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Best Dell laptop 2022: the top picks for work, school, and gaming
By
last updated 3 January 22The best dell laptop for every need and budget
Included in this guide:
Dell
XPS 15 [2020]Alienware
M15 R3 [2020]Dell
XPS 13 [Late 2020]Alienware
m17 R4 [2021]Dell
XPS 17 [2021]Dell
Precision 5750Dell
G5 15 SE [2020]Alienware
Area-51mDell
Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1Dell
Chromebook 3100 11You cant go wrong with the best Dell laptops 2022 has to offer. Theres a Dell portable to fit just about any need or desire, including some that rank among the best laptops on the market. From one of the best Ultrabooks and robust mobile workstations to excellent 2-in-1 laptops and gaming laptops, Dell has made something for just about every corner of the portable market. That includes Chromebooks too. So, no matter your needs, theres a Dell laptop that will fit the bill.
And, were not just talking about the companys top-of-the-line models. It has created excellent notebooks for every budget, so it doesnt matter if youre looking to splurge or save some money, youll find one within your budget that wont sacrifice on performance. Even extremely budget-minded shoppers will find a cheap one that can handle day-to-day computing tasks.
No matter what kind of device youre searching for, theres a Dell laptop that will be as good as the competition. But, since they have so many options, it can be tough figuring out which Dell laptop is the one you should purchase.
To help you figure out the right one for you, weve collected the top Dell laptops here, with options for every need and budget.
Our Top Picks for Best Dell Laptop 2022
Best Dell Laptop 2022
1. Dell XPS 15 [2020]
All-powerful laptop for creative students
The Dell XPS 15 might be a bit pricey for regular students, but its easily one of the best laptops for students in the creative field. Combining staggering power in a stylish thin and light chassis, this laptop doesnt hold back when it comes to internals and features that improve your computing experience overall, making this the best Dell laptop of 2022.
Among those amazing features are a gorgeous bright display with 500 nits of brightness, an extremely comfortable keyboard, impressive speakers, and a terrific trackpad. Our coveted 5 out of 5 rating should speak for itself.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 15
2. Alienware M15 R3 [2020]
A brilliant gaming beast that just got a little bit better
Dells Alienware gaming laptop line has established itself as among the very best on the market. But for 2022, one of the best Dell laptops is back and better than ever, rocking the best internals for gaming that money can buy. Of course, that means that its configurations cost a pretty penny, but if you have the money to spare, its certainly worth the splurge because of its sublime gaming performance.
Thats without factoring in its quirky yet attractive design, excellent build quality and display with fast refresh rates. Weve been fans of the line since its design overall a couple of years ago, and that hasnt changed.
Read the full review: Alienware M15 R3 [2020]
3. Dell XPS 13 [Late 2020]
Dell does it again
At this point, we doubt that the Dell XPS line can do anything wrong. Its yearly updates have consistently made it to our best laptops list, and theyre only getting better. The Dell XPS 13 [2020] is not only a gorgeous piece of kit. It also comes, as expected, with excellent performance, a stunning display and long battery life, alongside a few others.
Much like its predecessor, its a pricey investment but that is barely reason enough for us to discourage Ultrabook fans. This is among the best Dell laptops of 2022, and its worth every penny.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 [2020]
4. Alienware m17 R4 [2021]
The best Dell laptop for gaming
Dells best gaming portable is back for 2022 and better than ever, cementing its status as among the best gaming laptops out there. This breathtakingly powerful gaming laptop doesnt compromise, tackling all the latest AAA games without even breaking a sweat. Those tired of the same dated "gamer" aesthetic will also appreciate its thicc yet attractive design decorated with lots of RGB lighting, which sets it apart from everything else out there. Its a little on the pricier side and its battery life could use a boost, but if you want the best of the best, youll want this one.
Read the full review: Alienware m17 R4 [2021]
5. Dell XPS 17 [2021]
The best Dell laptop for creatives
The Dell XPS 17 [2021] is pricey but for good reason. It comes with the kind of components that can get you through any task including up to an Intel Core i9 CPU, 64GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX GeForce 3060. The laptop also offers a beautiful screen and a design that will take your breath away.
All of this fits into a 0.77 inch thin chassis that makes this among the most portable 17-inchers out there. We wish it came with more ports, but it is a nearly perfect laptop in every other way.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 17 [2021]
6. Dell Precision 5750
A thin and light portable workstation
Those looking for a capable mobile workstation that might be the envy of everyone in the office will love the Dell Precision 5750s elegant design and stunning, incredibly bright display. Its a classy option that delivers many performance features that power users appreciate, giving them that much-lauded Dell XPS design in a business-worthy package.
To be clear, Dell could have made it more powerful with a high-end RTX 3000 card. However, many professionals dont need that much power, and if youre one of them, this wont disappoint.
Read the full review: Dell Precision 5750
7. Dell G5 15 SE [2020]
Dell's best budget gaming laptop
Though Dell has its premium lines, its also been very good at building excellent budget machines. The Dell G5 15 SE [2020] is a very good example of that, touting impressive AMD specs, especially in the CPU department, to keep cost down without compromising performance.
Heres an affordable gaming laptop that delivers a staggering performance for the price, with a stunning display to boot. Of course, being a budget laptop, some sacrifices have been made namely, its build and heat management. However, for the budget-minded, this is certainly among the best Dell laptops out there for gaming.
Read the full review: Dell G5 15 SE [2020]
8. Alienware Area-51m
An out-of-this-world laptop with desktop-class hardware
Hands down, the Alienware Area-51m is a stunner of a gaming laptop, with a beautiful yet unique chassis and a comfortable keyboard to complement it. But it goes beyond looks; its also by far the most powerful gaming laptop on the market right now [and obviously, one of the best Dell laptops].
Not that its perfect, as it does get really hot and its fans can get very loud. However, its a performance beast fitted with high-end processors and high-end graphics cards, and your gaming experience with it will be an absolute pressure.
Read the full review: Alienware Area-51m
9. Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1
A step up for Inspiron
The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 is a versatile 2-in-1 with a lot going for it under the hood. This premium laptop is more than just about its premium design; it also has high-end internals to compete with the likes of the more powerful Dell XPS 13.
Rounding that out is a 4K display, and a clever stylus slot that makes us wonder whether they actually beat Microsoft to the idea. Granted, the display is a bit of a battery drain, and the speakers impressive, but this is still among the best Dell laptops out there.
Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1
10. Dell Chromebook 3100 11
Best cheap Dell laptop
The Dell Chromebook 3100 11 is a diminutive little machine, perfect for a student to cart around from class to class. Its also ideal for students because it can take a hit and keep on ticking. In fact, its tested to MIL-STD standards, meaning it can withstand the kind of abuse that only devices meant to be used in the field [or military] can take. It also has rubberized edges, a spill-resistant keyboard, and covered ports so the elements will not damage the computer.
While it may not be the most powerful computer, or even Chromebook, out there, it can easily handle useful apps like G Suite for Education. The battery life on this little 11-incher is also enough to get through a full day of school. It should be noted that we have yet to review the 3100, but for the price, we think its a solid pick for anyone needing a budget laptop for the classroom.
How to Shop for the Best Dell Laptop
Which Dell laptop series is best?
There isn't one best Dell laptop series, since different product lines emphasize and focus on different consumer bases. For enterprise-level workstations, you'll want to look at the Dell Precision and Inspiron lines, as those are the most likely to have the kind of security features that are absolute must-haves for a business laptop.
The XPS line is a bit of a dark horse here if you're looking for more portable options for productivity work, but it is also the most premium all-around laptop line Dell makes, competing directly with the MacBook Air in the ultraportable market.
When it comes to gaming, Dell's Alienware line includes some of the best gaming laptops out there, so should definitely be on any gamer's shortlist.
Are Dell laptops good quality?
Not only are the best Dell laptops industry-leading devices when it comes to design and quality, it's more budget offerings are also well build, powerful relative to their price, and well designed. Some sacrifices have to be made on the lower end, so there are some plastic chassis construction on budget offerings, but Dell usually makes up for this by featuring more impressive hardware.
Today's Best Dell Laptop Deals
Michelle Rae Uy is a Los Angeles-based editor, writer and photographer with a bad case of wanderlust. She is a regular contributor for Thrillist, TravelAge West, HuffPo Travel, Paste Magazine, and Travel Pulse. She has written for publications like Nylon, Fodor's and SmarterTravel, and is also the contributing editor for MiniTime.com.
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