Dell Inspiron Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Review

This Dell Inspiron is a weird one. It's got a ton of RAM and a huge SSD, but it's wrapped around a sluggish, outdated processor. The one thing you need to know? It's a parts bin special that prioritizes the wrong specs for most people. For $640, you're paying for 32GB of RAM you probably don't need, while the CPU and screen are dragging the whole experience down.

The performance story is all about mismatched expectations. That 32GB of RAM is in the 75th percentile, which is overkill for basic tasks. But the real shocker is the Intel 1155G CPU sitting in the 17th percentile. It's a four-core chip from a few generations ago, and it shows. Opening apps, multitasking with browser tabs, and even just booting up Windows 11 Pro feels slower than it should. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are fine for video calls, but that's it. Gaming is a non-starter, scoring a dismal 14.7 out of 100.

At $640, it's a tough sell. You're spending money on RAM and storage you might not fully utilize, while skimping on the core components that affect daily speed and enjoyment. For this price, you can find newer CPUs and better screens. It's not a good value unless your only requirement is 'lots of RAM for cheap'.

Compared to a Lenovo ThinkPad P14s, you lose out on professional build quality, a better modern CPU, and likely superior reliability, even if you get less RAM. Against an ASUS Zenbook Duo, you're missing out on innovative dual-screen functionality and a much more modern chipset. Even some budget gaming laptops like an MSI Vector would run circles around this Dell's CPU for similar money, though they'd be heavier. The MacBook Pro isn't a direct competitor here, but it highlights how far behind this Dell's processor is.

I can't recommend this Dell Inspiron. It feels like a laptop built from leftover parts, with its strengths in the wrong places for its target 'business and student' audience. The slow CPU and mediocre screen are deal-breakers at this price. Look for something with a newer generation Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, even if it means 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. You'll have a much better experience.