The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5430 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Screen Quality
6.1/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
248.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
340.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5430 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Latitude's display lacks the sharpness and clarity due to its resolution, which is adequate for basic tasks but less ideal for detailed engineering work, and its lower refresh rate hampers the experience in fast-paced 3D applications. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i, with its superior resolution and brightness, enhances the visual experience for both everyday tasks and intricate design work, but like the Dell, it falls short in gaming due to a refresh rate not optimized for high-speed graphics. Both laptops, though good for productivity and professional tasks, are less suited to gaming enthusiasts who prioritize smooth motion and quick screen responses.
Battery
9.0 Hours
11.5 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5430 has 9 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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.
Cost
$790
$899
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Latitude 5430 has a price of $790 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i costs $899.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Latitude 5430 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i outperforms the Dell Latitude 5430 in general use due to its higher-end CPU and double the RAM, which translate into smoother multitasking and overall performance. Additionally, the Slim 7i offers superior screen quality with better brightness and color coverage, along with a slight edge in battery life, making it more suitable for a variety of tasks and longer use away from a power source.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Latitude 5430 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Latitude 5430 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i are both considered fair for gaming and 3D because they are equipped with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which are moderately capable but not as powerful as dedicated gaming GPUs, and they both have a standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz, which is acceptable but not ideal for fast-paced gaming that benefits from higher refresh rates. The IdeaPad Slim 7i has a more powerful CPU, which may provide slightly better performance, though its screen quality, like that of the Latitude 5430, is suitable for general use but not exceptional for high-end gaming or professional 3D work.
Content Creation
7.2/10
7.7/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Latitude 5430 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
7.1/10
7.5/10
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Latitude 5430 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Latitude 5430 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.8/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Dell Latitude 5430 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 Latitude 5430 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i compare to other laptops
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Dell Latitude 5430 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.