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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering your decision between the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the LG Gram 17, here are the key tradeoffs: The Dell Inspiron 14 is more compact and slightly heavier, suited for those needing a mid-sized screen and dedicated graphics for moderate design work or light gaming. The LG Gram 17 offers a much larger screen, more memory, and a higher storage capacity, perfect for multitasking and productivity while maintaining a very light design for its size. However, it relies on integrated graphics, which may not be suitable for demanding 3D tasks. The LG Gram also boasts a longer battery life, enhancing its appeal for on-the-go usage. Both laptops have similar build quality and keyboard comfort, but the larger LG Gram could be less portable due to its size. 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
Advantages of the LG Gram 17
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.6
8.5
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
279.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
353.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
The LG Gram 17 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The LG Gram 17 outshines the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 in general use partially due to its higher screen quality, aided by superior brightness and color coverage, along with a larger, more comfortable display for extended viewing. Additionally, the LG Gram 17 boasts more powerful hardware, including greater RAM and a more capable processor, while also providing a highly portable design with a lighter weight and longer battery life, making it convenient for users on the move.
Engineering and Design
7.1
8.0
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The LG Gram 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is equipped with a dedicated Nvidia GPU and a high-quality screen, making it suitable for demanding engineering and design applications, but it is slightly heavier which might affect portability. Conversely, the LG Gram 17 offers a larger high-resolution display and more RAM which is great for multitasking and detailed design work, and its lighter weight enhances its portability for on-the-go use.
Content Creation
7.5
8.4
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The LG Gram 17 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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
7.4
8.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Gram 17 is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
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
7.4
14.0in
SIZE
17.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
353.0 nits
The LG Gram 17 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with a fair resolution and brightness coupled with a standard panel type, offers adequate screen quality suitable for day-to-day tasks and some professional work. However, it doesn't shine in engineering and design due to limited color gamut coverage, meaning it won't display colors as accurately as those fields typically require. Its screen falls short for gaming and 3D applications, where the average refresh rate can lead to less fluid motion and a less immersive experience.
Battery
10.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 hours of battery life. The LG Gram 17 has 11 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.
Cost
$971
$2,100
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a price of $971 and the LG Gram 17 costs $2,100.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.5
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The LG Gram 17 and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The LG Gram 17 with an integrated Iris Xe GPU offers better gaming and 3D performance compared to the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 which has the Nvidia MX570 GPU; despite both having the same screen refresh rate, the LG's larger and higher-quality display may also contribute to a more immersive gaming experience. Furthermore, the LG Gram 17's superior CPU provides an additional edge in performance over the Dell Inspiron.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
17.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 5420 to have very good portability, while the LG Gram 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0
7.0
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and LG Gram 17 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the LG Gram 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 5420 | LG Gram 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$971 | $2,100 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | April 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 14.9'' x 10.2'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.4 lbs | 2.98 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 14.91" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 10.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 2048 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 80 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 17" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 279 nits | 353 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
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."
LG Gram 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | August 2022
"The LG Gram 17 is a light office laptop with a large display and great battery life. The newest incarnation of the Gram 17 can be classified as a model update. LG uses the predecessor's compact, light magnesium case along with an identical port configuration (including 2x Thunderbolt 4) and keyboard. Changes can be found in the hardware. With the Gram 17 (2022), LG offers a light (approx. 1,350 g), mobile work device - and finally with a matte display."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 or the LG Gram 17
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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
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