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| The Dell 15 features a mylar touchpad and a plastic resin housing. |
The new Dell 15 D15261 arrives as a compelling budget alternative to its pricier predecessor, offering Intel's latest power-efficient Wildcat Lake processors and impressive battery life at a wallet-friendly price point.
Earlier today, we reported that Dell had released the Dell 14 with Intel Wildcat Lake processors. Simultaneously, Dell has updated its 15-inch counterpart with the same power-efficient platform. In short, the new Dell 15 D15261 serves as a cheaper alternative to the Dell 15 D15260 we reviewed in May (curr. $712 on Amazon). The timing couldn't be better for students and professionals seeking an affordable yet capable daily driver.
For those considering the smaller form factor, you might want to check out our coverage of the Dell 14 laptop which offers similar performance in a more portable package. The 15-inch model, however, provides that extra screen real estate that many users crave for multitasking and content consumption.
Dell 15 Specifications and Performance
The Dell 15 starts with the Core 3 304, 8 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Meanwhile, other pre-configured units swap the Core 3 304 for the more powerful Core 5 320 or Core 7 350. According to our benchmarks, the Core 7 350 enjoys a 9% performance lead over the Core 5 320 and almost a 20% lead over the Core 3 304.
The Wildcat Lake architecture represents Intel's latest push toward efficiency without sacrificing everyday performance. Early benchmarks suggest these processors handle web browsing, office applications, and light content creation with remarkable fluidity. If you're curious about how this compares to previous generation models, our in-depth analysis of the Dell 15 D15260 provides valuable context on the generational improvements.
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| The Dell 15 in its Celestial Blue and Platinum Silver colour options. |
The Dell 15 in its Celestial Blue and Platinum Silver colour options offers a refreshing departure from the sea of grey laptops dominating the market. The sleek chassis measures 341 x 241 x 11~18 mm and weighs just 1.54 kg, making it remarkably portable for a 15-inch laptop.
All SKUs contain the same 15.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,200-pixel and 400-nit IPS panel with 45% NTSC colour space coverage. While the colour coverage isn't going to satisfy professional photo editors, the high brightness and 16:10 aspect ratio make it excellent for productivity work and media consumption. The taller display provides more vertical screen real estate for documents and web browsing compared to traditional 16:9 panels.
Memory and Storage Options
Alternatively, Dell offers the Dell 15 with 16 GB or 32 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and 1 TB of storage. The inclusion of DDR5 memory ensures faster data transfer speeds and better power efficiency compared to older DDR4 configurations. This is particularly noticeable when running multiple applications simultaneously or working with larger files.
North American customers should note that only up to 16 GB of RAM is available in Canada and the US, while European and Australian markets get access to 32 GB configurations. The 512 GB SSD in the base model provides ample storage for most users, but the 1 TB upgrade option is worth considering if you work with large media files or install numerous applications.
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| The Dell 15 contains a built-numberpad and a 16:10 display. |
Likewise, Dell includes a 41 Wh battery that supports 65 W charging across all variants. The power-efficient Wildcat Lake processors paired with the relatively modest battery capacity should deliver respectable battery life, though we'll need to conduct our standard battery rundown tests for precise figures. The 65W fast charging support means you can quickly top up the battery during brief breaks between meetings or classes.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing starts at AUD 1,098, CAD 979, €749, £649 and $699 in Australia, Canada, the Eurozone, the UK and US, respectively, with a Core 3 304 and 8 GB of RAM. However, configuring the Core 5 320 pushes the Dell 15 to CAD 1,129/€878/£778.99/$799. Moreover, the laptop costs CAD 1,579//€998/£898.99/$999 with the Core 7 350. Similarly, Dell charges AUD 1,551/€500/£500 for 32 GB of RAM.
At $699, the base model represents exceptional value for a 15-inch laptop with a bright 400-nit display and the latest generation processor. The Core 5 configuration at $799 offers the sweet spot for most users, providing noticeably better performance without breaking the bank. For power users, the Core 7 variant delivers the best performance but commands a premium price point.
Who Should Buy the Dell 15?
The Dell 15 caters to a wide range of users, from students looking for an affordable yet capable laptop for their studies to professionals needing a reliable daily driver for productivity work. The bright 400-nit display makes it suitable for occasional outdoor use, while the 16:10 aspect ratio enhances productivity for document editing and web research.
The base model with 8 GB of RAM will serve casual users well, but we'd recommend springing for the 16 GB configuration if your budget allows, especially with the increasing memory demands of modern web browsers and applications. Similarly, the Core 5 processor upgrade from the Core 3 is a worthwhile investment for users who multitask heavily or occasionally push their laptop with demanding applications.
Final Thoughts
The Dell 15 D15261 builds upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing Intel's power-efficient Wildcat Lake processors. The combination of affordability, bright display, and reasonable portability makes it a strong contender in the budget laptop segment. While the display's 45% NTSC colour coverage may disappoint creative professionals, the target audience of students and productivity users will find the screen perfectly adequate for their needs.
For those interested in purchasing the Dell 15, it's worth checking current prices on Amazon where deals and discounts may be available. The laptop represents excellent value in its segment, and early indications suggest it will be a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable 15-inch Windows laptop.
Stay tuned for our full review where we'll put the Dell 15 through its paces with comprehensive benchmark testing and real-world usage scenarios.
