MSI or Dell: which laptop is better?
The two brands side by side with the 6 Nov 2026 check.
In November 2026, MSI has the edge in laptops: average rating 6.9 against 6.2 from Dell, with a median price of £985 against £949. Each one’s best models today: MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V (£559) and Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6″ Core i7-1255U (£1,149).
See side by sideMSI
2 categories won
6.9 median rating
19 models, from £559 to £1,599
Dell
0 categories won
6.3 median rating
9 models, from £849 to £1,354
MSI wins in 2 of 4 categories. 2 ties.
Performance
MSI winsThe best from MSI in performance
MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6″ Core i7-14650HX RTX 5070
Performance 9.0 score 8.4
£1,599
The best from Dell in performance
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 16″ Core i7-13620H
Performance 8.2 score 7.8
£1,354
Memory and storage
TieThe best from MSI in memory and storage
MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V
Memory and storage 9.3 score 8.5
£559
The best from Dell in memory and storage
Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6″ Core i7-1255U
Memory and storage 9.3 score 6.8
£1,149
Screen
MSI wins
Ports and how current it is
TieThe best from MSI in ports and how current it is
MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258VPorts and how current it is 6.3 score 8.5
£559
The best from Dell in ports and how current it is
Dell Pro 15 Essential 15.6″ Core i3-1305U
Ports and how current it is 3.8 score 4.7
£657
MSI and Dell side by side
| Item | MSI | Dell |
|---|---|---|
| Models in today’s catalog | 19 | 9 |
| Average rating | 6.9 | 6.2 |
| Median price | £985 | £949 |
| Below the normal price today | 0 | 0 |
| Where it stands out most | from £450 to £650 | no standout range |
| Best model | MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V, £559 | Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6″ Core i7-1255U, £1,149 |
| Cheapest | MSI Modern 15.6″ Core 7 150U, £489 | Dell Pro 15 Essential 15.6″ Core i3-1305U, £657 |
In which price range each one wins
| Price range | MSI | Dell | Who wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| from £450 to £650 | 4 | 0 | only MSI has a model |
| from £650 to £800 | 4 | 1 | MSI |
| from £800 to £1,200 | 7 | 6 | MSI |
| over £1,200 | 4 | 2 | MSI |
Who each one is for
Choose MSI to have the highest average rating (6.9 against 6.2); have more options (19 against 9); buy from £450 to £650. Best model: MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V, at £559.
Choose Dell to pay less (median price of £949 against £985). Best model: Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6″ Core i7-1255U, at £1,149.
Other brand comparisons
Next step
See all MSI laptops
Price and rating of each of the brand’s models, from today’s check.
Frequently asked questions
MSI or Dell: which laptop is better?
In November 2026, MSI has the edge in laptops: average rating 6.9 against 6.2 from Dell, with a median price of £985 against £949. Each one’s best models today: MSI Prestige 13.3″ Core Ultra 7 258V (£559) and Dell Inspiron 3520 15.6″ Core i7-1255U (£1,149).
Which is cheaper, MSI or Dell?
By median price, Dell: £949 against £985. Its cheapest model today is Dell Pro 15 Essential 15.6″ Core i3-1305U, at £657.
Which has more models, MSI or Dell?
MSI has 19 models and Dell has 9 models in the 6 Nov 2026 check.
Read next
Where the numbers come from
Brands with 3 or more models with a price and a rating in the day’s check are included. Average rating and median price use all of the brand’s models. The order compares each model’s rating with the median rating of models in the same price range and averages it by brand. The top pick is the brand’s model that beats that rating by the most in its range.
Prices change without notice and the final amount is the one in the store. The rating comes from each model’s spec sheet; the brand does not count.
Data from 6 Nov 2026.