The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is a versatile 2-in-1 device that can switch between laptop and tablet modes, which is ideal for flexibility in use and portability, though this may come at a slight compromise in battery life and gaming performance due to its integrated graphics. In contrast, the MSI Thin GF63 offers a dedicated graphics card making it better suited for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks; however, it is bulkier and might not be as easy to carry around. Both have similar storage and memory, so your choice should depend on whether portability and versatility or gaming and graphics performance are more important for your needs. 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 overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Thin GF63
Good for engineering and design
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
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
8.0/10
The MSI Thin GF63 and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the MSI Thin GF63 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with integrated graphics and a standard screen refresh rate, is less geared towards gaming and 3D applications, whereas the MSI Thin GF63 includes a dedicated Nvidia GPU and a high refresh rate display, better suiting it for smooth and visually demanding gaming experiences. Additionally, while both laptops have comparable CPUs and screen quality, the superior graphics hardware and screen fluidity of the MSI Thin GF63 make it a preferable choice for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
7.5/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Thin GF63 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is well-suited for engineering and design due to its 16 GB RAM, competent Intel i7 processor with integrated graphics, and high-quality IPS touchscreen display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, making it versatile for various tasks. On the other hand, the MSI Thin GF63 offers similar RAM capacity and a higher-end Intel i7 processor coupled with a dedicated Nvidia RTX GPU, providing more graphical power necessary for demanding design software, but it has a standard screen aspect ratio and is slightly less portable due to its larger size and weight.
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
262.0 nits
The MSI Thin GF63 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the MSI Thin GF63 offer screens that provide decent clarity and visibility with adequate resolution and brightness, but they lack the more advanced panel technology found in higher-end models. When it comes to engineering and design, both laptops deliver acceptable color representation for most tasks; however, professionals who need highly accurate color for critical work may find the color gamut coverage insufficient. For 3D tasks and gaming, the limited refresh rate of these laptops could result in less fluid motion and may not match the performance of laptops designed specifically for these purposes, although they still maintain an acceptable level of detail and image quality due to their resolution and panel type.
Battery
7.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Thin GF63 has 4.5 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.
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 Thin GF63 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 Thin GF63 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$801
$1,150
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the MSI Thin GF63 costs $1,150.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Thin GF63 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 caters to general use with its 2-in-1 convertible design providing versatility, a high-quality IPS screen for clear visuals, and moderate battery life, making it suitable for everyday tasks and portability. The MSI Thin GF63, while still good for general use with its ample RAM and powerful CPU, leans more towards gaming with its dedicated Nvidia graphics and higher refresh rate screen but trades off with lower battery life and is slightly heavier, which may affect its portability.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.4/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Thin GF63 and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 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
7.2/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and MSI Thin GF63 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the MSI Thin GF63 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 GF63 Thin 11SC can be an admirable value for gamers and power users on a minimal budget. For just $599 as reviewed in its base model, its Intel Core i5 H-class processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics perform much better than low-wattage CPUs and integrated graphics. That said, this is a light-class gaming laptop. Low scores in our demanding gaming benchmarks indicate using lower visual-quality settings will be required for playable performance."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the MSI Thin GF63
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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