Product comparison · 2 laptops

Dell Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop vs MSI Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M

137specifications compared
49differ
88identical
43known for one product only

Key differences

Product colour
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:Silver
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:Black
Display diagonal
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:38.1 cm (15")
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:43.9 cm (17.3")
Display resolution
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:1366 x 768 pixels
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:1920 x 1080 pixels
Processor family
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:Intel® Core™ i3
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:Intel® Core™ i5
Processor generation
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:3rd gen Intel® Core™ i3
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:4th gen Intel® Core™ i5
Processor model
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:i3-3227U
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:i5-4200M
Processor frequency
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:1.9 GHz
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:2.5 GHz
Processor socket
- Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop:BGA 1023
- Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M:PGA946

Side by side

Differences highlightedShow differences only

Comparison of 2521, GE70-073TW
180 specifications	A Dell Vostro 2521 Intel® Core™ i3 i3-3227U Laptop Model 2521 View product	B MSI Gaming GE70-073TW laptop Intel® Core™ i5 i5-4200M Model GE70-073TW View product
Design1 differ
Product type	Laptop	Laptop
Product colourDiffers	Silver	Black
Form factor	Clamshell	Clamshell
Market positioningKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Gaming
Display2 differ
Display diagonalDiffers	38.1 cm (15")	43.9 cm (17.3")
Display resolutionDiffers	1366 x 768 pixels	1920 x 1080 pixels
Touchscreen	No	No
LED backlight	Yes	Yes
Native aspect ratio	16:9	16:9
HD typeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Full HD
Processor11 differ
Processor manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Processor familyDiffers	Intel® Core™ i3	Intel® Core™ i5
Processor generationDiffers	3rd gen Intel® Core™ i3	4th gen Intel® Core™ i5
Processor modelDiffers	i3-3227U	i5-4200M
Processor cores	2	2
Processor threads	4	4
Processor frequencyDiffers	1.9 GHz	2.5 GHz
System bus rate	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
Processor cache	3 MB	3 MB
Processor cache type	Smart Cache	Smart Cache
Processor socketDiffers	BGA 1023	PGA946
Processor lithography	22 nm	22 nm
Processor operating modes	64-bit	64-bit
Processor seriesDiffers	Intel Core i3-3200 Mobile Series	Intel Core i5-4200 Mobile series
Processor codenameDiffers	Ivy Bridge	Haswell
Bus type	DMI	DMI
FSB Parity	No	No
SteppingDiffers	L1	C0
Thermal Design Power (TDP)Differs	17 W	37 W
TjunctionDiffers	105 °C	100 °C
Maximum number of PCI Express lanes	16	16
PCI Express configurations	1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4	1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
PCI Express slots versionDiffers	2.0	3.0
CPU multiplier (bus/core ratio)Known for one	19	Unknown — not stated by the source
ECC supported by processor	No	No
Processor boost frequencyKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	3.1 GHz
Memory1 differ
Internal memory	4 GB	4 GB
Internal memory type	DDR3-SDRAM	DDR3-SDRAM
Memory clock speed	1600 MHz	1600 MHz
Memory form factor	SO-DIMM	SO-DIMM
Memory layout (slots x size)Known for one	1 x 4 GB	Unknown — not stated by the source
Memory slots	2x SO-DIMM	2x SO-DIMM
Maximum internal memoryDiffers	8 GB	16 GB
Maximum internal memory (64-bit)Known for one	8 GB	Unknown — not stated by the source
Storage2 differ
Total storage capacityDiffers	500 GB	750 GB
Storage media	HDD	HDD
Number of HDDs installed	1	1
HDD capacityDiffers	500 GB	750 GB
HDD interface	SATA	SATA
Optical drive type	DVD Super Multi	DVD Super Multi
Card reader integrated	Yes	Yes
HDD speedKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	7200 RPM
Compatible memory cardsKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Graphics6 differ
On-board graphics card	Yes	Yes
Discrete graphics cardDiffers	No	Yes
Discrete graphics card modelDiffers	Not available	NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 750M
On-board graphics card family	Intel® HD Graphics	Intel® HD Graphics
On-board graphics card modelDiffers	Intel® HD Graphics 4000	Intel® HD Graphics 4600
On-board graphics card base frequencyDiffers	350 MHz	400 MHz
On-board graphics card dynamic frequency (max)Differs	1100 MHz	1150 MHz
On-board graphics card IDDiffers	0x166	0x416
Discrete graphics card memoryKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	2 GB
Discrete graphics memory typeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	GDDR5
Maximum on-board graphics card memoryKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1.74 GB
On-board graphics card DirectX versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	11.1
Audio2 differ
Audio systemDiffers	HD	Sound Blaster Cinema
Number of built-in speakersDiffers	2	4
Speaker power	2 W	2 W
Built-in microphone	Yes	Yes
Cameraidentical
Front camera	Yes	Yes
Front camera resolutionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1280 x 720 pixels
Video capturing speedKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	30 fps
Optical driveidentical
Disc types supportedKnown for one	CD, DVD	Unknown — not stated by the source
LightScribeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Network1 differ
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Top Wi-Fi standardKnown for one	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)	Unknown — not stated by the source
Wi-Fi standards	802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)	802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Ethernet LAN	Yes	Yes
Ethernet LAN data ratesDiffers	10,100 Mbit/s	10,100,1000 Mbit/s
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Integrated 4G WiMAXKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Bluetooth versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	4.0
Data networkKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Not supported
4G WiMAXKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Ports & interfaces3 differ
USB 2.0 ports quantity	2	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantity	2	2
eSATA/USB 2.0 ports quantity	0	0
eSATA/USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) ports quantity	0	0
eSATA ports quantity	0	0
Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports	1	1
HDMI ports quantity	1	1
DisplayPorts quantity	0	0
DVI port	No	No
VGA (D-Sub) ports quantityDiffers	0	1
Firewire (IEEE 1394) ports	0	0
Thunderbolt ports quantity	0	0
Headphone outputsDiffers	0	1
S/PDIF out port	No	No
Combo headphone/mic portKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Microphone inDiffers	No	Yes
Docking connector	No	No
ExpressCard slot	No	No
CardBus PCMCIA slots quantity	0	0
CardBus PCMCIA slot type	No	No
SmartCard slot	No	No
Performance1 differ
Motherboard chipsetDiffers	Intel HM77 Express	Intel® HM87
Keyboardidentical
Pointing device	Touchpad	Touchpad
Numeric keypad	Yes	Yes
Windows keysKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Keyboard number of keysKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	102
Software1 differ
Operating system installedDiffers	Windows 7 Professional	Windows 8
Operating system architecture	64-bit	64-bit
Optional operating system suppliedKnown for one	Windows 8 Pro	Unknown — not stated by the source
Drivers includedKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Processor special features12 differ
Intel® Wireless Display (Intel® WiDi)	Yes	Yes
CPU configuration (max)	1	1
Embedded options available	No	No
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology	Yes	Yes
Execute Disable Bit	Yes	Yes
Graphics & IMC lithographyKnown for one	22 nm	Unknown — not stated by the source
Idle States	Yes	Yes
Intel 64	Yes	Yes
Intel Clear Video Technology	No	No
Intel Demand Based Switching	No	No
Intel Dual Display Capable TechnologyDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Enhanced Halt StateDiffers	Yes	No
Intel FDI TechnologyDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Fast Memory AccessDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Flex Memory AccessDiffers	Yes	No
Intel Identity Protection Technology version	1.00	1.00
Intel Rapid Storage Technology	No	No
Intel Smart Connect TechnologyKnown for one	No	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel Trusted Execution Technology	No	No
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)	Yes	Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)	Yes	Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)	No	No
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI)Differs	No	Yes
Intel® Anti-Theft Technology (Intel® AT)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology (Intel® CVT HD)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Clear Video Technology for Mobile Internet Devices (Intel CVT for MID)	No	No
Intel® Hyper Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology)	Yes	Yes
Intel® Identity Protection Technology (Intel® IPT)	Yes	Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel® Insider™	Yes	Yes
Intel® My WiFi Technology (Intel® MWT)Differs	Yes	No
Intel® Quick Sync Video Technology	Yes	Yes
Intel® Rapid Start TechnologyKnown for one	No	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel® Smart Cache	Yes	Yes
Intel® Smart Response TechnologyKnown for one	No	Unknown — not stated by the source
Intel® Turbo Boost TechnologyDiffers	No	2.0
Processor ARK IDDiffers	72057	76348
Processor codeDiffers	SR0XF	SR1HA
Processor package sizeDiffers	31 x 24 (BGA1023)	37.5 x 37.5 x 4.7 mm
Supported instruction setsDiffers	AVX	AVX 2.0, SSE4.1, SSE4.2
Thermal Monitoring Technologies	Yes	Yes
Conflict-Free processor	Yes	Yes
Intel Secure Key Technology versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1.00
Intel TSX-NIKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Intel TSX-NI versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	0.00
Intel® Secure KeyKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Battery1 differ
Battery technology	Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)	Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Number of battery cells	6	6
Battery capacityDiffers	48 Wh	4400 mAh
Power1 differ
AC adapter powerDiffers	65 W	120 W
AC adapter frequencyKnown for one	50 - 60 Hz	Unknown — not stated by the source
AC adapter input voltageKnown for one	100 - 240 V	Unknown — not stated by the source
DC-in jack	Yes	Yes
Securityidentical
Cable lock slot	No	No
Password protectionKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Sustainabilityidentical
Sustainability certificatesKnown for one	EPEAT Silver, ENERGY STAR	Unknown — not stated by the source
Weight & dimensions4 differ
WeightDiffers	2.4 kg	2.7 kg
WidthDiffers	376 mm	418 mm
DepthDiffers	259 mm	269.3 mm
HeightDiffers	25.4 mm	39 mm
Packaging contentidentical
AC adapter included	Yes	Yes
Cables includedKnown for one	AC	Unknown — not stated by the source
ManualKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Quick start guideKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Warranty cardKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Other featuresidentical
3DKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No

A dash means the value is not stated by the source. Unknown values are never counted for or against a product, and there is no overall score.

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