The Best Dell Laptops for 2026

Dell, one of the most trusted American laptop manufacturers, has been delivering good-value PCs since its founding in 1987—and PCMag has been testing and reviewing laptops since before Michael Dell began building and selling computers out of his dorm room. (We've benchmarked and rated thousands of laptops since our founding in 1982.) Our analysts have collective decades of experience and expertise in evaluating laptops. We use rigorous, repeatable tests for each model and assess raw performance, build and display quality, ease of use, special features, and overall value. Are you wedded to the Dell brand? If so, our current best Dell laptop for most buyers is the Dell 14S. Read on for all the details on that model and more vetted recommendations from the Texas PC giant, plus a detailed buying guide and a handy spec comparison to help you make sense of the current Dell line. (It's changed a lot lately.)

Best Dell Laptop for Most People

Dell XPS 13 (2026)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + All-metal build is attractive for the price

• + Capable performance for its price class

• + 120Hz 1600p touch screen

• + Comfortable, backlit keyboard

• - All-metal build is attractive for the price

• - Capable performance for its price class

• - 120Hz 1600p touch screen

• - Comfortable, backlit keyboard

Why We Picked It

Dell was well prepared for the Apple MacBook Neo when it launched in early 2026, having already teased its overhauled XPS 13 laptop, and it met the longtime rival with a worthy opponent. This is an XPS laptop that more people can actually afford. A full-metal laptop with a dazzling screen, the new XPS 13 translates the best of Dell's top-end XPS line into a more affordable system for just $700 to start, with performance you should expect from budget laptops. Dell's laptop earned an Editors' Choice award for its accomplishments, and it's the number-one affordable PC alternative to the MacBook Neo. And if you need more than its base-model 8GB of RAM, upgrading it to 16GB still leaves it an attractive buy.

Who It's For

Discerning PC users on a budget:Buy this laptop if you're well-versed in computers but don't have the money for top-end machines you know so well. And if you need to pay a lower price but desire a system that doesn't feel like you cheaped out, the XPS 13 is Dell's best answer for you.

Cash-strapped older students: This is the Dell laptop to buy for the older students in your life (think high school and college) who want the most portability possible from a system that feels pleasant to use. The entry-level model will be enough for most students while still looking and feeling premium, but Dell also has options with faster chips inside.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Budget,Ultraportable

Processor: Intel Core 5 320

RAM (as Tested): 8 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB

Screen Size: 13.4 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2560 by 1600

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: Yes

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 6

Dimensions (HWD): 0.5 by 11.7 by 7.9 inches

Weight: 2.2 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 21:51

Best Dell Ultraportable

Dell XPS 14 (2026)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Vivid OLED screen

• + Potent flagship Intel chip

• + Class-leading battery life

• + Premium metal build

• + Standout 4K webcam and high-fidelity speakers

• + Warranty includes a year of onsite coverage

• - Vivid OLED screen

• - Potent flagship Intel chip

• - Class-leading battery life

• - Premium metal build

• - Standout 4K webcam and high-fidelity speakers

• - Warranty includes a year of onsite coverage

Why We Picked It

Dell's Premium line is out, and XPS is back, as its leading laptop in performance and high-end panache. The Dell XPS 14 updates the XPS styling once again, this time hewing even closer to the MacBook Pro than the line has in the past, with rounded edges throughout and a uniform silhouette. This year's model gets back to basics, updating the seamless haptic touchpad with better-defined boundaries and replacing the LED function-key row with traditional keys. Our review model contains a next-level "Panther Lake" Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, which hikes the price for its blazing speed within this slick design. This generation of high-end Intel chips particularly upgrades integrated graphics performance to levels rivaling Apple's latest M5 chip. The 1800p OLED touch screen is a delight, and the 4K webcam on top is excellent for meetings and keeping up with loved ones.

Who It's For

Deep-pocketed power users:Dell's 14-inch XPS revival laptop targets PC enthusiasts who are flush with cash. This Dell laptop is the one to buy for a substantial thin-and-light device. Even if you're after high performance, the XPS 14 delivers on everything short of high-end gaming and cutting-edge workstation tasks.

Mac converts:This XPS laptop looks, feels, and performs more like a MacBook Pro than ever before. While the XPS 14 doesn't beat the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro in many tasks, it came mighty close throughout in productivity and content creation testing. Plus, to its credit, that Ultra X7 chip can absolutely tussle with M5 on graphics.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Ultraportable

Processor: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2880 by 1800

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc B390

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 6

Dimensions (HWD): 0.58 by 12.2 by 8.3 inches

Weight: 3 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 21:02

Best Dell Desktop Replacement Laptop

Dell XPS 16 (2026)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Attractive 3.2K OLED touch-screen option

• + Pin-sharp 4K webcam

• + Sleek, premium-feeling metal build

• + Redesigned to address issues with previous generations

• - Attractive 3.2K OLED touch-screen option

• - Pin-sharp 4K webcam

• - Sleek, premium-feeling metal build

• - Redesigned to address issues with previous generations

Why We Picked It

Dell brought back the XPS brand in a big way with its 16-inch model, equipping it with a gorgeous (optional) 1800p OLED touch screen. One of Intel's latest Core Ultra 3-series processors backs up that spiffy display with an advanced graphics package featuring an Arc B390 GPU. Aside from representing Dell's contribution to high-quality big-screen laptops, the XPS 16 also wows with a 4K webcam and a redesigned metal frame that directly addresses previous feedback.

Who It's For

Big-screen laptop lovers:Consider this premium Dell laptop if you're in need of a large screen that doesn't skimp on quality. Just be prepared with the cash required for such a system, as our OLED review configuration does not come cheap. At least this laptop brings the goodies to back up its asking price.

People replacing their desktops: If you're looking for a laptop to replace your midrange or high-end desktop, and it must be a Dell, then the XPS 16 is the leading option. It's Dell's most luxurious big-screen laptop, packed with top-end parts and features for its admittedly exorbitant price, not to mention a potent chip to power it.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Desktop Replacement

Processor: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 16 inches

Native Display Resolution: 3200 by 2000

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: OLED

Variable Refresh Support: Yes

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc B390

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 6

Dimensions (HWD): 0.6 by 12.2 by 8.3 inches

Weight: 3.6 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 17:08

Best Dell 2-in-1 Laptop

Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (7640)

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Beautiful mini-LED display with vivid color and brightness

• + Pen support ideal for sketching

• + Impressive battery life

• + Generally potent if inconsistent performance

• - Beautiful mini-LED display with vivid color and brightness

• - Pen support ideal for sketching

• - Impressive battery life

• - Generally potent if inconsistent performance

Why We Picked It

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 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 serving a taste of the high life with a gorgeous 1600p mini-LED touch screen and a helpful 90Hz refresh rate. The laptop's innards utilize that panel with Intel Core Ultra processing and Intel Arc graphics for light gaming and content creation chops.

Who It's For

Fans of big-screen convertibles:This laptop best serves a most specific niche: people who want a large tablet with pen support. The Inspiron 16 2-in-1 7640 is bigger than the tablet options available from Apple's iPads or Google's Android partners. 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.

Specs & Configurations

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

Touch Screen: True

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

Best Mainstream Dell Gaming Laptop

Alienware 16X Aurora

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Slim and sturdy design with aluminum lid

• + Fast Intel processor and capable RTX 5060 GPU

• + Bright and sharp 240Hz 1600p display

• + Wide port selection

• - Slim and sturdy design with aluminum lid

• - Fast Intel processor and capable RTX 5060 GPU

• - Bright and sharp 240Hz 1600p display

• - Wide port selection

Why We Picked It

Dell's Alienware 16X Aurora laptop is the best option for mainstream PC gamers from the company right now. It strikes an excellent balance of performance and premium features, delivering a high-fidelity PC gaming experience for less than Dell's flagship Area-51 laptops. Our review configuration strikes a balance between budget and midrange well, with its assortment of components arrayed to great effect. The fact that it's frequently on sale also helps its position on this list.

Who It's For

The average PC gamer:This is the most fitting Dell laptop for mainstream PC gamers. It provides a speedy, beyond-HD display with the graphics hardware to back it up well. This combination provides gamers with the flexibility to meet the demands of high-refresh-rate competitive games at 1080p as well as high-detail sprawling adventures at 1600p.

Content creators:This is an ideal laptop for content creators in media and design, who also have a penchant for PC gaming. Many of the 16X Aurora's features that enhance its gaming experience also work to boost productivity in content creation workflows, particularly its display and graphics chip, which work in tandem for photo and video editing, as well as graphic design.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Gaming

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX

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

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: G-Sync

Screen Refresh Rate: 240 Hz

Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU

Graphics Memory: 8 GB

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD): 0.92 by 14.1 by 10.5 inches

Weight: 5.66 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 5:39

Best High-End Dell Gaming Laptop

Alienware 16 Area-51

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Superior metal build

• + Iridescent finish and futuristic design

• + Blistering performance as configured

• + Satisfying Cherry MX mechanical keyboard

• - Superior metal build

• - Iridescent finish and futuristic design

• - Blistering performance as configured

• - Satisfying Cherry MX mechanical keyboard

Why We Picked It

In our review, we praised the Alienware 16 Area-51's excellent metal build and space-age design, which includes customizable RGB lighting. Dell also includes an excellent optional Cherry MX mechanical keyboard, allowing you to game without needing a separate keyboard in a pinch. We also love the sharp, bright screen with its matte finish and speedy 240Hz refresh rate. Finally, our configuration, with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, delivers blistering speeds for both gaming and demanding professional workloads, making it a powerful desktop replacement.

Who It's For

PC gaming enthusiasts:This is Dell's top-end gaming laptop, designed as a peak-performance desktop replacement for deep-pocketed PC gamers. Its dense 7.49-pound weight and fleeting battery life also place it in this category. The near-top-level GPU and ultimate CPU combo crushed our gaming benchmarks, taking full advantage of that fast-refresh display.

Top-level content creators:This laptop works well for content creators with particularly demanding workloads who also enjoy gaming. It's easier to tote between desks than a desktop PC, but it's not the ideal machine for getting work done on the go. Plugged in, the Area-51 chews through dense media production and asset rendering tasks, appealing to pros who need a powerful machine for more than just gaming.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Gaming

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 16 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2560 by 1600

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: G-Sync

Screen Refresh Rate: 240 Hz

Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

Graphics Memory: 16 GB

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD): 1.12 by 14.4 by 11.4 inches

Weight: 7.49 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 2:48

Best Dell Enterprise Fleet Laptop

Dell Pro 14 Premium (PA14250)

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Svelte and light

• + Decent array of ports

• + Impressive battery life

• + Includes three years of on-site service

• - Svelte and light

• - Decent array of ports

• - Impressive battery life

• - Includes three years of on-site service

Why We Picked It

Dell's major 2025 brand revision began with the Dell Pro 14 Premium, the first to debut from the outgoing Latitude line. This laptop represents the highest-end tier of the newly named Dell Pro line for offices, bringing Copilot+ PC AI capabilities to Dell's enterprise fleet with Intel Core Ultra 200V processing. The Pro 14 Premium is a slim and light laptop with a decent port arrangement for its size and lengthy battery life—all essential for the mobile professional.

Who It's For

Enterprise fleet customers:This Dell laptop is designed for mass adoption by large offices worldwide, particularly in the US. With a range of features and competencies that are all essential for the average modern office employee, the Dell Pro 14 Premium targets a broad professional audience. Additionally, the three years of on-site service should appeal to IT professionals.

Independent contractors:This is an excellent laptop choice for entrepreneurs and freelancers, thanks to approachable pricing for individual units. While it's a more expensive machine, the Pro 14 Premium isn't priced out of reach and will impress clients and fellow pros alike.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Business,Ultraportable

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 268V

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 14 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1200

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth

Dimensions (HWD): 0.71 by 12.3 by 8.5 inches

Weight: 2.52 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 25:53

Best Dell Windows Tablet

Dell Latitude 7350 Detachable

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Full-workday battery life

• + Powerful, laptop-like performance

• + Wi-Fi 7 and Intel vPro

• + Built with recycled materials

• + Three-year warranty

• - Full-workday battery life

• - Powerful, laptop-like performance

• - Wi-Fi 7 and Intel vPro

• - Built with recycled materials

• - Three-year warranty

Why We Picked It

As 2-in-1 detachable laptops grow increasingly scarce, it's reassuring to know that Dell supports the form factor with well-made devices like the Latitude 7350. This tablet-and-keyboard combo meets all the expectations of the category, including 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 specifications. The three-year warranty is also a significant plus.

Who It's For

Client- and public-facing professionals:This is a 2-in-1 solution that's ideal for contractors and businesses that frequently present materials to clients or customers. It comes at a premium, particularly with the keyboard and pen accessories that—while top-quality—are 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.

Specs & Configurations

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

Touch Screen: True

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

Best Dell Mobile Workstation

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Ultra performance

• + Top-end build quality

• + Vivid display

• + Supports 256GB RAM, four storage drives

• + Excellent connectivity and security

• - Ultra performance

• - Top-end build quality

• - Vivid display

• - Supports 256GB RAM, four storage drives

• - Excellent connectivity and security

Why We Picked It

For workstation-level performance and features, the answer is easy: the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus. Winning our Editors' Choice award in the category, the Pro Max 18 Plus delivers ultimate performance with the topmost Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and an Nvidia RTX PRO 5000 in our review configuration. Backed by room for up to 256GB of DDR5 CAMM2 error-correcting memory and gobs of storage, this laptop can handle almost any high-demand computing task you toss its way, from AI development to database management and even complex 3D model rendering.

Who It's For

Computationally demanding businesses:This is a laptop built for companies that work in demanding digital design, animation or rendering, and engineering fields. The Pro Max 18 Plus can handle high-fidelity CGI content, complex digital assets, or the most mammoth datasets. Fleet managers should look to this laptop for their most demanding employees.

Independent cutting-edge professionals:This laptop is a fantastic fit for independent contractors in computationally intense fields, such as CGI animation, AI product development, and complex database management. In-demand freelancers in the aforementioned fields need a reliable powerhouse workstation, too, so we point them in the same direction—just be prepared to spend big time.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Workstation

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX

RAM (as Tested): 128 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Secondary Drive Type: SSD

Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 18 inches

Native Display Resolution: 2560 by 1600

Touch Screen: False

Panel Technology: IPS

Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

Graphics Processor: Nvidia RTX PRO 5000

Graphics Memory: 24 GB

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD): 1.19 by 15.8 by 11.0 inches

Weight: 7.17 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 4:20

Best Rugged Dell Tablet

Dell Pro Rugged 12 Tablet

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Standout build quality

• + Strong performance and battery life for its class

• + Top-notch display

• + Comprehensive complement of accessories

• + Intuitive button and edge-menu customization

• - Standout build quality

• - Strong performance and battery life for its class

• - Top-notch display

• - Comprehensive complement of accessories

• - Intuitive button and edge-menu customization

Why We Picked It

It's not only tough to beat the Pro Rugged 12 among Dell's rugged tablet lineup, but everyone else's, too. Earning our Editors' Choice award in the category, this is a brick house of a mobile PC. Beyond the MIL-STD-810H certification, Dell focused on a top-notch touch screen with glove-touch capability, potent Intel processing, and long battery life. Topped off with a broad range of accessories and a set of intuitive, customizable buttons and edge-menu elements, the Dell Pro Rugged 12 is a best-in-class field machine.

Who It's For

Field workers of all stripes:This is the best Dell tablet device for outdoor professionals across many fields of work. Its super-strong frame can take four-foot drops without a flinch, withstand water sprays, endure blasts of dust, and weather extreme temperatures. With that kind of grit, professions like construction, first-response, and military service are all ripe for making use of a potent, portable, and durable device such as the Pro Rugged 12.

Specs & Configurations

Class: Detachable 2-in-1

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 268V

Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz

RAM (as Tested): 32 GB

Boot Drive Type: SSD

Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB

Screen Size: 12 inches

Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1200

Touch Screen: True

Panel Technology: IPS

Variable Refresh Support: None

Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

Graphics Processor: Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 7,Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions (HWD): 1.17 by 11.9 by 8.2 inches

Weight: 2.89 lbs

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes): 21:23

When looking for the best Dell laptop, you'll want to focus on which of its six main laptop families best meets your needs, including a recent reversal that saw the return of the "XPS" brand. The ones you used to familiarize yourself with were Inspiron, Alienware, G Series, Latitude, and Precision. Apart from the two gaming-oriented ones, you could find both clamshell and  2-in-1 convertible  entries in all these families. However, a lot of that has changed.

What Are the Differences Among Dell's Laptop Lines?

In 2025, Dell rebranded almost all of its PC product lines under new names. This year, however, Dell reversed course on one of its branding moves, reviving the XPS brand in place of the "Premium" name it used for that tier of laptop last year. Here's a cheat sheet of where things stand in 2026:

• Inspiron is now simply "Dell" followed by the screen size. (For example, the Inspiron 15 is now the Dell 15.) These are Dell's entry-level mainstream laptops.

• Inspiron Plus is now "Dell Plus," followed by the screen size. (For example, what was an Inspiron Plus 16 is now a Dell Plus 16.) These are a step up from the basic laptop line, adopting some premium features and performance in the same or similar chassis.

• This line is furthered stratified by the new Dell "S" range, which are essentially Dell Plus laptops but now with Intel's latest Core Series 3 processors for similar prices. These appear as "Dell 14S" or "Dell 16S."

• The XPS line, which was "Dell Premium" for the year 2025, is back in 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch varieties in 2026, and is called "XPS" again. These are the top-tier consumer Dell laptops.

• Latitude has become "Dell Pro" or "Dell Pro Plus," followed by the screen size. (Example: Latitude 14 is now Dell Pro 14.) These are Dell's professional-use laptops for contractors and offices.

• The Precision family became "Dell Pro Max," followed by the screen size. (The Precision 16 converted to Dell Pro Max 16.) These are Dell's workstation laptops with pro-grade silicon inside. Dell, however, resurrected the Precision brand name in 2026 in new models. So you'll see both out there for a while.

• Finally, the Alienware brand now covers all of Dell's gaming laptop products. Dell has discontinued the Dell G Series; mainstream-priced Alienware Aurora laptops replace it.

Dell: The Mainstream Choice

Dell's self-named brand—straight-up just called "Dell"—encompasses a range of consumer laptops for use at home or in school, including power machines, budget-friendly "just enough" systems, models with large displays, and ultra-compact options. Whether editing photos or managing your home finances, these options cater to most buyers' screen-size and budget needs. These machines are mostly Windows models; if you want something less expensive for simple tasks and online browsing, consider Dell's Chromebooks, which pack basic functionality into affordable packages that work well for kids and students.

Dell used to break its Inspiron line into three series: the 3000, 5000, and 7000. As you went up that stack, you tended to see more premium features and higher relative pricing. You might still see those around as used or refurbished models, or old stock. Today, Dell names its eponymous laptops first by their rough screen sizes, which now include 14-inch and 16-inch varieties, followed by a quality tier, either just "Dell" at the base level or "Dell Plus." This creates some ambiguity about what each laptop is capable of; you'll want to consult detailed reviews with test results to get an idea of their relative performance.

(Want to ensure you're saving the most cash possible, even on one of the best Dell laptops? Check out our article with 17 money-saving tips for buying laptops .)

Remember, the plain-vanilla Inspiron brand is now just "Dell," followed by the screen size call-out. For example, the Inspiron 15 is now the Dell 15. Likewise, the Inspiron Plus is now simply referred to as "Dell Plus" and will likely soon be known simply as "Dell 14S" and "Dell 16S" with those new systems already available.

Dell XPS: The Power-User Class

Successive versions of the Dell XPS 13 were our "near-perfect" ultraportable for some years. Refresh after refresh, Dell continued to tune this hardy machine to stay at the top. XPS signified a premium, fully decked-out machine that bridges the gap between demanding consumers and business users across both desktop and laptop markets. After a year of trying something different ("Dell Premium"), Dell brought back the XPS brand this year and beyond,  redesigning its XPS 14 and XPS 16  laptops to focus on a simple yet peerless design with powerful internals.

Dell's prior XPS laptops also served as testing grounds for 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. This practice continued into the new naming scheme and is evident in laptops such as the Dell 14 Premium . However, the Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16 for this year seem more focused on refining their focus and avoiding overdesigned features that their more affordable laptops might adopt later.

Dell's new XPS laptops feature Intel's Core Ultra 3 "Panther Lake" processors and focus on promoting this silicon for general applications and content creation. The company has also released a hyper-portable and more affordable XPS 13 laptop this year, running on Intel's new budget " Wildcat Lake " platform.

Alienware and Aurora: Full-Spectrum Gaming

While you may still find some of the options mentioned below (notably Dell's G series) in limited stock at third-party retailers, Dell has also adjusted its gaming laptop line. First, Dell has revived the Alienware Area-51 name for its top-tier gaming laptops. These models feature a new design with an improved airflow system for better cooling. You'll find these laptops equipped with top-end Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 or 5080 graphics (or an RTX 5070 Ti to start) for prices north of $3,000.

The Alienware Aurora brand covers Dell's midrange gaming laptops, starting at around $1,600, featuring most of what the Area-51 provides but in a slightly less premium package that's still worthy of the Alienware name.

Dell previously sold gaming machines for less than $1,000 with its G Series, but the G Series is no longer available, and the Aurora's higher starting price solidifies it as a midrange laptop line. The Aurora laptops, dubbed 16 Aurora and 16X Aurora, start with GeForce RTX 4050 graphics and ramp up to an RTX 5070 in the highest-end models, which retail for around $2,500.

The company's effort to serve cash-strapped gamers now comes in the form of a new Alienware laptop: the Alienware 15 . This new budget-styled Alienware system starts at $1,300, with a similar aesthetic to the Auroras but less flashy materials and lighting effects, not to mention lower-power components. These laptops also start with GeForce RTX 4050 graphics and scale up to the RTX 5060.

Dell Pro: Dell's Umbrella for Business Machines

Then we have the business machines. Dell's Latitude brand has long been its mainstay for its  business laptops , competing with options from Lenovo (the ThinkPad series) and HP (its various EliteBooks). Latitude provided options for office and field workers, featuring a mix of thin yet powerful laptops and durable systems that withstand rough conditions.

Like the Inspirons once did, classic Latitudes used a 3000, 5000, and 7000 hierarchy, plus a top-of-the-line 9000 series. With the move to Dell Pro, these designations have been simplified to "Dell Pro," "Dell Pro Plus," and "Dell Pro Premium," with 14- or 16-inch screen sizes.

Beyond the "simply" durable units, the Pro line also includes a few costly, highly ruggedized models designed for use in hostile environments: doused with water, mounted on an ATV, exposed to cold and wind, or carried into harm's way by first responders. These are branded as Dell Pro Rugged.

Dell Pro Max and Pro 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, as well as 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) assurance that the workstation can run a given application up to snuff. Companies such as Adobe, Autodesk, Avid, Dassault Systèmes, and Siemens are often the ISVs involved.

Dell's mobile workstation line was traditionally its Precision products, which comprises laptop and desktop models. On the laptop side, Precision used the same 3000, 5000, and 7000 series nomenclature as the Latitudes, with screen size indicated in the model number. In 2025, Precision gave way to "Dell Pro Max," which covered its various screen sizes and hardware configurations using simple two-digit numbers followed by "Max," "Max Plus," or "Max Premium." For instance, the Dell Precision 5680 of yesterday was now the Dell Pro Max 16 Premium.

However, in a late-breaking XPS-style resurrection in spring 2026, Dell brought back the Precision name, in a line of 2026 "Pro Precision" machines that's also appearing alongside the Dell Pro (which, yes, will still be called Dell Pro).

Whatever you call them—Dell Pro Max, or Pro Precision—depending on the model and the target price, a workstation might use consumer- or business-grade Intel CPUs. The mark of a high-end workstation is the presence of a dedicated workstation-grade graphics processor from Nvidia (RTX and A-series) or AMD (Radeon Pro, much less common). These contrast consumer-GPU counterparts (GeForce RTX and Radeon RX, respectively) and are designed specifically for the heavy-duty calculations that ISV-class applications require.

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