If portability is a priority and you need a machine for general use with good battery life, the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is a lighter, more compact option with a longer battery life. However, for intensive engineering tasks, 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI Raider GE77Hx offers significantly better performance due to a more powerful processor and GPU, although it is heavier and has a shorter battery life. The MSI also boasts a larger and more vibrant display, which might be important if screen quality is a priority; on the downside, it is also more expensive. 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 MSI Raider GE77Hx
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.4/10
8.7/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is only fair.
The MSI Raider GE77Hx outshines the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 in gaming and 3D performance primarily because it integrates a higher-end Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and boasts a screen with a much higher refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth gameplay.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
8.8/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Raider GE77Hx is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.5/10
8.2/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Raider GE77Hx 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
8.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Raider GE77Hx has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Dell Inspiron's screen provides adequate clarity and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks, though it may not stand out in terms of sharpness or color depth. The MSI Raider, with its higher resolution and brighter display, offers a more vibrant and detailed viewing experience, catering well to engineering and design professionals who need precise color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fast-motion is key, both laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which can lead to less fluid visuals during rapid movements or intense action scenes.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Raider GE77Hx has 5.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Poor
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has very good portability, while the MSI Raider GE77Hx has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
8.5/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$971
$1,999
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a price of $971 and the MSI Raider GE77Hx costs $1,999.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Raider GE77Hx to be very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420, with its lighter weight and longer battery life, provides convenience and sufficient power for everyday tasks, featuring a capable processor and ample RAM for smooth multitasking, while its screen offers decent quality for various media consumption needs. On the other hand, the MSI Raider GE77Hx stands out with a more powerful CPU and GPU combo, greater RAM, and a higher-quality screen for more demanding applications including detailed visual work, yet it is less portable and has a shorter battery life, making it more suited for stationary use or where power outlets are readily available.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.9/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The MSI Raider GE77Hx 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and the MSI Raider GE77Hx 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."
"The MSI Raider GE77 offers a lot of power for a lot of money. The main components consist of a Core i9-12900HX CPU, a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU (175 watts TGP, 16 GB VRAM), and 64 GB of RAM, which makes for a high overall performance level. The GeForce GPU in particular scores some of the highest scores we have seen from this chip. Both the CPU and the GPU are able to run at continuously high clock speeds. The relatively high heat and noise emissions match our expectations for this device class. With approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours, the battery life is good for a powerful 4K laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 or the MSI Raider GE77Hx
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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