Review Summary
Expert Rating
Dell is a seasoned laptop maker with a portfolio that includes everything from sleek premium models to entry-level notebooks. The Inspiron 14 is one of Dell’s latest budget-friendly offerings. It combines a portable design with decent specifications for its Rs 44,990 price tag. Over the past few days, I tested this laptop in real-world use to determine whether it’s worth buying. Here’s our full review.
Table of Contents
Design and display
While it is an affordable laptop, Dell built the Inspiron 14 5440 with aluminium for the top lid and keyboard deck. However, this isn’t a solid metal body, as the bottom panel is made using plastic. This helps keep the cost and weight low. However, it also means that the body isn’t rigid, and there is a noticeable flex when you’re typing. The overall design is minimalistic, with a grey body and Dell’s brand logo. So, it looks like a typical no-frills office laptop.
The bottom has a large mesh vent for airflow, with another vent located on top of the keyboard near the hinge. Weighing just 1.56 kilograms, the Inspiron 14 is portable. The inability to open the lid with one hand is a minor inconvenience, but it can be forgiven at this price point. A notable design drawback is that the screws on the bottom panel are overly tight, making it difficult to open up the laptop. After breaking two screwdriver heads, I gave up, unable to access its internals.

The 14-inch Full HD+ (1920x1200p) display is serviceable, but users who consume a lot of media might feel it lacks the vibrancy of OLED or higher-end IPS panels. Its anti-glare coating reduces reflections, making it comfortable to use in bright environments like classrooms or offices. However, a slightly higher brightness level than the provided 250 nits would have made it better for outdoor use. Despite the average visual experience, the screen’s wide viewing angles and slim side bezels are a plus.
Keyboard and trackpad
Owing to its compact form factor, the Inspiron 14 lacks a full-sized keyboard, so you’re missing the numpad, which some might deem necessary on their laptops. However, when I used it for my daily workload, which involves quite a bit of typing, I found that the overall experience was satisfactory, thanks to ample key spacing. You also get a sizeable trackpad with left and right clicks below the keyboard, which is also responsive and accurate. Dell has also included a non-customizable backlit keyboard, a welcome feature for budget laptops.
Ports and audio
Dell offers a decent selection of ports on the Inspiron 14, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a single USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, an SD card reader, Kensington Lock, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an HDMI 1.4 port.
The Inspiron 14’s twin bottom-firing speakers output 2W each (4W total) and support MaxxAudio Pro and Dolby Atmos. Unfortunately, the audio quality is just average, with weak bass. In noisy environments, the audio can drown out. So, headphones are a better option for a more immersive audio experience while watching movies.
Performance
The Inspiron 14 is powered by an Intel 13th Gen Core i3-1305U CPU, which is sufficient for everyday use but may struggle with more demanding workloads. This processor is paired with Intel UHD integrated graphics, single-channel 8GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. While the SSD is a nice inclusion, the 8GB of RAM feels a bit inadequate in 2024. Dell does offer a 16GB RAM variant online, which might be a better investment for some.
In my HP Victus 15 review, I discussed how 8GB of RAM just doesn’t cut it anymore, especially in a gaming laptop. So, Dell could’ve gotten a pass here, but there are more affordable laptops that still offer 16GB RAM. Great examples are the Infinix Inbook Y4 Max (Rs 33,990) and MSI Modern 14 (Rs 36,990).
The Inspiron 14’s performance is comparable to that of other laptops in the sub-Rs 50,000 price range but doesn’t particularly stand out. Benchmark tests (PCMark 10, Time Spy, Geekbench, and others) showed average scores, comparable to those of the ASUS Vivobook 15 and MSI Modern 14. Only in a few benchmarks did the Dell laptop pull ahead, as the graphs below show.
I installed GTA V and Valorant to see how it handled some light gaming. GTA V averaged 25 to 30 fps on High settings, while Valorant delivered a 94 fps average on a similar preset. The competitive shooter managed to hit over 150 fps at times, but there were constant drops in performance. If you have to play Valorant on this notebook, it would be better to turn on V-Sync to avoid a choppy experience. The Inspiron 14 does warm up after an extended gaming session, though it avoids major thermal throttling.
The performance makes it clear that this laptop isn’t designed for gaming or intensive tasks. Dell’s Inspiron 14 was made to meet your basic needs on a budget. It excels as a reliable workhorse, which is great for students or professionals who need basic functionality like web browsing, media playback, or running productivity tools like Microsoft Office.
Battery
The Dell Inspiron 14 is powered by a 3 Cell 41Wh battery pack, which charges via a 65W adapter. In the PCMark video battery test, the laptop had a total battery life of 7 Hours 55 Mins at 80 percent brightness. Nearly 8 hours of battery life is great for a budget laptop, making it ideal for on-the-go use.
Verdict
At Rs 44,990, the Dell Inspiron 14 is a well-rounded option for budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable everyday laptop. While it won’t blow you away with its performance or premium features, it handles the basics well (portability, battery life, and usability). While it’s not suited for heavy workloads or gaming, it’s a solid choice for students and office workers on a budget.
For those seeking more power, competitors like the Infinix Inbook Y4 Max and MSI Modern 14 offer better specifications in this price range. That said, the Inspiron 14’s solid battery life and lightweight build make it a great pick for users who need a laptop for basic tasks like document editing, web browsing, and content consumption. So, the Inspiron strikes a good balance between affordability and reliability.
Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Pros
- Lightweight design with a metallic build
- Competitive pricing
- Good battery life
Cons
- Only 8GB RAM in the base variant
- Difficult to open for upgrades