If you prioritize a laptop that's cost-effective for everyday tasks, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is less expensive and still offers satisfactory performance for general use. However, the Dell Inspiron 14 5425 stands out with better performance, thanks to a more powerful processor and additional memory, making it suited for more demanding applications like engineering software or complex multitasking. The Dell also has a slightly higher resolution display and may offer better battery life, which could be important for long work sessions away from a power outlet. Do keep in mind that both are similarly portable, but the Dell will be a bit heavier to carry. If you're trying to balance cost and capability for non-intensive use, the Lenovo might serve you well. But if you require robust performance for professional or creative work, the Dell is the more capable choice, albeit at a higher price. 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 5425
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good overall build quality
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 5425.
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
279.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 offers a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and better screen resolution which makes it well-suited for more intensive general use tasks, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has less storage and a lower-resolution screen which could fit users with less demanding needs and prioritize cost savings.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
6.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 offers superior performance for engineering and design tasks with its higher-end CPU, more RAM, and a more capable integrated GPU compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 3, which has a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a weaker integrated GPU. Additionally, the Dell's screen has better resolution and quality, contributing to more precise and color-accurate work, while the Lenovo offers a more portable design and higher operating noise though overall has a lower quality screen and other somewhat less important features like keyboard and speaker quality.
Screen Quality
6.3/10
6.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" for software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron and Lenovo IdeaPad offer adequate resolution and brightness, but they don't have the premium panel types that provide wider viewing angles and better color accuracy. In engineering and design, these laptops have fair screen quality as they deliver acceptable color representation, but they lack the wider color gamuts professionals look for to ensure precise color work. When it comes to gaming and 3D, their screens fall short because they don't offer the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion and optimal visual performance.
Battery
12.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 has 12 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has 10 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.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" 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
7.5/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" 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
14.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" and Dell Inspiron 14 5425 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 5425 to have good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$500
$490
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 has a price of $500 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" costs $490.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" compare to other laptops
"A slim chassis, an acceptable weight (1.6 kg) and a real-world battery life of almost 13 hours turn the Inspiron into a mobile companion. Good: The battery can not only be charged using Dell's proprietary power adapter, but also with a universal USB-C power adapter (min. 45 watts). Office and Internet applications are handled by the built-in combination of Ryzen 5 5625U APU and 16 GB of RAM just as easily as modest computer games. Heat and noise development are generally okay, but the laptop should work a bit quieter under full load."
"The low-priced IdeaPad 3 14 delivers on core functionality. Lenovo's IdeaPad 3 14 meets all the basic requirements for an inexpensive office laptop. The matte IPS display is bright enough, the performance is high for the class, and the input devices are rock solid. In addition, the mostly quiet operation including the useful performance modes, cool surface temperatures, easy maintainability as well as expandable working and mass storage all contribute to the IdeaPad 3 14's value proposition."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 5425 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 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.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
116,295
Recommendations made
25,198
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.