Considering your decision between the Dell Inspiron 14 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, it's important to weigh their strengths. The Dell Inspiron, typically more affordable, offers solid performance for everyday tasks and is generally a good fit for casual use or for students. If you favor a laptop with a more premium build and potentially better performance for demanding applications like video editing or light gaming, the MSI Prestige may be the better choice despite its higher cost. However, the MSI's superior capabilities may also result in shorter battery life compared to the Dell. If portability and longer usage away from power outlets are crucial for you, the Dell might be more suitable. 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 14 AI Evo
Very good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
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 14 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 offers a GPU capable of handling light gaming and 3D tasks, but its screen refresh rate might not be ideal for fast-paced games, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, with a similar GPU, provides a balance for casual gaming with a focus on CPU performance and screen quality that benefits creative work. Despite their fair gaming capabilities, neither is designed for high-end gaming, but they can manage everyday tasks and moderate creative applications effectively.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
7.8/10
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 14 AI Evo is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with its strong CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality GPU, is well-suited for demanding engineering software and offers a clear screen for design precision, while the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo also boasts powerful processing capabilities and memory, alongside a superior GPU for graphics-intensive tasks, and a vibrant display, making both laptops ideal options for engineering and design professionals; however, the MSI offers better portability and has a higher-quality keyboard, which may appeal to those who frequently travel or type extensively.
Content Creation
7.3/10
8.0/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 14 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.
Screen Quality
6.2/10
7.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
415.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 14 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.
If you prioritize a sharp, clear display for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos, the MSI's better resolution and brightness make it a more suitable choice. For engineering and design work, the MSI again stands out with wider color coverage, ensuring more accurate and vivid color representation which is critical for these fields. However, neither laptop is ideal for serious gaming or 3D work, as they lack high refresh rates which are essential for smooth motion and quick response times during fast-paced action.
Cost
$801
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo costs $1,300.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo to be very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 offers a balance of performance and cost with respectable CPU and RAM that suit everyday tasks; however, its screen quality and battery life might not be as impressive as the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo, which provides superior display and longer battery life for a higher price, making the MSI more suitable for users who prioritize visual clarity and not constantly needing a power source. The Prestige 14 is also more portable, but both machines have adequate storage, comfortable keyboards, and manage heat and noise well enough for general use.
Software Development
7.3/10
7.7/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 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.
Battery
7.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo has 8 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
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.4/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the MSI Prestige 14 AI Evo 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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the MSI Prestige 14 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.