If performance during intensive engineering tasks is critical for you, the MSI Cyborg 15 with its dedicated Nvidia graphics card stands out, especially if you're also interested in gaming or 3D rendering. However, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a higher resolution display and longer battery life, which might be preferable for general use and offer better screen quality for tasks like photo editing or watching videos. The Dell is also more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller screen size. Both have midrange prices and share similar build quality, but the MSI has an edge in terms of gaming aesthetics. If your work involves carrying the laptop around or you're keen on a touchscreen, neither of these laptops have touch capabilities. Consider how each laptop aligns with your primary use case, whether it be general computing, professional engineering software, or gaming. 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
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Cyborg 15
Good for gaming and AI
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
234.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.2/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for general use, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is appreciated for general use due to its high-resolution screen, good keyboard quality, and decent battery life considering its efficient CPU and sufficient RAM, making it accessible for a range of tasks while being fairly portable. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15, with its faster-refreshing screen and powerful dedicated graphics card, along with a slightly longer battery life, caters well to users who may engage in more graphics-intensive applications but it is slightly less portable and has a lower resolution display.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
7.2/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Cyborg 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is suitable for gaming and 3D applications thanks to its high-performing main processor, but its built-in GPU and lower screen refresh rate may not handle the most demanding graphics as smoothly as desired. In contrast, the MSI Cyborg 15 is also apt for gaming and 3D, featuring a dedicated high-end Nvidia GPU and a higher refresh rate screen, enabling it to deliver smoother visual performance for fast-paced games and detailed 3D rendering.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Cyborg 15 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
6.8/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
234.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the MSI Cyborg 15 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
If you prioritize screen clarity and crisp details for everyday tasks or professional work like photo editing, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers superior resolution and brightness, enhancing your experience. For engineering and design work, the same laptop provides broader color coverage, crucial for accuracy in color-intensive tasks. However, if fast-paced gaming or 3D modeling is your main focus, neither the Dell nor the MSI Cyborg 15 will serve you well due to their lower refresh rates, which are key for smooth motion and quick visual feedback in these scenarios.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Cyborg 15 has 7.5 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
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
6.7/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good build quality, while the MSI Cyborg 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$808
$999
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the MSI Cyborg 15 costs $999.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Cyborg 15 are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is well-suited for engineering and design due to its powerful Intel i7 processor, abundant RAM, Iris Xe integrated graphics, and a high-resolution IPS screen which enhances visual clarity and color accuracy, improving productivity in detailed design tasks. On the other hand, the MSI Cyborg 15, with its Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX GPU, excels in tasks requiring advanced graphics performance, making it ideal for engineering simulations and 3D design, while also boasting a higher refresh rate screen for smoother visualization of moving elements.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Cyborg 15 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the MSI Cyborg 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 focus of the MSI Cyborg 15 lies on a compromise of performance, mobility, and power consumption. Due to the reduced performance settings, the CPU and GPU perform below their capabilities. Nonetheless, their computing power is still sufficient for FHD gaming at high to maximum settings even then. The power consumption, which is low for a gaming laptop, can be translated into a good battery life. Realistic values of 7 to 8 h are still possible, despite the relatively small battery capacity of 53.5 Wh. Unfortunately the USB-C port doesn't offer any support for Power Delivery, which would be a sensible feature in the case of the Cyborg."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the MSI Cyborg 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.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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