The Dell Latitude 14 7490 is less expensive and might suit you if you are on a budget and need a laptop for everyday business tasks. It's an older model with a sturdy build, decent performance for everyday work, and a good battery life. In contrast, the MSI Prestige 14 is priced higher but offers a more modern processor, improved graphics performance – making it a better fit for creative work like photo and video editing, and potentially lighter gaming. The MSI model also has a slimmer design for better portability. Consider the MSI if your work requires more processing power and you value a lighter, more modern device despite the higher cost. 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 Latitude 14 7490
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 14
Good for engineering and design
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.5/10
7.1/10
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI Prestige 14 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is only fair.
The MSI Prestige 14's dedicated Iris Xe graphics outperform the Dell Latitude 14 7490's integrated UHD Graphics 620, offering better performance for design and engineering tasks that benefit from stronger graphical processing capabilities. Additionally, while both laptops have a similar amount of RAM, potentially influencing multitasking and complex workloads, the MSI's more contemporary CPU and higher-quality GPU provide a more robust option for these specialized applications.
Screen Quality
6.7/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
305.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
313.0 nits
The MSI Prestige 14 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 14 7490 for general use, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell Latitude 14 7490 offers decent clarity and readability due to its resolution and brightness, while the MSI Prestige 14 provides a sharper and brighter display, enhancing the overall viewing experience. With engineering and design in mind, both laptops present good screen quality, as they cover a wide range of colors allowing for precise and vibrant visual work, yet they may not be the top choice for professionals who need the absolute best color accuracy. However, when it comes to gaming and 3D applications, both fall short because of their lower refresh rates, which could lead to less smooth visuals, although they maintain a fair level of detail and color due to their panel types and resolution.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Prestige 14 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 both have very good portability, though the MSI Prestige 14 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$300
$1,040
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a price of $300 and the MSI Prestige 14 costs $1,040.
The MSI Prestige 14 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 stands out for general use due to its robust CPU and longer battery life, while the MSI Prestige 14, being lighter and with a higher quality screen, offers better portability and visual experience. Both laptops are equipped with sufficient RAM for multitasking and high-quality keyboards, but the Dell's solid build and quieter operation make it a reliable choice for productivity, whereas the MSI's more modern design potentially suits users looking for a stylish and portable laptop with decent performance and good heat management.
Gaming and AI
5.9/10
6.2/10
3.5/10
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
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Prestige 14 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 14 7490 is poor.
The Dell Latitude 14 7490, with its Intel UHD Graphics 620, offers a fair gaming and 3D experience, but is less powerful compared to the MSI Prestige 14's Intel Iris Xe graphics, which delivers better performance in the same usage scenarios; however, both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, which is a factor in smooth visuals but is not ideal for high-end gaming where higher refresh rates are beneficial. Screen quality and the power of the CPU are also important, with the MSI likely having an edge in CPU performance due to its newer generation, but both laptops feature similar screen resolutions and panel types, indicating that neither offers superior screen quality.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.5/10
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Prestige 14 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 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
7.3/10
3.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Prestige 14 and Dell Latitude 14 7490 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.
Battery
9.5 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 14 has 8.5 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.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.4/10
The Dell Latitude 14 7490 and MSI Prestige 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 Latitude 14 7490 and the MSI Prestige 14 compare to other laptops
"The Dell Latitude 7490's got the speed you need (and then some), a keyboard that's comfortable enough for writing all day long and a battery that supports a full 8-hour workday. If only the display were brighter and it managed heat better. If you need every minute of battery life you can get, the extended-battery version of the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 lasts 8 hours longer than the Latitude 7490, but its display is much less colorful."
"The MSI Prestige 14” is excellent for productivity and business use cases, but it is not ideal for creators or visual content editors. The Prestige was able to power through days of email, spreadsheets, and text documents without breaking a sweat and was a joy to use. The additional ports were a breath of fresh air, as most laptops seem to be moving towards just Thunderbolt ports. The security options made signing in effortless, with two quick, more secure, and faster options than even the most complex alphanumeric passcode."
Get a great deal on the Dell Latitude 14 7490 or the MSI Prestige 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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