9.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 75 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 279 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
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 Slim 7 16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | March 2022
"At $1,011, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Pro is a real bargain among full-sized laptops, with a handsome 16-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio touch screen, a speedy CPU, a comfortable keyboard, ample memory, and a roomy solid-state drive. It's not a blazing gaming rig or mobile workstation, but it doesn't pretend to be. Its biggest negative is that it may be hard to find—during our review, it sold out and was marked "Temporarily Unavailable" on Lenovo's site."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 or the Lenovo Slim 7 16
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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