Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Go 4
The Verdict
Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) and Microsoft Surface Go 4 serve fundamentally different needs despite similar price points. Inspiron 15 delivers a traditional 15.6-inch laptop with stronger processing power, Intel Core i5-1335U or AMD Ryzen 5 7530U options, 8-16GB RAM, and 512GB storage for productivity and light content creation. Surface Go 4 prioritizes portability at just 0.55kg with a premium magnesium chassis and superior 400-nit touchscreen display, though its Intel N200 processor and 128GB base storage limit multitasking and storage capacity. Inspiron 15 provides better keyboard experience with backlighting and more connectivity options including HDMI and dual USB-A ports. Surface Go 4 excels in mobility and display quality but requires keyboard attachment purchase and offers minimal storage expansion. For stationary desk work or demanding tasks, Inspiron 15 wins decisively. For travel and note-taking, Surface Go 4 justifies consideration despite hardware limitations. Recommendation: Choose Inspiron 15 for value-oriented productivity; select Surface Go 4 only if ultraportability absolutely outweighs processing needs.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) if…
- →Solid all-rounder for everyday productivity and web browsing at $599
- →Good port selection including HDMI and SD card reader
- →Reasonable 54 Wh battery provides good endurance for the price
Buy the Microsoft Surface Go 4 if…
- →Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- →Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- →Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Dell Inspiron 15 (2024)
Pros
- Solid all-rounder for everyday productivity and web browsing at $599
- Good port selection including HDMI and SD card reader
- Reasonable 54 Wh battery provides good endurance for the price
- Lightweight at 1.65 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
- Expandable storage via second M.2 slot
Cons
- 250-nit display brightness is dim for any non-indoor use
- 60Hz refresh rate feels behind modern standards
- 8 GB base RAM needs upgrading for comfortable multitasking
- Plastic chassis feels basic compared to aluminum competitors
- Webcam is only 720p — poor for video calls
Microsoft Surface Go 4
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
- PixelSense touchscreen with excellent touch and pen accuracy
- microSD slot for expandable storage
Cons
- Intel N200 is slow for anything beyond basic web browsing
- 128 GB storage fills up quickly with Windows updates
- Type Cover keyboard sold separately at $99-$129
- Only one USB-C port — no USB-A, no HDMI
Full Specifications
| Spec | Dell Inspiron 15 (2024) | Microsoft Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.65 kg | 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis with aluminum palm rest | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 358.5 x 235.6 x 16.9 mm | 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours | Up to 12.5 hours |
| Capacity | 54 Wh | 28 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | PixelSense IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1280 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 250 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe | 128 GB UFS |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 16 GB DDR5 | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 10-core (Intel) / 6-core (AMD) | 4 cores |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U / AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | Intel N200 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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