For general use and if you're looking to save money, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420, which also doubles as a tablet, could meet your needs with sufficient performance. However, if you need more power for activities like gaming, 3D rendering, or engineering software, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio with its high-performance components will be better, though at a higher cost and potentially reduced battery life due to the more powerful hardware. Both laptops are quite portable with a 14-inch screen size, but the MSI might be slightly heavier. Additionally, the MSI offers a faster screen refresh rate, which is particularly beneficial for gaming. 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
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
7.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
8.5/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is very 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.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.9/10
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 MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both good for content creation, though the MSI Stealth 14 Studio is somewhat better.
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
7.6/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
For general use, the Dell Inspiron offers a suitable display with adequate resolution and brightness but may fall short for users requiring exceptionally crisp or bright visuals. The MSI Stealth provides a high-resolution, brighter screen, enhancing visibility and sharpness, crucial for detailed tasks in engineering and design, along with wider color coverage which ensures more accurate color representation. However, both models might disappoint gamers and professionals in 3D fields due to lower refresh rates that can lead to less fluid motion and reduced responsiveness in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
7.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio has 5 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.
Cost
$801
$1,432
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the MSI Stealth 14 Studio costs $1,432.
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is equipped with a capable CPU and integrated graphics for smooth general use, and its 2-in-1 design with a quality touchscreen offers versatility, while its longer battery life and light weight make it easily portable. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, with a more powerful CPU and a high-end discrete GPU, excels in demanding tasks and has a superb screen for color-intensive work, but trades some portability and battery life for these performance gains, which may be less important for general use.
Software Development
7.3/10
7.4/10
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
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 7420 to have very good portability, while the MSI Stealth 14 Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.6/10
The MSI Stealth 14 Studio and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 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 Stealth 14 Studio 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."
"You'll find a versatility in the MSI Stealth 14 Studio that isn’t matched by many content-creator laptops we've tested of late. The small frame allows you to (potentially) work from anywhere with an outlet and, if noise isn’t a concern, run your most demanding of programs, thanks to some powerful hardware inside. The MSI Stealth 14 Studio is an attractive and powerful option if you want a portable laptop to be the center of your content work setup."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
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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