Dell’s portfolio as a tech giant and manufacturer has expanded by leaps and bounds in the last decade. It was once renowned for dependability and portability. Today, the company also takes pride in extreme performance, versatile offerings, and engaging displays. The family certainly has the right laptop for every need; its range is immense! But zeroing down on a snug fit means navigating a world of multiple series – XPS, Inspiron, Alienware, Latitude, and Precision, to name a few.
How can you find the right Dell laptop?
Figuring out your core requirement is a good starting point. The XPS series is an intelligent alternative if you are a working professional looking to address business requirements. It will give you mobility, good battery backup, and performance you can trust for video calls, spreadsheets, web browsing, financial applications, etc. Siding with the good old Inspiron is also a safe option if your needs vary but cannot get met without portable performance. Dell lets you pick Ryzen 6000 series CPUs or Intel’s 12th-gen chips. More machines now come with Tiger Lake chips, although Ryzen remains a solid and budget alternative.
The Alienware line works best for gamers and creative professionals like film editors and photographers. If you work in multimedia, you may need to consider the refresh rate: 360Hz is now a reality, and Dell has numerous laptops that go over 120Hz.
The screen size, overall mobility, and connections are also salient deciding criteria. The 13” and 15” offerings are better for travelers as 17” models weigh over 8lbs. You can find many Dell laptops with Wi-Fi 6 (even 6E), Thunderbolt ports, and lightweight chassis in the 3-5lbs range. Battery backup usually varies considerably across the screen resolution, but 6-8 hours is a minimum.
Best Dell Laptops 2022 to Witness the Performance you Crave
As a budget-conscious brand that prioritizes value, Dell has multiple offerings for less than $1,000. But if you need workstation-level performance or gameplay, you must shell out at least $1,500. Some Dell machines with premium features and luxurious specs go over $2,000, making them accessible only to those who truly demand the uptick. The company also does a neat job of dishing out customization options to consumers in configuration, display resolution, and styles.
We cover the choicest Dell Windows devices you can purchase today, from the dark horse XPS line and the classic Inspiron to the mighty Alienware.
Best Overall: Dell XPS 15 9520 Laptop
Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H (24MB Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 14 cores) | Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 4GB GDDR6 | Display: 15.6", FHD+ 1920x1200, 60Hz, Non-Touch, Anti-Glare, 500 nit, InfinityEdge | Memory: 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MHz, dual-channel | Hard Drive: 512 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD | Weight: 4.22 lbs. (1.92 kg)
- Excellent performance
- Multiple display options, including
- OLED
- Portable and secure
- Average battery backup
- Heavier than some competitors
Hands down, the Dell XPS 15 9520 laptop is the best money can buy for anyone who needs a balance of performance, audio-visual output, and price point. You will find an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics for $1,899.00. Note: The RAM support and storage go up to 64GB and 2TB. Inclusions like Waves Nx 3D Audio and reduced blue light emissions for safe, long-term use make this XPS one for the long haul.
The 15.6″ FHD+ panel does not have a stellar refresh rate (60Hz) but offers 500 nits of brightness. Users can also opt for 3.5K, 4K+, or 100% Adobe RGB if their creative demands are substantial. The screen-to-body ratio of 92.9% is also a winner, keeping you engrossed in your work without distractions.
The mobility front is superb. The form factor is compact (0.73”) and light (4.06 lbs), making traveling hassle-free. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Killer Wi-Fi 6 let you stay connected and access your data anywhere.
It is a highly secure computer – a scenario that benefits business users even when working on the go. You can use facial recognition with Windows Hello to log in or tap the fingerprint reader.
Best 13-inch: Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 Laptop
- Dazzling display with high brightness
- Portable and well-connected design
- Efficient cooling
- Quick-charging battery
- Low refresh rate
- Internal storage is a bit low
- Touch function row can take some getting-used-to
There are plenty of reasons the XPS series has carved its space in the business world. The Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 laptop stuns with immense performance in a compact (0.60”, 2.71-2.77 lbs) form factor. The processing chamber has an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.
The 13.4″ panel supports a 3.5K or – hold your breath – even an OLED resolution, making all multimedia experiences surreal. The brightness is also decent at 400 nits, helping you to realize vivid outputs. This XPS laptop is not cheap at $1,999.00, so investing makes sense if you can benefit from the performance upswing at work.
This sleek device has inbuilt connections like Thunderbolt 4 and Killer Wi-Fi 6 to facilitate working from anywhere. Also, you can charge up to 80% in under an hour. It reduces the likelihood of running out of juice during a crucial meeting.
Dell offers a renewed keyboard with larger keycaps for more comfortable typing. It also has a touch function row with backlighting to switch from media to function keys. Do you get a productivity boost? Yes. But be warned that it can take time to wrap your head around this functionality.
Best Gaming: Alienware x15 Gaming Laptop
- Powerful performance
- Excellent cooling mechanism
- High refresh rate
- Stylish and well-built
- Expensive
- Average battery backup
The Alienware x15 gaming laptop holds its own with a veritable combo: an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 with G-SYNC. With 32GB of RAM and 1TB of space, you can play all the latest titles at optimal settings. This $1,999.99 machine employs encapsulated gallium-silicone thermals to manage heat and keep things sustainable for as long as you play.
The FHD display with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut is pleasing to the eyes. Low blue light helps avoid eye strain, while the refresh rate of up to 360Hz gives you an edge during transitions. The fantastic response time of 1ms is another significant bonus for professional gamers.
Connectivity-wise, this computer offers many ports and connections, including Thunderbolt 4 and Killer Wi-Fi 6. You should face no trouble gaming with your pals or participating in events. Windows Hello facial recognition makes your system secure and private – a bonus in a competitive world. The best part is you can calmly lug this 5.2lbs computer with you, relying on the stain-resistant paint and silky finish to keep things at their best.
Best 2-in-1: Dell Inspiron 16 7620 2-in-1 Laptop
- Good everyday performance
- Glorious 4K Ultra HD+ display
- Budget-friendly
- Low refresh rate
- Average brightness
- Active pen not included
Your hunt for a Dell convertible that performs well and offers lovely multimedia experiences can stop here. The Dell Inspiron 16 7620 2-in-1 laptop is powerful, thanks to an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also has an excellent 4K Ultra HD+ or FHD+ display with a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The screen works to limit blue light emissions and offers support for an active pen (optional). Waves MaxxAudio Pro is a bonus for audiophiles.
The display, unfortunately, has an average refresh rate of 60Hz. The brightness is also unexceptional at 300 nits. However, this should be good enough for everyday activities at work or college. It is a portable and slim device at 0.63” and 4.62-5 lbs.
This Inspiron works wonderfully as a flexible convertible with a 360-degree hinge, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, a webcam with noise reduction, and a mechanical shutter. A lightweight Type-C power adapter lets you charge on the go. This 2-in-1 will set you back by an affordable $1,049.99.
Extreme Gaming: Alienware m15 R7 Gaming Laptop
- Great gaming performance
- Beautiful display with a high refresh rate
- Effective heat management
- Expensive
- 720p webcam is only average
- Not many connections
Exceptional performance and industry-leading cooling set the Alienware m15 R7 gaming laptop apart in its league. It is expensive at $2,999.99, but the specs match the price. It uses an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX to run the show, with 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card. We particularly admire the hexagonal vents that enhance air movement to bring about better cooling.
Dell has worked on principal display aspects to minimize lags and delays in gaming. A gorgeous 15.6″ QHD panel with a refresh rate of 240Hz produces smooth, enjoyable gameplay. The response time is just 2ms, and the GPU comes with G-SYNC. Plus, the high dynamic range with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos elevate everyday multimedia content to something genuinely exemplary.
This 5.34lbs laptop includes a programmable keyboard with per-key RGB lighting. It offers 16.8 million colors for a unique, immersive experience and a stunning den.
Verdict
Dell has remained a leading manufacturer of computers for decades, the competition notwithstanding. It has a knack for designing the right fit for different needs. You get the liberty to pick from AMD and Intel processors, selecting the specs and display resolutions that match your requirements. Some newer models also provide color options, sleeker power adapters, and multiple security features. Dell easily caters to business users, students, gamers, travelers, you name it.
We wholeheartedly recommend the Dell XPS 15 9520 as an excellent Dell performer, boasting speeds, display customizations, and security. The Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 is also a fine choice if you need rapid charging and can benefit from the all-new keyboard.
The Alienware series pretty much features on the shortlist of every ardent gamer. The Alienware x15 is the perfect amalgam of efficiency, high refresh rates, and responsiveness. You can go with the Alienware m15 R7 if you are a professional gamer and can spare the cash.
Dell also has a meaty lineup of convertibles and lightweight, travel-based devices. If you desire the flexibility of a 2-in-1, the Dell Inspiron 16 7620 is a smart choice for good audio-video performance and user-friendliness.
