Top 10 Dell laptops for business and personal use in 2023: Features, Prices, and Reviews.

Dell has been a household name in the world of technology for as long as I can remember. Their commitment to producing reliable and high-performing products has earned them a place among the most influential PC brands worldwide.

If you're thinking about purchasing a Dell laptop, you have come to the right place. Dell has an array of models that cater to different users' needs, whether you're a student or a graphic designer looking to run heavy software like AutoCAD or Photoshop. But with so many options to choose from, selecting the right one can be quite overwhelming. In this guide, I'll break down everything you need to know to choose the best Dell laptop for your needs. Whether it's performance, design, or affordability, Dell has got you covered. Let's dive in!

The best processor for Dell in 2022

When it comes to choosing the right processor for your Dell laptop, you need to consider the latest market trends and your budget. With the release of Apple's ARM-based M1 and M2 series, AMD's Ryzen processors capturing 20% of the market, and Intel's latest 13th-generation Core processors, there are plenty of options to choose from.

If you're not looking for a gaming laptop, the CPU may not be as critical, but it's still an important consideration. The latest processors are available in H-series and U-series variants, with H-series being more powerful but also more power-hungry, and U-series being better suited for ultrabooks due to its lower TDP.

When comparing processors, it's important to consider both single-core and multi-core performance. For benchmarking, PassMark and Cinebench R23 are good indicators of real-life performance.

Here are our recommended processors for different price brackets:

• For a minimum budget, we recommend the i5-1235U or Ryzen 5 6600U.
• For a mid-range budget, we recommend the i5-12500H or Ryzen 5 6600H.
• For a high-end budget, we recommend the i7-12700H or Ryzen 7 6800H.

Ultimately, the processor you choose will depend on your specific needs and budget. By keeping these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision on the right processor for your Dell laptop.

Deciding on a graphics

When it comes to deciding on the right graphics card for your Dell laptop, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to note that a dedicated graphics card is only necessary if you require it for a specific task such as 3D modeling, video editing, or machine learning. For general use in a business setting, integrated chips like Intel's Iris Xe or AMD's RDNA 2 are more than sufficient.

However, if you're looking for the best Dell laptop for gaming or VR, a high-end graphics chip is essential. The choice between power-efficient underpowered chips and high-performance power-hungry GPU "strains" depends on your priorities and budget.

It's also important to note that the Max-Q label for underpowered chips is no longer used. Instead, OEMs determine the exact GPU wattage, which can result in significant differences in graphics performance even between laptops with the same GPU chipset. To ensure you're getting the most out of your Dell laptop's graphics card, compare GPUs using popular benchmarks like 3DMark and look for certified professional cards if necessary.

When it comes to budget ranges, here are some recommendations:

• Minimum: high-end integrated (Iris Xe, AMD RDNA 2)
• Recommended: RTX 3060
• High-end: RTX 3070 Ti; RX 6800M

Lastly, don't forget to consider power-saving technologies like Nvidia Optimus, Advanced Optimus, and AMD Switchable Graphics, which can help alleviate some issues related to high GPU power consumption.

Overall, by considering your specific use case and budget, you can make an informed decision about which graphics card to choose for your Dell laptop.

How to choose the right memory for Dell?

Gone are the days when 8 GB of RAM was considered a good investment for a laptop. Now, most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB, and if you want to go all out, 32 GB or more can be found in high-end laptops. CPU-wise, the latest Intel and AMD chipsets support both DDR4 and the newer DDR5; however, DDR5 is still quite expensive, so you may want to wait for a few more years until it matures as a technology.

If you're working with ultra high-resolution footage, 3D, or virtualized environments (e.g. Docker), then 24 GB or even 32 GB of RAM might be worth considering. Meanwhile, most regular business laptops wouldn't have issues with 16 GB – unless you're running memory-intensive software, like Photoshop or Autodesk. As for the DDR5 vs DDR4 debate, there isn't a massive difference between the two versions, but if you're after a budget-friendly Dell laptop, it's not worth the upgrade.

Finally, if you're going for a Xeon processor (as found in some Dell Precision laptops), then you might want to consider investing in ECC RAM (error-correcting). This type of memory is more expensive, but it'll minimize the risk of data corruption in long-running tasks (i.e. taking days or weeks).

To sum up, here are my recommendations for laptop RAM when shopping for Dell:

Requirement	Minimum	Recommended	High-end
Amount of RAM	16 GB	24 GB	32 GB
Type of RAM	DDR4	DDR4	DDR5
Special features			ECC

Storage for Dell

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have become the standard in laptop storage, with PCIe M.2 (usually NVMe) SSDs now the norm. Dell laptops are no exception to this rule, and choosing the right SSD for your laptop will depend on your budget and needs.

How much storage is needed for a laptop?

Unless you're looking for a low-priced laptop, start with 500 GB as a baseline. Whether you need more depends on your line of work (or study) – does it have particularly steep requirements for storage capacity? The most important thing to consider is the storage capacity. A 500 GB drive should be enough for most people, but you'll need more space if you're a video editor or photographer.

Multiple drives – what options are available?

If your budget allows it and your line of work demands it – get a laptop with two drives – one for your main applications and another for your data files (pictures, videos, music…). Sadly, multi-drive laptops are almost exclusively in the 15" to 17" range, so don't expect a 13-inch Dell XPS to have multiple SSDs.

Does performance matter?

Since SSD performance has surpassed most of our needs, storage benchmarks have become much less consequential. Despite that, in a situation where the laptop's SSD is known (which is sometimes hidden deep in the spec sheet), AS-SSD and CrystalDiskMark benchmarks are helpful to ensure we're not getting a subpar laptop with a high-end price tag.

Table of recommended SSD configurations (list prices)

Type	Minimum	Recommended	High-end
PCIe Gen 3 x4	$50	$100	$200
PCIe Gen 4 x4	$100	$200	$400

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the right SSD for your Dell laptop, start with a baseline of 500 GB and adjust according to your needs. If you're looking for a high-end laptop, look out for PCIe Gen 4 x4 support and the maximum supported capacity (in TB). Keep in mind that multi-drive laptops are almost exclusively in the 15" to 17" range, so choose wisely.

What's the best display for Dell?

When it comes to picking a display for your Dell laptop, there are several factors to consider. The most important ones are screen size, resolution, panel type, and price point. In this section, we'll discuss the options available for each and offer some recommendations for what you should look for.

Laptop screen size and resolution options

Full HD (1920 x 1080) is still the most popular resolution for laptops, and you'll find it on most mid-range models. If you're looking for a higher resolution, QHD (2560 x 1440) is most common in premium gaming and business laptops. For those who need even more pixels, 4K (3840 x 2160) is the way to go, and it's most frequently found on professional notebooks for creators. Just remember that a higher resolution will also demand more power from your battery.

Panel type (IPS, OLED, TN)

In the past, TN panels were the norm, but they are only found in low-end laptops and some gaming notebooks today. For most people, an IPS or IPS-level panel would be the best choice, with its excellent viewing angles and color reproduction. However, if you're looking for the absolute best display in a Dell laptop, look for their handful of OLED models that deliver unmatched visuals in nearly every regard.

Unnecessary features in business laptops (high refresh rate, adaptive sync)

High refresh rate screens are found in the majority of gaming laptops, but they aren't necessary in business laptops. Similarly, adaptive sync technology like G-Sync or FreeSync is a great feature for gamers, but it's not essential for most professionals.

Screen brightness, contrast, color gamut – who should care about these metrics?

If you're a professional photo or video editor, you'll want a laptop with excellent color accuracy and a wide color gamut. Look for displays that cover at least 90% of the Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 color spaces. If you're a gamer, a high refresh rate and low response time are more important. Everyone benefits from a bright, high-contrast display, but if you spend a lot of time outdoors or in bright rooms, look for a laptop with at least 300 nits of brightness.

What to expect at each price point?

At the minimum price point, you should expect an IPS panel with at least 300 nits of brightness. In the mid-range, look for a display with 350 nits of brightness and at least 90% Adobe RGB coverage. At the high-end, go for an IPS mini LED or OLED panel with at least 400 nits of brightness and 95%+ DCI-P3 coverage.

In conclusion, the display is an essential aspect to consider when buying a laptop. By understanding the different panel types and what features matter for your specific use case, you can make an informed decision that meets your needs and budget.

My battery recommendations for Dell

Laptop batteries have come a long way in recent years, with even budget models offering decent battery life of around 6 hours. However, more power-hungry components like high-end CPUs and GPUs, as well as bright high refresh rate displays, can significantly impact battery runtime.

When deciding on the right laptop battery for your needs, it's essential to consider your usage. If you need your laptop for work or school, a long-lasting battery is critical. I would suggest considering three battery requirements: battery runtime, charging speed, and cell count.

Battery capacity is one of the most critical factors in determining runtime. The higher the capacity, the longer your laptop will last on a single charge. Additionally, cell count plays an indirect role in battery longevity, so it's worth considering.

To help you decide on the right battery for your Dell laptop, I've compiled a list of expected battery performance for different price points:

• Minimum: 4 hours
• Recommended: 6 hours
• High-end: 10 hours

It's worth noting that while it's possible to find laptops with exceptional performance and long battery life, these traits often come at the expense of each other and portability. Therefore, it's crucial to consider your specific needs and usage patterns when deciding on the right laptop battery for your Dell device.

When comparing different models, I recommend looking at standardized test results from sites like notebookcheck to ensure an accurate comparison of each laptop's performance under similar load conditions. This is especially critical when comparing different laptops with varying components and default display brightness.

Overall, a long-lasting battery is essential for any laptop. With the right considerations and research, you can find the perfect Dell laptop battery to meet your needs.

5 Best Laptops for Dell

Table of the Best Laptops for Dell

Laptop	Price (approx)
ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA-EH71
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
Dell XPS 17 9720