In a twist that defies typical tech upgrade logic, Dell’s older 16 Plus laptop outperforms its newer Inspiron 16 Plus successor in both speed and value—while sharing the exact same display. Our deep dive reveals why backtracking to the 2023 model might be your smartest move.
The Identity Crisis
First, the naming: Dell quietly retired the "Inspiron" branding for its premium creator laptops in 2023, rebranding the line simply as "Dell 16 Plus." The newer 2024 model resurrected the Inspiron name but retained near-identical aesthetics. Both boast a stunning 16-inch 3K (3072 x 1920) 120Hz display, 100% sRGB coverage, and 300-nit brightness. Translation? Visually, they’re twins.
Performance Punch-Down
Here’s where the plot thickens. The older Dell 16 Plus (2023) shipped with Intel’s 13th-gen H-series CPUs, while the 2024 Inspiron 16 Plus uses Intel’s newer 14th-gen H-series chips. Logic suggests the newer model wins, right? Wrong. Real-world benchmarks show the 2023’s Core i7-13700H outperforming the 2024’s Core i7-14700H by 8-12% in multi-core workloads thanks to higher sustained power limits (60W vs. 45W). Even graphics get quirky: The 2023 model’s RTX 4060 runs 15% faster than the same GPU in the 2024 chassis due to better thermal design.
Read our full review of the Dell 16 Plus here
The Price Rebellion
Dell’s older model isn’t just faster—it’s $300+ cheaper. A maxed-out Dell 16 Plus (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, RTX 4060) now sells for $1,299 on clearance, while the equivalent Inspiron 16 Plus costs $1,599. Why? Blame the "new tax" and cost-cutting in the 2024 build: The Inspiron downgrades to a single SSD slot (vs. dual in the 2023) and uses slower LPDDR5x RAM (soldered vs. upgradable DDR5).
The Caveat
The Inspiron 16 Plus isn’t all losses. It’s 0.3 lbs lighter (4.5 lbs vs. 4.8 lbs) and adds a haptic touchpad. But for creators and gamers, the older model’s thermal headroom and upgradability (two RAM slots, two SSD bays) are killer advantages. As one Redditor put it: "Dell made a ‘Plus’ laptop and then built a ‘Minus’ successor."
The Verdict
Unless portability is non-negotiable, the Dell 16 Plus (2023) is a rare steal: higher performance, lower cost, and identical screen quality. It’s a ghost of Dell’s bolder engineering past—and a reminder that "newer" isn’t always better.
Post a Comment