In this ever-increasing competitive market of laptops, it is difficult for a consumer to decide which one to go for.
For years, DELL and HP have been dominating this industry, and both these companies have managed to stay on par with the constantly changing technological environment around us.
We cannot deny the fact that organizations such as Apple Inc. and Lenovo have managed to grasp a fair bit of market share from these two.
Apple taking the luxury to a whole new level with its MacBook and Lenovo primarily catering to the Business segment.
Even then, HP and DELL are still the first two brands that pop into the majority’s minds when deciding on a new laptop. (The order in which these brands pop up can vary).
Dell Vs HP has a dedicated consumer base in the computing industry, and deciding on either of these two can often become one of the toughest decisions of your life.
And while doing so, the main attributes that one looks for are:
- Design and Build Quality
- Performance
- Durability
- Price
Therefore, to make it easier for you all, let’s compare these brands in the above-mentioned attributes.
Dell Vs HP – Which is the Better Choice for You?
Let’s take a look at what might be the biggest laptop showdown yet:
1. HP – Hewlett Packard
HP was initially founded as Hewlett-Packard. It entered the computer market in 1966 and since then has ensured the introduction of a wide variety of computing devices ranging from immaculate design to high-end performance.
If I would recommend one from the wide list of products HP has on offer, I would go for the HP Pavilion (including the x360 series).
This one is basically an all-rounder notebook PC with the best of both worlds. Design/Style and decent performance levels too.
The base model offers the fundamental hardware specs with a core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM.
However, the higher-end variant of the Pavilion x360 is buffed up with core i-10 processors with up to 16GB of RAM. It also boasts a 4K UHD Screen to provide a magnificent display.
The x360 variant has the facilitation of 4 usage modes that enhance the device’s overall usability, be it at home or the office.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to appearance and design, HP has always given preference to premium material usage and a stylish outlook.
Devices like the HP Pavilion and the Pavilion x360, which are meticulously wrapped around a quality chassis, are the perfect example of the type of design and style you can expect from HP.
Coming to the build quality, HP puts up a decent score in this department. Most of its devices are coated with a quality chrome finish and a solid aluminum frame.
Performance
HP has been in this industry for long enough to ensure its products are up to the mark when it comes to delivering performance.
However, to receive a formidable performance experience, you may have to dive deep into your pockets.
“Yes! The greater performing models in the HP lineup are a bit heavy on the pocket”.
The problem lies in the performance of the cheaper variants.
As I mentioned above, HP persistently focuses on design and style to give it a luxurious appearance but compromises on some hardware specifications to cater to the mid-range market.
Durability
In terms of durability, HP is a fair bit behind DELL. I wouldn’t say it has poor build quality, but you would definitely want to avoid rough and carefree usage of an HP device compared to DELL.
The amount of work put in by HP in the design and outlook of their top-quality products has led to it conceding a bit on their resilience.
However, a full warranty and a good customer service setup reasonably set off this compromise.
Price
This segment is pretty straightforward for many. HP is known for overpricing its products which eliminates the value-for-money aspect in many of its variants.
You may not regret it once you make the purchase; however, making the initial move of going and attaining it is a bit heavy on the pockets.
The HP Pavilion and the Pavilion x360 series are priced on the upper side to illustrate the efforts put in to produce a stunning design and luxurious feel on these products.
You have some cheaper models in there, too, but Yeah! You guessed it right; you will have to let go of some of the luxuries to buy them.
2. DELL
Dell is comparatively younger in this line of business. It was founded in 1984 by Michael S. Dell with the initiative of offering custom-built PCs. From there onwards, DELL has established itself as a reliable brand in the notebook industry.
At present, DELL has diversified into the television and digital cameras industry, and in 1991, DELL was the first company to offer efficient lithium-ion batteries to provide long-lasting performance.
Also known for its Just-In-Time business model, DELL was able to produce cost-efficient laptops at a reasonably low price and infiltrate the market.
The XPS series is one of the highest-end models now produced by DELL but with a hefty price tag also.
Therefore, I would recommend looking into the Inspiron series, which provides a great blend of quality and performance in a well-built package.
Design and Build Quality
In terms of design, I pretty much feel that DELL has never focused much on the outlook of its products.
Let’s keep aside the XPS series because that is one of the finest-looking laptops out there. But other than the XPS, DELL is decent in this department.
However, the Inspiron series is much more than just decent in design and has a more elegant look.
In terms of Build Quality, DELL is far superior to HP. A solid aluminum-framed chassis built along with a low-weight design complement the overall quality provided by DELL.
Performance
Performance-wise, DELL has been producing great laptops. However, most of them are a bit high on the price list. This is mainly because of the top-notch hardware used in these devices in terms of processors and RAM speed.
On the contrary, these laptops have never been powerful enough when it comes to customer satisfaction, as many brands out there provide better speed and power than most high-performing laptops by DELL.
Overall, I would rate their performance as reasonable, with more power achieved at a higher price rate.
Durability
I have been a fan of DELL’s durability factor in the Build quality of its products. DELL has been known in the market for its resilient computers internally and externally, and therefore, they suit best in rough usage conditions.
However, to maintain this durability factor in their laptops, DELL produced heavier devices in the past.
The era of the Inspiron N5000 series was of bulky gadgets, but with the passage of time, this series is now showcasing lightweight devices while maintaining its resilience.
This is mainly because of the box-style finish that DELL still applies on its laptops.
On the contrary, HP devices have a curvier finish that makes it difficult to withstand pressure at certain angles. Hence, DELL has a clear upper hand in this attribute.
To top this off, DELL provides one of the best-extended warranty services for post-purchase customer services.
Price
The price is a problem attribute when talking about DELL too. However, the main issue here is that you must pay more for a DELL laptop that is similar to other cheaper brands available in the market.
What I mean by this is that if you’re looking for a budget laptop, then you may opt for an ASUS or perhaps a Lenovo.
This is because you will be getting similar specs and performance from a DELL, too, but at a higher price because of the brand name associated with it.
To summarize, DELL Inspiron isn’t a value-for-money series either.
Dell Inspiron vs. HP Pavilion x360
HP is the one to go for if you’re looking for elegance and style along with more-than-average performance. The HP Pavilion and Pavilion x360 is the ideal series you should be looking at to get a proper blend of both. But you must be ready to dive deep into your pockets to purchase HP.
However, if you desire a durable laptop and are more of a rough user on the go, then you should consider DELL products. The Inspiron series is my recommendation because of the meld of performance and durability this series provides.
Although DELL isn’t on the cheaper side, at least you get a reliable machine in a similar price bracket.
It all comes down to your personal preference and what attribute you are more inclined towards. But one thing that stays constant even after you make the purchase is the Gigantic status both these companies have in the laptop industry.
I’m sure they will continue to provide even better products in the near future to meet the ever-evolving consumer demands around them.
Conclusion
By the end of this discussion, you definitely have a clearer picture of the two brands you’ve been looking to purchase.
It is basically Dell Inspiron vs. HP Pavilion. Both these brands are respectable giants in the Laptop industry.
They have earned this status due to the continuous efforts they have made in innovating and providing new and high-performing laptops over the course of their business years.
One more thing I would like to mention is the similar battery life both these products provide.
You can expect an 8-to-10-hour laptop battery life from DELL and HP both, and you may have to consider the other factors mentioned above in this article to make your decision.
Good Luck with your New Laptop!
