Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 Review: A Premium Convertible With A Few Trade-offs
The concept of a laptop that doubles as a tablet has been around for years, but I’ve never fully bought into it. While 2-in-1s have become sleeker, they still feel cumbersome compared to a dedicated tablet. But despite my skepticism, this category continues to thrive, and Dell has just released their latest contender – the Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1. Sporting Intel’s 11th Gen CPUs and a refined design, this device starts at an attractive price point of ₹52,900. With so many options available, is Dell’s new 2-in-1 worth considering? Let’s delve deeper.
Design That Impresses
The Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 boasts a sophisticated design that evokes the premium feel of Dell’s Latitude series. Available only in Platinum Silver, it exudes a professional aura. The device feels incredibly well-built, with high-quality materials and strong panel construction. Despite its 14-inch screen, it’s remarkably slim (16.32mm) and weighs a reasonable 1.5kg.
Ports Galore
For such a thin 14-inch laptop, the Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 offers a surprisingly robust selection of ports. You’ll find a full-sized HDMI port, two USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, a USB Type-C port (USB 3.2 Gen2), a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. Charging is conveniently supported by both the supplied power adapter and the Type-C port.
Keyboard and Trackpad: A Mixed Bag
The Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1’s keyboard is a highlight. It’s quiet, has excellent travel, and feels incredibly comfortable, even for heavy typists. The function keys provide shortcuts for volume, brightness, and more. A fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button adds a touch of convenience, allowing you to unlock the laptop even in tablet mode.
However, while the trackpad is spacious, its responsiveness left me wanting. I found it to be a bit finicky at times, not always registering my clicks with the accuracy I expect.
Tablet Mode and a Handy Stylus
As a 2-in-1 device, the Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1’s display folds back 360 degrees, transforming it into a tablet. It can also be used in various modes between tablet and laptop, like the "tent" mode. My review unit came bundled with a Dell Active Pen (PN350M), which is a welcome addition for a convertible device. It’s a handy tool for writing and drawing.
The Display: A Little Mixed
The 14-inch display boasts a full-HD resolution and relatively narrow bezels. However, the glass covering results in distracting reflections, even indoors. I found myself constantly cranking up the brightness to improve visibility. On the plus side, the Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 includes a physical privacy shutter for the webcam.
Specifications and Software
Dell offers numerous configurations for the Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1. My review unit featured an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD. This configuration is priced at ₹72,490 in India. Dell also offers variants with Intel’s Core i3 and Core i7 CPUs, more RAM, and even a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX350 GPU. Prices range from ₹53,000 to ₹91,000 depending on the configuration.
The Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home, upgradeable to Windows 11. You also get a trial of McAfee LiveSafe, and a full version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019. Dell includes its own software suite, including Dell Mobile Connect, Cinema Colour, and Support Assist.
Performance: Power for Everyday Tasks
As a productivity machine, the Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 excelled during my review. Windows 10 felt smooth and responsive, with speedy boot times. The keyboard is a pleasure to use, thanks to its comfort and quietness. While I enjoyed using the responsive touchscreen and the stylus, the trackpad’s inconsistency remained a frustration. The screen’s colors and viewing angles are more than satisfactory, but the maximum brightness could be higher.
Benchmark scores were impressive. The Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 achieved a solid 3,879 points in PCMark 10 and a decent 2,814 points in 3DMark Fire Strike. Real-world tests also yielded favorable results. It took 2 minutes and 59 seconds to compress a 3.24GB folder of assorted files in 7zip, and just over 12 minutes to render the BMW test scene in Blender.
While not designed for gaming, the integrated GPU can handle simpler titles from the Microsoft Store or Steam. I was able to play older games like Half-Life 2: Episode 2 without any issues.
Battery Life: Not Its Strong Suit
All variants of the Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 sport a 3-cell 41WHr battery, which didn’t quite deliver a full workday’s battery life. Even with conservative usage, the maximum I could squeeze out of this Core i5 variant was around four and a half hours of non-stop use. With breaks, you could extend it a bit, but don’t expect exceptional longevity. The intense Battery Eater Pro test ran for one hour and 53 minutes. If you’re primarily working from home, battery life won’t be a major concern. You can also use a high-wattage power bank with Type-C output to charge the device, though it will be a slower process.
Verdict: A Solid Choice with Trade-offs
The Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 offers excellent build quality and a comfortable user experience at a reasonable price. If you don’t need the 2-in-1 functionality, Dell also offers a standard Inspiron 14 with slightly different specifications. The Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1’s highlights include its excellent build quality, a comfortable keyboard, a bundled stylus (with some configurations), a responsive touchscreen, and a relatively lightweight design. However, battery life is a weakness, the trackpad could be more responsive, and the maximum display brightness isn’t as high as I’d like.
Dell faces stiff competition from devices like the HP Pavilion X360, another 2-in-1 laptop with comparable specifications and pricing. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities and how much you value the 2-in-1 functionality. If you’re seeking a well-designed, affordable convertible laptop for everyday tasks, the Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) 2-in-1 is worth considering.
