The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a more affordable and portable option with respectable performance for general use, yet it doesn't shine in intensive gaming or demanding engineering tasks. On the other hand, the pricier Razer Blade 18 offers superior performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering software, along with better screen quality and advanced features like hardware ray tracing, but it's bulkier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable. The Razer is well-suited for those prioritizing top-tier performance and features over cost and portability, while the Dell is better for everyday tasks and users seeking a balance between performance and convenience. 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 portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the Razer Blade 18
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
8.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
326.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
524.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.1/10
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The Razer Blade 18 has a superior CPU and doubled RAM compared to the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, enhancing its performance for demanding tasks and multitasking; it also boasts a brighter, higher-refresh-rate screen for better visuals. However, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is lighter and offers better battery life for on-the-go use, making it suitable for general needs where portability and all-day use are priorities.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
8.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is only fair.
The Razer Blade 18 outperforms the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus in gaming and 3D tasks primarily because it has a high-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU compared to the Dell's integrated Intel graphics, and a maximum screen refresh rate of 240Hz, which is four times that of the Dell's 60Hz. Additionally, the Razer's superior CPU and screen quality further enhance its capacity for demanding tasks, making it better suited for intense gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
7.8/10
9.3/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Razer Blade 18 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with an Intel i7 CPU and Intel Iris Xe GPU provides solid performance for engineering, whereas the Razer Blade 18's superior Intel i9 CPU and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU offer even higher performance, especially in tasks requiring more graphical power. Despite the Razer Blade 18's larger, higher-quality screen and better overall system performance, it is less portable and noisier under load compared to the more compact and quieter Dell Inspiron 14 Plus.
Content Creation
7.9/10
8.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
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
8.5/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good.
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
8.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
18.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
524.0 nits
The Razer Blade 18 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a balanced screen with adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and engineering software, ensuring a clear and vibrant display, but its refresh rate isn't high enough to satisfy the smooth visuals required for high-end gaming or 3D applications. The Razer Blade 18, with its superior color accuracy and wider color gamuts, presents an ideal screen for professionals in engineering and design who need precise color representation for their work. However, despite its excellent resolution and panel quality, it falls short for gaming and 3D work because a high refresh rate is essential for those fields, and here the Razer Blade 18 doesn't deliver the best experience.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 hours of battery life. The Razer Blade 18 has 4 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
18.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has very good portability, while the Razer Blade 18 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.5/10
The Razer Blade 18 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,200
$3,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $1,200 and the Razer Blade 18 costs $3,200.
"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."
"Razer made a powerful laptop in the Blade 18, showing off a beautiful and fast display and the same high-quality build we’ve come to expect from this product line. It’s also quite expensive, which is hardly a surprise, but bears repeating even in this price range. It’s pricier than the Scar 18 despite an inferior GPU and half the storage, so you really have to want the Blade 18’s design to justify the cost."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the Razer Blade 18
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean technology company. Razer is best known for their Blade series laptops, well known for their strong performance and sleek design. Although Razer charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a stealthy laptop with clean fit and finish and strong performance. All of their models offer great portability and build quality compared to other gaming laptops.
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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