I find it really hard to recommend any Windows-powered machine these days with less than 16GB of memory. Windows 11, not to mention essentials like Chrome and other browsers, just chug on anything less. So it’s great to see a dependable 15-inch laptop from Dell going for as little as $359.99, at least if you jump through a hoop or two.
Dell is selling an Inspiron 15, with a 12th-gen Intel Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage for $399.99, already a very solid $150 off the regular price. But as a poster on SlickDeals notes, you might be able to get an even lower price if you haven’t subscribed to Dell’s promotional emails. You can click here to add your email to the list, wait up to half an hour, and you should get a one-time use coupon for 10 percent off a purchase.
That brings the final price of the laptop down to just $359.99 before tax and shipping. It’s a damn good deal for a Windows laptop, let alone one with a decent processor, drive, and memory. Other highlights include a 1080p IPS screen, a full-sized SD card slot and an HDMI port.
This is a pretty basic machine, so don’t expect extras like Windows Hello face login or discrete graphics. The 41-watt-hour battery isn’t going to be running any marathons, and oddly the laptop lacks a USB-C port (though the USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports are still plenty fast), so you’ll have to charge up with an old-fashioned wall-wart. But if you’re looking for a decent laptop at a rock-bottom price, you’re unlikely to find anything better without having to go for a Chromebook or a much older model.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer
Michael is a former graphic designer who's been building and tweaking desktop computers for longer than he cares to admit. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.