If price is a major concern and you're looking for a balance between cost and performance, the Dell Inspiron may be appealing; it generally offers solid performance for everyday tasks and is budget-friendly. However, if your work involves more demanding applications, like 3D modeling, machine learning, or heavy multitasking, the MSI Prestige, despite its higher cost, provides enhanced performance capabilities. The MSI is also lighter and has a longer battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use, though this comes at a premium. Consider your primary needs: cost savings with the Dell, or better performance and portability with the MSI. 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 battery life
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
8.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with its robust CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, excels in handling demanding engineering and design software, while the high-quality screen ensures precise visuals. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, on the other hand, offers a balance of power with its efficient CPU and RAM, a superior screen for detail-oriented work, and greater portability for those who work on the go, although it may have less graphic prowess without a dedicated GPU.
Content Creation
7.5/10
8.1/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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.
Screen Quality
6.5/10
8.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
13.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
In general use, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420's screen has a resolution and brightness that are adequate for everyday tasks, while the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo's screen stands out with higher resolution and brightness, making images and text more crisp and vivid. For engineering and design, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo's color gamut coverage, which includes wider DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB ranges, ensures more accurate color representation which is key for professionals, compared to the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 that may fall short in displaying precise colors. However, both laptops do not cater to the high refresh rates vital for 3D work and gaming, which can lead to less fluid motion and potentially hinder performance in these areas.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo has 8 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
$1,280
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a price of $971 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo to be very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 offers a balance of performance with its capable CPU and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, but its heavier build and shorter battery life make it less portable than the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, which stands out with its high screen quality, long battery life, and light design, making it very suitable for on-the-go use while still delivering great performance for general tasks. However, the MSI might be more expensive, and if budget is a concern, the Dell provides a good value proposition with adequate features for general computing needs.
Gaming and AI
6.4/10
6.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with its adequate GPU, can handle some gaming and 3D tasks, but its standard screen refresh rate might not deliver the smoothest visuals for fast-paced games. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, while also having a capable GPU for occasional gaming and 3D use, focuses on a balance between performance and portability, potentially compromising on the high refresh rates desired by serious gamers.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.9/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
13.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.4/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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 MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo compare to other laptops
"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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 or the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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