As one of the biggest names in the tech industry, Dell has a bit of a pedigree when it comes to laptops and computers. Their approach to high performance and executive designs has catapulted them to the top of the work executive laptop space, with their XPS range being some of the best laptops money can buy.
It isn’t just the XPS range that impresses us here at Tech Gearoid, either. Today we are going to be doing a Dell Inspiron 15 5000 series review, another laptop with incredible specs and potential.
This laptop went under the radar for a while, but now we have had the chance to review it properly, we can't wait to show you what we found.
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Pros & Cons Of The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Unique Features Of The Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series
Dell is a master of performance and quality; they prioritize these aspects over things like price. As a result, all of their laptops come with a premium build quality and up-to-date parts that synergize perfectly—the result; a fantastic quality laptop.
Let’s look at some of the amazing features that set the Inspiron 15 5000 apart from the competition.
10th Generation Intel Core i7 Processors
One of the best-selling points to the Inspiron 15 is the 10th generation i7 processor from Intel. This is one of the best processors on the market and will allow your laptop to destroy multitasking tasks without breaking a sweat. The Intel i7 has lots of cores and is extremely efficient, too, meaning that you get all of the performance without a rapid power drain.
AMD Radeon Graphics
AMD Radeon Graphics are extremely powerful and work really well in the Inspiron. If you want to game with your laptop, you will be able to do so with ease, especially paired with the 16GB of DDR4 RAM and the Intel i7 CPU. You won't get any bottlenecks here.
This makes the Inspiron 15 a great choice for those that want to do some gaming as well as any photo or video editors.
Combo Audio Jack, HDMI, SD Card Reader
When you are playing online, having a combo audio jack is perfect for team coms or for using during team meetings on zoom. You also get an HDMI for plugging your laptop into a range of peripherals and an SD card reader for uploading photos to edit from your camera.
Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7260
Dual-band wireless capabilities allow for a much more stable connection when gaming, meaning you won't lag out or experience downtime. This is crucial for modern gaming, especially e-sports, where split-second plays and decisions can make or break a game for you and your team.
Gigabit Ethernet Port
For serious gaming, you will want to hardwire your internet via the gigabit ethernet port.
This will allow you to maximize the full bandwidth available to you.
A gigabit port is also really useful for when you need to download those larger game files and don't want to wait for hours on end.
Anti-Glare Touchscreen
There is nothing worse than glare on your screen. When you are using your laptop in a sunny climate and can’t control the light coming into your space, an anti-glare screen can be the difference between a joyful experience and a hellish nightmare where you can’t see, work, or play.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series Review
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Specifications
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
Standing Screen Display Size | 15.6” |
Max Screen Resolution | 1080 pixels |
RAM | 16GB |
Hard Drive Capacity | 512GB SSD |
Ports | 2 USB 3.1, 1 USB 2.0, HDMI, SD Reader, Headphone Jack |
Battery Life | 8 hours |
Now that we have looked at the features that set the Inspiron 15 5000 apart from the competition, how does it perform in a more traditional sense?
Design & Display/Screen
The 15.6 inches LED FHD Touchscreen looks incredible here.
Powered by the onboard graphics and helped by the intel i7 processor, you get crisp colors and deep blacks that look great for gaming.
Performance Features For Gaming
In terms of performance, you have plenty of power. Firstly, you have the 10th generation cutting-edge i7 processor, which blows tasks out of the water. This allows for advanced multitasking at a high level.
Then you have the 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is enough to support any high-powered rig. With this much RAM, your experience should be crisp and smooth without any framerate drops or problems.
You also get a 512GB SSD, the fastest type of storage. This allows for lightning-quick data transfer and a really quick boot-up time. Also, by loading your games onto the SSD, you will experience the lowest possible loading screen wait times during your games.
Keyboard & Touchpad
Dell has always made keyboards that feel comfortable to use, and the Inspiron 15 is no different. All of the keys have a great throw, spacing, and resistance that are bouncy without being too spongy. The keys may not have mechanical switches, but we found them fast enough and responsive to keep up with us during gaming.
The touchpad is one of the places where the Inspiron 15 lets itself down.
It isn’t very responsive. It isn’t a dealbreaker, but we highly recommend using a gaming mouse with the Inspiron, but if you are playing, you would probably be doing that anyway.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, you have a decent selection of ports to choose from with the Inspiron 15. You have two of the USB 3.1 style ports and an older 2.0 port. These are great for hooking up gaming peripherals like gaming mice and keyboards, as well as headsets.
Then you have an HDMI which gives you the potential to hook up to a gaming monitor and a combo headphone jack which means there is not a headset you cannot plugin.
Finally, you have a Media Card Reader, perfect for uploading photos from your camera, and a wireless card that’s known for being extremely stable across two bands. Any gamer will tell you, unstable internet is incredibly frustrating.
Battery Life & Energy Consumption
For such a powerful laptop, you get a lot of battery life from the Inspiron 15. This is a nice touch, considering how poorly laptops usually do during gaming. Don't expect 12+ hours, but you can get a comfortable 6-8 of intensive usage.
You also have a lithium battery that can be fully charged within 2 hours, meaning you spend less time tethered to the power outlet.
Audio
Dell has put the focus on sound cards instead of speakers, so you will need a good gaming headset to take full advantage of what the Inspiron can really do.
Unfortunately, you aren't going to get the same level of audio quality from the speakers. If you are looking for a laptop with a great set of speakers, we recommend looking at HP and their offering of laptops.
Maintenance
The maintenance of Dell laptops is usually relatively straightforward, and the Inspiron is no different. Dismantling the case is pretty easy, and this makes dust removal and regular cleaning a breeze.
As with all laptops, the key to maintaining a healthy machine is to make sure you regularly check for dust buildup and keep your laptop away from any heat sources.
Price & Warranty
Dell laptops aren’t known for their low price tag, but that's okay. Dell knows their laptops come at prestige, and this makes them better than the competition. They don't care about being the best-priced range; they care about simply being the best. That being said, we do think the Inspiron 15 has a great price tag for the performance you get.
Another reason to pay a little extra for a Dell laptop is the incredible level of customer service you gain alongside. Their support teams are fast and responsive, and they repair laptops at record speed if they are under warranty. In addition, if you purchase business-level plans, some people qualify for a 24-hour turnaround!
Who is the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 best suited for?
Dell is pretty solid when it comes to its target audience. They build their laptops with the aim of being excellent. This means their laptops are designed for those who desire the ultimate machines in terms of power and efficiency and aren't afraid to throw a few more bucks into getting there.
The Inspiron is perfect for graphic design students, gamers, and executives. It can handle multitasking to a high level, play games on moderate settings, and last long enough away from being plugged in for a workday.
Who is it not suitable for?
If you are more of a casual user, don't game, or have a lower budget, you might want to look at another brand like Lenovo or Acer. Their laptops have similar power but have a slightly lower price and build quality. For casual users, you won’t be able to tell the difference.
Comparing With Other Gaming Laptops (Is The Inspiron 15 5000 Good?)
Next, we will compare the Inspiron 15 5000 to some of its close competitors in this price range and category. The competitors are the Dell 2021 Flagship, the Acer Aspire 5, and the HP 2020.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series Vs Dell 2021 Flagship
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Of the three, the 2021 Flagship has an edge in processing power, boasting a newer 11th generation quad-core i7 processor from Intel. The other three utilize the same 10th generation chip. This will result in a greater boost of power over the Inspiron 15 5000.
This would be great for people who are running AAA gaming titles or doing design and video editing. If you can spring for the extra power boost, then this one may be a better bet for you.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series Vs Acer Aspire 5
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In terms of RAM, all of the laptops except the Aspire have 16GB DDR4 RAM. The Aspire has 8GB, which is a big dealbreaker for us in terms of gaming ability. You can check out our full head-to-head comparison of Acer vs Dell here.
That is half the amount of RAM as the Dell Inspiron 15 5000, and trust me, you'll notice a huge difference. In my opinion, 16GB of RAM is about the lowest you'll want to go on a gaming laptop.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series Vs HP 2020
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The HP 2020 has the best storage capacity of the 4, with a 1TB SSD. If you are the type of gamer that has a huge library full of games and likes to switch between them, this might be the winner here as the other three all come with half the capacity at 512GB.
One thing to note is that the Dell 15 Inspiron 5000 has far superior build quality. It feels much more premium and durable than the other models. If you're looking for style, the Inspiron 15 is the one to go with. You can check out our head-to-head comparison of HP vs Dell here.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is Dell made in the USA?
Dell was founded by an American university student and started with simple repairs and computer building for his classmates. His enterprise became so successful that he left university to found Dell, which was known by a different name: PC’s Limited back then.
Is Dell Inspiron 15 a 2 in 1 laptop?
While the Inspiron 15 does have a touchscreen, it lacks the hinge systems that we find define a true 2 in 1 laptop nowadays.
How do I speed up my Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series?
If you find that your Inspiron 15 is slowing down, you might want to consider removing some of the strain from your RAM. Try not to keep too many tabs open or too many programs that demand a lot of CPU. You can also remove your case and ensure the fan system isn’t clogged up with dust.
Finally, you can look at overclocking or undervolting your laptop, which are both methods of exceeding the factory restrictions placed on your laptop. Make sure that you do extensive research and follow exact guidelines if you want to try these.
What's the difference between Inspiron 3000 and 5000?
The Inspiron 3000 is the younger brother to the 5000. In the same generation, the 3000 will come with a lower spec and a lower price tag.
Conclusion
Thanks to their research and development team, who are perhaps the best on the market, Dell offers laptops that ooze quality. When you are buying a Dell, you know that you are getting a laptop that has been designed from the ground up without cutting any corners.
Sure, you pay a slight premium for the privilege, but is it worth it?
Absolutely.
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Jake Redman is a UK-born-digital nomad & founder of Ultimate Quality Content, a collective of high-end copywriters formed to provide detailed insight into everything technology-related. Jake is the definition of a man-nerd. He gets excited over things like processor architecture, ray-tracing, & is an avid E-Sports fan, specifically League of Legends. When he isn’t writing detailed tech-related articles, Jake can be found performing fire-breathing shows & wields a dragon staff, or on the sofa playing Mario Kart.