Dell Laptop Computer Features
- There are four main types of laptop offered by Dell for the home user -- the most basic are the mini netbooks, followed by the standard "everyday computing" Inspiron, the more powerful and advanced XPS line, and finally the Alienware-branded laptops which are the most expensive, very powerful and aimed at gamers and enthusiasts. Vostro and Latitude laptop lines are aimed at business users. Each series comes with its own distinct chassis style, incorporating keyboard and touchpad design, the display and lid style, and other aesthetic features that distinguish one range from another.
- The specifications of a Dell laptop indicate how powerful it is and the range of tasks it can tackle. The key figures to look for are the CPU speed, the amount of RAM installed (1GB to 32GB), and the graphics chip performance (a combination of the graphics processor speed and the amount of dedicated graphics memory). The size of the internal hard drive and the durability of the onboard battery are other specifications that distinguish one laptop from another.
- The size of the display is often the headline specification for a laptop. Dell offers screens from 10.1 inches to 18.4 inches; the display size determines the native resolution, the size of the keyboard and numerous other aspects of the design. The number of USB ports available on each laptop determines how many peripherals can be connected at once as well as the audio and video output capabilities of the laptop. As of the date of publication, all Dell laptops range come with integrated Wi-Fi capabilities, a built-in memory card reader and the option of Bluetooth connectivity.
- Other features that vary between models include the supplied optical drive (DVD or Blu-ray), the built-in speaker configuration, and the model and quality of the integrated webcam. Some Dell laptops come with interchangeable lids, enabling you to choose a customized lid at the point of purchase. As of the date of publication, all of Dell's laptops run the Windows 7 operating system and come with a bundle of pre-installed software -- check each laptop's individual page listing for full details of the supplied programs.