Best Dell Laptops In 2024

Dell has consistently made some of the best laptops you can buy, and it’s really no surprise. The Dell XPS line is absolutely iconic and a landmark of the Windows laptop space, and Alienware has the same kind of presence when it comes to gaming laptops. Plus, the budget-oriented Inspiron line also has a lot going for it, and the Latitude business laptops are also some of the best you can get.

With so many great laptops to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is right for you, but we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up the best laptops in the company’s lineup, all of which run Windows 11, though the company also makes some Chromebooks.

Our top Dell laptops in 2023

Dell XPS 14

Best overall

Modern, compact, and powerful

$1499 $1699 Save $200

The Dell XPS 14 is an absolutely excellent laptop with an ultra-modern design and top-of-the-line performance courtesy of its Intel Core Ultra processors and optional Nvidia graphics. It’s a bit heavy for a 14-inch laptop, but it’s a phenomenal machine in every other way.

Pros

• Powerful 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor
• Fantastic 13-inch display, including 3.5K OLED option
• Ultra-modern design looks fantastic

Cons

• No headphone jack and limited ports in general
• 720p webcam

Dell shook up the XPS lineup for 2024, and with that shakeup came a brnad new laptop, the XPS 14. Building off of the XPS 13 Plus of years past, the XPS 14 features a clean, almost futuristic design and top-notch performance, making it very easy to recommend.

That performance is granted by the Intel Core Ultra processors inside, specifically a Core Ultra 7 155H, with integrated Intel Arc graphics for great overall performance, even in workloads that require some graphics power. But if that’s not good enough for you, you can also add an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU with 30W of power, which will give you an extra kick for video editing or even some light gaming. Up to 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD round out the top-tier specs.

The display, too, is excellent. It’s a 14.5-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and it comes in either a Full HD+ IPS configuration or a stunning 3.2K OLED display that looks absolutely fantastic, as is typical for Dell. The OLED model also adds touch support, but you can’t go wrong with either of these options. The webcam is a 1080p sensor, which is a long overdue upgrade for the XPS series and makes this laptop much easier to recommend.

Turning to its looks, the XPS 14 borrows most of its identity from the XPS 13 Plus, and that means it has a plain, but very modern design. It uses a zero-lattice keyboard with large, square keys that feel great to type on. However, unlike its smaller brother, the XPS 14 does have some space on the sides of the keyboard, which house the top-firing speakers for a fantastic audio experience. Ports-wise, you get three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack. The problem with it is the weight, which starts at 3.7 pounds, meaning it’s not the most portable machine, but it is very compact.

Simply put, this is an excellent laptop for almost anyone.

Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)

Best for travel

A premium laptop that’s easy to carry

$1501 $1950 Save $449

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is a beautiful, modern-looking laptop with a seamless touchpad and super sleek design. It also has a fantastic display and top-tier performance courtesy of 13h-generation Intel processors.

Pros

• Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with Arc graphics
• Fantastic 13-inch display, including a 2.8K OLED option
• Ultra-modern design looks fantastic

Cons

• No headphone jack and limited ports in general

The Dell XPS 13 has long been one of the most iconic laptops on the market, and the XPS 13 Plus is the embodiment of that. It’s a sleek and ultraportable machine with great performance.

Starting on the inside, the laptop comes with Intel’s 13th-generation Core i7-1360P processor with 12 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5GHz. It’s a very fast laptop, including Intel Iris Xe graphics for light GPU workloads. You also get up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, so it’s a powerful combination through and through. However, it is worth noting that Dell has announced a successor to this model, the 2024 XPS 13, with Intel Core Ultra processors. This model isn’t available yet, though.

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Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) review: It still feels like the future

Dell’s new XPS 13 Plus is an incremental upgrade to an already modern take on a laptop

Like previous models, it comes with a 13.4-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, meaning it’s taller and gives you more surface area than a typical 16:9 display. The base configuration comes in Full HD+ (1920×1200) resolution, but it’s the upgrade to a 3.5K (3465×2160) OLED panel that’s truly special since it’s both super sharp and vibrant thanks to OLED technology. There’s also an Ultra HD+ (3840×2400) IPS option. A big downside of this laptop is the webcam, which is still a 720p sensor. Dell separated the RGB sensor from the Windows Hello IR camera, so the quality is a bit better, but it’s still behind most premium brands.

Design is the area where the Dell XPS 13 Plus really shines. Dell made the trackpad invisible and seamless with the chassis, stretched the keyboard to the edges of the laptop, and turned the function row into virtual buttons. All of this adds up to a laptop that looks extremely sleek and modern. The Dell XPS 13 comes in at just 15.28mm of thickness and weighs 2.76 pounds, so it’s very portable, too.

This modern design also comes with a limited supply of ports, unfortunately. All you get are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Dell includes adapters for USB Type-A and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You still have options, but this is not the most convenient port setup, though it’s something you see across the entire XPS family.

It’s not perfect, but the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a phenomenal laptop and the best in the company’s lineup. If you want to feel like you’re on the bleeding edge of tech, this is the laptop for you.

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024)

Best mainstream laptop

Intel Core Ultra in a relatively affordable machine

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is an excellent laptop for those with a tighter budget. It comes with a powerful Intel Core Ultra processors and up to a 2.8K display for a great overall experience. It also has all the ports you need, including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, and HDMI.

Pros

• Intel Core Ultra processors bring a big boost to AI and graphics performance
• Sharp 14-inch display starting at 2,2K resolution
• Subdued, but premium design

Cons

• No OLED display option
• No Windows Hello facial recognition

The Dell XPS 13 Plus may be the most premium laptop in Dell’s lineup, but the Inspiron 14 Plus is where it’s at if you want a more mainstream device that still offers a great experience.

In fact, the 2024 Inspiron 14 Plus is already available, and it comes with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, including integrated Intel Arc graphics, so it should perform better than the XPS 13 Plus in gaming. What’s more, you get up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so you have everything you need for a great experience.

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In the battle between budget and specs, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7440 is a solid contender.

The display is also pretty sharp, with the base model featuring 2.2K (2240×1400) resolution, with the option to upgrade to 2.8K if you want an even sharper screen. Both options use a non-touch IPS panel, so there’s no OLED here, which is a bit of a bummer. Above the display is a 1080p webcam, but Windows Hello support is only available with a fingerprint reader.

In terms of design, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus comes in an aluminum chassis and a standard silver color, so it doesn’t stand out, which may be a good or bad thing depending on your taste. The port selection is solid, with a Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader.

All in all, while it’s not blowing anyone’s mind, the 2024 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a terrific laptop if you don’t want to spend too much on a new laptop.

Dell Latitude 9440

Best business laptop

Fast, sleek, and enterprise-ready

$1499 $1770 Save $271

The Dell Latitude 9440 is the cream of the crop of business laptops, with high-end Intel processors, a sharp display, and a versatile convertible design that make it ideal for almost anyone. It comes at a high cost, but it’s an excellent laptop.

Pros

• Fast 13th-generation Intel CPUs with optional vPro support
• Sharp Quad HD+ touchscreen with pen support
• Great audio and video for remote work

Cons

• Very expensive outside of sales
• Limited ports built-in
• Soldered RAM

Business laptops are Dell’s bread and butter, and the Latitude series sits at the high end of the segment. But this year, the Dell Latitude 9440 is an especially great option, with a refreshed design that looks and feels more modern, paired with more powerful performance.

Powering the Dell Latitude 9440 are 13th-generation Intel Core processors up to a Core i7-1365U processor with vPro. That means you get 10 cores and 12 threads with speeds up to 5.2GHz, paired with management and security features that make this suitable for enterprise scenarios. You can also configure the laptop with up to 32GB of RAM (which is soldered onto the motherboard) and a 1TB SSD, so you get solid performance and storage space all around.

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The Latitude 9440 has a striking design, a unique keyboard, and great software, which will be great if you can afford it.

For the display, we’re looking at a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a very sharp resolution of 2560×1600 (Quad HD+). This is pretty much the only configuration that’s available, and it’s all anyone will really need in a laptop of this size. This is also a convertible, so touch and pen support comes by default. Above the display is a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition support, something we’d like to see in the company’s XPS laptops, too.

Coming around to the design, this is a fully aluminum laptop that looks and feels premium, and Dell has modernized it with a zero-lattice keyboard that stretches closer to the edges of the chassis, as well as a larger touchpad that now features shortcuts for Zoom calls, so you can mute your microphone or turn off your webcam, for example. The laptop is just 14.2mm thick at its thickest point, and it weighs 3.38 pounds, so it’s very portable. Ports, however, are a bit limited, with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a nano -SIM slot on cellular-enabled models.

While it’s not without its downsides, most notably the price, the Dell Latitude 9440 is a phenomenal machine for business. It looks and feels great, it has fast processors, and it’s topped off with a very sharp display. You can’t ask for much more.

Alienware m18 R2 (intel)

Best gaming laptop

Incredible performance in a beastly chassis

The Alienware m18 is Dell’s most powerful gaming laptop, featuring 14th-generation Intel Core processors with up to 24 cores and 32 threads, plus Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs to handle any and all games you want to play. You can also configure it with up to a whopping 64GB of RAM and an 8TB SSD.

Pros

• Latest 14th-gen Intel processors and powerful RTX 40-series GPUs
• Large 18-inch display is fantastic for immersion
• Highly configurable RAM and storage

Cons

• Expensive
• Portability is basically non-existent
• No Quad HD+ 240Hz display option

The Alienware brand is synonymous with high-end gaming, and the latest Alienware m18 R2 is the pinnacle of that. It offers incredible performance and an immersive display, if you’re willing to sacrifice portability.

Powering this beast are 14th-gen Intel Core HX-series processors with up to 24 cores and 32 threads, along with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, meaning it can handle just about any game you want to play at pretty high settings. It also comes with up to 64GB of RAM and a massive 8TB of storage with an optional RAID 0 configuration for insanely fast performance.

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Last year’s Alienware m18 was already good, but the m18 R2 and its 14th-gen HX processor and RTX 4090 graphics is excellent.

Those games will be displayed on a huge 18-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, making for a super immersive experience. There’s a Quad HD+ model with a 165Hz refresh rate or a FUll HD+ model with a super-fast 480Hz refresh rate that’s ideal for esports. It even manages to fit a 1080p webcam, which is especially nice to see on a gaming laptop.

The downside to this laptop is its size, since it’s over 25mm thick and it can weigh up to 9.32 pounds, so you won’t be carrying it with you all the time. On the flip side, the large chassis does make room for a ton of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, and a headphone jack.

If you value performance above all else, the Alienware m18 R2 is hard to beat, and it’s a gaming behemoth.

Dell XPS 16

Best laptop for creators

Powerful performance and a sleek design

The Dell XPS 16 is the company’s most powerful XPS laptop, featuring up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU for demanding creative workloads and even some gaming. Plus, it includes the option fopr a stunning 4K OLED display and it’s all wrapped in a modern design.

Pros

• Intel Core Ultra and up to a GeForce RTX 4070 GPU
• Optional 4K OLED dsiplay
• Modern and sleek design

Cons

• Seamless touchpad may not be great for everyone
• No USB Type-A or HDMI

The final and most powerful addition to the XPS lineup in 2024 is the Dell XPS 16, and it’s the easiest one to recommend to content creators and anyone who often edits video or works on 3D projects.

Powering the Dell XPS 16 are Intel Core Ultra processors, but this time you can go up to an Intel Core Ultra 9, which is significantly more powerful than what’s available in the smaller models. What’s more, you can pair it with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 with 50W of power, meaning you can reasonably use this PC for gaming, but more importantly, you can use that power for editing videos or rendering 3D objects. You can also get up to 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD.

This is the first time Dell has made a 16-inch XPS in the modern era, and the 16.3-inch panel here is great. THe base model is a Full HD+ IPS panel, which is solid enough, but the real star of the show is the 4K OLED display, which is both incredibly sharp and very vivid and punchy thanks to OLED technology. It looks fantastic, and looking above the display, we finally have a 1080p camera.

Dell unified the XPS lineup with a totally modernized design, and the XPS 16 isn’t immune, with a sleek look overall, a zero-lattice keyboard, touch function keys, and a seamless touchpad that blend completely into the body of the laptop. This approach may not be good for everyone, but it does look futuristic and modern unlike most other laptops on the market, and we love it as a result. The laptop isn’t light, though, starting at 4.7 pounds. As for ports, you get three USB-C ports, with at least two supporting Thunderbolt depending on your configuration. There’s also a headphone jack, microSD card reader, and an adapter for USB Type-A and HDMI.

If you need power in a sleek and modern design, the Dell XPS 16 is easily the one to go for.

Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2023, Intel)

Best 2-in-1

Versatile, powerful, and with a stunning display

$1100 $1500 Save $400

The Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 features 13th-generation Intel Core processors and optional Nvidia graphics. This model specifically comes with a stunning 4K OLED display, making it a truly phenomenal laptop for entertainment and even things like photo editing. Plus, you get the versatility of a convertible.

Pros

• 13th-gen Intel processors and Nvidia graphics
• Stunning 4K OLED display with touch and pen support
• Plenty of ports

Convertible or 2-in-1 laptops give you a new dimension of versatility with the ability to be used as tablets in addition to traditional laptops. Dell makes a few of these devices, but the best one right now is the Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 with Intel processors.

Specifically, we’re focusing on the configuration that includes an Intel Core i7-1360P processor with 12 cores and 16 threads. Along with that, this model includes an Nvidia GeForce MX450 GPU, which gives you a little extra power to run some games or do things like photo or video editing. You also get 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so the experience is great all around.

What really makes this configuration special, however, is the display. Other models of the Inspiron 16 2-in-1 will include a basic IPS panel, but this version includes an incredibly sharp 4K Ultra HD+ OLED panel. Not only is the resolution very high, but the OLED panel means you get stunning colors and visuals in anything you do. Plus, you get a 1080p webcam with Windows Hello support.

Design-wise, the Inspiron 16 2-in-1 is fairly unremarkable, coming in either silver or “dark river blue”. It’s a little heavy, starting at 4.61 pounds, but that’s reasonable for a 16-inch convertible. It does give you plenty of ports, though, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB Type-A, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a full-size SD card slot.

All of this comes out to a price tag of $1,500, which is a great deal for what you’re getting here. It’s definitely worth checking this one out.

Dell Inspiron 16 (AMD, 2023)

Best budget laptop

A great laptop that doesn’t break the bank

$450 $700 Save $250

The Dell Inspiron 16 is a solid budget-oriented laptop with AMD processors that delivers good day-to-day performance, paired with a large display and a clean design that fits well into any environment. It even includes a 1080p webcam, which is great for the price.

Pros

• Modern AMD Ryzen 7030 series processors
• Tall 16:10 Full HD+ display
• 1080p webcam

Cons

• Display isn’t very bright, and colors could be better
• Processors aren’t a major upgrade from the previous generation

Laptops can be pretty expensive, but if you just want something to get you through school or for basic day-to-day tasks, the Dell Inspiron 16 is a great budget-friendly option that nails the basics across the board.

It starts with AMD Ryzen 7030 series processors, specifically a Ryzen 5 7530U with 6 cores and 12 threads, which should deliver more than enough performance for day-to-day tasks like browsing the web and writing documents. Pair that with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD in the base model, and you have a pretty solid machine for the price, with options to go further if your budget allows for that.

The display won’t blow you away, but this is a large 16-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which puts it in line with modern laptops in terms of format. The Full HD+ resolution should be sharp enough for most users. Colors probably won’t look as good as they would on more expensive laptops, but for schoolwork and basic use, it’s definitely acceptable. In more good news, the laptop also includes a Full HD webcam above that display, meaning quality should be pretty solid for video calls and meetings.

As for the design, it’s fairly basic, but in a good way. The Titan Grey (silver) chassis looks great in any environment, even if it’s not all that exciting. At 18.2mm, it’s not overly thick, and the 4.01 pounds of starting weight make it reasonably light considering the size and price tag. Finally, for ports, you get two USB Type-A and one Type-C port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a full-size SD card slot. It’s solid connectivity, in line with what you’d expect at this price.

Overall, the Dell Inspiron 16 is a solid laptop for anyone who isn’t looking to spend over $1,000 on a laptop. It obviously cuts some corners, but it does enough to satisfy budget-conscious users.

Dell Precision 7680

Best workstation

Massive performance for specific users

The Dell Precision 7680 is a beastly mobile workstation with 13th-generation Intel Core processors and Nvidia RTX Ada Generation professional graphics. It also comes with a tall 16:10 display and even has the option for a stunning OLED panel.

Pros

• Up to 24-core CPU and Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPUs
• Tons of ports for any peripherals you have
• 16:10 display with optional 4K OLED panel

Cons

• Extremely expensive
• Very thick and heavy

If your work requires the absolute best performance money can buy, the Dell Precision 7680 is a mobile workstation that leaves almost nothing to be desired. Spectacular performance and a wide range of configuration options make this a phenomenal workstation for specialized workloads

Performance is the main focus here, starting with 13th-generation Intel Core processors up to a Core i9-13900HX, with 24 cores and 32 threads for incredible performance. That’s paired with up to an Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPU, the best workstation GPU for laptops right now. Combine that with up to 128GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD, and you have a machine that can do just about anything you could ever want it to.

The display is a 16-inch panel, and it comes in the 16:10 aspect ratio, which is part of the reason we’re recommending this model. The base configuration is a Full HD+ panel, but you can go up to a stunning 4K OLED display that’s both sharp and incredibly vibrant. It’s fantastic for color-sensitive work. Atop the display, there’s a Full HD webcam with optional Windows Hello facial recognition.

All this power makes for a big laptop, so the Dell Precision 7680 weighs at least 5.75 pounds for the base model, though it can go much higher. It’s also 24.7mm thick at its thickest point in the base model or 27.45mm thick with the performance base.

Being a big laptop, there is thankfully a lot of space for ports, too. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one regular USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader by default. You can also add a Smart Card reader, NFC support, and a fingerprint reader if you need them.

If you choose higher-end configurations, the Dell Precision 7680 is incredibly expensive, but it’s hard to beat if you want top-tier performance.

Best Dell laptops in 2023: Bottom line

Depending on your use case, all of these laptops are fantastic choices, and it’s all up to what you need. The Dell XPS 13 Plus takes our best overall pick thanks to its blend of portability, a premium ultra-modern design, and performance, packing everything you’d want out of a 13-inch ultrabook into a chassis that looks like it came from the future. If you don’t need a laptop right now, though, we’d recommend waiting for the new Dell XPS 13 to launch in a couple of months, since it will have all-new processors with brand-new capabilities.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is a beautiful, modern-looking laptop with a seamless touchpad and super sleek design. It also has a fantastic display and top-tier performance courtesy of 13th-generation Intel Core P-series processors.

Alternatively, you can buy the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus if you want those processors and don’t need the fancy design. Or, If you don’t have that kind of money to spend, the Dell Inspiron 16 is a great option for users with a tighter budget. It still delivers very good performance for day-to-day use, and the large display makes it great for multitasking or general work.