The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is more expensive but offers a larger screen with higher resolution and better battery life, which is good for multitasking and longer use without charging. However, this model is heavier than the MSI Modern 14, affecting portability. The MSI is less expensive, lighter, and therefore more portable, but has a smaller screen and lower battery capacity, which might be a concern for extended use or multitasking. Both have enough performance for general use, but if extensive engineering tasks or more intensive applications are part of your regular use, the Dell with a stronger processor and GPU may be more suitable. 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 16 5625
Good for engineering and design
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
Very good portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.2/10
6.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
265.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for software development, and content creation, while the MSI Modern 14 has a better screen for general use.
For general use, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Modern 14 offer enough resolution and brightness for tasks like web browsing and video streaming. However, for engineering and design, both models lack wider color gamuts needed for accurate color work. When it comes to gaming and 3D, the lower refresh rates of these laptops don't provide the smooth visuals preferred for fast-paced or graphically intensive content.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has 8 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.
Portability
Good
Very Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$800
$525
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a price of $800 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 offers a larger screen with a higher resolution and longer battery life for more extended usage, although it's slightly heavier which affects portability as compared to the MSI Modern 14, which is lighter, making it more portable but has a smaller screen size and shorter battery life, making it less ideal for long usage sessions away from power sources. Both laptops have similar RAM and storage, ensuring smooth operation for general use tasks, but the Dell has a slightly better processor, which could provide a more responsive experience during more demanding tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Modern 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 has a modest GPU and standard screen refresh rate, making it only fair for gaming and 3D tasks where high-quality visuals and fluid motion are crucial. Similarly, the MSI Modern 14, while having competent graphics capabilities, also offers a regular refresh rate, which means it too will deliver just an adequate experience for activities that rely on fast and high-fidelity graphics.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
6.6/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 16 5625 to be good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is preferred for engineering and design use because it has a more powerful CPU and integrated GPU, which are essential for demanding applications, and a larger, higher resolution screen which helps in detailed work.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.2/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Modern 14 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
7.5/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and MSI Modern 14 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
7.0/10
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
"I think there is fair value in the Inspiron 16 this year. Very little has changed with the laptop and my opinion hasn’t really changed either. In other words, I like it. Overall, I think the pros far outweigh the cons of this laptop and the price is certainly justifiable. I found this to be a great typer and I could potentially work all day on this machine, provided I don’t need a graphics card."
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 16 5625 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.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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