Dell has been producing laptop computers for more than three decades, but the business has gone a long way since the 1980s and 1990s. So here’s the best dell laptop.
The US company creates some of the most sophisticated Windows devices available, each tailored to a certain customer. However, with seven main laptop lines, each housing a number of various models, selecting the ideal one for you is a difficult process.
With that in mind, the goal of this post is to make that decision easier. We’ll look at what each range has to offer and how much you can anticipate to pay, as well as choosing a top option that will fit the majority of people the best. However, this does not guarantee that it will be suitable for you, so it is worth examining.
You’ll also find a list of US and UK merchants at the bottom of the page, all of which offer Dell laptops. Consider this your full guide to purchasing a Dell laptop in 2023.
Dell XPS
- Designed for: Consumers wanting a very powerful laptop
- Screen sizes: 13in, 15in, 17in
- Prices: approx. $900/£900 to $3,000/£3,000
- See the full range at Dell US or Dell UK
With good cause, Dell’s XPS (eXtreme Performance System) laptop brand is undoubtedly the most well-known. Among consumer-focused devices, the XPS seeks to provide the greatest possible performance and user experience from a small and light chassis.
All XPS machines are powered by Intel CPUs, with the current lineup (at the time of writing) divided between the newest Raptor Lake (13th-gen) and 2022’s Alder Lake (12th-gen).
However, in many situations, purchasing an XPS laptop also includes a strong discrete Nvidia GPU – the most potent feature of the RTX 40 Series. As a result, performance is frequently emphasized, although Dell takes great care not to sacrifice design or display in the process.
Dell’s XPS range provides a lot of versatility, with options for high-resolution 13in, 15in, and 17in displays (some of which are touchscreens) and even a 2-in-1 model that can convert between a laptop and tablet (similar to Microsoft’s Surface Pro). You will, however, pay for the pleasure, since most gadgets cost at least $1,000/£1,000.
Our top pick: XPS 13 Plus
The XPS 13 Plus is unlike any other laptop available, which is astounding. It reimagines what a laptop can be and gets a lot of things right in the process.
An edge-to-edge keyboard provides one of the greatest typing experiences available on any laptop, while the invisible trackpad only appears when needed.
It’s a terrific all-rounder, with respectable performance, a beautiful 13.3in OLED display, and acceptable charging speeds.
If you can live with middling battery life and only USB-C connectors, the XPS 13 Plus will not disappoint.
Dell Inspiron
- Designed for: Budget-conscious consumers looking for value
- Screen sizes: 13in, 14in, 15in, 16in
- Prices: approx. $350/£350 to $1,800/£1,300
- View at Dell US or Dell UK
But what if you don’t require the greatest laptop available? The Inspiron range is marketed as a less expensive alternative to the XPS line that is nevertheless suitable for everyday duties including as email, online surfing, picture editing, and entertainment.
You still get a strong Intel CPU, which is frequently combined with integrated graphics, indicating that these aren’t gaming laptops. They typically have fewer RAM and storage space than XPS variants. There are four screen sizes, but they are all Full HD or below, and there is no 17in model.
However, considering how much money you may save compared to the similar XPS, these are tradeoffs that many users will be prepared to make. Some Inspiron products cost less than $300/£300 even at full price. An Inspiron can cost up to five times that amount, but that is far from essential for most individuals.
Our top pick: Inspiron 14 2-in-1
If you’re looking for adaptability and flexibility from your laptop, the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 delivers in spades. Because of its 360° hinge, it works well as a standard laptop as well as an entertainment device.
It sports a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen and an Intel 12th-generation or AMD Ryzen 5000 Series CPU.
The Inspiron 14 2-in-1 isn’t very noteworthy, but it does the job, looks well, and is reasonably priced.
Dell Latitude
- Designed for: Business executives
- Screen sizes: 11in, 13in, 14in, 15in
- Prices: approx. $650/£700 to $3,000/£3,000
- View at Dell US or Dell UK
Dell built its name selling PCs and laptops to companies, and the Latitude line of laptops is ideally suited for work, whether in an office, at home, or both.
Latitude laptops are powerful, but they vary from XPS in that they place a more emphasis on security, connection, and durability.
In general, Latitude devices must be durable while still remaining secure enough to handle vital or sensitive data from anywhere. A cutting-edge design, top-tier display, or simplified port choices are not required.
However, this does not imply that Latitude gadgets are inexpensive. While they start at a same price as the XPS, several variants cost more over $2,000/£2,000.
Dell also sells Chromebooks under the Latitude brand, however they are significantly more costly than the usual Chrome OS laptop.
Our top pick: Latitude 3540
The 3540 is one of the less costly Latitude alternatives, yet it still provides all most people want for work.
This model has Intel’s 13th-generation CPUs (i3, i5, or i7), Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, and 8/16GB of RAM.
Even with only U-Series CPUs and no separate GPU, you can anticipate excellent performance across all daily tasks. There’s no need for anything more powerful unless you’re running high-end software or many programs at once.
A 1080p webcam (720p on basic model) is located just above the 15.6in Full HD display. With twin array microphones, the Latitude 7430 is an excellent choice for online meetings. You also receive Windows 11 Pro, which has more security measures than the standard Home edition. More information may be found in our dedicated article.
Dell Vostro
- Designed for: Small and medium businesses
- Screen sizes: 13in, 14in, 15in, 16in
- Prices: approx. $750/£750 to $1,200/£1,200
- View at Dell US or Dell UK
Not every business need high-end computers. The Vostro is a more affordable option that is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. But make no mistake: they are still powerful machines.
In general, the performance of equal Latitude and Vostro models is comparable. However, the latter tends to make certain design compromises, such as lower-quality displays or a less sturdy structure.
All of this means Vostro laptops aren’t designed to last as long as Latitude. But if you’re running a business from home or only have a few employees, they are a solid option.
Our top pick: Vostro 15
The Vostro 15 is Dell’s most affordable business laptop, yet it has a lot to offer many business customers.
This incorporates 13th-generation Intel U-Series CPUs (i5 or i7) and 8GB of RAM, ensuring consistent performance despite the use of integrated Intel UHD graphics.
You also get a Full HD (19201080) display with a frame rate of 120Hz, 256GB of storage, and a 41Wh battery. Depending on the model, the camera is either 720p or 1080p.
But it’s the port selection that steals the show here. Along with two USB-C and two USB-A connections, you also get a 3.5mm audio connector, full-size HDMI, and an Ethernet connection, which very few laptops can match.
Alienware
- Designed for: High-end gamers
- Screen sizes: 14in, 15in, 16in, 17in, 18in
- Prices: approx. $1,000/£1,300to $4,500/£4,000
- View at Dell US or Dell UK
Dell purchased Alienware in 2006, and it has served as the company’s flagship gaming hardware brand ever since. Its goal is straightforward: to give the finest gaming experience possible on a laptop.
Performance is important, and 13th-generation Intel CPUs are often combined with Nvidia’s RTX 40 Series GPUs and at least 16GB of RAM. However, most smartphones include an advanced cooling mechanism, which is critical for avoiding overheating during prolonged gaming sessions.
This is also where you’ll find the best screens on any Dell laptop, with up to 4K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 360Hz.
As you might assume, a thin-and-light design is not the goal. Alienware laptops are often large and hefty, but this means there is plenty of area for connectors.
It is possible to get a low-cost Alienware laptop, but most are not ideal for individuals on a tight budget.
Our top pick: Alienware m18
You can purchase a nice Alienware laptop for much less money, but the m18 is the finest Dell manufactures right now.
It sports a massive 18-inch 4K display with a refresh rate of 165Hz, as the name says. Power comes from Intel’s top-tier 13th-generation Core i9 CPU and Nvidia’s most powerful discrete GPU, the RTX 4090. In addition, you get 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Because of the large design, there’s plenty of room for connections and an innovative cooling system, as well as configurable RGB lighting and a 330W charger for the 97Wh battery.
This isn’t the ultimate gaming laptop, but it’s close.
Dell G-Series
- Designed for: Casual gamers
- Screen sizes: 15in, 16in, 17in
- Prices: approx. $650/£600 to $2,100/£1,900
- View at Dell US or Dell UK
If you’re a casual gamer who can’t afford the high pricing of Alienware laptops, the G-Series is for you.
The G-Series devices adopt a more straightforward approach, giving a good core gaming experience without many of the other features. Expect a strong CPU and discrete GPU, Full HD screens with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz, and a huge battery, but nothing more innovative.
The main benefit of the G-Series over Alienware is that they are also viable solutions for everyday usage. They could easily fit in with consumer-focused gadgets if they had a lot more portable form and less identifiable looks.
Even the cheapest laptops in the G-Series are not considered reasonable, while the latest and finest may cost up to $2,100/£1,900.
Our top pick: G15
Although the original G15 was just introduced in 2021, it soon established itself as one of the go-to gaming laptops.
Unlike most Dell laptops, the newest model allows you select between the latest Intel or AMD CPUs while still including a highly competent RTX 30 Series GPU. Performance will be an issue only for the most serious gamers, with at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
It doesn’t seem like the display has been sacrificed – it’s a 19201080 panel with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz, so your games will appear clear and fluid. All variants additionally include a large 86Wh battery.
Dell Precision
- Designed for: Creative pros
- Screen sizes: 14in, 15in, 16in, 17in
- Prices: approx. $1,100/£1,100 to $6,000/£5,200
- View at Dell US or Dell UK
Dell refers to its Precision laptops as “Mobile Workstations,” describing them as “the ultimate devices for getting work done in a business context.”
While this may seem similar to Latitude, Precision laptops are particularly designed for customers with more demanding workloads. This covers folks who use applications for graphic design, 3D modeling, and video editing.
Precision devices’ enhanced performance will be advantageous in these instances. Aside from the price, the biggest trade-off is a bulkier, less portable design, but this will be worth it if you frequently put the CPU or GPU to the test.
Our top pick: Precision 3470
The 3470 isn’t Dell’s most powerful Precision laptop, but it demonstrates that you don’t always need to pay top cash – even for hard work.
This features respectable performance from 12th-generation Intel CPUs, as well as a useful increase from the discrete Nvidia T550 GPU over integrated graphics.
Its 14-inch display is merely Full HD resolution and LCD, but it’s still more than enough for most people. The webcam’s Full HD resolution is significantly superior, making for an excellent video calling experience with twin mics.
The Precision 3470 is a superb business laptop that will serve you well for many years, with frequent savings available if you purchase direct.
Where to buy Dell laptops
There is a link to the corresponding page on the Dell website for each of the categories listed above. Going direct is the obvious decision, but it is not your only one.
Here are some additional areas in the United States where you may buy a Dell laptop:
In the UK, you can buy Dell laptops from the following retailers:
