The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, priced at the lower midrange, is a good choice for general use, offering a balance between cost and performance with solid battery life for daily tasks, a touchscreen, and a light build for easy portability. On the other hand, the MSI Pulse GL66, although more expensive, delivers more powerful performance suitable for 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming due to its robust processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics card. However, take note that the MSI has a shorter battery life and heavier design, which may limit its portability compared to the Dell. Both laptops have similar storage and RAM, but if gaming or intensive engineering tasks are a priority, the MSI could better meet those needs, while the Dell is more suited for general purpose computing with better portability and battery at a lower cost. 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
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Pulse GL66
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
7.2/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is less suited for gaming and 3D applications due to its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a lower screen refresh rate of 60Hz, whereas the MSI Pulse GL66 offers a more robust experience with its dedicated Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics card and a higher 144Hz refresh rate, enhancing gaming performance and visual fluidity.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
7.5/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Pulse GL66 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
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.
Screen Quality
6.2/10
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
245.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a better screen than the MSI Pulse GL66 for software development, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with a screen that offers adequate resolution and brightness but not top-tier, provides a satisfactory display for everyday tasks but lacks the advanced color accuracy needed for professional engineering and design work. Similarly, the MSI Pulse GL66's screen provides acceptable clarity and visibility for standard usage, but its color range doesn't entirely meet the high standards required for precision tasks like photo editing or CAD. Both models fall short in delivering the high refresh rates favored by gaming and 3D applications, which can diminish the experience when fast motion clarity is essential.
Battery
7.5 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Pulse GL66 has 4 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
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has very good portability, while the MSI Pulse GL66 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$801
$1,399
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the MSI Pulse GL66 costs $1,399.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Pulse GL66 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is equipped with a solid CPU and RAM, which provide good general performance and multitasking capabilities, as well as a high-quality 16:10 ratio screen, making it suitable for a variety of tasks while being lightweight and having a long battery life for portability. In contrast, the MSI Pulse GL66 also has a powerful CPU and ample RAM, as well as a high-refresh-rate screen which is great for fluid visuals, but it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable but more suited for intensive tasks like gaming.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.2/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Pulse GL66 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
7.3/10
7.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Pulse GL66 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.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.4/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Pulse GL66 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 7420 and the MSI Pulse GL66 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."
"The MSI Pulse GL66 has a lot of potential for improvement. Although the RTX 3060 is only able to use 105 watts, we still liked the gaming performance, particularly since this also makes the Pulse comfortably efficient but not slow by any means. Neither the dark display with its lame response times, nor USB 2.0 or the lack of Thunderbolt will please real gamers. The use of a sticker factory seal, which is at least questionable, also won't inspire any enthusiasm. It is obvious that the laptop is really designed for price-conscious gamers."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the MSI Pulse GL66
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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