The Best Dell Laptop Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
If you’re shopping for a laptop in 2024, you have almost too many options to choose from, be it a thin mobile companion or a hefty, rugged notebook, with a vast range of options in between. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to narrow down your options based on what you know. Sometimes, that’s a brand you’ve long used and trusted.
If you’re familiar with Dell, you probably have some opinion regarding how reliable the company’s products are, how its customer service works, and the general quality of the user experience that those products and services deliver. If you’re brand-loyal, it’s a reasonable way to whittle down your options, while still helping you zero in on an excellent product. Picking a brand you trust does half the deciding for you.
Whether you’re after a fast laptop for crunching numbers at work or a laptop for staying productive at home or on the go, Dell likely has a model you’ve considered buying. The company has reliable machines at all levels of the market. Read on for a breakdown of our picks for the best Dell laptops for 2024 for a variety of users, followed by a guide to Dell’s various laptop lines.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (7630)
Best Dell Laptop for Most People
Bottom Line:
Depending on Dell’s ever-changing discounts, the Inspiron 16 Plus can be a tempting desktop replacement with above-average performance, though its screen isn’t stellar.
PROS
- Plenty of CPU and GPU power
- Medium-high-resolution 120Hz display
CONS
- Half a pound overweight
- IPS screen can’t match OLED rivals’ vivid color
- Mediocre keyboard
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Desktop Replacement |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700H |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 16 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1600 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.71 by 14.1 by 9.9 inches |
| Weight | 4.54 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 14:13 |
Learn More
Dell Inspiron 15 (3525)
Best Dell Laptop for the Tightest Budgets
Bottom Line:
The Dell Inspiron 15 (3525) is as simple as budget laptops come. While this version addresses several shortcomings of the previous generation, you could find better elsewhere if you’re not committed to Dell.
PROS
- Plenty of ports
- Decent price-to-performance ratio
- 120Hz display refresh rate
CONS
- Overall outclassed battery and display
- No keyboard backlighting
- Plain design
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop 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 |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | VA |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| Graphics Memory | |
| 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 |
Learn More
Dell XPS 15 (9530) (2023)
Best High-End Dell Desktop Replacement
Bottom Line:
Fully focused on new silicon, the latest Dell XPS 15 laptop adds long battery life to leading performance accessed by a gorgeous OLED touch screen, retaining its best-in-class status.
PROS
- Faster performance than ever
- GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs
- Brilliant OLED touch screen
- Premium build quality
- Long battery life
CONS
- Limited graphics performance ceiling
- Still has 720p webcam
- USB-C ports only (adapter included)
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Desktop Replacement |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700H |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 3456 by 2160 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | OLED |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.71 by 13.6 by 9.1 inches |
| Weight | 4.2 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 14:03 |
Learn More
Dell XPS 16 (9640)
Best Big-Screen Dell Desktop Replacement
Bottom Line:
A slick new look and cutting-edge components make Dell’s XPS 16 a dream for Windows-bound creative pros and power users—as long as they have the cash for its premium features and build quality.
PROS
- Sleek, slim aesthetic and inputs
- Brilliant 4K OLED touch screen
- High performance from Intel Core Ultra 7 and GeForce RTX 4070
- Impressive battery life
CONS
- Expensive
- Not all design changes are improvements
- USB-C ports only (though USB-A and HDMI adapter provided)
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Desktop Replacement |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 16.3 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 3840 by 2400 |
| Touch Screen | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Learn More
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)
Best High-End Dell Ultraportable
Bottom Line:
A gorgeous OLED screen and a stylized keyboard make Dell’s XPS 13 Plus a sleek ultraportable, but its few ports and brief battery life make it impractical for regular use.
PROS
- Peppy performance
- Superb 3.5K OLED touch screen
- Trim and light
- Sleek, seamless keyboard and touchpad
- Reasonable price
CONS
- Just two Thunderbolt 4 ports (with adapters)
- Poor battery life
- No mobile broadband
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Ultraportable |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1360P |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 GB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 13.4 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 3456 by 2160 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | OLED |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Graphics Memory | |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.6 by 11.6 by 7.8 inches |
| Weight | 2.77 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 6:43 |
Learn More
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022)
Best High-End Dell Convertible
Bottom Line:
Dell’s 2022 rework of its XPS 13 2-in-1 is a well-made, broadly useful detachable Windows tablet in the Surface Pro vein, making it the best that Dell offers today.
PROS
- Lightweight tablet design
- Effective and intuitive XPS Folio keyboard accessory
- Sharp, bright 3K touch display
- 1080p user-facing webcam and 2160p rear-facing camera
CONS
- $100 XPS Folio keyboard not included
- Middling battery life
- Limited to just two USB-C ports, with no headphone jack
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Detachable 2-in-1 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1230U |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 GB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 13 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2880 by 1920 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Graphics Memory | |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.29 by 11.5 by 7.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 6:58 |
Learn More
Alienware x14 R2
Best 14-Inch Dell Gaming Laptop
Bottom Line:
A near-flawless compact gaming laptop, the Alienware x14 R2 packs a super-slim metal design, a powerful pairing of CPU and GPU, and a long-lasting battery, all at an accessible price.
PROS
- Impressive super-slim build
- Brisk gaming and processing speeds as configured
- Appealing starting and configuration prices
- Long battery life
- Wide range of ports for a small laptop
CONS
- QHD+ screen resolution challenges the GeForce RTX 4060 at max settings
- Ports being all on the back edge can be awkward
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13620H |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1600 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | G-Sync |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU |
| Graphics Memory | 8 GB |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.57 by 12.6 by 10.2 inches |
| Weight | 4.2 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 9:38 |
Learn More
Alienware m16 R2
Best 16-Inch Dell Gaming Laptop
Bottom Line:
A more compact redesign rules out Nvidia’s top-of-the-line RTX 4080 and 4090, but Alienware’s m16 R2 delivers rock-solid gaming with a premium feel at a good price.
PROS
- Strong gaming, productivity performance, thanks to RTX 4070 and Core Ultra 7
- Reasonable starting price and good value as configured
- Sleek metal build is trim for a 16-incher
- Superior keyboard, plenty of ports
- Long battery life
CONS
- QHD+ screen resolution strains hardware in demanding titles
- Only two configurations, though they’re well priced
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 16 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1600 |
| Touch Screen | |
| 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 |
Learn More
Alienware m18
Best Giant-Screen Dell Gaming Laptop
Bottom Line:
With top-end components and a spacious 18-inch display, the Alienware m18 is the best giant-screen gaming laptop so far, aimed at enthusiasts and pros with cash to burn.
PROS
- Blistering performance as configured
- Sturdy build with metal lid, customizable lighting
- Superior Cherry MX mechanical keyboard option
- Sharp 1600p/165Hz display, with 1080p/480Hz option
- Reasonable starting price with lots of configuration
CONS
- Rear-facing ports are awkward to reach
- Short battery life
- Big and heavy
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Gaming |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13980HX |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 18 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1600 |
| Touch Screen | |
| 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 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 1.05 by 16.15 by 12.59 inches |
| Weight | 8.9 lbs |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 5:36 |
Learn More
Dell Chromebook 11 (3100)
Best Dell Laptop for Kids
Bottom Line:
Designed to withstand the rigors of daily life in the classroom, at home, and in between, the Dell Chromebook 11 hits a trifecta: rugged, affordable, and great for kids.
PROS
- Compact
- Sturdy, kid-friendly design
- Spill-resistant keyboard
- Optional LTE
- Plenty of USB ports
- Reasonably priced accidental damage coverage
CONS
- Poor Wi-Fi signal reception
- Display limited to 1,366 by 768 resolution
- No SD card reader
- Clumsy touchpad
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Chromebook |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 |
| Processor Speed | 2.8 GHz |
| RAM (as Tested) | 4 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | eMMC Flash Memory |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 11.6 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 1366 by 768 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | TN |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Graphics Memory | |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ac, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.82 by 11.96 by 8.19 inches |
| Weight | 2.85 lbs |
| Operating System | Google Chrome OS |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 9:26 |
Learn More
Dell Latitude 9440 2-in-1
Best Dell Enterprise Fleet Laptop
Bottom Line:
The Dell Latitude 9440 2-in-1 is a well-made business laptop with innovative features and some smart design touches, but it’s only so-so as a convertible.
PROS
- Slick frameless keyboard and extra large, feature-filled touchpad
- Excellent performance and battery life
- Plenty of available business features, including 5G WWAN
- Pretty display with above-average color and brightness
CONS
- Thunderbolt 4 ports only
- Uncomfortable hard-edged palm rest
- Pricey
- Only one screen choice
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Business, Convertible 2-in-1 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1365U |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 32 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 TB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 14 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2560 by 1600 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Graphics Memory | |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.64 by 12.2 by 8.5 inches |
| Weight | 3.4 pounds |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 16:33 |
Learn More
Dell Precision 5680
Best Dell Mobile Workstation
Bottom Line:
With help from Nvidia’s newest mobile professional GPU, the Dell Precision 5680 is a competitive laptop workstation that matches rivals’ performance while being lighter and longer lasting.
PROS
- Blazing CPU and GPU performance
- Beautiful 4K OLED touch screen
- Decent battery life
- Relatively trim and light
CONS
- No USB-A or Ethernet ports
- Balky touchpad
- ECC memory not available
- Expensive
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Workstation, Business |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13900H |
| Processor Speed | |
| 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 |
| Touch Screen | |
| 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 6E, 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) | 13:07 |
Learn More
Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet
Best Rugged Dell Laptop/Tablet
Bottom Line:
It’s not the best performer, but Dell’s Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet does the job anywhere—whether down a mineshaft, on a construction site, or at the scene of an accident. You’ll likely be hard-pressed to find an environment this slate can’t survive.
PROS
- Rugged design can survive almost anything
- Sunlight-ready touch screen works with gloved hands and included pen
- Plenty of features, including 4G/5G mobile data
- Optional handle for grab-and-go use
- Dual hot-swappable batteries with long battery life, too
CONS
- Heavy and chunky
- Middling performance
- Keyboard not included
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Laptop Class | Rugged, Detachable 2-in-1 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1240U |
| Processor Speed | |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 GB |
| Secondary Drive Type | |
| Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | |
| Screen Size | 12 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 1920 by 1080 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | WVA |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Graphics Memory | |
| Wireless Networking | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.94 by 11.65 by 8 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 15:34 |
Buying Guide: The Best Dell Laptops for 2024
When you’re looking at Dell’s laptop product line, you’ll want to concentrate on which of its six main families of laptop best meets your needs. The ones to familiarize yourself with are Inspiron, XPS, Alienware, G Series, Latitude, and Precision. You’ll find both clamshell and 2-in-1 convertible entries in all of these families apart from the two gaming-oriented ones.
Inspiron: The Mainstream Choice
For use in the home or school, Dell’s Inspiron brand comprises consumer laptops of every stripe: power machines, inexpensive “just enough” machines, big displays, and ultra-compacts. Whether you’re editing photos or managing your home finances, Inspiron’s copious options fit both screen-size and budget needs for most buyers. These machines are mostly Windows models; if you want something a little less expensive for simple tasks and browsing online, consider Dell’s Chromebooks, which put basic functionality into an affordable package that works great for kids and students.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Dell breaks its Inspiron line into three gradations or levels: 3000, 5000, and 7000 series. As you go up that stack, you tend to see more premium features and higher relative pricing. The number between the word “Inspiron” and the series number is typically the screen size of the laptop; an Inspiron 13 5000, for example, would be a 13-inch-screened laptop with middle-field characteristics.
Want to make sure you’re saving the most cash possible, even on a Dell laptop? Check out our article with 15 money-saving tips for buying laptops.
XPS: The Power-User Class
The various guises of the Dell XPS 13 have been our “near-perfect” mainstream and power laptops for some time now. Refresh after refresh, Dell keeps tuning to keep this hardy machine on top. XPS signifies, on both the desktop and laptop side of the fence, a premium-design, fully decked-out machine that bridges demanding consumers and business users. It’s Dell’s line of power tools that are equally at home in a home office, a coffee shop, a conference room, or a high-stakes business meeting.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
XPS-class laptops also sometimes serve as guinea pigs for introducing futuristic features, such as 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 a lot of variety in the XPS laptop line in terms of 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 2024 introduction of 14-inch and 16-inch Dell XPS laptop models featuring Intel’s new Core Ultra AI-equipped processors. All of the existing odd-number screen sizes (13, 15, 17) are currently being sold alongside these new even-number sizes (14, 16) for the time being, but some may be phased out in the future.
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, though the brand known for its classic Area-51m bruiser has made forays into some leaner machines with its m16 and m18 series models and the even leaner Alienware X series.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
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 split it out as its own animal, and now the G Series is aimed at mainstream and budget-constrained gamers, with 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. Models in the G Series are gradated like the Inspirons, 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 T series) and HP (the various EliteBook lines). 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 and the G Series, the Latitudes make use of the same 3000, 5000, and 7000 nomenclature, with the addition of 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 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 is also home to a few costly, highly ruggedized models that are designed to be used in hostile environments: doused in water, clipped onto an ATV, exposed to cold and wind, and the like. 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, but they stand apart for their Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certifications and, in some cases, specialized CPU and GPU options and support for highly 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 Systemés, and Siemens tend to be the ISVs involved.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Dell’s line of mobile workstations is its Precision line, which comprises both laptop and desktop models. On the laptop side, Precision makes use of the same 3000, 5000, and 7000 series lingo as the other lines, 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 mobile Intel Xeon CPU and a dedicated workstation-grade graphics processor from Nvidia (RTX 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 kind of heavy-duty calculations that ISV-class applications require. Dell also offers a few 2-in-1 models in the Precision line; convertible workstations are rare, far less common than their consumer counterparts.
So, What Is the Best Dell Laptop to Buy?
You’ll find plenty of solid Dell systems to choose from, 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. For more (Dell and non-Dell) options, check out our favorite laptops overall (updated constantly), as well as our lists of the best Chromebooks, the best budget laptops, and the best gaming laptops.
