The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus may be a good fit if you're looking for something with a stronger balance between price and performance, with a smaller, more portable design. Its performance is adequate for general tasks, and even engineering applications, though not as high-end as some alternatives. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15 offers more premium features, a larger screen, and superior build and speaker quality. It also has a more powerful graphics card, which is better suited for 3D work, machine learning tasks, or gaming. However, this comes at a higher price point and with a bit less portability. If battery life is crucial, the XPS 15 outlasts the Inspiron 14 Plus on a single charge, making it a smart choice for extended use without access to power. 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 Plus
Very good portability
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.0/10
7.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the Dell XPS 15 offer displays with the clarity and brightness conducive to a variety of tasks, thanks to their resolution and panel technology. Engineers and designers will appreciate the accurate color representation provided by these models, essential for precision in visual projects. However, gamers and 3D enthusiasts may find the screens lacking, as they prioritize higher refresh rates to deliver smoother motion, which these laptops do not focus on.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 has 10 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
7.4/10
8.5/10
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$808
$1,599
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,599.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
6.8/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus are both only fair for gaming and AI.
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
7.8/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is suited for engineering and design due to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, integrated GPU suitable for less demanding tasks, and high-resolution screen. While the Dell XPS 15 also shares a robust CPU and sufficient RAM, it additionally offers a dedicated GPU for more intensive design tasks, a higher-quality screen, and superior speaker quality, although it's less portable and generally noisier during operation.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
7.7/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell XPS 15 to be very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
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
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 Plus to have very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
"The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is for power users on a budget. If you're looking to maximize CPU and GPU performance on your next 14-inch laptop, then consider the pricier Razer Blade 14 or Asus Zephyrus G14. If you're looking for a thin-and-light 14-inch Ultrabook, then the Asus Zenbook 14 or LG Gram 14 may be better options. For the best of both worlds, however, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 rides a fine line between extreme performance and portability while keeping prices at reasonable levels. Frequent travelers who rely on performance beyond what the Core U-series and integrated graphics series can offer will find the Dell to be a solid solution."
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the Dell XPS 15
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.
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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