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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize strong performance for tasks like engineering, 3D modeling, or gaming, and are okay with a heavier laptop, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with its advanced processor and higher resolution display may serve you well despite it being more expensive. However, if you're looking for something more affordable and lightweight for general use or less intensive computing tasks, with longer battery life for on-the-go use, then the MSI Modern 14 could be a better fit. Keep in mind, the MSI's performance and screen won't match the Dell's but its portability and price could make it a compelling choice for everyday use. 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
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
- Good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.9
7.2
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
326.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use because they come with robust CPUs and sufficient RAM, enhancing overall performance for routine tasks, while featuring high-quality IPS screens for clear visuals. The Dell Inspiron stands out with its higher resolution and color accuracy, which is excellent for tasks requiring visual precision, while the MSI Modern 14 is lighter with a higher portability score, appealing to those prioritizing ease of transport.
Gaming and AI
6.6
6.0
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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
8.7/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Modern 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers superior gaming and 3D capabilities due to a more powerful CPU and advanced integrated graphics compared to the MSI Modern 14's mid-range CPU and less capable integrated graphics. Both laptops share the same screen refresh rate, but the Dell's higher screen resolution and better color coverage further enhance visual fidelity for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.8
6.6
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
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 MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, equipped with a more powerful Intel i7 processor and superior graphics, along with a higher resolution screen, offers better performance and screen quality for engineering and design tasks than the MSI Modern 14, which has an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and lower screen resolution. Additionally, the Dell model's greater onboard storage doubles that of the MSI, although the MSI is slightly lighter and therefore a bit more portable.
Content Creation
7.9
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Modern 14 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
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Modern 14 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
6.4
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a display that provides clear visuals and vibrant colors, making it suitable for detailed engineering work and pleasant for everyday tasks, thanks to its higher resolution and brightness which enhance the overall viewing experience. However, it falls short for gaming and 3D applications as it likely has a standard refresh rate, which is less optimal for the fast-paced imagery found in such use cases. The MSI Modern 14, with fair screen quality across the board, doesn't quite match the Dell in sharpness or color fidelity, making it less ideal for precision tasks but still serviceable for general activities and basic design work.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have very good portability, though the MSI Modern 14 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$808
$600
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $808 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $600.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Modern 14 has 6 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.0
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and MSI Modern 14 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 Modern 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 Plus | MSI Modern 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$808 | $600 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 12.7'' x 8.7'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 3.08 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 12.68" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 8.74" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 64 Wh | 39 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 326 nits | 311 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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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."
MSI Modern 14
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Rtings
Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas | October 2023
"The MSI Modern 14 is okay for school use. It's very compact, so it's easy to carry around. It has a sharp display, a spacious keyboard, and a reasonably large touchpad. Its Intel 13th Gen CPU and integrated graphics can handle general productivity tasks like text processing and web browsing; however, don't expect to do anything intensive like 3D modeling or physics simulations. Unfortunately, the battery lasts less than five hours of light use, and the display doesn't get bright enough to combat glare."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the MSI Modern 14
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.
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