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Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420, consider their key differences. The MacBook Air is more portable, has a fanless design for silent operation, and offers a higher display quality, which may be preferable for general use, writing, and media consumption. If your tasks include intensive engineering applications, 3D rendering or machine learning, the Dell Inspiron, with its dedicated Nvidia graphics chip and double the RAM, is better suited. However, battery life is superior on the MacBook Air. The Inspiron is heavier, might have a noisier fan, has less battery life, and is slightly more expensive, but it includes more storage capacity and a better suited GPU for specific performance needs. Choose the MacBook Air for its lightweight design and quiet operation or the Inspiron for its better suitability for performance-intensive 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 Apple MacBook Air (2022)
- Very good for software development
- Good overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
- The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air (2022).
Key differences
Software Development
8.0
7.4
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is good.
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
7.6
6.5
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Air's screen is highly regarded for general use due to its high resolution and brightness, which provide crisp images and good visibility in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design, the MacBook Air's coverage of color gamuts such as DCI-P3 ensures accurate colors which is essential for detailed work. However, for 3D applications, its lower refresh rate might not provide as smooth an experience as needed, despite having a good resolution and panel type. The Dell Inspiron's screen offers an adequate experience for general tasks and engineering work due to acceptable clarity and color representation, but similar to the MacBook Air, its screen's refresh rate may fall short for gaming and 3D tasks, affecting motion portrayal and immersion.
Battery
15.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has 10 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
Excellent
Very Good
13.6in
SIZE
14.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.4 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
7.0
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$799
$971
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $799 and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 costs $971.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.6
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
279.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.2/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) provides excellent portability and battery life with a high-quality screen, and its fanless design ensures silent operation, making it ideal for general use. The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 offers more storage and RAM, which might be preferable for multitasking and data-heavy tasks, but it has lower screen color coverage and a shorter battery life, though still impressive portability and good heat management.
Gaming and AI
6.4
6.4
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air with its own M2 GPU and vibrant IPS display performs fairly for 3D applications but may fall short for gaming due to a lack of support for many popular titles that don't run on macOS. The Dell Inspiron 14 with its separate Nvidia MX570 GPU and IPS screen appears similar for gaming and 3D, however, the lack of an advanced screen refresh rate on both devices limits the potential for high-end gaming performance.
Engineering and Design
7.5
7.1
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) with its Apple M2 processor and integrated GPU, coupled with its high screen quality and silent operation due to the fanless design, suits engineering and design use while also being highly portable and having excellent keyboard and speaker quality.
Content Creation
7.9
7.5
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Dell Inspiron 14 5420 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | Dell Inspiron 14 5420 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $971 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 3.4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.36" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 8.96" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 54 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2240 x 1400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 279 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
Dell Inspiron 14 5420
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Dig into reviews and images
Smarthouse
Nick Ross | March 2023
"If laptops were food, then the Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is arguably a Big Mac. There are cheaper and more expensive options, but this arguably represents the baseline of quality and value in the world of mobile computing… something that’s underlined by the attractive $1,279 price tag."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the Dell Inspiron 14 5420
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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.
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