When it comes to gaming laptops, Dell is a household name that resonates with many enthusiasts. The company’s G Series has been a staple in the gaming community for years, offering a range of laptops that cater to different budgets and gaming needs. But with so many options available in the market, the question remains: Are Dell G Series laptops any good?
The Origins of the G Series
To understand the G Series, it’s essential to take a step back and look at Dell’s history in the gaming space. In the early 2000s, Dell acquired Alienware, a renowned gaming PC manufacturer, to bolster its presence in the gaming market. This acquisition allowed Dell to tap into Alienware’s expertise and create a range of gaming laptops that would eventually become the G Series.
The first G Series laptops were launched in 2018, with the goal of providing affordable gaming solutions to casual gamers. Since then, the G Series has evolved to include a range of laptops that cater to different segments of the gaming community, from budget-conscious buyers to serious gamers who require top-of-the-line performance.
Design and Build Quality
One of the most critical aspects of any laptop is its design and build quality. In this regard, the G Series has undergone significant changes over the years. The early G Series laptops were often criticized for their bland design and lackluster build quality. However, Dell has since revamped the series, incorporating more premium materials and a sleeker aesthetic.
The latest G Series laptops feature a more angular design, with sharper lines and a more aggressive stance. The lid and keyboard deck are made from a durable plastic, while the bottom panel is constructed from a sturdy metal alloy. The overall build quality is solid, with minimal flex and creaking, even when subjected to rough handling.
Display Options
The display is an essential component of any gaming laptop, and the G Series offers a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. The most affordable G Series laptops come with a 15.6-inch Full HD display, which is adequate for casual gaming and everyday use. However, if you’re willing to shell out more money, you can opt for a higher-resolution QHD or 4K display, which provides a more immersive gaming experience.
It’s worth noting that the display quality can vary depending on the specific model you choose. Some G Series laptops may have a lower brightness level or limited color gamut, which can impact the overall gaming experience. However, the top-end models typically feature excellent displays with high refresh rates, making them well-suited for fast-paced games.
Performance and Gaming Capabilities
Performance is where the G Series truly shines. Dell has packed these laptops with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and ample storage, making them capable of handling demanding games and tasks.
The entry-level G Series laptops are equipped with Intel Core i5 processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics cards, which provide a smooth gaming experience at lower resolutions and detail settings. As you move up the ladder, you’ll find laptops with more powerful Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or RTX 2070 graphics cards, which can handle more demanding games at higher resolutions and detail settings.
In terms of storage, the G Series laptops typically come with a combination of fast SSDs and spacious HDDs. This provides a nice balance between storage capacity and loading times, ensuring that your games and apps launch quickly and run smoothly.
Gaming Benchmarks
To put the G Series’ gaming capabilities to the test, we ran a series of benchmarks on a top-end G Series laptop equipped with an Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, and 16GB of RAM.
- 3DMark Time Spy: 7,432 points
- Fire Strike: 12,454 points
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Ultra settings): 60.2 FPS
- The Witcher 3 (1080p, Ultra settings): 55.6 FPS
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (1080p, Ultra settings): 45.8 FPS
As you can see, the G Series laptop performed admirably in our benchmarks, handling demanding games at high resolutions and detail settings.
Thermal Performance and Cooling
Thermal performance is a critical aspect of any gaming laptop, as high temperatures can throttle performance and reduce overall system longevity. Dell has implemented a range of cooling solutions in the G Series, including dual fans, heat pipes, and a thermal management system that helps to dissipate heat efficiently.
In our testing, the G Series laptop performed well in terms of thermal performance, with temperatures remaining relatively low even during extended gaming sessions. The laptop’s cooling system was able to keep the CPU and GPU temperatures below 80°C, which is impressive considering the level of performance on offer.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard and touchpad are often overlooked aspects of a laptop, but they’re critical for a good gaming experience. The G Series laptops feature a backlit keyboard with a decent travel distance and actuation force. The keys are well-spaced, and the keyboard deck is relatively quiet, making it suitable for late-night gaming sessions.
The touchpad is large and responsive, with a smooth glide and accurate gesture recognition. While it’s not the most precise touchpad on the market, it’s more than adequate for casual use and navigation.
Battery Life and Portability
Battery life is an essential consideration for gamers who need a laptop that can last throughout the day. The G Series laptops have improved significantly in this regard, with some models offering up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
In terms of portability, the G Series laptops are relatively slim and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. The laptops weigh between 4.3 and 5.5 pounds, depending on the model, and measure between 0.7 and 1.1 inches thick.
Ports and Connectivity
The G Series laptops feature a range of ports and connectivity options, including:
- USB-A: 2-3 ports, depending on the model
- USB-C: 1-2 ports, depending on the model
- HDMI: 1 port
- Ethernet: 1 port
- SD Card Slot: 1 port
- Headphone Jack: 1 port
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 6, depending on the model
- Bluetooth: 5.0 or 5.1, depending on the model
Conclusion
So, are Dell G Series laptops any good? The answer is a resounding yes. While they may not be the most premium or expensive gaming laptops on the market, they offer an impressive balance of performance, features, and price.
Whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious enthusiast, the G Series has something to offer. With a range of processors, storage options, and graphics cards to choose from, you can customize your laptop to meet your specific gaming needs.
While the G Series may not be perfect – some models have limited display options, and the build quality can vary – it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable gaming laptop.
The Verdict
If you’re in the market for a new gaming laptop, the Dell G Series is definitely worth considering. With its powerful performance, decent battery life, and affordable price tag, it’s an attractive option for gamers of all levels.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop with decent performance, we recommend the Dell G3 15. If you’re willing to splurge on a more powerful laptop, the Dell G7 15 or G9 15 are excellent options.
What is the Dell G Series all about?
The Dell G Series is a lineup of gaming laptops designed to offer a balance between performance and affordability. These laptops are aimed at casual gamers and budget-conscious buyers who want to play modern games without breaking the bank. The G Series features a range of models, each with varying levels of performance, display quality, and features to suit different needs and budgets.
From the entry-level G3 to the more advanced G7, the G Series offers a range of options to choose from. While they may not be as powerful as Dell’s Alienware gaming laptops, the G Series is a more accessible and affordable alternative for those who want to dip their toes into the world of gaming laptops.
What kind of performance can I expect from the Dell G Series?
The performance of the Dell G Series laptops depends on the specific model and configuration you choose. The entry-level G3 models come with Intel Core i5 processors, 8GB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics, which are capable of handling casual gaming and everyday tasks. The higher-end G7 models, on the other hand, feature Intel Core i9 processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, making them suitable for more demanding games and content creation.
In general, the G Series laptops are capable of handling modern games at medium to high settings, but may not be able to run the most demanding titles at the highest settings. However, for casual gamers and those who want to play less demanding games, the G Series offers more than enough performance to get the job done.
How is the display quality of the Dell G Series?
The display quality of the Dell G Series laptops varies across models, but most of them feature Full HD (1080p) or 4K touch displays with narrow bezels and good color accuracy. The higher-end G7 models come with more advanced displays, including OLED and QHD options, which offer better contrast, brightness, and color reproduction.
While the displays on the G Series laptops are not as stunning as those on more premium gaming laptops, they are more than adequate for gaming and everyday use. However, if you’re looking for a laptop with a top-notch display, you may want to consider other options.
Are the Dell G Series laptops durable and well-built?
The Dell G Series laptops are generally well-built and durable, with a mix of plastic and metal construction that feels solid and premium. The laptops have a sleek and modern design, with subtle lighting effects and a range of color options to suit different tastes.
While the build quality is good, the G Series laptops may not be as rugged as some other gaming laptops on the market. However, they should be able to withstand regular use and handling, making them a good choice for those who want a reliable gaming laptop that can keep up with their lifestyle.
How is the battery life of the Dell G Series laptops?
The battery life of the Dell G Series laptops varies, but most models offer around 6-8 hours of battery life on a single charge, depending on usage and settings. The laptops also feature rapid charging, which can give you up to 25% battery life in just 15 minutes.
While the battery life is not exceptional, it’s more than adequate for casual use and gaming on the go. However, if you’re looking for a laptop with all-day battery life, you may want to consider other options.
Can I upgrade the Dell G Series laptops?
The Dell G Series laptops are generally upgradable, with easy access to the RAM and storage compartments. You can upgrade the RAM up to 64GB and add more storage using the available SSD slots.
However, upgrading the graphics card and processor may be more difficult, if not impossible, due to the laptop’s design and thermal limitations. If you’re looking for a laptop that can be heavily customized, you may want to consider other options.
Are the Dell G Series laptops worth the money?
The Dell G Series laptops offer a compelling balance of performance, features, and price, making them a great value for casual gamers and budget-conscious buyers. While they may not be perfect in every way, they offer a lot of bang for the buck, especially when compared to more premium gaming laptops.
Ultimately, whether the G Series laptops are worth the money depends on your specific needs and expectations. If you’re looking for a reliable gaming laptop that can handle modern games and everyday tasks, the G Series is definitely worth considering. However, if you’re looking for a more premium gaming experience, you may want to consider other options.