Dell Inspiron 14 5406 (2-in-1) review

Dell Inspiron 14 5406 2-in-1 (2020): the budget convertible's floor

The Dell Inspiron 14 5406 2-in-1 is a 2020 entry convertible — Core i3 1115G4, 32GB of memory, integrated graphics — at $566. The sheet is honest about what that buys: a graphics score of 14.08 still sits 267 percent above the convertible-class median of 3.84, but performance at 45.41 and a 40Wh battery against the class median of 54 define the machine's real tier.

Where it holds up

The 32GB memory ceiling is the spec headline — matching the class median of 32 for this tier of convertible, and the strongest future-proofing argument on the sheet. Portability at 61.7 is mid-band, performance at 45.41 sits 22 percent above the convertible-class median of 37.38, and office at 60.41 is mid-tier. The 10.38 percent annual class-level depreciation rate is among the gentler curves in this batch.

Where it falls short

Battery is the named weakness: 40Wh against a class median of 54, a 26 percent shortfall that anchors the budget tier. Gaming at 28, modeling at 21, and photo at 18 are all low-band — the integrated graphics of a 2020 i3 hold exactly the tier you would expect. Office at 60.41 shares the joint-lowest office reading of this batch, and value at 61.55 is mid-tier rather than a bargain signal.

Price and depreciation

At $566 with an empty dollar ledger, the 10.38 percent annual class-level rate leaves first-year exposure with the buyer. The honest transaction framing: $566 buys the memory ceiling and the hinge, not capability — the value reading of 61.55 mid-tier confirms the price is fair for the tier rather than a steal.

Alternatives to consider

The Inspiron 14 5410 2-in-1 (2021) at $666 is the direct successor argument: an MX450 lifts graphics to 44.73 and photo to 65 high-band for $100 more. The XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 at $650 is the premium-chassis route with the same processor family and better mobility. The HP Pavilion 14 (2021) at $399 offers the same graphics tier with an MX350 for $167 less if the hinge is negotiable.

Bottom line

Fairly priced for the class. The 5406 2-in-1 offers the rare 32GB ceiling in a budget flip-form body with a gentle depreciation curve — against a 40Wh battery, low-band gaming, modeling, and photo, and the batch's joint-lowest office tier. It suits a student or office buyer who needs memory and a hinge above all else.