2021’s Best Dell Laptops [In-Depth Review]

Dell is probably one of the most multi-nationally recognized names when it comes to the world of computers.

They are primarily based in the United States, and they develop and sell computers and related products worldwide.

Dell provide a wide range of technology solutions. They also pride themselves in designs to meet the needs of businesses, educational institutes and personal users.

No matter what your computing needs are, Dell are sure to have something to suit your specific requirement. If you’re considering purchasing a Dell laptop, you have come to the right place.

Best Dell Laptops By Category

The choice for our overall pick of Dell’s laptops is the Dell XPS 13 UHD InfinityEdge.

This laptop has some great aesthetics, with a slim design and an almost borderless display. It not only looks good though, it performs superbly too.

Benefits

This Dell laptop boasts the InfinityEdge display so there are virtually no borders around the screen. Teamed with the ultra HD, this definitely sees your images pop more with the true colors and clear definition it displays.

The sound output is great and the in-built speakers perform well. The keyboard is well-designed and comfortable to use with soft touch keys. Add this together with the touch pad and you are sailing through tasks with precise and accurate navigation.

Dell has also introduced a new cooling system which won’t see long tasks slowing down the CPU as seen in older versions.

It has had a major improvement on the connection side too, with the addition of Thunderbolt 3 ports. The Thunderbolt ports support a four-lane PCI. This means you can use the laptop with an external graphics card for some serious gaming.

An ideal laptop that will suit all needs both professional and personal. Plus, with easy adaption it will even meet the needs of gaming enthusiasts.

See Also: 10 Best Laptop Brands

Drawbacks

Dell has moved the webcam on this new XPS and it is now in the center at the bottom. While this is an improvement to the previous placement at the corner it still provides more of a “nose-cam” view. Having said that, you can get much better angles and the image quality is certainly on a par with other laptops.

The slimmer design is great but has resulted in Dell ditching the standard USB and full size SD card reader. It does have a major improvement on the connection side though.

Extra Features

• Audio jack
• MicroSD card slot
• Built-in Mics

Buying Advice

Featuring InfinityEdge and full HD, it is easy to see why this was our overall choice. The introduction of a new cooling system offers good improvement in performance, so.you won’t be seeing your CPU slow down when carrying out those long tasks.

Yes, the slimmer design means we don’t have some of the former connections but with the inclusion of Thunderbolt 3 ports we can’t complain.

Falling at the higher end of the price range could be a downside for some.

However, when you consider all it includes, the price you pay is reflected in the quality you’re getting in both performance and viewing.

Chromebooks are fast becoming popular, particularly in education institutes. Designed for ease of use and portability they are the ideal companion for students.

Dell recognizes this and as always aim to meet this ever growing need. Our choice of the best Dell Chromebook has to be this one.

Benefits

This Chromebook has a robust build and, although boring in design, it should withstand drops, spillages, dust and dirt. Dell has certainly taken a measured approach when creating this Chromebook to ensure it is both strong and durable.

The robust design does make it heavier and bulkier than some other Chromebooks, but it is still light enough to carry around.

It has an 11.6-inch display that is perfect for viewing and is powered by an Intel Celeron processor. It is available with 2GB or 4GB memory options.

Even when multitasking, with numerous tabs open, you will find it performs speedily and the boot and wake-up times are fast.

The battery life is excellent and will definitely last you throughout the day. This makes it ideal for students or those who spend lots of time browsing and watching content but don’t want a larger bulky laptop.

Drawbacks

It’s not as aesthetically pleasing as some other Chromebooks and could put some younger buyers off.

It works using Chrome OS and the drawback of this is that you need an internet connection to access the majority of apps.

Extra Features

• Bluetooth
• Headphone jack
• Integrated webcam
• Stereo speakers
• SD card reader slot

Buying Advice

Although it’s doesn’t have a funky or fashionable design, it is strong and robust. These qualities are good for something which will be carried around and see lots of use. It is ideal if you need it to stand up to the abuse a classroom and school bag can throw at it.

It has a great display and performs well when multitasking. Excellent battery life will keep you working the whole day through.

The small size makes it more ideal for kids and students or for those looking for something more portable.

Although heavier than some Chromebooks it is still easy to carry around. At such an affordable price you certainly won’t go wrong with this Chromebook.

You want a portable laptop to be lightweight and robust but you also want it to include a good line-up of specifications.

For these reasons, our choice of best portable Dell laptop is the Dell i9168-3270.

Dell never fails to amaze with their great designs and technology and this is another of their excellent products. It also has a design that will catch the eye of those looking for technology that is more aesthetically pleasing.

Benefits

Available in a great choice of funky colors there is sure to be one to suit all tastes. It’s made from durable plastic with strong 360 degree hinges. The hinges are sturdy and allow an easy transition from a laptop to a tablet.

The keyboard is well laid out and comfortable to use, which is not often the case in a small laptop. The touchpad gives a firm click with each press and responds accurately.

You will see some good performance from this laptop that will allow you to multitask. Switching between tabs and viewing videos with ease and seeing a minimal lag.

The integrated webcam works pretty much the same as others. There is nothing amazing about it but it will allow you to take selfies much like the quality you get on most laptops.

Check Related Article: Best Apple Laptops

Drawbacks

The display is not as magnificent as some other portable laptops and it’s not great for use outdoors in the sunlight. Having said that, for a low budget price, it is more than acceptable for viewing on the go or at home.

Extra Features

• Bluetooth
• microphone/headphone jack
• MicroSD card slot

Buying Advice

You get a choice of colors which is great for those fashion conscious tech users. Made from durable plastic it is strong and easily transitions between laptop and tablet. This makes it a versatile piece of equipment.

While the display as not as high quality as some, the performance is good and will allow you to multitask with ease. You get a great keyboard that is comfortable to use and it also has a responsive touch pad. When buying a small laptop this is usually an area that lags behind so it makes this one above average in this area.

All this, along with a great price tag, makes it is simple to see why we chose it.

For gaming, we chose this power-packed machine which is ready for performance.

Equipped with the best technology around it is certain to fire the enthusiasm of any gamer. A gaming laptop that seems to be staying well ahead of competitors in both technology and price.

Benefits

With the IPS FHD 15.6 inch display you will definitely see some visual delights. Plus, with the inclusion of anti-glare panels your gaming won’t be disturbed, no matter what surroundings you’re in.

It has dual-fan technology and robust cooling vents, allowing it to remain cool under pressure. This makes it a much quieter machine, so it will not disturb your gaming concentration with the noise of loud fans.

The graphics of NVIDIA GeForce and the huge 6GB GDDR5 memory will allow the gamer to see those games coming to life. You will feel like your images are bursting from the screen so you can fully immerse in the game.

With the MaxxAudio Pro system you will hear the clear and crisp sounds and with Smartbyte included, it will make the sound theater-like. This results in creating an all round epic gaming experience that all enthusiasts will love.

Drawbacks

In all honesty, there are no real downsides and for a gaming laptop at this price, you are getting a great deal.

A good gaming laptop is normally more than double this price so for what you get here it is definitely impressive.

Extra Features

• Thunderbolt 3 port
• Headphone/mic jack
• Noble lock security slot
• 2-in-1 SD/MicroMedia card slot
• HDMI port

Buying Advice

This laptop has superb graphics and an amazing display. Your gaming experience will certainly be heightened. Team this with the excellent audio quality and gamers will experience a new and exciting level of gaming.

The connectivity possibilities are endless. This goes to further enhance gaming opportunities.

The price of this machine is really good too, compared to many other gaming laptops and has a good price to boot.

There is practically nothing displeasing about this laptop and it is “hands down”, the best gaming laptop from Dell.

The Inspiron line has been a workhorse model for several generations of computers, and Dell is bringing it back for 2021 with a broad midrange lineup that should make it versatile enough to answer any requirement to at least some degree. It is a standard 15.6” laptop with plenty of ports of all kinds, so most accessories or carrying cases should match the Inspiron without a second thought. 

Technical specifications for this model are somewhat nebulous, if only because the Inspiron is so very versatile - both the hard drive and the RAM are user-serviceable, and Dell offers at least eight separate configurations right out of the box to match different needs and wants. Among the more notable options is the possibility to add a second hard drive; dual-bay models have been gaining popularity recently, and the Inspiron makes a savvy choice by jumping on the bandwagon. 

Whichever configuration you choose, you’ll still be getting Windows 10, although what exact edition of it is once again left up to the buyer. The distributor warns that the product may show signs of repackaging, as this computer is taken out of the box to be customized to buyer specifications and then sealed up again, and hastens to add that the resealed laptop is still covered by a year-long warranty. 

Buyers should be aware that, like most all-purpose laptops, the Inspiron can handle any tast to some degree, but does not particularly excel at any one thing; anyone with a specific need that their laptop must address would be better off looking elsewhere. This is particularly true for anyone who values mobility and ease of transport, as the Inspiron is most definitely not made to save space or weight. 

This line of laptops has long been considered the best that dell has to offer, giving a high-end performance in a slimmed-down, portable chassis that makes it suitable for the more active crowd. The XPS this year has done its level best to uphold that reputation, giving the user a great blend of recent software and powerful hardware in the 13.3” case to make it a go-to for those who want powerful computing within arms reach. 

Running on Windows 10, the XPS supports up to 16 gigabytes of RAM with Intel’s Core i7 quad-core processor set. Storage is expandable, but comes with an impressive one terabyte solid-state drive; in addition to the cavernous amount of data it can hold, the SSD has a distinct advantage over conventional hard disk drives in that it takes noticeably less time to boot the computer or access files. 

There are two things of which buyers should take note before making a purchase. To begin with, the XPS is smaller than a standard desktop replacer; while this is a plus for some, especially those looking to travel light, it does leave it a bit cramped to use. Users with larger hands may prefer a wider keyboard. 

Secondly, as the flagship of Dell’s line, the XPS carries a daunting price tag of well over USD$1000. Budget shoppers may want to look elsewhere.

Specifically designed for the more laid back generation of users, this computer keeps things simple and affordable with a minimalist design and more modest software specifications. Even with the scaled back specs, though, this computer offers a few hardware features that the more advanced models don’t ordinarily include. 

The Latitude runs Windows 10 on Intel Cor i5 quad-core processors at 1.6 GHz, and includes an incongruously powerful 16 gigabytes of RAM - far more than one would usually expect from that processor rating. The hard drive arrives as a relatively small 256 gigabyte solid state drive, which gives the Latitude noticeably faster boot times than a conventional hard disk, but leaves it with fairly low storage space. 

Some of the ancillary hardware on this computer is definitely worth a second look; just to start with, the casing is made of reinforced carbon fiber, making it resistant to scratches and cracking without adding the weight that a metal frame might. Bluetooth 5 gives it a greater range of potential connectivity, and an integrated card reader will make this a surefire short-list item for commercial venues. 

Having a backlit keyboard is a small but helpful addition for those intending to travel with their computers, as one never knows when one might need to work without the seat lights on a bus, train, or plane. It is somewhat smaller than the standard 15.6” computers, but the 14” frame still gives enough room to work. 

It should be noted that this model, while serviceable, is behind the curve, and the parts are likely to need replacing in less time than a leading-edge model. Additionally, one may find that this computer is not up to the heavier tasks that some modern functions demand. 

Chromebooks are the budget choice for a umber of brands already, offering an efficient operating system of essentials without needing much more than a frame to put it in. Dell’s take on the Chromebook is fractions of the price of its other models, making it a solid contender despite the peculiarities of ChromeOS. 

This model in particular is heavily billed as an educational computer, with a narrow 11” frame that will fit on a school desk along with other supplies and the ChromeOS making it easy to integrate into the growing trend of digital classrooms through Google’s many sharing functions. 14 hours of battery life will be able to get the student through the longest of school days, even if they are kept late for some reason, and the keyboards have been specially strengthened to protect against the dings and dents that a busy school life might incur, even when the computer is being kept in a backpack. 

Looking to keep this computer affordable, even for class-sized orders, Dell has equipped it with a dual-core Intel Celeron processor, running the ChromeOS at 2.8 GHz with four gigabytes of RAM. As it is a Chromebook, there is little internal storage - students will be able to store everything they need in the Google Drive cloud storage that comes with the device. 

There are certain drawbacks to this device, even as the educational tool it was intended to be; first and foremost, as a Chromebook, it suffers sever limitations if not actively connected to the internet. Additionally, the processor will handle light browsing and word processing, but any more demanding assignments are going to take something more; the modern classroom frequently requires that students go beyond these minor capabilities, and giving them this Chromebook calls their ability to do so in any effective manner into serious doubt.

For the best budget laptop from Dell, we chose the Inspiron 3565. Not only does it come at a great price, it includes some good specifications too.

This is a laptop that will have you multitasking with ease. Compared to other laptops of the same size the Inspiron is thinner and lightweight, so it’s easy to take anywhere.

Benefits

The dual core processor will allow for good performance and is ideal for home and office use. Although it only includes 4GB of RAM, this is more than suitable for a moderate amount of multitasking.

With the 4-cell battery included, you will see up to 5 hours of battery life. The design is plain but the unit is strong and durable and, as it is lightweight, it’s good for moving around too.

It has a good amount of storage that will allow you to save a reasonable amount of photos and documents. There will also be enough room for a few larger files too, like HD movies.

Drawbacks

The display is entry level quality with narrow viewing angles, but as it is a budget price, we can’t have it all. It will allow you to see decent quality movies and the AMD Radeon graphics will provide some basic gaming qualities.

There is no backlight behind the keyboard but again, something we can no doubt easily live with for the price.

Extra Features

• Headphone/microphone combo jack
• DVD writer
• Camera
• Stereo speakers
• Bluetooth
• SD card reader

Buying Advice

It is a nice lightweight and thin design, built with durable plastics and for the price boasts some really good specifications.

It has an efficient dual-core processor that will allow moderate multitasking. Although it may not be the best display, you will be able to view decent content. The graphics included are good and will even support basic gaming.

For home or office, this is a great budget laptop that is more than suitable for routine computing and browsing.

With a stylish and elegant compact design, the Dell Inspiron N3710 is our choice for the best 2-in-1 laptop.

It is ideal for those wanting to achieve simple tasks like internet browsing and watching video content.

A cool design with cute curved edges, Dell have added some good specifications to compliment the cool look.

Benefits

It has a pleasing design and the fact it is a 2-in-1 is even better as you get optional usage. It is fairly priced and you can achieve good connectivity with the input/output ports Dell has included in the design.

Although the keyboard is small, it is really good to type on, the touchpad is not so pleasing but more on that later.

Dell has added a substantial hard drive as standard, giving you the space you need for music, movies, photos and more.

Drawbacks

The display is somewhat disappointing and seems slightly washed out. The touch pad also had me disappointed. While it isn’t the worst I have used it is definitely not the best. The response time is slow, so completing tasks and moving between screens can be annoying.

Sadly, this is often the catch when shopping for a low budget laptop, they have to cut corners to save costs. I think they chose the wrong corners to cut in this case, especially with regard to the display.

Extra Features

• Webcam
• Bluetooth
• Micro SD card reader
• Stereo speakers
• HDMI port
• Touch display
• Headphone/microphone jack

Buying Advice

While the display and touch pad are a little disappointing, this is still a great 2-in-1 laptop for the price you pay. Plus let’s face it, the touch pad not being as responsive as we would like, is not a major deal breaker, is it?

It has a good amount of memory which is ideal for storing your media and it is powered by an adequate Pentium processor. The laptop has a comfortable to use keyboard, that will prove efficient when completing numerous tasks on your laptop.

Capable of moderate amounts of multitasking, this laptop is probably more ideal for students and personal use.

A small business could find it useful if they didn’t want spend too much money.

Final Thoughts

With Dell being a well-known brand in the computing world they are often the laptops  that people look to buy.

That is why we have tried to make it easier for you by reviewing the best in each category. If you are armed with the relevant information, it makes your decision as to which one to buy easier.

When buying a laptop, don’t just think about the budget.

Consider how you will use it and what you will use it for. Understanding your computing needs will equip you to make a decision that will lead you to the best laptop for your needs and avoid disappointment in the future.