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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Dell Laptop for Most People
Dell XPS 13 (9345, Snapdragon)
Dell’s legendary ultraportable laptop has adopted the latest mobile processing for laptops, Qualcomm’s AI-ready Snapdragon X Elite chips, to excellent effect in the latest XPS 13 model. Priced at less than $1,000 (albeit barely), the Snapdragon-sporting XPS 13 maintains everything that makes the flagship laptop line great from its bright and crisp display to the sublime seamless touchpad in the same slim design. While not an Editors’ Choice award winner, this XPS 13 laptop hangs at the top of the heap regardless, ready for the incoming AI wave with a processor designed just for that kind of work.
This Dell laptop serves the interests of the broadest set of users and is a worthy computing companion. If you’re set on Dell and want the latest technology and features the company offers, it’s all here in the new XPS 13 with Snapdragon. And, because it runs on Snapdragon, just check if the new platform supports your favorite apps before diving in—chances are high that you’ll be just fine.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E80100)
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
13.4 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.6 by 11.6 by 7.8 inches
Weight
2.62 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:53
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Best Dell Desktop Replacement Laptop
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
This is Dell’s best answer to Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro, a hearty laptop aimed at content creators and other digital professionals who don’t need the specialized apps and independent software vendor (ISV) certifications of the Precision workstation series. The XPS 16 shines brilliantly with a 4K touch screen, top-end ports, high-power components, and lengthy battery life. It all comes housed in a super-premium chassis with some of the latest design features, like a borderless touchpad and an LED row of capacitive-touch function keys.
Buyers who want one of the highest-end Windows laptops should definitely consider the Dell XPS 16. It’s one of the most elite Dell laptops, with both price and performance to match. If you’ve got the scratch, this 16-inch powerhouse is a genuine competitor to Apple’s best portable.
Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
90 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.74 by 14.1 by 9.4 inches
Weight
4.7 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
18:40
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Best Dell Ultraportable
Dell XPS 14 (9440)
When it comes to ultraportable laptops, nothing beats Dell’s XPS line in terms of performance and premium panache. The XPS 14, a newer 14-inch size for the family, features the stylish seamless touchpad and LED function-key row as other XPS flagships while separating itself from most ultraportables with optional, content-creation-worthy Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 discrete graphics. The XPS 14 also boasts nearly all-day battery life.
Dell’s target audience for the XPS 14 consists mainly of deep-pocketed power users who are enthusiastic about premium computing hardware. Like the XPS 16, this model is one of the best Windows-based alternatives to comparable Apple MacBook machines. If you want something light and compact that feels substantial and high-end, this should be your first stop in the Dell aisle.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14.5 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.71 by 12.6 by 8.5 inches
Weight
3.7 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:36
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Best 2-in-1 Dell Laptop
Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (7640)
Most of Dell’s traditional laptop lines have 2-in-1 variants, with the Inspiron 2-in-1 line being its best for mainstream audiences. The Inspiron 16 Plus 2-in-1 7640 sits at the top of Dell’s pile, being both the biggest and the most beautiful among all the Inspiron hybrid laptops. This is another example of a midrange laptop giving you a taste of the high life with a gorgeous 1600p, mini-LED touch screen with a helpful 90Hz refresh rate. The laptop’s innards make use of that panel with Intel Core Ultra processing and Intel Arc graphics for light gaming and content creation chops.
This one is admittedly for Dell fans of perhaps the most specific niche. Anyone who buys a laptop like this should want a large tablet with pen support—larger than they can find from Apple or Android options. The attached keyboard and entire Windows interface only increase this device’s capabilities as a complete laptop, but it’s all about that lovely screen for watching, playing, and drafting.
Class
Convertible 2-in-1, Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
Mini LED
Variable Refresh Support
Yes
Screen Refresh Rate
90 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.75 by 14 by 10 inches
Weight
4.68 pounds
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
16:25
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Best Mainstream Dell Gaming Laptop
Alienware m16 R2
When it comes to raw graphics power, Dell’s flagship Alienware m16 R2 is the leading choice in its gaming lineup at this writing. With a decent starting price for its size and plenty of punch in our tested configuration (not cheap, but surprisingly fairly priced), the m16 R2 is a crowd-pleaser for PC gamers who need a rig they can pack up and move on occasion. This is hugely helped by its sleek metal build with many connections, excellent keyboard, and lengthy battery life.
If you care less about desk or briefcase space and more about pushing pixels, the Alienware m16 R2 is your best bet in Dell’s gaming laptop lineup. This laptop also represents a rare value among competing gaming machines, with plenty of power and lots of premium touches for well under two grand, even in a step-up configuration.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.93 by 14.33 by 9.81 inches
Weight
5.75 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
10:14
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Best Giant-Screen Dell Gaming Laptop
Alienware m18 R2
This is the Alienware laptop to get if you want to release the Kraken, ride the Leviathan, or otherwise crave the company’s most powerful mobile gaming rig. Its immense 18-inch size takes up reams of desk space, making it barely portable, but this behemoth can easily accommodate the utmost in Intel processing and Nvidia graphics power. Because of that, our top-end review configuration isn’t quite the value that Dell’s smaller gaming laptops represent, but it makes up for that with some of the most dazzling display options available, like a 1600p screen with 165Hz refresh or a 1080p panel that runs at a blistering 480Hz.
Dell’s answer for deep-pocketed PC gaming nuts who want as much power as they can possibly get is the m18 R2, whose speed is rivaled only by its size. This mighty machine is solely for a specific audience: hard-core gamers who want bragging rights over even compact gaming desktops, let alone other notebooks. (For “notebook,” read “encyclopedia.”)
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900HX
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
2 TB
Screen Size
18 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.05 by 16.2 by 12.6 inches
Weight
8.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:45
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Best Dell Windows Tablet
Dell Latitude 7350 Detachable
As 2-in-1 detachable laptops seem to be growing more scarce lately, it’s comforting to know Dell supports the form factor with such well-made devices as the Latitude 7350. This tablet-and-keyboard combo nails all of the expectations of the category, like an entire workday’s worth of battery life, laptop-grade speeds, a sharp 2,880-by-1,920-resolution touch screen, and the latest wireless specs. The three-year warranty is also a significant plus.
This is a 2-in-1 for getting work done, likely to be bought by contractors and small businesses or deployed by IT departments to high-level creators or public-facing decision-makers in larger offices. It’s not cheap either, particularly with the keyboard and pen accessories that—while top-quality—are still sold separately. Regardless, it’s a high-grade device that deserves to share at least a sliver of the class-leading Microsoft Surface Pro’s spotlight.
Class
Detachable 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 164U
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
13 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1920
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Graphics
Wireless Networking
Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7
Dimensions (HWD)
0.35 by 11.5 by 8.2 inches
Weight
1.76 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:26
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Best Dell Enterprise Fleet Laptop
Dell Latitude 9440 2-in-1
Dell PCs can be found in offices around the globe, and many of those desks should be home to extra-versatile devices like this Latitude 9440 2-in-1. It’s a 14-inch convertible with a sleek frame, a snappy keyboard, an oversized and feature-packed touchpad, and a dazzling display. Dell tops it off with a speedy CPU that sips the juice pack slowly, lasting for up to 16 hours in our battery rundown. Price-wise, it’s pretty up there unless you enjoy a corporate volume discount, but it represents some of the best Dell has to offer the modern workplace.
Because of its steep quantity-one price, the Latitude 9440 2-in-1’s best value comes not via retailers like Best Buy but through bulk sales negotiated with Dell or other resellers. But fleet managers for small and large companies alike would do well to consider the 9440 as a top-quality, versatile device to deploy to staffers at all levels.
Class
Business, Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core i7-1365U
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.64 by 12.2 by 8.5 inches
Weight
3.4 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
16:33
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Best Dell Mobile Workstation
Dell Precision 5690
Dell’s most potent power lurks within its Precision line of mobile workstations, and the best unit we’ve tested to date is the Precision 5690. Packed with an Intel Core 9 Ultra processor and an Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada professional GPU, this 16-inch workstation chewed through every high-intensity benchmark we threw at it. Shockingly, it also lasted more than 17 hours in our battery test, delivering a MacBook Pro-like experience for the Windows camp. Of course, like all elite workstations, it’s premium-priced, so enterprise clients or exceptionally fortunate contractors are in its customer crosshairs.
A laptop of this power level is almost exclusively aimed toward particularly well-off small businesses in demanding design and engineering fields or enterprise-level buyers for large firms that either produce high-fidelity CGI content or complex digital assets or crunch through the most mammoth, complex datasets. The Precision 5690 is an impressive, if pricey, proposition with the chops to back it up.
Class
Workstation
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.87 by 13.9 by 9.5 inches
Weight
4.46 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:11
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Best Dell Laptop for Tight Budgets
Dell Inspiron 15 (3525)
At their most affordable, budget laptops are always creatures of compromise, but this Inspiron makes the most of its hyper-value trappings. Don’t expect barn-burning performance, but this 15-incher gets enough done for what you’re paying and provides all the ports you need. The fact that its 1080p screen refreshes at 120Hz is a serious bonus. Finally, even though its battery life isn’t the longest, it did last for a full workday in our video playback testis easily outpaced, it does last an entire workday through video playback.
Anyone seriously strapped for cash but not wanting to get hosed by a bad deal should consider this Inspiron. It won’t set any speed records, but this laptop performs well enough for basic tasks and looks halfway decent doing it. Finding this sharp and speedy a display isn’t easy at this price, either.
Class
Budget
Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
Processor Speed
2.3 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
VA
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.83 by 14.11 by 9.27 inches
Weight
3.65 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:14
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Buying Guide: The Best Dell Laptops for 2024
What Are the Differences Among Dell’s Laptop Lines?
When looking for the best Dell laptop, you’ll want to concentrate on which of its six main laptop families best meets your needs. The ones to familiarize yourself with are Inspiron, XPS, Alienware, G Series, Latitude, and Precision. Apart from the two gaming-oriented ones, you’ll find clamshell and 2-in-1 convertible entries in all these families.
Inspiron: The Mainstream Choice
Dell’s Inspiron brand comprises consumer laptops of every stripe for use at home or in school: power machines, inexpensive “just enough” systems, big displays, and ultra-compacts. Whether editing photos or managing your home finances, Inspiron’s copious options fit most buyers’ screen size and budget needs. These machines are mostly Windows models; if you want something less expensive for simple tasks and browsing online, consider Dell’s Chromebooks, which put basic functionality into affordable packages that work great for kids and students.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Dell used to break its Inspiron line into three gradations or levels: 3000, 5000, and 7000 series. As you went up that stack, you tended to see more premium features and higher relative pricing. The number between the word “Inspiron” and the series number was typically the laptop’s screen size; an Inspiron 13 5000, for example, would be a 13-inch-screened laptop with middle-field characteristics.
However, today, Dell names its Inspiron systems according to their rough screen sizes, which now include 14-inch and 16-inch laptop varieties. This creates more significant ambiguity around what each laptop is capable of; you’ll want to look at detailed reviews with testing results to get an idea of relative potency.
Want to ensure you’re saving the most cash possible, even on one of the best Dell laptops? Check out our article with 15 money-saving tips for buying laptops.
XPS: The Power-User Class
Successive versions of the Dell XPS 13 were our “near-perfect” ultraportable for several years. Refresh after refresh, Dell keeps tuning to keep this hardy machine on top. XPS signifies a premium-design, fully decked-out machine that bridges demanding consumers and business users on both the desktop and laptop sides of the fence. Dell’s line of power tools is equally at home in a home office, coffee shop, conference room, or high-stakes business meeting.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
XPS-class laptops also sometimes serve as guinea pigs for introducing futuristic features, such as in the XPS 13 Plus, which ditched a physical touchpad in favor of a haptic feedback mechanism integrated into the palm rest. Traditionally, you didn’t find much variety in the XPS laptop line regarding screen size or stratification, just configurable versions of the 13-inch-screened XPS 13 and 15-inch XPS 15 as both clamshells and swiveling-screen 2-in-1s. The XPS 17, the biggest model, has a 17-inch screen and is only available in a clamshell form factor.
This changed with the debut of the 14-inch and 16-inch Dell XPS models, which feature Intel’s Core Ultra AI-equipped processors. All of the existing odd-number screen sizes (13, 15, 17) are sold alongside these new even-number sizes (14 and 16 inches), but some may be phased out.
Alienware and G Series: Full-Spectrum Gaming
If gaming is more your style, Dell’s Alienware brand delivers if you’re on the market for a serious, blinged-out gaming cruiser. The latest components combine with premium construction and design, earning Alienware a well-deserved reputation as an aspirational brand among PC gamers. The Alienware machines tend to be big, brawny models with heavy graphics, firepower, and prices to match. However, the brand known for its classic Area-51m bruiser has made forays into leaner machines with its m16 and m18 series models and the even leaner Alienware X series, which goes down to 14 inches.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Dell also sells gaming laptops under its G Series brand, introduced in 2018. Before this new sub-brand’s introduction, this aggressively priced, lower-end line was part of the Inspiron family. Dell spun it out as its own animal, and now the G Series is aimed at mainstream and budget-constrained gamers. It has more modest designs than the Alienware models and component load-outs that are humbler but still workable for the latest games.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
The G Series models hover above and below the $1,000 mark, while the Alienware models start north of that. The G Series models are gradated into G3, G5, and G7 classes, with the higher numbers indicating higher-grade builds and feature sets.
Latitude: The Umbrella for Business Machines
Then we have the business machines. Dell’s Latitude brand is the mainstay for its business laptops, competing with options from Lenovo (the ThinkPad series) and HP (the various EliteBooks). Latitude offers options for workers in the office or out in the field, with a mix of thin-yet-powerful laptops and durable systems that can take a beating.
Like the Inspirons once did, the Latitudes use a 3000, 5000, and 7000 terminology, plus a top-of-the-line 9000 series. The second number in the four-digit model number signifies the screen size. So a Dell Latitude 7390 is in the second from the top of the four lines, with a 13.3-inch screen; a Latitude 9500 would be a top-grade machine with a 15.6-inch screen.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Beyond the “simply” durable units, the Latitude line also includes a few costly, highly ruggedized models designed for use in hostile environments: doused in water, clipped onto an ATV, exposed to cold and wind, or carried into harm’s way by first responders. These are branded under the Latitude Rugged Extreme moniker.
Precision: Workstation Laptops for Demanding Professionals
Mobile workstations are a breed of machines that share some traits with business models. Still, they stand apart for their independent software vendor (ISV) certifications and, in some cases, specialized CPU and GPU options and support for precise error-correcting-code (ECC) memory. ISV certifications give users of demanding professional business apps (in areas such as scientific computing, architecture, and engineering) assurances that the workstation will run up to snuff with a given application. Companies such as Adobe, Autodesk, Avid, Dassault Systemes, and Siemens tend to be the ISVs involved.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Dell’s line of mobile workstations is its Precision line, which comprises laptop and desktop models. On the laptop side, Precision uses the same 3000, 5000, and 7000 series lingo as the Latitudes, with the screen size indicated within the model number.
A workstation might make use of consumer- or business-grade Intel CPUs. Still, the mark of a high-end workstation is the presence of a dedicated workstation-grade graphics processor from Nvidia (RTX and A-series, formerly Quadro) or AMD (Radeon Pro, much less common). The latter contrasts consumer-GPU counterparts (GeForce RTX and Radeon RX, respectively) and are designed specifically for the heavy-duty calculations that ISV-class applications require.
Ready to Buy the Best Dell Laptop for You?
You’ll find plenty of solid Dell systems, but don’t be overwhelmed by the options. We’ve combed through our many reviews and singled out the best Dell systems in multiple categories in the lists and summaries above. For more Dell and non-Dell options, check out our best laptops overall (updated constantly) and our lists of the best Chromebooks, budget laptops, and gaming laptops.