Best Dell Gaming Laptop

The world of gaming laptops has seen some considerable advancements over the last few years. These machines are quickly evolving enough to rival traditional gaming machines. Not only that, but they have the added benefit of being portable – depending on their size, of course.

Dell is one of the world’s most popular and trusted computer equipment manufacturers, so it only makes sense that they would produce some pretty great gaming laptops. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of their best gaming laptops. Read on for the full reviews of the best Dell gaming laptop options.

5 Best Dell Gaming Laptops

1. Dell G15 5511 15.6” Gaming Laptop

Starting off our list is this bite-sized gaming laptop from Dell. Like Alienware, Dell started out as a manufacturer of custom-built computers, and they were the first company to offer long-lasting lithium-ion batteries in their laptops. Today, Dell is one of the most respected and trusted computer manufacturers in the world, and their G15 certainly lives up to the brand’s reputation.

Review

The Dell G15 has a similar appearance to many other laptops that are based on the standard work notebook, though it is a little heavier and thicker than what you might be used to. The case comes in a good-old dark gray color with a glossy black Dell logo at its center, denoting it as one of the brand’s G series models. When you lift the screen up, you’ll be greeted with a full-sized keyboard that includes a number pad that glows once powered on.

The connectivity of the G15 is rather limited, with three USB-A ports, one USB-C Thunderbolt 3, Ethernet, standard HDMI, and a headset jack. Each of these ports is found near the back of the machine. It goes without saying that cable connectivity is not the be-all and end-all of a computer, especially since most peripheral devices are wireless these days. However, we do think that some of the space on the sides of this machine is wasted, considering just how much plastic hides what is inside.

Speaking of interiors, the G15 has a lot to offer in terms of its specifications. It features an 11th generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor, a 512GB SSD, and 16GB of RAM, providing more than enough working power for your everyday taste. Dell still hid a few tricks up the sleeve of this laptop, including an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, which features 6GB of GDDR6. Couple that with the 1920 x 1080 display, and you’ve got an excellent gaming experience.

The only problem that we have with Dell’s G15 is how hot it can get during use. The GPU easily hits 90°C when gaming, which can often cause crashes from overheating. So be sure to play in a chilled environment, and make sure that you aren’t suffocating your laptop!

PROS

• Affordable price for most people
• Sturdy build quality
• Great speakers – small but powerful
• Excellent performance
• Portable and easy to store

CONS

• Gets very hot during use

2. Dell G5 15 15.6” Gaming Laptop

Next is the Dell G5, which, while not the cheapest nor fastest laptop on the market, boasts some very sturdy construction. It has a stunning design that sets it apart from many other gaming laptops on the market, and it is muscular enough to give even the most advanced modern gaming titles a run for their money.

Review

If you’re looking for a good mid to high-end gaming laptop, look no further than the Dell G5 5500. It features a great screen, an even better graphics card, a fantastic processor, and a compact case that makes it super easy to transport. The top cover of the G5 chassis boasts an Interstellar Dark finish, which hides an iridescent sparkle inside what most people would consider pedestrian black plastic.

Underneath the front end of the chassis is a 12-zone RGB light bar, which shines a good arc onto the desk beneath, adding a futuristic touch to the G5. The screen portion opens on a narrow central hinge while the keyboard lights up a crisp white to add even more glow to this already-bright machine. This Dell G5 is a classy gaming laptop from top to bottom and really makes you feel like you’re operating some kind of spacecraft rather than a computer.

The laptop features an Nvidia RTX 2060, which isn’t the most powerful graphics card on the market, but it’s more than enough to support modern AAA titles. Its Intel Core i7-10750H processor is a current favorite amongst gaming laptop manufacturers for its decent turbo-boosting capabilities and generous speeds.

The screen on the G5 is definitely one of its most crucial components, as is the case with any gaming laptop, and we were very happy with the panel size here. It is a 144Hz FHD screen that uses Dell’s Wide Viewing Angle. It is very heavy in contrast and handles motion quite well, though you aren’t going to see any syncing, and the colors tend to be less than vibrant.

PROS

• Great appearance looks good in any setting
• Good gaming performance
• Many connectivity options
• Decent specs
• Fast action screen

CONS

• Colors lack vibrancy

3. Dell G7 17.3” Gaming Laptop

The Dell G7 sits smack-dab in the middle when it comes to performance and is a fantastic budget-friendly option for anyone who is looking for good gaming performance that doesn’t cost a fortune. You’ll be able to play pretty much any game on high settings, and it also boasts an impressively long battery life.

Review

The Dell G7 7790 is the first in Dell’s G7 series of laptops, which are mid-range gaming laptops that provide solid performance for affordable prices. The overall design of this laptop is rather boring, though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you are looking for a machine that gives most games a run for their money without actually screaming “I’m a gaming laptop” due to its appearance.

The entire chassis is made of plastic, which doesn’t really befit a laptop in this price range, but this isn’t really a major problem either. It tends to pick up fingerprints and smudges, but those can easily be wiped away. The top of the lid bears the Dell logo in blue accents. Upon opening the lid, you’ll find a large screen with ultra-thin bezels, providing you with maximum viewing space.

As for the keyboard, it is more than enough for both gaming and typing for your regular work projects. The keys have quite a short key travel, which produces a satisfying clicking sound and gives the keys some great feedback. You’ll find quad-zone RGB backlighting on the keys as well, and the Alienware Command Center will allow you to configure this lighting to your liking.

Dell offers the G7 with two processor configurations: the more affordable option features a quad-core Intel Core i5-8300HQ, while the more expensive option comes with a hexa-core Intel Core i7-8750HQ processor. The G7 also supports RAM configurations between 8GB and 32GB, and you’ll find two DDR4 slots inside of the machine.

The Dell G7 also supports a number of graphics configurations. You’ll get an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of GDDR5 memory with the base model. Its mid-range option features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB of GDDR5 memory. And the high-end model comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 or Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 GPU, which both feature 8GB of GDDR6 memory.

PROS

• Excellent performance
• Various available configurations
• Good port options
• Simplistic design is easy to use and looks good
• RGB keyboard backlighting

CONS

• Mediocre build quality

4. Dell G3 15 3500 15.6” Gaming Laptop

The Dell G3 is a classic gaming laptop that boasts a great appearance and a decent level of performance. It comes with some more-than-capable gaming hardware, the heart of which comes in the form of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060. This laptop epitomizes value for money in the gaming industry.

Review

Dell manufactures its G3 15 from plastic that is quite robust. So much so that it doesn’t even give way under strong pressure, providing the notebook with a very durable form factor. Though there are a few small decorative touches here and there to catch the eye, the G3 15 boasts an overall classic look. The screen is highly resistant to torsion and can be opened with your hands without distorting it.

When it comes to ports, the Dell G3 offers a great selection. We’re especially fond of the fact that you are able to hook up several external gaming monitors through these ports. Not only will you find an HDMI and mini-display port, but there is also a Thunderbolt 3 connector that can be used for connecting external monitors.

The keys on this gaming laptop allow your fingertips to remain firmly in place and respond to input with a distinct pressure point. If you are going to be doing a lot of typing, you’ll get along well with this keyboard, though the Enter key does take some getting used to. What’s more, the arrow keys are slightly narrower than what you might be used to, but the free space surrounding them helps you avoid making mistakes.

As for performance, the G3 is aimed at gamers and offers some great specifications. There are models with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti and GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. What’s more, there are models with Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7 processors available, allowing you to choose the model that best suits your needs.

Unfortunately, the Dell G3 tends to get quite warm during gaming, and if you aren’t careful about keeping it cooled, you can expect some crashing.

PROS

• Robust form factor
• Good design looks and performs well
• Excellent port selection
• Good key response times
• Great performance

CONS

• Heats up during use

5. Dell Flagship G15 15.6” Gaming Laptop

Finally, we have the Flagship G15 from Dell, which is an entry-level gaming laptop that serves its purpose – to provide you with a good gaming experience at an affordable price. It comes with an impressive battery life and is a great option for anyone working on a budget.

Review

Don’t let the affordable price tag fool you – the Dell Flagship G15 is one of the boldest and cooler-looking gaming laptops on the market right now. It is dominated by a light color that Dell calls Phantom Grey and is finished with a darker speckled pattern that gives the entire machine a futuristic look. The rear and hinge sections are darker and slightly chunkier, and you’ll find orange G logos on the corner and wrist-rest areas.

While this is definitely a very attractive machine, it is by no means light or slim. In fact, it’s one of the heaviest models on this list, which means you might have a slightly harder time carting it around with you everywhere. However, the larger chassis does serve a purpose, and that purpose is to accommodate a large selection of ports.

It has one USB 3.2 port and a USB-C connector with DisplayPort compatibility. There is also a dual-band WiFi 6, Bluetooth and Gigabit compatibility, and more, which are all decent features to have on a laptop. The screen has an impressive contrast ratio and black level, which means you get a lot of depth during your gaming sessions.

It, unfortunately, does not render a massive range of colors, which means that more colorful games are not going to look as vibrant as they should. What’s more, the 120Hz refresh rate is definitely mediocre, but it’s still great for everyday gaming.

The Dell G15 delivers solid 1080p gaming performance, and the great thing is that the exterior doesn’t get particularly hot.

PROS

• Well-balanced performance
• Sturdy design can take a bit of a knock
• Bold appearance looks great
• Excellent battery life
• Fast keyboard action

CONS

• Heavy and chunky

Wrapping Up

If you are on the market for a great gaming laptop that will serve you for years, be sure to check out some of the Dell models mentioned in this list. Dell is a fantastic computer and notebook manufacturer, and they’re a force to be reckoned with in the industry.