Buying guide for Best dell laptops
When Dell first started marketing computers to consumers, the company wasn’t viewed as a threat to established manufacturers like HP, IBM, and Compaq. But a lot has changed since then. Dell has become the biggest name in PC hardware and the default choice for thousands of businesses around the world. Dell computers are powerful, affordable, and best of all, well-supported by the company.
Dell’s laptops are no exception to this rule. A wide variety of Dell laptops, each based around specific use cases — which is another way of saying that no matter what your needs are, there’s a Dell laptop that’s perfect for you.
Whether you’re replacing a dying machine or buying a new laptop for your next digital adventures, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to find the right Dell laptop for you.
Key considerations
Dell makes several lines of laptops, so it’s easy to get lost among them, especially when they all look so similar. Before you get started, consider these three questions so you can filter out all of the options that aren’t relevant.
Will you be using your Dell laptop for work or pleasure? Dell does a great job of tailoring machines for working professionals — their entire Latitude line is built for business, meaning that they’re slightly more durable, sport neutral designs, and include security measures like fingerprint readers. On the other hand, if you’re buying a Dell laptop for personal use, it doesn’t make sense to pay more for features you may not use. In this case, we recommend saving a few bucks and opting for a laptop from the Inspiron or XPS line.
Are you a PC gamer? Dell makes two lines of laptops specifically for gamers: Alienware and the G Series. Alienware was originally an independent company that Dell later acquired, and Dell Alienware laptops are among the best (and most expensive) gaming laptops in the industry. If you’re a serious gamer or want to be one, you’ll want an Alienware laptop. On the other hand, if you play games that aren’t graphically intensive or want a budget gaming system, the G Series may be a better fit. Dell’s G Series laptops are essentially a slight step down from their Alienware models, but for gamers who appreciate a bargain, they’re perfect.
- Do you want a laptop with a touchscreen that can double as a tablet? Laptops with built-in touchscreens are technically in their own category — often referred to as 2-in-1s — but they’re still laptops. Laptops with touchscreens are useful for times when you prefer a tablet-based experience, and Windows 10 Tablet Mode makes practically any app touch-friendly. However, 2-in-1s are generally more expensive (to cover the cost of the touchscreen), so if you’re not a fan of tablets, you can save money by looking at other models.
Core specifications to compare
Once you have a general idea of what you’ll be using your Dell laptop for, you can start comparing models and specifications. Here are the features that are most important to compare.
CPU: The central processing unit, or CPU, is your laptop’s brain, and it has the biggest influence over how it performs. When you’re looking at different Dell laptops, you’ll find mostly processors from Intel’s i3, i5, i7, and i9 series. Just be forewarned that as processor speed increases, so does cost.
Screen size: Dell laptops come in every size imaginable, from 11 inches to 18 inches. The size of your laptop screen defines both how much screen real estate you get and how big and heavy the laptop is overall. There’s no magic size that’s perfect for everyone, so you’ll need to pick the size that’s the best fit for your taste and your budget.
RAM: Random access memory (RAM) is the memory that computers use to manage multiple tasks, so even if you get the fastest processor available, it won’t really feel fast until you’ve got enough RAM to allow it to multitask. If you’re buying a Dell for casual use or basic office work, get one with at least 8GB of RAM. If you’re buying one for intense work or gaming, consider buying one with 16GB or 32GB of RAM.
Video hardware: One of the big differentiators between Dell laptops is the included video card. Video cards control all the graphics you see and every image that’s rendered, so if you’re doing anything that’s got intense visuals (like gaming or streaming 4K video), you’ll want one with a separate video card on board. If you’re not doing anything all that demanding graphics-wise, you can opt for one with integrated graphics (which really means that the CPU is handling the graphics).
Our favorite upgrades
In addition to the basics, Dell laptops also sometimes include a few unique and innovative features not found on other brand laptops. Here are a few of our favorites.
Chrome OS
Some Dell laptops are Chromebooks, which means instead of running Windows, they use Google’s Chrome OS as a platform. While the thought of a new operating system can be intimidating, Chrome OS is basically all based on Google’s Chrome browser, so if you’ve ever used Chrome to browse the web, you’ll feel right at home with a Chromebook.
Ryzen CPUs
Most Dell laptops include Intel CPUs inside, but a growing number of laptops are being manufactured with rival AMD’s Ryzen CPUs. Ryzen CPUs are generally comparable, if not faster, than Intel processors, but the real advantage is that Ryzen CPUs have more cores, so they can generally handle intense tasks (like video editing or gaming) better than their Intel equivalents can. If you need sheer horsepower, look into the Dell laptops with Ryzen CPUs.
eMMC storage
Extended multimedia controllers, or eMMCs, are small cards that connect directly to your laptop’s motherboard and connect flash storage. The advantage with eMMC cards is portability and cost, which is why you’ll find them mostly in Dell’s smaller budget laptops.
Essential accessories
Once your Dell laptop arrives, you’ll need to complete it with the right accessories. Here are our favorite add-ons.
Laptop backpack - KROSER Laptop Backpack for 15.6”-17.3” Laptops
If you’ll be taking your Dell laptop with you to school or work, you’ll need a good bag. We recommend KROSER’s backpack for larger laptops because it’s got enough space for any size model, but it’s still thin and has plenty of room for extras. It’s also got a passthrough port for a USB cable so you can keep your phone charging as you talk, and it’s made from waterproof material so you’ll always know your gear is safe.
Webcam cover - EYSOFT 0.7mm Webcam Cover (3-pack)
Web security professionals all agree: you should cover up your webcam when you’re not using it in order to keep applications and intruders from recording you unexpectedly. While webcam hacks are still relatively rare, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This three-pack from EYSOFT is our favorite because the covers include a slide mechanism to uncover your webcam when you need it for video calls — and it’s super affordable.
Bluetooth mouse - KLO Rechargeable Bluetooth Mouse
If you’ll be doing work for any stretches of time on your Dell laptop, chances are you’re going to need a mouse to save you from having to slip between your trackpad and your keyboard. We prefer starting with a Bluetooth mouse so you don’t have to occupy any of your USB ports with a wireless receiver (as is the case with other wireless mice). Our favorite Bluetooth mouse is KLO’s rechargeable model: it’s incredibly affordable, it’s simple to set up, and it’s got great battery life. But the killer feature here is just how flat it is: it’s thin enough to fit in your pocket but thick enough to feel like a proper mouse when you’re using it.
Did you know?
If you’ll be using your Dell laptop with Microsoft applications like Word, Office, PowerPoint, or Excel, you’ll need to purchase the software separately.
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Dell laptop prices
Between $200 and $500, you’ll find Dell’s entry-level laptops. Models in this range are a good value if you don’t need the fastest laptop available or if you’re buying a laptop that will only be doing basic tasks like web browsing.
The best values in Dell laptops are usually between $500 and $1,300. Laptops in this range have fast processors, plenty of RAM, and often include touchscreens. If you’re looking for a solid machine for work or school, plan on spending at least this much.
Between $1,300 and $3,000, you’ll encounter Dell’s best and brightest: laptops that have solid specs across the board and often feature niche conveniences like a fingerprint reader. If you need a machine that’s going to last several years or one that needs to be fast enough for heavy-duty work, this is how much you’ll need to fork over.
Tips
If you buy a Dell laptop with a touchscreen, keep a microfiber cloth handy, and wipe down the screen on a regular basis. Touchscreens get dirty, and one of the drawbacks of getting a laptop with a touchscreen is that your fingerprints can get in the way, especially when you’re using it as a laptop. Avoid using harsh substances like commercial cleaners or blunt cleaning products like paper towels. A microfiber cloth is all you need to keep everything nice and shiny.
If battery life is critical to you, get a Dell laptop that supports ExpressCharge. Dell’s proprietary battery technology, ExpressCharge, takes only an hour to fill up a battery to 80 percent. Most laptop batteries take several hours to recharge, so being able to recoup the majority of a full charge quickly means that your laptop can spend less time plugged into the wall and more time with you on the go.
- As you compare laptops, keep track of how much each of them weighs. It’s easy to forget that laptops can be heavy — they’re so sleek, they often give the impression of being as light as air. In reality, Dell laptops can weigh anywhere from three to eight pounds, depending on factors like screen size. Consider how often you’ll be toting your Dell laptop around and plan accordingly, so you never feel like you’re stuck lugging around a brick.
FAQ
Q. How long do Dell laptops typically last?
A. It depends on how much you use them. Dell laptops are well-built and designed to last for years, but like all laptops, their batteries start to show their age anywhere between 18 and 24 months after purchase.
Q. What are the differences between Dell’s G Series gaming laptops and their Alienware gaming laptops?
A. Dell offers two different gaming laptop lines: the G Series and the Alienware models. Alienware laptops have better video cards, and they’re several hundred dollars more expensive, but to many, the trade-off is worth it. If you love first-person shooters or the latest triple-A titles, your games will run more smoothly on an Alienware machine. If you’re not an avid gamer, or if you don’t mind playing games at lower resolutions, the G Series may be the smarter choice.
Q. Are refurbished Dell laptops a smart purchase?
A. It depends on who’s doing the refurbishing, but generally, refurbished laptops are a risk that we don’t recommend. If you’re considering buying a refurbished Dell laptop, make sure that Dell did the refurbishing themselves. Otherwise, there’s no guarantee that any work was done on the machine at all.
