The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is often somewhat more expensive and offers a touchscreen, more storage, better performance for general and engineering tasks, and is lighter, which makes it more portable. On the other hand, the MSI GF63 Thin is less expensive, has a dedicated graphics unit for gaming and 3D tasks but comes with less storage and lower performance for engineering and general tasks. The Dell is suited for users needing a versatile, portable, and high-performance device for a range of tasks including casual gaming, while the MSI is targeted more towards gaming on a budget. 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
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI GF63 Thin
The MSI GF63 Thin has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 7420.
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
6.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
260.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.2 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good for general use, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 outperforms the MSI GF63 Thin in general use due to its higher RAM and more powerful CPU, which results in smoother multitasking and faster performance in day-to-day tasks. Additionally, the Dell Inspiron offers better screen quality with higher pixel density and touchscreen functionality, making it more versatile for general use, while also having slightly longer battery life and being more portable thanks to its lighter weight and smaller size.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
6.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for engineering and design, though the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is preferred for engineering and design due to its better main processor and higher RAM, which are crucial for handling intensive tasks and multitasking. Though the MSI GF63 Thin has a dedicated GPU which is beneficial for graphics-related work, its lower-end CPU and less RAM make it less optimal for demanding engineering software, despite offering good portability and adequate screen quality.
Content Creation
7.3/10
6.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good for content creation, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
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
7.3/10
6.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good for software development, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
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
6.2/10
6.1/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a better screen than the MSI GF63 Thin for software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron and the MSI GF63 Thin offer screens with decent resolution and brightness, but they may not have the finer display details or the most vibrant colors some users prefer. When it comes to engineering and design, the screens on both models may not cover a wide range of colors needed to accurately represent work, as they lack extensive color gamut support. Meanwhile, for gaming and 3D applications, the lack of a high refresh rate on these models means less fluid motion and slower response times, which can detract from the immersive experience and performance in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
7.5 Hours
4.2 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 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
4.1 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has very good portability, while the MSI GF63 Thin has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has good build quality, while the MSI GF63 Thin has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$801
$599
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the MSI GF63 Thin costs $599.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU which is less powerful compared to the dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU of the MSI GF63 Thin, rendering the latter more suitable for gaming and 3D tasks. However, both laptops have the same screen refresh rate of 60Hz, which is not ideal for high frame rate gaming that is often preferred by gamers.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the MSI GF63 Thin compare to other laptops
"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."
"If you leave aside the meagre port selection (no card reader, no DisplayPort, no Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Gen2), the fan control that could be improved (idle mode!) and the relatively dark and slow display, the MSI GF63 Thin 9SC does not have any major weaknesses. The 15-inch gamer is compact, has a low weight and offers a good price-to-performance ratio, which should please gamers that are looking for both a portable and an affordable gaming notebook. Input devices, battery life, case quality and performance are all appropriate for this purchase price."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the MSI GF63 Thin
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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