When choosing between the Dell Inspiron 14 and the MSI Prestige 13, consider that the MSI typically offers higher performance for demanding tasks such as 3D modeling or intensive computing work, making it well-suited for professionals in fields like engineering or creative design. However, the Dell offers a balance between cost and performance, which is suitable for general use and light professional tasks. The MSI is also more portable due to its compact size, but this may come at the expense of some battery life when compared to the Dell. Ultimately, if budget is a primary concern and your tasks aren't extremely demanding, the Dell could serve you well, whereas if you're after increased performance for professional applications and value portability, the MSI might be the better investment despite the 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 7420
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
260.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with its adequate CPU and RAM, offers a balance between performance and cost, making it suitable for everyday tasks but may fall short for heavy multitasking or advanced applications. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo delivers excellent performance with a superior CPU and more RAM, along with a high-quality screen, better portability, and longer battery life, making it ideal for more demanding general use, although it typically comes at a higher price point.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with its modest GPU, can handle gaming and 3D applications but won't deliver the smoothest experience due to a standard screen refresh rate; the same goes for the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo, which provides similar capabilities but its focus on portability impacts its gaming performance, despite its sufficient screen quality and competent CPU. Both laptops will do for casual gaming and entry-level 3D tasks but won't satisfy demanding gaming requirements.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
8.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with its high-performance CPU and dedicated GPU, handles demanding engineering software efficiently and offers a clear display for intricate design details, but it's heavier and could be noisier under load. Meanwhile, the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo provides a balance of power and portability with a quality keyboard and quieter operation, although its integrated graphics may not handle complex graphics tasks as smoothly as the Dell.
Content Creation
7.3/10
8.1/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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
7.3/10
7.9/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both good for software development, though the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo is somewhat better.
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
8.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
13.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo 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, with its fair screen quality, provides adequate resolution and brightness for general activities and sufficient color accuracy for some engineering and design tasks, but it falls short for gaming and 3D work due to a lower refresh rate and limited panel type. The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo offers a higher resolution and superior brightness, enhancing the experience for both general and professional graphic work, and its color gamut coverage is more suitable for detailed engineering and design, although it too isn't designed for gaming and 3D due to a refresh rate that doesn't cater to the demands of those high-frame-rate activities. Users with a focus on general productivity and professional design work will appreciate the MSI Prestige's screen capabilities, whereas the Dell might appeal to someone who needs balanced performance on a tighter budget, albeit with compromises in visual fidelity for more intensive applications.
Cost
$801
$1,280
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo costs $1,280.
"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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
97,095
Recommendations made
21,038
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.