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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Precision 5470 offers superior performance for intensive engineering tasks due to its more powerful processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics, but it comes with a significantly higher price tag. It has a longer battery life, a higher resolution display with a wider color gamut for better image quality, and more ports including Thunderbolt for faster data transfer and connectivity. On the other hand, the MSI Modern 14 is more affordable, with double the storage capacity and a lighter design, making it highly portable. However, it has a less powerful integrated AMD graphics and shorter battery life, which may limit performance for demanding applications and heavy multitasking. The Dell is better suited for professional work especially with 3D, machine learning, or gaming, while the MSI is a budget-friendly option for general use and everyday tasks. 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 Precision 5470
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Modern 14
- The MSI Modern 14 has no clear advantages over the Dell Precision 5470.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.0
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Modern 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
The Dell Precision 5470 offers better gaming and 3D performance because it comes equipped with an Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU, which is superior to the MSI Modern 14's integrated AMD Ryzen 5 7530U Vega 7 graphics. Although both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, the dedicated graphics card on the Dell provides a more capable and powerful solution for tasks that require intensive graphics processing.
Engineering and Design
7.8
6.6
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Precision 5470 is good for engineering and design, while the MSI Modern 14 is only fair.
The Dell Precision 5470 is better suited for engineering and design due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor and dedicated Nvidia RTX A1000 graphics, which outperform the MSI Modern 14's AMD Ryzen 5 processor with integrated Vega 7 graphics, especially in tasks that demand high computational and graphical power. Additionally, the Dell provides higher screen quality with better color accuracy and brightness, essential for detailed design work, although both models share similar RAM capacities and display sizes, making the Precision 5470 the preferred option despite potentially being less portable and noisier under load compared to the MSI Modern 14.
Content Creation
7.8
7.2
9.1/10
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 Precision 5470 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
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
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for software development, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
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
7.3
6.4
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
500.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
The Dell Precision 5470 has a better screen than the MSI Modern 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Dell Precision 5470 offers superior screen resolution and brightness, making text and images sharper and more vibrant, which is less pronounced on the MSI Modern 14. When considering engineering and design, the Dell's screen provides broader color coverage, essential for precision in color-critical work, a feature where the MSI may fall behind. For gaming and 3D applications, neither laptop excels as their screens don't prioritize high refresh rates, but resolution and panel quality do remain adequate for moderate use.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Precision 5470 has 9 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The Dell Precision 5470 has very good build quality, while the MSI Modern 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,669
$525
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Precision 5470 has a price of $1,669 and the MSI Modern 14 costs $525.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
500.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
311.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and MSI Modern 14 are both good for general use.
The Dell Precision 5470 is well-suited for general use due to its powerful Intel i7 processor and dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics, offering strong performance and screen quality with good battery life and portability, despite a higher price. On the other hand, the MSI Modern 14 provides ample storage and satisfactory performance with its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and integrated graphics, striking a balance between screen quality, battery longevity, and affordability, while being slightly more portable.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The MSI Modern 14 and Dell Precision 5470 both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Precision 5470 and the MSI Modern 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Precision 5470 | MSI Modern 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,669 | $525 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.2'' x 8.3'' x 0.74'' | 12.7'' x 8.7'' x 0.63'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.26 lbs | 3.08 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.22" | 12.68" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.27" | 8.74" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 72 Wh | 39 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 500 nits | 311 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 4 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Precision 5470
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | August 2022
"The Dell Precision 5470 is a mobile workstation that's far more portable than most alternatives. Between its slim 14-inch design and top-quality MIL-STD 810H build, it's one of the best options around for taking professional-grade performance on the road or to the job site. There are tradeoffs for its portability, and users of the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications will need to carry something heavier. But the Dell's exceptional battery life underscores its desirability as the most portable workstation we've seen."
MSI Modern 14
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Dig into reviews and images
Rtings
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 Precision 5470 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.
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