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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is a more affordable and portable option with good battery life, making it suitable for general use and traveling. It features a touchscreen and a compact size, ideal for on-the-go use and multitasking. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15, while more expensive and heavier, offers superior performance for intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering due to its better processor and dedicated graphics. It boasts a larger screen and a longer battery life, which enhances productivity but reduces portability. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prioritize mobility and price or performance for demanding applications. 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 7420
- Very good portability
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
- 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
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
260.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 boasts a higher-end CPU, which is great for demanding tasks, superior screen quality with better brightness and color coverage, and it has a significantly longer battery life, which makes it very good for general use despite being less portable due to its larger size and added weight. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 offers good performance with a competent CPU for everyday tasks, a highly portable 2-in-1 design, and a quality IPS touchscreen display, making it a good option for general use where versatility and ease of transport are valued.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.8
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 is better suited for gaming and 3D tasks than the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 because it has a dedicated Intel Arc A370M GPU, which typically provides better performance for these tasks compared to the integrated Iris Xe graphics in the Inspiron. Both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, but the higher performing GPU in the XPS 15 makes the crucial difference for a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
6.9
8.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 offers a solid balance for engineering and design with an Intel i7 CPU, Iris Xe graphics, and a high-resolution IPS touchscreen, which is beneficial for visual clarity and touch interaction, while keeping weight and size in a more portable range. Conversely, the Dell XPS 15 steps up with a more powerful Intel i7 CPU, a dedicated Arc A370M GPU that greatly improves graphical performance necessary for demanding tasks, a larger battery, and a higher-quality, non-touch IPS screen with superior color coverage, but it is a bit heavier and less portable.
Content Creation
7.3
8.3
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 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
7.3
8.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 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
6.2
7.4
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 offers an adequate display for everyday tasks and some professional applications with decent resolution and brightness, but it may not cover wider color gamuts which are critical for precision in engineering and design work. In contrast, the Dell XPS 15 provides a high-quality screen that appeals to design professionals due to its better color accuracy and broader color spectrum, accommodating the nuances of specialized software. However, both models fall short for gaming and 3D rendering as they lack high refresh rates which are essential for smooth visuals and fast-paced action on screen.
Battery
7.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$801
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 7420 | Dell XPS 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$801 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.66'' | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.61 lbs | 4.21 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 13.57" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 86 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 260 nits | 606 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 14 7420
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | June 2022
"Notable qualities of the Inspiron 7420 2-in-1 include the 16:10 aspect ratio, strong hinges, 12th gen Intel CPU with optional GeForce MX graphics, and easy serviceability. Such features would typically cost hundreds of dollars more on higher-end alternatives from competing manufacturers. The value proposition is therefore relatively high for users looking to maximize bang for the buck."
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the Dell XPS 15
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.
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