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We are once again at the time of year when we try to determine the best laptop deals to expect in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Securing a new gaming computer or a business laptop during the holidays typically involves boss battles between the biggest names in tech, such as Dell and HP. But with so many high-spec machines to choose from, your Dell vs. HP laptop online search can quickly become way more complicated than it should be.
Are you scrolling through long threads debating HP Envy vs. Dell Inspiron, examining HP Spectre x360 14, which offers 2-in-1 buyers another tall-screen option, and still scratching your head, wondering if Dell or HP is better?
In this article, we are about to make your life much easier, so let’s find out whether HP or Dell brand offers more compelling options for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Dell’s Alienware excels in gaming with superior performance than HP.
- HP’s Envy and Spectre lines offer competitive specs for creatives and professionals.
- Dell’s customer service is highly rated, especially for business users.
- HP Spectre x360 leads in innovative 2-in-1 laptop designs.
- Dell has a slight edge in build quality, especially in business models.
- HP tends to be more experimental with laptop designs than Dell.
- Both brands offer high-quality displays, with Dell excelling in ultra-thin bezels.
- HP offers more budget-friendly options across its laptop range.
HP vs. Dell Laptops: Which Is Better for You in 2024?
HP and Dell have a decades-long rivalry. Both brands offer a variety of models aimed at students, businesses, and everyday users.
The emergence of 2-in-1 laptops has probably made choosing a new laptop even more daunting. We have put all biases and loyalties aside and compared the design, performance, display quality, support, pricing, and overall value to try and settle this age-old heated debate.
Dell vs. HP Laptops Quality, Design & Functionality
Winner: Tie
A Tech History Lesson
Did you know that only 52 US companies have been on the Fortune 500 since 1955? A quick look in the computing history books reveals that Hewlett-Packard’s first computer, the HP 2116, was launched in 1966. With nearly 60 years in the industry, it has a long history of building reliable computers, while many other brands have disappeared.
Dell also has a highly respected reputation for delivering high-performing computers since the Turbo PC arrived in 1985. These American computing giants have more in common than they would admit in public. However, when it comes to innovation and design, Dell and HP have slightly different approaches.
Approach to Innovation
- HP is considered more experimental and unafraid to push the boundaries with new design concepts.
- In contrast, Dell adopts a more cautious approach consisting of incremental updates and refinements of existing designs.
Build Quality
- Both brands are closely matched, with Dell securing a slight edge in build quality and reliability, especially in its premium and business models.
- HP has a bigger range of more affordable laptops, but these often have inferior build quality to Dell’s more expensive range.
Laptop Design
- HP might lead here with more innovative and premium material usage, especially in the Spectre lineup. Pushing the envelope in laptop aesthetics from a design point of view, HP is much more innovative than Dell.
- Meanwhile, Dell takes a more refined, understated approach to aesthetics. Dell’s XPS series, for example, is well-known for its minimalistic, sleek design, which focuses on thin bezels and durable aluminum builds.
While not as flashy as HP’s Spectre lineup, Dell’s design philosophy revolves around practicality and premium feel, making the devices highly durable and visually appealing without being overly experimental.
Functionality
- Dell’s range, particularly the Alienware gaming laptops, will better suit those looking for high-spec machines.
- However, HP provides great all-rounders with strong performance specs for professional and casual use.
Both brands offer high-quality machines that serve different purposes well. Technically, there is no clear winner, and the best brand will depend more on your unique requirements than on the brand name.
HP vs. Dell Laptops Performance
HP offers impressive performance in high-spec laptops across its Spectre and Envy series. But for hardcore gamers, even the Omen series will be seen as a mid-market range and a step behind Dell’s Alienware laptops.
HP’s EliteBook and ProBook series are considered powerful and secure in corporate environments, but Dell edges it once again.
When managing thousands of laptops, businesses looking for durability and reliability will choose Dell’s tried and trusted Latitude series. For the more creative users who demand more powerful laptops, Dell’s XPS 15 is popular with video editors and graphic designers. However, HP’s ZBook Studio remains a strong contender for heavy creative work.
Although this is a close battle, Dell wins over HP with its solid and reliable performance.
Dell vs. HP Display
Both brands offer stunning 4K displays and sizes up to 17 inches. Dell arguably has a slight edge in overall display quality and ultra-thin bezels. A notable mention is the InfinityEdge display on Dell XPS laptops, which has a virtually borderless design.
However, HP is no slouch in this department either when it comes to innovative OLED privacy-enhanced screens and vibrant colors. The best laptop display is more about the particular model and its intended use than either brand claiming superiority.
Overall, both brands are competitive in their display offerings, and the choice often comes down to the particular model and its intended use rather than a clear brand superiority.
HP vs. Dell Durability
Dell’s Latitude series is famous for its ability to handle the rough and tumble of business travel. Although HP’s lightweight EliteBook and Spectre line offer comparable durability, its cheaper consumer-grade options have faced criticism for hinge problems, where the hinges become loose or even break after prolonged use.
When it comes to durability, nothing can compete with Dell’s Latitude 7330 Rugged Extreme laptop for users who work outdoors in extreme conditions.
HP vs Dell Pricing & Value for Money
When looking for a bargain laptop, you are more likely to find more budget-friendly models from HP than Dell. For consumers looking for an affordable notebook, HP offers many entry-level and mid-level machines with excellent performance and features without breaking the bank.
HP is easily the winner here. But be mindful of the old saying: buy cheap, buy twice. Some of the cheaper HP models have well-documented problems with hinges, and soldered-on laptop RAM on some cheaper models means you cannot upgrade them.
Customer Support & Warranty
For consumers, HP offers inclusive warranty options, such as accidental damage protection, which is included in extended warranty offers. However, for businesses, Dell’s warranties stand out from those of other manufacturers.
Dell’s automated collect-and-return repair service, active community, and regular driver and BIOS updates contribute to a premium support experience.
Best Dell & HP Laptops for Different Needs
Best Dell Laptops for Gaming, Business & Casual Users
We previously thought the Dell Alienware X17 would be tough to beat, but the M18 offers a larger display and improved cooling, making it our new favorite gaming laptop from Dell.
The 2-in-1 Dell Latitude 9440 2-in-1 is an uber-cool modern Dell business laptop that has it all. It is one of the few laptops on the market that succeeds in balancing design, functionality, and features just right.
Dell XPS 13 is a no-nonsense, sleek, and portable ultrabook with powerful performance and a stunning display, making it the perfect choice for home and work use.
Best HP Laptops for Gaming, Business & Casual Users
Although the HP Omen 16 laptop cannot compete with Dell’s range of gaming laptops, this remains a respectable mid-range offering.
The HP EliteBook meets every requirement for a business laptop. It has lots of ports, a large trackpad, a decent webcam with a privacy cover, and easy disassembly for repairs.
The Bottom Line
Is Dell or HP better? Every laptop comparison should begin with specifications rather than remaining loyal to a brand. A bargain $400 laptop with 8GB of soldered RAM could quickly become a horrible experience after a few tabs in Chrome max it out.
If you prioritize gaming and reliable customer support, Dell is likely the better choice, especially with its Alienware and XPS lines. However, HP might be the better choice if you are looking for aesthetic design and better value across a wider range of options.
Overall, Dell edges HP by the tiniest margins as the standout choice for those needing high-performance and premium laptops. But when searching for a laptop, it’s the model and specs of your new laptop that are important to the brand.
