Dell Laptop Computer Buyers Guide

Introduction

It can be hard to make a choice among the many laptop computer options on Dell’s website. This page provides direct links to some of the better choices among the Dell laptop computer offerings.

Warranty

If you anticipate lots of travel, getting a full warranty, including accidental damage coverage would be helpful.

Battery Life

Plan to order an extra battery for extended times away from power if you travel a lot.

Size

The models listed on this page have 15″ displays. Smaller computers are available for people who want ultra-light computing. Larger 17″ display models are good for those who want a larger screen and don’t care about occasionally carrying around a larger heavier computer. The Inspiron 17 models and Inspiron 17R models are good choices.

How Much to Pay

In general,  you get what you pay for. A more costly computer will be faster and of better quality. There are several models listed here in order by price and performance.

• Inspiron 15 Touch ($499). The Inspiron 15 series of computers is generally an economical choice, but might be slow for some tasks. Click here to view.
• Inspiron 15R Touch i5 ($799). The Inspiron R series of computers is 17% thinner than previous generations. The Core i5 processor configuration will be faster, and it comes with 1000GB (1TB) of hard drive storage. Click here to view.
• Inspiron 15 7000 Series  Touch i5 ($749). The Inspiron 7000 series of computers are made of aluminum. They have a backlit keyboard design for easy viewing at night. The i5 processor configuration has only a 500GB hard drive. Click here to view.
• Inspiron 15 7000 Series Touch i7 ($949). The Inspiron 7000 series of computers are made of aluminum. They have a backlit keyboard design for easy viewing at night. The i7 processor configuration has a 1000GB (1TB) hard drive and offers plenty of power for the most demanding tasks. Click here to view.

Overview Comparison Chart

An overview of the models listed here can be found in the graphic chart below. Click to enlarge.

Note: The Inspiron 15R Touch i7 ($899) is no longer available as of 28 March 2014 it is not listed as an option on Dell’s website. The Inspiron R series of computers is 17% thinner than previous generations. For $100 more, the Core i7 processor configuration will be faster than the i5, and it comes with 1000GB (1TB) of hard drive storage. Click here to view. (NOTE: This model is no longer available.