When it comes to computer brand , few names are as well - known and respected as Dell and HP . Both troupe have been churning out pop laptops for X , with their catalog now filled with iconic batting order like theDell XPS 15andHP Pavilion . Both HP and Dell have a lot to pop the question — and because they sell so many product vying for the same ecological niche , it can be difficult to determine which one is sound for your lifestyle .
Whether you ’re looking for a premium gambling laptop or something budget - friendly for a job or small business , you ’ll notice that both Dell and HP have a production that fit your needs . The two catalogs feature products with a potpourri of processor , graphic card , and price tag end , though there are some key differences you should acknowledge about the brands before do a purchase .
Here ’s a flavour at Dell vs. HP to help oneself you decide which is best .
Design
Laptop trade name are define by their flagships , so for HP in 2024 , that ’s itsElite Dragonfly Notebook G4for business users and theSpectre x360 13.5for consumers . The Dragonfly range of laptop are all extremely lightweight ( the Elite Dragonfly G4 is just 2.2 pounds ) with a solid magnesium admixture physical body and a display with a mix of deep and flimsy bezel . But you ’ll also get a laptop that packs in a circle of interesting feature in an extremist - portable software package , such as a webcam cover , a consecrate keyboard push button for the mike , a mellow - resolve 5MP webcam , comfortably - sized keycaps , and a port selection that include Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.0 .
The Spectre x360 line also has its own unequaled contributions to HP ’s laptop design invention . Looking at theHP Spectre x360 13.5 , you ’ll notice that the laptop computer is outfitted with features such as an easy - to - open up yet truehearted dual - geographical zone flexible joint , a display with a 3:2 aspect ratio , an infrared camera , and an OLED exhibit .
But the Spectre x360 13.5 also shares features with the Dragonfly series , including a fingermark reader , a spacious keyboard and touchpad , and consecrated clit and shutter features to turn off mike and hide webcam . Those 2 - in-1 designs are also light and portable , alleviate their use as a tablet when needed .
Dell ’s best - have it away laptop are the XPS line of laptops and its gaming laptop computer offerings , like its Alienware stain . With the XPS , you may more often than not anticipate to see a sleek and streamlined aluminium frame , ultra - thin bezels on all four sides of its showing , a backlit keyboard , a port wine selection that includes Thunderbolt 4 port wine , and a 16:10 aspect proportion display . TheXPS 13 Plusadds more advanced feature than we ’ve seen on XPS laptops before , including an edge - to - edge keyboard , LED function keys , and a hidden tactile touchpad . TheXPS 13 9315 , on the other hand , is now positioned as a budget laptop computer to undercutApple ’s MacBook Air . TheXPS 13 PlusandXPS 13 9315are the small-scale XPS laptops . If you desire to upsize , you ’ll get excellent laptops in theXPS 15andXPS 17 .
Dell ’s Alienware brand offers specialized , heavy - obligation gaming laptop and comes with its own classifiable features to optimize your gaming experience . characteristic such as Nvidia G - SYNC engineering , duple fan intent for better cooling system , a customizable lighting organization squall AlienFX , a wide variety of larboard ( including Thunderbolt 4 , a headset jack , and HDMI 2.1 ) , a magnesium alloy chassis , programmable keyboard ( for gaming cutoff ) , and eye trailing tool .
Use cases
Both brands have laptops that top some of our good - of listing , with Dell outperforming HP in sure categories and HP outshining Dell in others . In this sense , picking the correct laptop computer for yourself really does come down to how you design to use it .
There are all sorts of way of life you might choose to habituate your new laptop , but have ’s take a flavour at a few of the most vernacular uses for them , namely : for business organization and work , for school , for cognitive content creation ( like video recording redaction ) , or gambling .
Business
With HP , you have four great byplay laptop computer options , including theHP Elite Dragonfly , HP ZBook Studio , and the HP Envy x360 . With Dell , the XPS range is a grand alternative , but there is n’t the same comprehensiveness of option .
The HP Elite Dragonfly has been listed as the “ honorable job laptop ” in ourBest Laptops lean , a distinction that it currently does n’t hold . Nevertheless , it ’s perfect for removed worker and those who travel oft for business . This laptop features a slick , lightweight design , a high-pitched - ray video display , a privacy filmdom to facilitate keep what you ’re working on away from prise eyes , a tranquil keyboard , a style , and an office - ready port selection that includes USB - A , HDMI , USB - C 3.1 , and Thunderbolt 4 .
If you take a beast of a workstation that can power through task like video redaction and 3-D modeling , then look no further than theHP ZBook Studio . If you still want the robustness of a Windows microcomputer but still prefer the lightweight and easier - to - use Chrome OS , HP ’s premier Chromebook offering , theDragonfly Pro Chromebook , might be your best wager . And labialize out our HP business laptop pick is the HP Envy x360 , which is skillful for those who ask a 2 - in-1 business laptop at a budget - friendly damage . With a 13th - gen processor and 16 GB of RAM , you ’re not exactly sacrifice power and speed for a cheaper business laptop . You ’re really getting the best of both worlds .
HP ZBook Studio
If you ’re still keen on getting a Dell for your study apparatus , there are some excellent choice in the Latitude card . These machines span a range from 14- and 15.6 - in grapple laptops to convertible 2 - in-1s , all of which are mob full of the feature business enterprise drug user postulate . If you need a more mainstream selection , then we do have one recommendation : the Dell XPS 13 Plus . It ’s not a dead on target “ business laptop , ” but it is a rattling all - intent laptop that ’s perfect for those who need portability above all else . Plus , because it ’s designed for general use , it can well be the laptop computer that enhance your productiveness and serve you unstrain when the work daytime is done . ( particularly when you have a display that features Dolby Vision . )
School
Like business , schoolhouse laptops can be vary , depending on the eccentric of work you want to do on them . Both HP and Dell have excellent laptops for all sorts of ages and abilities .
For college students , our preferred Dell laptop computer is the G15 Gaming Laptop . It ’s an affordable and knock-down motorcar that can handle prep without a problem while keeping a bookman entertained during downtime . For around $ 1,000 , the college student in your life will get a laptop computer with a 45 - W 12th generation Intel Core processor , hatful of RAM and memory board , up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU , Wi - Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity , and a wide of the mark variety of port . TheDell Inspiron 14is another choice , and while it is n’t the most muscular laptop computer , it does have everything you necessitate for shoal naming , browsing the internet , and rain buckets your favorite shows and movies .
For high school students , HP has a great pick with its Chromebook 14 . It ’s an exceedingly affordable , lightweight , and easy - to - economic consumption laptop thanks to the simplicity of Chrome OS . If your mellow schoolhouse student does n’t require any non - Chrome OS and non - Android apps to make out their duty assignment , get at their on-line classes , or collaborate with their compeer , then the HP Chromebook 14 is a whole pick . For just $ 300 , your high schooler will get a laptop with a 14 - inch non - touch HD display , an Intel Celeron N4000 processor , 4 GB of RAM , 32 GB of eMMC storage , an HP Wide Vision HD webcam , and Wi - Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5 connectivity .
Video Editing
television editing is an intensive chore , so the Dell XPS 17 is our top pick overall because it pairs a huge display with high - end computer hardware . This laptop has a elephantine - sized display at 17 column inch and feature 45 - watt 13th - generation Intel Core processors , 16 GB of RAM ( it can be upgraded up to 64 GB ) , a roomy 512 GB of SSD storage ( which can also be upgrade to 8 TB ) , and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 telecasting card . It also sports a fingermark reader , four Thunderbolt 4 ports , a full - size of it SD visiting card lector , and Wi - Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity .
When wereviewed the XPS 17 , we were particularly impressed with its “ incredible ” public presentation , its “ most gross screen , ” and its “ spacious and responsive touchpad . ” We even went so far as to say that the XPS 17 competes with Apple ’s MacBook Pro .
If you still need a sinewy laptop computer for telecasting redaction but would rather cleave with HP , a corresponding pick would be the HP Envy 15 . The Envy 15 is great for those who need strong performance at a lower damage full stop . Whenreviewing the HP Envy 16 , our critical review unit was configured with a 13th - generation Intel Core i9 CPU , 1TBGB of SSD storage , 16 GB of RAM , a WQXGA IPS display , and an RTX 4060 . Overall , this laptop get a burn revaluation from us as we praise its performance , its build quality , and its fantabulous keyboard and touchpad . The primary drawbacks we run into were that it was on the laborious side and that its battery life was below norm .
Gaming
Our current listing of theBest Gaming Laptopsincludes the HP Victus 16 , a solid 1080p gaming machine for less than $ 1,500 . The machine offers fast components and a whole build quality , making it a well budget gaming choice .
TheDell G15gaming laptop may not be the best gaming laptop you’re able to grease one’s palms ( that purity decease to theLenovo Legion Pro5 ) , but it ’s a satisfying entry - stage option for beginner gamers and gamers on a budget . What it lacks in way , it do up for in value . The Dell G15 gaming laptop has an Intel Core C.P.U. , 8 GB of RAM , a 256 GB SSD , and up to an RTX 4060 GPU , with a starting price of $ 730 .
If you have a bigger budget to lick with , Dell’sAlienware x14 R2is worth a look . It feature an Intel Core i7 - 13620H CPU , 16 GB of RAM , a 1 TB SSD , a 14 - inch WQXGA display running at up to 165Hz , and an RTX 4060 graphics card . It ’s a relatively portable play laptop in every sense of the Logos , including its actual weight : a little over 4 pounds . Think of it as a highly mobile successor for a desktop setup .
