Laptop Review: Dell Latitude vs. Dell Inspiron (2024)

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Dell is one of the most consistent and innovative laptop manufacturers out there. The Austin, Texas-based company offers something for nearly every type of user, at every price point. Take two of its more popular series: Latitude and Inspiron.

If you travel frequently and need your laptop to withstand the abuse that comes with a life on the road, the Latitude will be much more suitable for your needs. It’s built for the business professional and comes with added security features. On the other hand, a casual home user who needs a computer for internet use and word processing will find a much better value in the Inspiron line. Its offerings are more wallet-friendly, and it comes in a gaming-friendly variant.

But the computer you choose should depend on how you plan to use it, so let’s take a look at some of the highs and lows of each.

Dell Latitude

All of the Latitude notebooks are constructed with durable plastics that can withstand the beatings that come from life on the road. Some models are even tested against military standards to withstand bumps and vibrations, which means the computers can be toted onto a plane, train or automobile without much worry.In addition to their rugged construction, many Latitude machines also come equipped with the latest in security features that include fingerprint readers.

Like the Dell Inspiron computers, Latitude models are divided up into 3000, 5000, and 7000 series, with the 3000 being least expensive. Even on the budget side, models like the Latitude 3440 still have strong processing power and durable construction but cut some of the cost in the areas of screen size and RAM.

Take the Latitude 7390, for instance. It sports a striking matte touch screen, screaming fast performance and great battery life. It courts business travelers and IT departments with everything from Intel vPro manageability toMIL-STD-810G certification against shock, vibration and environmental extremes. But it’s pricey (nearly $2,000) and has a few minor flaws such as a cramped, flat keyboard.

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Dell Inspiron

The Inspiron line of laptops is aimed at a much more mainstream consumer. Models are spec’d to reflect this purpose, and as such they are typically less expensive than the Latitude.

Even so, Inspiron models run the gamut from basic entry-level laptops to spec-heavy gaming machines. They carry the same model designations as the Latitude: ranging from the budget-friendly 3000 series to the midrange 5000 models to the high-end 7000 series.

Models like the Inspiron 17 7000 have spectacular battery life, fast 8th-generation processors and great built-in audio. It'’ one of the biggest laptops on the market, and certainly one of the largest 2-in-1 machines available.

On the other end of the line is the budget-friendly Inspiron 15 3000 laptop, which performs quite well in spite of its much lower price tag. The Celeron processor and 4 gigabytes of RAM won’t be suitable for heavy photo or video editing but will work well for a first computer or as a backup machine for most purposes.

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