When choosing between the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the MSI Katana 17, consider the following: the Dell is generally less expensive and more compact, making it easier to carry around, and it still offers strong performance with a high-resolution screen. However, the MSI has a larger screen which is better for gaming or video editing, and it includes a dedicated graphics card ideal for more graphics-intensive tasks. Also, while the MSI has a higher refresh rate display, which is great for smooth visuals, it's also heavier and less convenient to transport. If you prioritize a lightweight, portable laptop with good performance at a lower price point, the Dell is a good choice; however, if you need better gaming or 3D rendering capabilities and don't mind spending more, the MSI would be the better option. 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
Very good portability
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Katana 17
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
7.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The MSI Katana 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is only fair.
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for gaming and 3D applications in part due to its Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU which handles graphics-intensive tasks better than the GPU in the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, and its higher screen refresh rate, which offers smoother visuals in fast-paced games. The Dell Inspiron, while still capable for gaming, isn't as optimized for such high-performance tasks with its integrated graphics and lower refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Katana 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is valued for engineering and design due to its competent CPU and integrated graphics, providing a balance of performance and portability; however, the MSI Katana 17 surpasses it with a high-end dedicated GPU and double the RAM, making it more suitable for demanding engineering tasks and design work that benefits from superior graphical processing and multitasking capabilities, but at the cost of reduced portability.
Screen Quality
7.0/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
256.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the MSI Katana 17 for general use, engineering and design, and software development, while the MSI Katana 17 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a display that balances resolution and brightness, making it suitable for both general use and detail-oriented tasks like engineering, but it falls short for gaming and 3D applications due to a lower refresh rate. The MSI Katana 17, while good for everyday tasks, may lack the advanced color accuracy needed for professional design work, though its larger screen might be more comfortable. Neither laptop is ideal for 3D or gaming because they both have poor refresh rates, which are critical for smooth visuals in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
6.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Katana 17 has 3 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
Fair
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the MSI Katana 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$808
$1,367
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the MSI Katana 17 costs $1,367.
The MSI Katana 17 and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a high-resolution screen and is lighter and more portable with a longer battery life, suiting users who prioritize mobility and screen quality for everyday tasks. In contrast, the MSI Katana 17, while having a larger screen and more RAM, which is better for multitasking, is heavier and has a shorter battery life, which could be less convenient for frequent travelers.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.8/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Katana 17 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
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Katana 17 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
7.2/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Katana 17 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the MSI Katana 17 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 MSI Katana 17 B13V laptop impressed us in its main area of competency - gaming. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 ensures high-performance levels which can compete with the previous generation's RTX 3070 Ti. In addition to the speedy GPU, the MSI comes with a 144 Hz display as well as an RGB keyboard and provides a very good typing experience. Despite the power at hand, the laptop remains comparatively cool."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the MSI Katana 17
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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