Dell vs. HP: Which laptop computer model is best?

Dell and HP are two of the largest laptop computer manufacturers for good motive. They each make loads of nice PCs, and whether or not you’re shopping for a laptop computer for varsity, work, gaming, on a regular basis productiveness, or the entire above, you’ll discover a lot of good machines from each manufacturers.

Significantly, no model is greatest in all conditions! That’s what we’ve seen all through our laptop computer critiques. The very best model for you is dependent upon what you’re searching for, the kind of laptop computer you’re shopping for, and the costs you may afford — and the suitable laptop computer sale might change the entire calculus.

You’ll discover a mixture of each Dell and HP laptops, plus laptops from many different producers, on our greatest laptop computer checklist right here at PCWorld. However there’s quite a bit to be mentioned for evaluating these manufacturers. So, let’s take a more in-depth look.

Dell vs. HP laptop computer product ranges

Each Dell and HP supply a variety of various laptops for various wants, from funds picks to premium stunners.

Dell affords a wide range of laptop computer lineups. Till just lately, it was damaged down as XPS laptops for the premium line, with Latitude and Inspiron laptops for enterprise and shopper use, respectively. Beginning in 2025, nevertheless, Dell scrapped that naming conference ostensibly to be extra simplified, however you be the choose. Nonetheless, the identical vary of efficiency and costs stays.

HP rebranded its laptop computer lineup in Could 2024. Now, it affords OmniBook laptops for shoppers and ProBook and EliteBook laptops for enterprise use. You’ll nonetheless discover older HP laptops with names like Spectre, Dragonfly, and Envy, however HP’s ahead naming scheme is significantly simplified.

For gaming laptops, Dell has consolidated all of its providing beneath the Alienware model. HP affords gaming laptops beneath the extra premium Omen line in addition to the extra value-priced Victus branding.

Dell laptops are normally extra configurable

Dell laptops are usually extra configurable than HP laptops on the level of sale — not less than in the event you’re shopping for on Dell’s on-line retailer. You’ll typically discover a a lot wider number of choices and upgrades, together with CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and different {hardware} parts.

This doesn’t matter in the event you’re shopping for a prebuilt laptop computer, after all, nor does it matter in the event you’d moderately seize gross sales on Amazon, Greatest Purchase, Newegg, and many others. However in the event you’re shopping for straight from the producer, there’s little doubt that Dell’s retailer is extra versatile than HP’s on-line retailer.

Dell vs. HP laptops for productiveness

Should you’re looking for a shopper or enterprise productiveness laptop computer for work, college, or private use, then relaxation assured that each Dell and HP supply a variety of nice choices.

Whether or not you’re searching for a Copilot+ PC with particular AI options, or a thin-and-light laptop computer that will get wonderful battery life, or a worth workstation that gives nice efficiency, each Dell and HP ship. Each producers supply machines fitted with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm chips — you’re spoiled for selection right here.

As talked about, Dell’s productiveness laptops previous to 2025 had been discovered beneath the XPS, Inspiron, and Latitude names. Now they’re generally known as Dell, Dell Professional, and Dell Professional Max fashions, equivalent to a shopper, enterprise, and workstation focus, respectively. Additionally, you will discover Plus and Premium fashions throughout the Dell shopper class, such because the Dell 14 Premium, which might have beforehand been the XPS 14.

HP, alternatively, has simplified its choices into the OmniBook line for shoppers and EliteBook and ProBook traces for companies. You’ll nonetheless see older Spectre, Envy, and Dragonfly machines floating round, too.

Every producer affords a variety of laptops beneath these names, making it tough to match. For instance, in order for you a 2-in-1 laptop computer with a 360-degree hinge, try the HP OmniBook X Flip 14 (at HP) and the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 (at Dell).

For a basic clamshell laptop computer expertise, we just like the Dell 16 Plus (at Amazon) and provides it a excessive rating. However I used to be additionally impressed with the HP EliteBook 8 G1a (at Amazon) after I went hands-on with it.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

Dell vs. HP laptops for companies

For enterprise customers, Dell affords a variety of laptops, now beneath the Dell Professional line (beforehand Inspiron and Latitude). whereas HP affords a lot of ProBook and EliteBook laptops as nicely. With all kinds of costs and {hardware} configurations, it’s exhausting to judge both laptop computer producer as a complete on this space.

Nonetheless, it’s value noting that neither Dell nor HP are thought of as premium within the enterprise laptop computer house as Lenovo’s vary of high-end ThinkPad enterprise laptops, which have a tendency to supply higher keyboards and different high-end touches — at a higher-end value, after all.

When procuring, make sure to evaluate laptop computer to laptop computer. Neither laptop computer producer has the most effective entry in each class, and the winner could fluctuate from 12 months to 12 months and mannequin to mannequin.

Dell vs. HP laptops for gaming

For premium gaming laptops, Dell affords Alienware-branded laptops whereas HP affords Omen-branded laptops.

I’ve used each Alienware and Omen laptops. Each are likely to have premium construct high quality with a lot of metallic of their laptop computer chassis. Some individuals could even say that Alienware laptops have higher construct high quality than Omen laptops on the entire, however I’m unsure that’s true lately. Primarily based on my hands-on expertise, Alienware and Omen laptops with related {hardware} at related value factors are fairly comparable.

That mentioned, Alienware does have a tendency to supply dearer and higher-end choices that Omen laptops normally can’t match. For instance, you may get a large 18-incher just like the Alienware 18 Space-51 whereas Omen tops out at 17.3 inches.

Excessive-end Alienware machines just like the Alienware 16 Space-51 (at Dell) supply premium options like a mechanical keyboard and many high-end touches. And preserving with Dell’s configurability, it’s simpler to seek out an Alienware machine with Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics or improve a laptop computer to an Intel Core i9 CPU if you wish to go all-out.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

HP’s Omen line has extra compact and portability-focused choices, with a number of 14-inch fashions. Alienware doesn’t at the moment supply a 14-inch gaming laptop computer.

Total, Alienware is concentrated on bigger and higher-end gaming machines. If cash was no object and I used to be each Alienware and Omen machines, I’d lean in the direction of high-end Alienware machines. However on the “mid-range premium” value level for gaming laptops, each HP Omen and Dell Alienware supply many aggressive choices.

No laptop computer is ideal, after all, and each machine has its downsides. When evaluating gaming laptops, it’s extra vital to match laptop computer to laptop computer, searching for critiques of the precise machines you’re desirous about. That’s what it should come all the way down to.

Dell vs. HP for funds gaming laptops

For extra budget-focused gaming laptops, HP has the sting with its Victus line of laptops, since Dell now not affords its comparable G sequence of funds gaming laptops.

Count on extra plastic and fewer metallic from Victus. The designs additionally aren’t as “gamer-focused,” with fewer LEDs and fewer RGB bling. They might produce other trade-offs like shorter-than-usual battery life and a mediocre keyboard, too.

Nonetheless, we’ve given machines just like the HP Victus 15 (at HP) stable rankings right here at PCWorld. It delivered sturdy gaming efficiency at an excellent value in our hands-on assessments — and that’s precisely what you’d need from funds gaming laptops like these.

Ryan Whitwam / IDG

Once more, it should come all the way down to the distinction between every particular person laptop computer. And gross sales could muddle issues additional, probably making a extra premium Alienware or Omen laptop computer a greater deal to grab.

Dell vs. HP for Chromebooks

In terms of Chromebooks, HP affords a wider vary of choices as of this writing. HP affords the mid-range HP Chromebook Plus (at Amazon) with an Intel Core i3 processor, which supplies a higher-quality expertise in the event you plan on utilizing your Chromebook as your most important laptop computer.

Dell solely has a single Chromebook mannequin at the moment, targeted on offering a low-cost possibility for schooling.

Dell vs. HP: Which laptop computer model is greatest?

Each Dell and HP are stable laptop computer producers that make a wide range of good laptops, and each are good selections on your subsequent laptop computer. Neither producer constantly bests the opposite in our laptop computer critiques.

Every has a lot of completely different merchandise although, so take care when procuring. Have a look at critiques and comparisons for particular laptop computer fashions moderately than specific manufacturers or product traces. We’ve given excessive scores and low scores to each, so neither model is a sure-fire winner.

Nonetheless really feel such as you want some steering? Dive straight into our suggestions for the most effective Chromebooks, greatest laptops beneath $500, greatest gaming laptops, and at the moment’s greatest laptop computer offers!