Dell vs. HP Laptops: Which is Better & Why? – Ultimate Guide

There are many laptop manufacturers to choose from. But the most famous, renowned, admired and loved ones are HP and Dell. Both these companies produce excellent laptops and thus dominate the whole laptop market. The decision between the two can be quite difficult when it comes to choosing between them. If you want an in-depth look at Dell vs. HP laptops, then this ultimate guide will be your definitive choice.

Dell vs. HP Laptops

Both Dell and HP are well known for their top notch laptops. Whether it is build, quality, reliability, performance or features, you will find some of the best HP and Dell laptops. While there are some similarities between these laptops, they are built to compete with each other since they are the best laptop companies in the world.

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Dell vs. HP laptops: Which best suits your needs?

Whether it is entertainment, gaming, freelancing or some other professional usage, your ultimate choice will be HP or Dell. Yes, other laptop manufacturers such as Acer, Asus and Lenovo also produce some amazing and quality laptops. However, as HP and Dell are dominant ones and have more products than others, you will have a number of options to choose from.

In going towards comparison of HP vs. Dell laptops, let’s review some of their main strengths and weaknesses.

Dell Laptops Strengths

Some strengths and positive aspects of Dell are:

  • Technology giant Dell is among the world’s most well-known brands. Dell is having a market of worth billion dollars. Therefore they have a large clientele and are backed by a very large portfolio.
  • Dell is having an amazing customer service and support. Their responsiveness, speed, and compromise make them well-known in the business.
  • You will find multiple options even in some of the latest generation laptops. Whether you prefer thin screen bezels, a full HD or UHD screen, touchscreen laptops, or any other innovative laptop, there’s plenty to choose from.
  • Dell offers their customers a full support, if they want to customize or personalize some laptop models.
  • Dell is hailed and loved for some of its most premium and high-end laptops such as Dell XPS 15, Alienware m15 R3, Dell XPS 13 and Alienware m17 R4.

Dell Laptops Weaknesses

On contrary, some weaknesses and flaws of Dell laptops are:

  • Some mid-range and normal laptops of Dell are just average and do not perform up to the expectations.
  • Though the customer support is one of the best, sometimes the technical services and support is really worrisome.
  • A few laptop models such as Latitudes have an uninspiring design and are not as attractive as others.
  • Research and Development expenditures at Dell are not the same as those of other major tech companies, resulting in a lag in catching up with the latest innovations.

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Strengths of HP Laptops

The positive aspects and key strengths for which HP laptops are admired are:

  • There are tons of options and laptop series to choose from according to your preference, budget and requirements.
  • HP provides its customers with a solid technical support through its global presence.
  • Laptops from HP are durable and have a solid construction.
  • Most models of HP are built and designed aesthetically such as Dragon Fly, Spectre and HP Omen series.
  • If you want some good 2 in 1 convertible laptops, HP is always a preferred option.
  • Some of the laptops for which HP is most popular are HP Elite Dragonfly, HP Spectre x360 (2021), HP ZBook Studio G7, HP Envy 15 (2020) and HP Omen 15.

Weaknesses of HP Laptops

A few cons of having an HP laptop are:

  • Customer support will sometimes offer a new laptop instead of a repair or assistance. This attitude does not reflect well on the company.
  • Some of the convertible laptops, though premium and aesthetic, are a bit sensitive as well. You will get a real loss, if not handled with due care.
  • Several people complain about the battery timings and battery life of HP.

HP vs. Dell Laptops Comparison

No matter which laptop manufacturer you choose, they all have their pros and cons. However, because there is a real challenge between HP vs. Dell, some of their great differences are explained below.

1. HP vs. Dell – Laptop Appearance

Truly speaking, design and aesthetics are always a personal preference. Both Dell and HP offer a range of laptops with aesthetic and beautiful designs. However, looking at overall laptops, the laptop appearance and design of HP laptops is quite better. The reason is that most Dell series laptops are having a same design for ages with just some slight changes. Whereas, in HP, you will see each series quite different from the others in terms of their build and design.

Both HP and Dell have laptops with a variety of colors. However, in terms of color variety, Dell has a greater range of laptop colors to choose from.

Overall Winner: In terms of design and appearance, the overall winner is HP.

2. Dell vs. HP Laptops – Performance Comparison

When it comes to performance, both Dell and HP have some true beast laptops. Though some of these are really expensive, however, the performance standards these provide are just marvelous. For some heavy and extensive tasking like video rendering, photo editing, gaming, etc., you certainly need laptops with extreme performance levels.

In terms of high-end laptops equipped with some true performance levels, HP has more laptops that are real performance champions. All these laptops are enriched with some powerful specs that will provide you with a flawless extreme performance.

However, some models of Dell are also not beyond HP. These laptops will also provide you with some exemplary performance levels.

Overall Winner: In terms of performance standards, the winner is HP.

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3. Laptop Features & Productivity

Obviously every one of us wants a laptop that has maximum features and productivity. The different applications and features that a laptop provides really help users in numerous ways. Both Dell and HP laptops have a variety of applications such as Driver Installation Tools, Support Assistant, Smart Adapter, Power Manager, etc.

Though both manufacturers provide their users with a number of software, features and tools, however, a clear winner over here is HP. Tools, utilities, drivers, software, anything a user may think of, HP has got you covered.

Overall Winner: In terms of features and productivity, a clear winner is HP.

4. Dell Laptops vs. HP Laptops – Price Comparison

Each laptop’s price varies according to its configuration and specifications. Both Dell and HP laptops have different series, models and variants, each priced according to their configuration. In HP as well as Dell, there are some very expensive and premium laptops as well as some affordable and budget-friendly laptops.

For example, a laptop with a Core i9 processor, 1TB SSD and the latest NVIDIA GPU is obviously going to be expensive as compared to the one with basic configuration. In comparison of Dell vs. HP, we have found that the laptops of Dell are comparatively cheaper than HP. Some of these low end laptops are not worth buying, but you will find some best affordable options as well. In contrast, HP laptops are quite expensive, but the reason is their high-quality components and materials.

Overall Winner: When it comes to affordable budget laptops, a clear winner is Dell.

5. HP vs. Dell Laptops – Battery Life Comparison

A few models of HP have been reported as the worst battery eaters. The same is the case for Dell as well. In both of these laptops, you will see some models criticized for the battery life. Most such laptops are the ones equipped with old battery technologies. With the latest technologies of Li-ion batteries such as cylindrical, polymer and now prismatic, the battery life and overall health has improved greatly.

Typically, HP is the battery-life leader among the latest Dell and HP laptops. HP laptops of the latest generation use prismatic batteries that offer extended battery hours, along with an improved overall lifespan.

Overall Winner: In terms of battery life (for the latest laptops), an evident leader is HP.

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6. Laptops Variety – Models & Series

If we are talking about design and performance, then the same has been clearly explained in the above paragraphs. Nevertheless, if we compare HP vs. Dell based on the number of different models and series available, we will see a clear tie here.

In Dell, you will see multiple options in Inspiron, Latitudes, Alienware, G-Series, Chromebook, etc. Similarly, in HP, there are Omen, Spectre, Pavilion, Envy, etc. Within these amazing series, you will find tons of models according to your choice and preferences. That’s why one cannot give a clear victory to one laptop manufacturer over another, as both are equal in this comparison here.

Overall Winner: In terms of variety of models and series, the winners are both HP and Dell.

7. HP or Dell – More Innovative Technology

New inventions and technologies are released every day. Computers, laptops, gadgets, and mobiles are evolving at an incredible pace. The latest technologies tend to make the older ones obsolete. As a result, we must rely on the latest innovations in laptops to keep pace with the fast-paced world.

In terms of R&D expenditure, Dell really lags behind. You will find this weakness in Dell in most SWOT analysis. On contrary, HP has a wide range of laptops equipped with some latest innovative technologies. Whether it is convertibles or a 4K display or some real performance beasts, HP is leading ahead. For example, HP Elite Dragonfly is considered as the world’s first business convertible laptop with 5G plus findable device technology.

Overall Winner: In terms of a variety of the latest innovations, a plain victory goes to HP.

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8. Dell vs. HP Laptops – Support and Warranty

In terms of warranty, both Dell and HP provide greater peace of mind by offering better warranty periods. However, once it comes to customer support, both HP and Dell are not up to the mark. Though customer support of both HP and Dell will listen to your problems and provide the requisite guidance, however, it is not always the case.

Sometimes the customer support will transfer you to their technical support teams and instead of providing the requisite repair, the solution is always an offer of a new laptop. This is quite lethargic response and cannot be expected from such top-notch companies.

Overall Winner: In terms of technical support, both HP and Dell require some improvements.

Why & When to Choose Dell?

If you are confused about making a clear decision on HP vs. Dell, then the reasons and purposes you should go for Dell laptops are:

  • There is a wide variety of laptops to choose from. For example, if you require a laptop for professional gaming, then the Alienware series is renowned and always adored by the gaming community.
  • In terms of video editing, you will also find some really powerful laptops that will make video rendering and editing smooth and lag-free for you.
  • A number of laptop options at Dell are also available in budget-friendly and affordable versions.
  • The laptops of Dell are easy to service, maintain and repair due to worldwide spare supportability.

Why & When to Choose HP?

The reasons behind buying an HP laptop for some specific genre or purpose should be:

  • The build, design and quality of HP laptops is remarkable due to premium components and configuration.
  • For gaming, the HP Omen series serves as the best HP laptop series for professional gaming support, with some top-notch specs.
  • The HP Pavilion series laptops are quite budget friendly and affordable ones.
  • If you are a touchscreen, 2 in 1 or convertible laptop fan, HP is going to be your ultimate choice.
  • HP offers a number of security centric features such as HP Sure Start, HP Recover for BIOS recovery and PC Image recovery.
  • Every cutting edge innovation is a specialty of HP laptops.

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Dell vs. HP –Top Recommended Laptops

Following a detailed comparison of HP laptops vs. Dell laptops, here are the top 5 best laptops from both manufacturers:

Top 5 Dell Laptops in 2021

The top 5 Dell laptops to buy in 2021 are:

1. Alienware M15 R3 (2020)

Dell Alienware M15 R3

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen. Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor
  • RAM: Up to 32GB DDR4 RAM
  • GPU: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Graphics
  • Storage: Up to 4TB + 512GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) 144Hz 7ms/ OLED UHD (3840 x 2160) 60Hz 1ms

2. Dell XPS 13 (Late 2020)

Dell XPS 13 (Late 2020)

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 11th Gen. Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor
  • RAM: Up to 32GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x RAM
  • GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 13.4″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare/ 13.4″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective

3. Alienware m17 R4 (2021)

Alienware m17 R4 (2021)

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen. Intel Core i7 – i9
  • RAM: 16GB – 32GB DDR4 2933MHz
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 – 3080 Graphics
  • Storage: Up to 4TB RAID0 + 512GB M.2 SSD
  • Screen: 17.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) 144Hz 7ms/ 17.3″ UHD (3840 x 2160) 60Hz 25ms

4. Dell XPS 17 (Latest model)

Dell XPS 17 (2020)

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen. Intel Core i9-10885H Processor
  • RAM: Up to 64GB DDR4-2933MHz Memory
  • GPU: Up to 6GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Graphics
  • Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Display: 17.0″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare/ 17.0″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective

5. Dell Precision 5750 Mobile Workstation

Dell Precision 5750 Mobile Workstation

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen. Intel Core i7-10750H Processor
  • RAM: 16GB+ DDR4 RAM
  • GPU: Nvidia Quadro T2000 4GB
  • Storage: Up to 512GB SSD
  • Display: 17” (1920 x 1200 pixels)

Top 5 HP laptops of 2021

When it comes to HP, top 5 best HP laptops to buy in 2021 are:

1. HP Elite Dragonfly

HP Elite Dragon Fly

Key Specs:

  • CPU: 8th-Gen. Intel Core i5 – i7
  • RAM: 8GB+ DDR4 RAM
  • GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
  • Storage: 256 GB SSD
  • Screen: 13.3″ diagonal FHD touch sure display

2. HP Spectre x360 (2021)

HP Spectre x360 (2021) Dell vs HP

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
  • RAM: 8GB – 32GB
  • GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
  • Screen: 13.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS BrightView Multitouch/ 13.3″ 4K (3840 x 2160) UWVA BrightView AMOLED Multitouch

3. HP Omen 15 Gaming (2020)

HP Omen 15 (2020)

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen. Intel Core i5 – i9
  • RAM: 8GB – 32GB DDR4 RAM
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti – RTX 2060 GPU
  • Storage: up to 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Display: 15.6″ 1920 x 1080 FHD 144 Hz IPS anti-glare/ 15.6″ diagonal 3840 x 2160 4K UWVA BrightView AMOLED

4. HP EliteBook x360 1040 G7

HP EliteBook x360

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen. Intel Core i7-10810U
  • GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
  • RAM: 16GB+ DDR4 RAM
  • Storage: 512GB+ SSD
  • Display: 14” 1080p Screen

5. HP ZBook Create G7

HP ZBook Create G7

Key Specs:

  • CPU: Up to 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10885H
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 2070 Max-Q GPU
  • RAM: 32GB DDR4 RAM
  • Storage: 2TB SSD
  • Display: 15.6” 4K touchscreen display

Dell vs HP Laptops – Frequently Asked Questions

In comparison of Dell and HP Laptops, some of the most frequently asked questions are:

Are HP Laptops More Expensive than Dell?

HP laptops tend to be more expensive compared to Dell. Though you will find some low budget and affordable laptops in HP as well, but generally in a similar specs comparison, HP laptops are a bit expensive. However, the reason behind the cost of HP laptops is quite evident. The build quality, durable construction material and the premium hardware components are something that increase the overall cost of HP laptops.

Which Laptop is Better for Gaming – HP or Dell?

For professional gaming, you cannot perform any comparison of Dell vs. HP. Both these brands have some amazing laptop models that are renowned and cherished worldwide by professional gamers. In Dell, the Alienware series and in HP, the Omen series have an amazing value for money. Both of these laptops will never say NO to any of the latest games with even high textured graphics.

In Alienware, you will find a huge gaming community as a fan and user of this laptop. Similarly, for Omen series the performance and durability is quite overwhelming. So, it depends on your personal preference, whether you want to buy a Dell or HP for gaming. Both of these will be performed in an exemplary manner.

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Which Laptop is More Durable – Dell or HP?

When it comes to durability, you cannot say that overall HP is good or Dell is the winner. Both these brands produce hundreds of different models. Some of these models are durable enough to last for life. Whereas, there are some that will not even survive a year or two.

In durability, there are a number of aspects to look for such as build quality, display, batteries and design. For example, the latest models of HP use prismatic batteries. These batteries will serve you for a long time due to their enhanced health and life standards.

Which Laptops are Ideal Low Budget Laptops?

If you want to go for a budget laptop, then make sure that you don’t want this laptop for some extensive usage or heavy tasking such as video rendering, gaming, etc. An affordable and budget laptop is though easy on money but it is not suitable for some extreme usage.

However, in terms of affordability and good budget laptops, Dell is a decisive brand. Even in budget laptops, you will find some laptops with good specs and configurations within Dell. In case you are low on budget but still need a laptop with good performance, go for Dell.

Where are Dell Laptops Manufactured?

The headquarters of Dell Technologies are located in Texas, USA. Though Dell is an American based company, however, for cost reduction and easy accessibility, most of the units are manufactured in Asian countries.  Largest manufacturing and assembly is now being carried out in China. China, along with some other Asians, contribute a significant percentage to Dell’s production.

In addition to developed countries, Dell is also interested in developing countries. An example of this is a manufacturing unit worth millions of dollars in Chennai, India. The main reason for making this move is to meet the demands of the Asian suburbs.

Due to a huge fan base of Alienware in the US as well as other parts of the world, this series is manufactured in Austin Texas. To meet the South American needs, the Dell facility in Brazil is the company’s main supplier.

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Where are HP laptops Manufactured?

Some of the most popular HP series such as Omen, Envy and EliteBook are manufactured in the USA. However, similar to Dell, HP had to move some of its manufacturing and assembling to China. Most Asian laptop demand is met through HP manufacturing units in China, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines.

Headquarters of HP are located in Palo Alto, California. Most of the manufacturing of all HP laptops is carried out in China and Taiwan. Some of the components are also produced in Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. Later on, all these parts are assembled at China or US to meet the demands of relevant territories.

Best Dell Laptop 2021 – Editor’s Choice

One of the most premium and top-notch Dell laptops to buy in 2021 is Alienware m17 R4.

Editor Choice Dell laptop - Dell vs HP

Best HP Laptop 2021 – Editor’s Choice

A top-rated and exceptional HP laptops to get in 2021 is HP Omen 15 (2020).

Editors Choice HP Laptop Dell vs HP

Dell vs. HP Laptops – Final Thoughts

In this detailed guide, we have provided you with a detailed comparison of Dell versus HP laptops. Both brands are equally good in their overall build quality, construction, design, durability and performance. Dell and HP are the leading laptop manufacturers in the world with hundreds of different options to choose from.

Which one is your personal preference and what is your practical experience with both HP and Dell? Let us know your experience with both in the comments.

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