ZDNET's key takeaways The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is on sale now for $1,099 for the 16GB version.
It's a versatile laptop that can handle a variety of use cases, its mini-LED display is bright and vivid, it comes with a stylus, and it's very competitively priced on sale.
It's on the bulky side and can run warm. View now at Dell
Dell's recent decision to ditch its familiar laptop naming convention left some consumers upset over the fact that there won't be any new XPS or Inspiron computers, and others confused about how exactly to break down the new names (Dell even wrote a blog post explaining it).
I, too, scratched my head at the decision to do away with the familiar names we've used for years, but then thought maybe we should let Dell cook here, and my hesitation turned to excitement for all-new devices untethered from the constraints of previous model lines.
Also: The best Dell laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
I recently spent a few weeks testing the new Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, a convertible that Dell calls "an upscale, mainstream offering" comparable to the former Inspiron Plus. The Dell 16 Plus certainly looks more premium, with the "Midnight Blue" colorway (a nice dark blue) and full-size keyboard exuding a capable, professional look.
Under the hood, the device backs up this good first impression with a diverse stack of hardware, including an Intel Core Ultra 5, 7, or 9 "Lunar Lake" processor, up to 32GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. The display is just as nice, with a mini-LED option at 90Hz refresh rate and 1660p resolution.
Also: I replaced my ThinkPad with a Lenovo Legion laptop for work, and didn't regret it
First, let me say that this is not exactly a thin and lightweight laptop. Ultrathin laptops with long-lasting batteries were prevalent last year, but the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 boasts solid hardware and a sturdy chassis, weighing in at 4.52 pounds -- nearly a pound and a half more than the LG Gram 17.
... continue reading