Dell Inspiron 14 5420
Dell Inspiron 14 5420
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GENERAL USE: Good—7.6/10
GAMING/AI: Fair—6.5/10
ENG/DESIGN: Good—7.2/10
SOFTWARE DEV: Good—7.4/10
CONTENT CREATION: Good—7.5/10
PORTABILITY: Very Good—8.2/10
BATTERY: Very Good—8.0/10
OVERALL SCREEN QUALITY: Fair—6.6/10
OVERALL PERFORMANCE: Good—7.6/10
SIZE: 14"
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 presents a compromise between performance and price as a lower midrange laptop. It offers a sizable storage and ample RAM combined with an Intel i7 processor and Nvidia MX570 GPU, which is suitable for general use and some light engineering work, though not optimal for intensive 3D tasks or machine learning. The battery capacity supports a decent battery life, and the compact 14-inch IPS display is not touch-enabled but provides a high resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical screen space. It's relatively light and thin, increasing its portability, and features a variety of ports including USB-C with charging capability. If you require advanced graphics power for gaming or high-end engineering tasks, you'll find the GPU lacking, but for everyday work and multimedia, it is a sound choice. The laptop also benefits from a backlit keyboard and a good build quality, yet the absence of a number pad and limited screen color accuracy may be a drawback for some professionals. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Good portability
- High storage capacity
- Powerful main processor
- Dedicated GPU included
- Backlit keyboard feature
Cons
- Average battery life
- Moderate build quality
- Limited color coverage
- No touchscreen available
Ratings by Category
Portability:4.5
PerfectRec’s portability rating takes into account the volume and thickness of the laptop as well as its weight.
Battery Life:4.4
PerfectRec’s Battery Life rating is based on hours of battery life in typical usage scenarios.
General Use:4.2
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is equipped with a capable Intel i7 processor, ample RAM, and a high-resolution IPS screen for clear visuals, which makes it a strong performer for daily computing tasks and productivity. Additionally, its moderate weight and compact size contribute to its portability, while a respectable battery life ensures it can run for several hours on a single charge, enhancing its utility for general use.
Software Development:4.2
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software development.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
Content Creation:4.2
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, and video editing work.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
Keyboard Quality:4.2
The Keyboard Quality score is based on the PerfectRec experts’ assessment of tactile feedback, typing comfort, keyboard reliability and typing noise.
Engineering & Design:4.1
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 is built for engineering and design due to a strong Intel i7 processor, ample RAM, and a dedicated Nvidia MX570 GPU, which collectively provide solid performance for computing tasks and assist in running design software smoothly. Moreover, the high-resolution IPS display ensures crisp visuals that are crucial for detailed engineering work.
Build Quality:4.0
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, chassis rigidity, and overall reliability. Our assessment of build quality includes many details that are difficult to quantify. Our laptop experts use their best judgment to produce the final score.
General Use Screen Quality:3.7
The general use screen score is based on the screen technology, contrast ratio, resolution, brightness, color gamut and color accuracy. This score does not take into account specialized display features for specific use cases, such as high refresh rate for gaming.
Gaming & AI:3.5
The Dell Inspiron 14 5420 has a GPU suited for entry-level gaming and basic 3D work, but not for high-end gaming experiences. Its 60Hz screen refresh rate is standard, however, gamers typically look for higher rates, and while the screen quality is decent, more vivid color coverage is often preferred for immersive gaming and detailed 3D work.
Operating Noise:3.5
PerfectRec’s Operating Noise Score is based on fan noise measurements. Laptops with a fanless design, such as Macbooks, receive the maximum score.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $971 | ||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | ||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | ||
Weight | 3.4 lbs | ||
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | ||
Graphics | MX570 | ||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | ||
RAM | 16 GB | ||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | ||
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | 10 Hours | ||
Battery Capacity | 54 Wh | ||
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | 14" | ||
Display Technology | IPS | ||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | ||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | ||
Display Brightness | 279 nits | ||
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score  | 7/10 | ||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | ||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | ||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | ||
Keyboard Lighting Color | White | ||
Warranty Period | 1 year | ||
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | ||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | ||
Webcam | 1080p | ||
Fingerprint Reader | No | ||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | ||
Number Pad | No | ||
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | 2 | ||
USB-C ports | 1 | ||
USB-C Charging | Yes | ||
Display Outputs | 2 | ||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | ||
Dell Inspiron 14 5420
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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."
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