Dell Inspiron 15.6" 2K Carbon Black 2023 Review

Skip it. The 8GB of RAM is a deal-breaker in 2024, and the screen is so dim you'll need a flashlight. It's a budget box of compromises that will feel old on day one.

Look, this Dell Inspiron 15 is a budget laptop that tries to do a lot of things, but the one thing you need to know is this: it's a compromise machine. It's got a decent number of ports and a touchscreen, but it's built around a low-power Intel i5 and a measly 8GB of RAM. For under $400, you're getting a basic Windows machine that can handle web browsing and documents, but you're also getting a screen that's dim and a chassis that feels cheap. It's not a bad deal, but it's not a great one either.

The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a low-power i5 and 8GB of RAM in 2024: fine for basic tasks, and slow for anything else. Our database shows its CPU lands in the 32nd percentile, which means it's slower than most modern laptops. The real surprise, and not a good one, is the screen. At 220 nits and landing in the 7th percentile for screen quality, it's dim. You'll be cranking the brightness to max just to see anything indoors. The 93rd percentile port selection is a genuine bright spot, though.

At $378, it's cheap. But 'cheap' doesn't always mean 'good value.' You're saving money upfront but locking yourself into a machine with severe limitations, especially that 8GB RAM ceiling. For basic, single-task use, it's an okay value. For anyone else, it's a trap.

This isn't competing with MacBooks or gaming laptops. Its real competition is other budget Windows machines. Compared to something like a base model Acer Aspire 3, you're trading a bit of CPU power for a touchscreen and more ports. But honestly, at this price, you should be looking at refurbished business laptops like a Lenovo ThinkPad. You'll often find better build quality, more RAM, and brighter screens for the same money, just without the touchscreen gimmick.

If you're looking for a laptop that won't drive you crazy in six months, this isn't it. Go find a refurbished business laptop from a few years ago. You'll get a better keyboard, a brighter screen, and 16GB of RAM for the same price, even if it's a little thicker.

We can't recommend this Inspiron 15 for most people. The 8GB of RAM is its fatal flaw; it'll feel sluggish the moment you open more than a few browser tabs. The terrible screen is the second strike. Only consider this if your budget is absolutely rigid at $400, you desperately need all those ports and a touchscreen right now, and you promise to only ever do one thing at a time. For everyone else, save up a little more or buy used.