Dell Latitude 14 7490 vs MSI Titan 18 HX

The Dell Latitude 14 7490, with its efficient CPU and ample RAM, delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and is easy to carry around, offering a balance between screen quality, battery longevity, and comfortable typing experience. In contrast, the MSI Titan 18 HX, although bulkier and with shorter battery life, provides enhanced performance due to a more powerful CPU and superior RAM, resulting in better handling of demanding applications, as well as a larger and higher-quality display, which, along with better speakers, offers a more immersive experience for multimedia and gaming.

The Dell Latitude 14 7490 has a modest GPU that provides adequate performance for casual gaming and basic 3D work, along with a standard screen refresh rate and screen quality that is suited for general tasks, whereas the MSI Titan 18 HX comes with a high-end GPU and higher screen refresh rate which is crucial for delivering the smooth visuals and fast performance demanded by intensive gaming and complex 3D rendering. Although both laptops have competent CPUs, the superior graphics capabilities of the MSI make it the preferred choice for users prioritizing gaming and 3D capabilities.

The Dell Latitude 14 7490, while adequate for engineering tasks, has less powerful CPU, GPU, and less RAM compared to the MSI Titan 18 HX, which offers high-end performance for demanding engineering and design applications. The Titan's superior screen quality enhances detailed work, but with added power, the laptop is less portable and could have louder operating noise, unlike the more compact and quieter Latitude.

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.

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.

The Dell Latitude 14 7490, with its fair screen quality, provides enough resolution and brightness for typical daily tasks, but it may lack the wide color gamuts desired for precision in engineering and design tasks, and its lower refresh rate is less suitable for the smooth visuals needed in gaming and 3D applications. The MSI Titan 18 HX offers a top-tier screen with high resolution and brightness that enhances visibility and clarity, making it ideal for general use, and its expansive color gamut caters to the nuanced color needs of professional engineering and design work, although its refresh rate might not be optimal for the high frame rates preferred in 3D environments and gaming. When choosing between these two, consider whether your focus is on color accuracy and detail for professional applications or if the fluid motion of high-refresh displays for immersive 3D experiences is a priority.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.