The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a compromise between performance and portability, boasting higher-resolution screens and durable build quality, suitable for intense tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software, but it comes at a higher price. In contrast, the HP 17" Laptop, while more affordable and sporting a larger screen, may not perform as robustly with demanding applications; however, it maintains ample performance for general use and lighter duties. Keep in mind, the larger screen size of the HP can impact mobility, and it does offer a number pad if that's important for your workflow. Both machines run Windows, with Dell offering the Pro version and HP the Home edition. 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
Good for engineering and design
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the HP 17" Laptop
The HP 17" Laptop has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus.
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.3/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
326.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
287.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and HP 17" Laptop are both good for general use, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a balance of performance and portability with a high-quality screen, making it suitable for general use with a more portable design and a longer battery life than the HP 17" Laptop. Whereas, the HP offers a larger screen and solid general-use capabilities, but it's less portable and has shorter battery life, which might make it more ideal for stationary use where screen size is a priority and mobility is not as crucial.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
6.8/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good for engineering and design, while the HP 17" Laptop is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus stands out for engineering and design due to its high-resolution display and powerful Intel i7 CPU complemented by robust integrated graphics, making it suitable for intensive tasks, though its smaller screen size may be a drawback for some users. Meanwhile, the HP 17" Laptop offers a larger screen which is beneficial for detailed work despite a lower resolution, and it possesses a capable AMD Ryzen CPU with good integrated graphics; however, it may not be as easy to transport due to its larger size and increased weight.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and HP 17" Laptop are both good for content creation, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and HP 17" Laptop are both good for software development, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
7.0/10
6.6/10
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
287.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the HP 17" Laptop for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with its superior resolution and brightness offers a more comfortable and clearer viewing experience, suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. When addressing engineering and design needs, the Inspiron's wider color gamuts provide more accurate color representation critical for detailed work in fields like graphic design or video editing. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the HP's larger screen can't compensate for the lower refresh rate, which is essential for smooth visuals and gameplay, making the Inspiron less ideal despite its better color accuracy and resolution.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the HP 17" Laptop has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
6.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good build quality, while the HP 17" Laptop has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$808
$550
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the HP 17" Laptop costs $550.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and HP 17" Laptop are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is better for gaming and 3D applications due to its superior integrated graphics from the Intel Iris Xe, which outperforms the HP 17" Laptop's AMD Vega 8 graphics. Additionally, the Dell has a higher resolution display which contributes to better screen quality, although both laptops share the same screen refresh rate, a critical factor for smooth gaming and 3D experiences.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The HP 17" Laptop has 5.5 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the HP 17" Laptop 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."
"As far as starter laptops go, the HP Laptop 17 is a sound investment. Sure, it might not be the lightest of options, but what you get for the price is a well-rounded machine that fits multiple niches. Whether it be office duties that require you to multi-task between multiple programs, or study tasks in which you’ll spend hours browsing online, this laptop does it all. Plus, when it's time to unwind, you can watch your favorite shows or movies on a super-wide display. What's best of all is that you can do all this for about half a day on a single charge."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the HP 17" Laptop
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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
93,495
Recommendations made
20,258
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.