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Inspiron 14 Plus
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Surface Laptop 5 13"
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What we think

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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers stronger performance at a typically lower cost, with a powerful processor that suits demanding tasks like engineering. However, it is heavier and thicker, which impacts portability. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is pricier and has a weaker processor but is lighter and slimmer, making it a better choice for carrying around. The Surface also has a longer battery life, which can be important if you're often away from outlets. If your work involves intensive tasks or you're on a budget, consider the Dell. If portability and battery longevity are priorities, the Surface may be better. 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 keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
  • Excellent portability
  • Very good speakers

Key differences

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Gaming and AI

6.6
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
6.1
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.

Engineering and Design

7.8
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.

Screen Quality

7.0
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.2
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen for general use.

Battery

6.0 Hours
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 hours of battery life.

Portability

Very Good
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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Key similarities

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General Use

7.9
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.4
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
326.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.

Content Creation

7.9
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for content creation.

Software Development

7.7
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for software development.

Build Quality

7.4
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have good build quality.

Cost

$1,162
Inspiron 14 Plus
Surface Laptop 5 13"
$1,200
Product imageProduct image

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

$1,400

$1,600

$1,800

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $1,162 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.

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How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops

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Spec Comparison

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Dell Inspiron 14 PlusMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
Dell Inspiron 14 PlusMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 13"

GENERAL

Price
$1,162
$1,200
Release Date
July 1, 2022October 1, 2022
Overall Dimensions
12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7''12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57''
Weight
3.7 lbs2.86 lbs
Width
12.36"12.1"
Depth
8.96"8.8"

INTERNAL

Processor
Intel i7-12700HIntel i7-1255U
RAM
16 GB16 GB
DDR Memory Version
55
RAM Slots
10
Storage
1024 GB512 GB

BATTERY

Battery Life
6 Hours7.5 Hours
Battery Capacity
64 Wh47.4 Wh

SCREEN

Diagonal Size
14"13.5"
Display Technology
IPSIPS
Resolution
2240 x 14002256 x 1504
Refresh Rate
60Hz60Hz
Display Brightness
326 nits400 nits

RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS

Build Quality Score
7.4/107.8/10
Portability Score
8.1/109/10
Gaming Laptop Appearance
NoNo
Premium Business Laptop
NoNo
Fan Noise Score
7.5/107.5/10

HARDWARE FEATURES

Keyboard Quality Score
8/107/10
Speaker Quality Score
6.8/108.8/10
Webcam
1080p720p
Fingerprint Reader
NoNo
Backlit Keyboard
YesYes
Number Pad
NoNo

CONNECTIVITY

USB Type-A
21
USB-C ports
11
USB-C Charging
NoYes
Display Outputs
21
Thunderbolt Version
44

Shopping

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Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

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Dig into reviews and images

NotebookCheck

Allen Ngo | August 2022
"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."

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"

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Dig into reviews and images

CNET

Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."

Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"

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 Microsoft

Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.

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Why trust us

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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

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Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
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125,595
Recommendations made
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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.

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