The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers higher storage capacity and a more powerful main processor, which will provide better performance, particularly for engineering or more intensive 3D and machine learning tasks. However, it's heavier and has a shorter battery life compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i. The IdeaPad Slim 7i has a lower resolution display but offers a longer battery life and a lighter weight, making it more portable for general use, although it might perform less optimally for demanding tasks due to a less powerful processor and half the internal storage of the Dell. Both have 16GB of RAM and similar screen sizes, but if your preference leans towards longer use on the go, the Lenovo might suit you better, while if performance and storage are crucial, the Dell might be the better choice. 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 overall display quality
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
7.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for engineering and design, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus boasts a higher-end CPU and superior screen resolution, which are crucial for demanding engineering and design tasks, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, although with a less powerful CPU and lower screen resolution, offers longer battery life and better portability, making it a practical choice for on-the-go productivity.
Screen Quality
7.0/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i for content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i both have screens with resolutions and brightness levels that provide crisp and clear visuals for general tasks like browsing and video streaming. Their color gamut coverage meets the needs of engineering and design professionals who require accurate color representation for their work. However, their lower refresh rates make them less ideal for gaming and 3D applications, which benefit from higher refresh rates for smoother visual experiences.
Battery
6.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have very good portability, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$808
$899
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus stands out with a more modern processor and higher resolution screen, which is great for multitasking and better image quality, but it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i. The Lenovo, on the other hand, offers longer battery life and better portability with a lighter build, still providing sufficient power and screen quality for general usage, along with better heat management and less operating noise.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
6.2/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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
7.7/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.8/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i 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."
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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