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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s depends on your priorities. If weight and portability are important, the Lenovo is lighter and slightly more compact. For those who prefer a bit more screen real estate and higher portability, the Dell offers a 14-inch display compared to Lenovo's 13.3-inch, but it's heavier. The Lenovo has better screen resolution, which makes for sharper images. If battery life is a concern, the Lenovo has the edge with a slightly longer typical usage time. Both laptops have the same amount of storage and memory. However, if the price is a significant factor, the Lenovo is typically less expensive. Suitable for general use and with the capacity for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, both laptops offer similar performance levels, but the Dell has a slight advantage in color reproduction for creative work. If you're interested in a professional look, Lenovo's ThinkBook is marketed as a premium business laptop. Both run Windows 11, but while the Dell has Windows 11 Home, the Lenovo has the Pro version, which includes additional features for business users. 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.9
7.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420, with its 2-in-1 convertible design, is suited for engineering and design tasks thanks to a capable CPU, substantial RAM, integrated GPU suitable for light graphical tasks, and a quality IPS screen, albeit with lower resolution and color coverage compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, which offers a sharper display with better color accuracy, very beneficial for design work, and a slightly more powerful CPU, in a lighter and more compact form, making it more portable but potentially at the expense of larger screen size.
Screen Quality
6.2
7.2
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
260.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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 resolution and brightness, provides an adequate display for everyday tasks and productivity software which are typical in general use and engineering, but its limited color range and refresh rate hinder performance in tasks that demand high color accuracy and fluid visuals, such as professional design work and 3D applications. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, with superior color reproduction enveloping a broad spectrum of the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, caters well to the precision required in engineering and design, delivering sharper and more accurate visuals. However, since both laptops have screens with lower refresh rates, neither is ideal for gaming or 3D rendering, where smoother on-screen motion is crucial for an optimal experience.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.3in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$801
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 has a price of $801 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.8
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
260.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 offers a balanced combination of a strong processor, ample memory and a decent screen, making it well-suited for a variety of general use applications; it's slightly heavier and thicker than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, which may affect its portability, but it compensates with a slightly larger screen.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.4
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Dell Inspiron 14 7420 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 7420 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s are both equipped with integrated GPUs and standard 60Hz refresh rate displays, making them fair options for gaming and 3D tasks; these laptops prioritize portability and general use over the advanced graphics and high refresh rates typically sought after by gaming enthusiasts. While they have capable CPUs and quality screens, dedicated gamers and professionals in 3D fields may seek out devices with more powerful graphics units and faster screens to meet the demands of their applications.
Content Creation
7.3
7.8
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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
7.7
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13s compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 7420 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13s |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$801 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.66'' | 11.7'' x 8.3'' x 0.59'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.61 lbs | 2.9 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 8.3" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 260 nits | 336 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 14 7420
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | June 2022
"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."
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chin | July 2021
"The best thing about the ThinkBook 13S is that it’s a good deal. Business buyers looking for ThinkPad-level performance and software without ThinkPad pricing will probably find the ThinkBook a solid option. While nothing about it is really spectacular, it’s certainly unusual to see the ThinkBook’s screen resolution at a sub-$1,000 price, and its performance will be more than adequate for most office tasks. The generous port selection, 16:10 aspect ratio, physical webcam shutter, and clear audio are certainly icing on the cake."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 7420 or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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