7 Best Dell Laptops for Programming: Top Selections

Are you a programmer looking for a reliable and high-performance laptop to help you with your coding tasks? Look no further than Dell laptops.

Dell is a trusted brand in the tech industry, known for producing high-quality laptops that are perfect for programming.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the 7 best Dell laptops for programming.

What to Consider When Buying a Good Programming Laptop

Before we dive into the best Dell laptops for programming, let’s take a look at what you should consider when buying a good programming laptop. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

1. Processor: A powerful processor is essential for running programming software smoothly. Look for laptops with Intel Core i5 or i7 processors.
2. RAM: The more RAM your laptop has, the better it will perform when running multiple programs simultaneously. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM.
3. Storage: You’ll need plenty of storage space for your programming projects and software. Look for laptops with at least 256GB of SSD storage.
4. Display: A high-resolution display is important for programming, as it allows you to see more code on the screen at once. Look for laptops with at least a 1080p display.
5. Battery Life: As a programmer, you’ll likely be working on your laptop for long periods of time. Look for laptops with a long battery life to avoid interruptions.

Now that you know what to look for, let’s take a look at the 7 best Dell laptops for programming.

1. Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a popular choice for programmers, thanks to its powerful performance and sleek design, impressive performance, and high-resolution display. It’s part of Dell’s XPS series, which is aimed at delivering a combination of style, portability, and power. 

The XPS 13 is recognized for its compact form factor and nearly borderless InfinityEdge display, which minimizes bezels for a more immersive viewing experience.

Key Specifications:

• The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) is a new addition to Dell’s XPS lineup and is separate from the regular Dell XPS 13 (model 9315)
• It features various Intel 12th Gen. P-series CPUs, ranging from a Core i5-1240P to a Core i7-1280P
• Memory and storage max out at 32GB and 2TB, respectively.
• It has a 13.4-inch FHD+ display, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB PCIe NVMe x2 NVMe SSD integrate
• The Dell XPS 13 (2022) has a 13.4-inch display, 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, and up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage
• The Dell XPS 13 (2022) also has a long battery life of up to 14 hours.

Pros:

• Sleek and lightweight design
• Powerful performance
• Great battery life
• High-quality display
• Comfortable keyboard

Cons:

• Expensive
• Limited port selection
• Limited storage and RAM options

Price:

• The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2022) starts at $1,769
• The Dell XPS 13 (2022) starts at $999

 

2. Dell XPS 15

If you’re looking for a larger display, the Dell XPS 15 is a great option.

There are of 2 types: Dell XPS 15 (9500) and Dell XPS 15 (2022).

The Dell XPS 15 (9500) and Dell XPS 15 (2022) are both powerful laptops, but they do have some differences. 

Here are the key differences between the two models:

Dell XPS 15 (9500):

• Features 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors.
• Offers up to 32GB DDR4 RAM and up to 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
• Has a 15.6-inch display.
• Provides a much performing processor compared to the Dell XPS 15-9520.
• Has a lot faster graphics card compared to the Dell XPS 15-9520.

Pros of Dell XPS 15 (9500):

• Sleek design.
• Fast performance.
• Robust feature set.

Cons of Dell XPS 15 (9500):

• Similar price as the newer XPS 15 9510

Dell XPS 15 (2022):

• Features Intel 12th Gen. P-series CPUs, ranging from a Core i5-1240P to a Core i7-1280P.
• Offers up to 32GB of memory and up to 2TB of storage.
• Has a 15.6-inch display, up to 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, and up to 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
• Provides around 2.8x better multi-core CPU performance in the Cinebench R23 test.
• Can run popular games at about 36-49% higher FPS.
• Supports high-speed PCI Express Gen 4.

 

Pros of Dell XPS 15 (2022):

• Newer components.
• Powerful performance.
• High-quality display.
• Impressive battery life.

Cons of Dell XPS 15 (2022):

• More expensive at launch.
• Similar price as the newer XPS 15 9510.

In summary, the Dell XPS 15 (2022) is more like an upgrade of the Dell XPS 15 (9500) with all-around better performance and longer battery life.

Price:

• The Dell XPS 15 (2022) starts at $1,769.
• The Dell XPS 15 (9500) starts at $1,299.99.

 

3. Dell Inspiron 15 5000

The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is a budget-friendly option for programmers who don’t need the most powerful performance.

It is a mid-range laptop that offers a blend of performance, features, and affordability 

Key Specifications

• The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, Intel Core i3-8145U Processor up to 3.90GHz, 4GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage
• It also has an optional touchscreen display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, 60Hz refresh rate, and 144 ppi (pixel per inch)
• The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 (5502) has a 15.6-inch display, 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB DDR4 RAM, and up to 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage
• The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 (5567) has a 15.6-inch display, 7th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB DDR4 RAM, and up to 2TB HDD storage
• The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 (5559) has a 15.6-inch display, 6th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB DDR3L RAM, and up to 2TB HDD storage

Pros:

• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Premium design
• Good storage options
• Impressive CPU performance

Cons:

• Poor screen quality
• Short battery life
• Plain design

Price:

• The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 starts at $649

 

4. Dell Precision 5550

The Dell Precision 5550 is a high-performance laptop designed for professionals and creators who require powerful computing capabilities for demanding tasks such as content creation, engineering, design, and scientific computing. 

This makes it Ideal for Programmers especially Programmers involved in other tech / money-making businesses.

It’s part of Dell’s Precision series, which is known for its workstation-class laptops optimized for performance and reliability.

Key Specifications

• The Dell Precision 5550 is powered by (up to) a 10th Gen Intel Core or Xeon vPro processor, has a 4K display, and NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics.
• It has a 15.6-inch display, up to 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, and up to 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage.
• The Dell Precision 5550 has a weight of 1.84kg (4.06 lbs) and features 3x USB-C, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack.
• The Dell Precision 5550 has a solid keyboard and a fantastic trackpad, making it comfortable to use for long periods of time.

Pros

• Powerful performance
• Large and high-resolution display
• Long battery life
• Sleek and lightweight design
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad

Cons

• Expensive
• Limited port selection
• Heat can make typing uncomfortable under heavy workloads

Price

The Dell Precision 5550 starts at $3,969

 

5. Dell Latitude 9510

The Dell Latitude 9510 is a high-end business laptop that focuses on delivering premium features, performance, and security for professionals who require a reliable and versatile computing solution. 

It’s part of Dell’s Latitude series, designed to meet the needs of business users who prioritize productivity and mobility.

Key Specifications

• The Dell Latitude 9510 is powered by (up to) a 10th Gen Intel Core or Xeon vPro processor, has a 4K display, and NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics
• It has a 15.0-inch, 1920 x 1080 display, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD storage
• The Dell Latitude 9510 has a weight of 3.7 pounds and features 3x USB-C, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
• It also comes with a Dell Optimizer app that uses AI to optimize performance, battery life, and audio settings

Pros

• Impressive battery life
• Sleek and lightweight design
• Powerful performance
• Good connectivity options
• Dell Optimizer app for performance optimization

Cons

• Expensive
• No discrete graphics
• Plain design

Price

The Dell Latitude 9510 starts at $2,937

 

6. Dell G5 15 SE

The Dell G5 15 SE is a gaming laptop that’s designed to offer a balance between performance, affordability, and gaming capabilities. 

It’s part of Dell’s G Series, which is aimed at providing gaming enthusiasts with a range of options to suit their needs.

Key Specifications

• The Dell G5 15 SE (2020) has a 15.6-inch display, 1920 x 1080 resolution, and 60Hz/144Hz refresh rate
• It is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H/Ryzen 5 4800H processors, 8GB/16GB RAM, and 256GB/512GB SSD storage
• The Dell G5 15 SE (2019) has a 15.6-inch display, 9th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, and GTX 1650 GPU
• The Dell G5 15 SE (2020) has an AMD Radeon RX 5600M GPU, which delivers decent gaming performance at a reasonable price
• It also has a sleek design with attractive RGB lighting and a subtle rainbow effect on the Supernova Silver chassis.

Pros

• Affordable
• Sleek and attractive design
• Solid gaming performance
• Good connectivity options

Cons

• Poor speakers
• Cramped keyboard
• Chunky design

Price:

The Dell G5 15 SE (2020) starts at $799

 

7. Dell Precision 7550

The Dell Precision 7550 is a high-end laptop designed for professionals, including programmers. 

Key Specifications

• The Dell Precision 7550 is powered by (up to) an eight-core Intel Xeon processor, has a 4K display, and up to 128GB of memory and 6TB of storage
• It has a 15.6-inch display, up to 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, and up to 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage
• The Dell Precision 7550 has a weight of 6.2 pounds and features 3x USB-C, 1x SD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
• It also comes with a Dell Optimizer app that uses AI to optimize performance, battery life, and audio settings

Pros

• Powerful performance
• Large and high-resolution display
• Long battery life
• Plenty of ports
• Smart Dell Optimizer app

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy and bulky design
• Poor speakers

Price

The Dell Precision 7550 starts at $1,799

 

Final Thoughts on Best Dell Laptops for Programming

In conclusion, Dell laptops are a great choice for programmers looking for a reliable and high-performance laptop. 

The Dell XPS 13 and Dell XPS 15 are both excellent options for those who need powerful performance and a sleek design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 is a budget-friendly option for those who don’t need the most powerful specs. 

The Dell Precision 5550 and Dell Precision 7550 are both high-end laptops designed for professionals, including programmers, while the Dell Latitude 9510 is a business laptop that’s also great for programming. 

Finally, the Dell G5 15 SE is a gaming laptop that’s also suitable for programming. 

Consider your needs and budget when choosing the best Dell laptop for programming.