Dell and HP are two of the largest laptop computer manufacturers for good cause. 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 all the above, you’ll discover a number of good machines from each manufacturers.
Seriously, no model is greatest in all conditions! That’s what we’ve seen all through our laptop computer opinions. The greatest model for you is determined by what you’re searching for, the kind of laptop computer you’re shopping for, and the costs you may afford — and the right laptop 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 best laptop list right here at PCWorld. But there’s so much to be stated for evaluating these manufacturers. So, let’s take a more in-depth look.
Dell vs. HP laptop computer product ranges
Both Dell and HP provide a variety of various laptops for various wants, from funds picks to premium stunners.
Dell presents quite a lot of laptop computer lineups. Until lately, it was damaged down as XPS laptops for the premium line, with Latitude and Inspiron laptops for enterprise and shopper use, respectively. Starting in 2025, nevertheless, Dell scrapped that naming conference ostensibly to be extra simplified, but you be the judge. Still, the identical vary of efficiency and costs stays.
HP rebranded its laptop computer lineup in May 2024. Now, it presents OmniBook laptops for customers and ProEbook 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 enormously simplified.
For gaming laptops, Dell has consolidated all of its providing below the Alienware model. HP presents gaming laptops below 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 — no less than in case you’re shopping for on Dell’s online store. You’ll usually discover a a lot wider number of choices and upgrades, together with CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and different {hardware} elements.
This doesn’t matter in case you’re shopping for a prebuilt laptop computer, in fact, nor does it matter in case you’d quite seize gross sales on Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and so on. But in case you’re shopping for straight from the producer, there’s little question that Dell’s retailer is extra versatile than HP’s online store.
Dell vs. HP laptops for productiveness
If you’re purchasing for a shopper or enterprise productiveness laptop computer for work, faculty, or private use, then relaxation assured that each Dell and HP provide a variety of nice choices.
Whether you’re searching for a Copilot+ PC with special AI features, 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. Both producers provide machines fitted with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm chips — you’re spoiled for alternative right here.
As talked about, Dell’s productiveness laptops previous to 2025 have been discovered below the XPS, Inspiron, and Latitude names. Now they’re often known as Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max fashions, equivalent to a shopper, enterprise, and workstation focus, respectively. You may also discover Plus and Premium fashions inside the Dell shopper class, such because the Dell 14 Premium, which might have beforehand been the XPS 14.
HP, then again, has simplified its choices into the OmniBook line for customers and EliteBook and ProEbook strains for companies. You’ll nonetheless see older Spectre, Envy, and Dragonfly machines floating round, too.
IDG / Matthew Smith
Each producer presents a variety of laptops below these names, making it troublesome to check. For instance, if you would like a 2-in-1 laptop computer with a 360-degree hinge, take a look at the HP OmniBook X Flip 14 (at HP) and the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1 (at Dell).
For a traditional clamshell laptop computer expertise, we just like the Dell 16 Plus (at Amazon) and provides it a excessive rating. But 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 presents a variety of laptops, now below the Dell Pro line (beforehand Inspiron and Latitude). whereas HP presents a lot of ProBook and EliteBook laptops as nicely. With all kinds of costs and {hardware} configurations, it’s laborious to judge both laptop computer producer as an entire on this space.
However, it’s price noting that neither Dell nor HP are thought of as premium within the enterprise laptop computer area 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 worth, in fact.
When procuring, make sure to evaluate laptop computer to laptop computer. Neither laptop computer producer has the very best entry in each class, and the winner might range from yr to yr and mannequin to mannequin.
Dell vs. HP laptops for gaming
For premium gaming laptops, Dell presents Alienware-branded laptops whereas HP presents Omen-branded laptops.
I’ve used each Alienware and Omen laptops. Both are likely to have premium construct high quality with a number of metallic of their laptop computer chassis. Some folks might even say that Alienware laptops have higher construct high quality than Omen laptops on the entire, however I’m undecided that’s true as of late. Based on my hands-on expertise, Alienware and Omen laptops with comparable {hardware} at comparable worth factors are fairly comparable.
That stated, Alienware does have a tendency to supply costlier and higher-end choices that Omen laptops normally can’t match. For instance, you may get an enormous 18-incher just like the Alienware 18 Area-51 whereas Omen tops out at 17.3 inches.
High-end Alienware machines just like the Alienware 16 Area-51 (at Dell) provide premium options like a mechanical keyboard and many high-end touches. And conserving with Dell’s configurability, it’s simpler to search 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 just a few 14-inch fashions. Alienware doesn’t presently provide a 14-inch gaming laptop computer.
Overall, Alienware is targeted on bigger and higher-end gaming machines. If cash was no object and I used to be taking a look at each Alienware and Omen machines, I’d lean in direction of high-end Alienware machines. But on the “mid-range premium” worth level for gaming laptops, each HP Omen and Dell Alienware provide many aggressive choices.
No laptop computer is ideal, in fact, and each machine has its downsides. When evaluating gaming laptops, it’s extra essential to check laptop computer to laptop computer, searching for opinions of the precise machines you’re thinking about. That’s what it can 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 presents its comparable G collection of funds gaming laptops.
Expect 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.
Still, we’ve given machines just like the HP Victus 15 (at HP) strong rankings right here at PCWorld. It delivered robust gaming efficiency at a superb worth in our hands-on exams — and that’s precisely what you’d need from funds gaming laptops like these.
Ryan Whitwam / IDG
Again, it can come all the way down to the distinction between every particular person laptop computer. And gross sales might muddle issues additional, presumably making a extra premium Alienware or Omen laptop computer a greater deal to grab.
Dell vs. HP for Chromebooks
When it involves Chromebooks, HP offers a wider range of options as of this writing. HP presents the mid-range HP Chromebook Plus (at Amazon) with an Intel Core i3 processor, which gives a higher-quality expertise in case you plan on utilizing your Chromebook as your fundamental laptop computer.
Dell solely has a single Chromebook model presently, centered on offering a low-cost possibility for schooling.
Dell vs. HP: Which laptop computer model is greatest?
Both Dell and HP are strong laptop computer producers that make quite a lot of good laptops, and each are good selections on your subsequent laptop computer. Neither producer constantly bests the opposite in our laptop computer opinions.
Each has a number of completely different merchandise although, so take care when procuring. Look at opinions and comparisons for particular laptop computer fashions quite than explicit manufacturers or product strains. We’ve given excessive scores and low scores to each, so neither model is a sure-fire winner.
Still really feel such as you want some steering? Dive straight into our suggestions for the best Chromebooks, best laptops under $500, best gaming laptops, and today’s best laptop deals!