Will Dell's ISG Segment Benefit From Cloud Infrastructure Expansion?
Dell is facing stiff competition in the growing cloud market against the likes of Microsoft MSFT and Alphabet GOOGL.Microsoft is benefiting from strong demand for cloud and AI offerings. Microsoft Cloud revenues reached $42.4 billion, growing 21% year over year and 22% in constant currency in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Azure, in particular, had strong demand, especially for AI services, which contributed significantly to the cloud's performance. In the reported quarter, Azure and other cloud services revenues grew 33% (up 35% in cc), including 16 points from AI services.Alphabet is riding on strong cloud growth. Google Cloud is benefiting from accelerated growth across AI infrastructure, enterprise AI platform Vertex and strong adoption of Generative AI solutions. In first-quarter 2025, Alphabet's Google Cloud revenues increased 28.1% year over year to $12.26 billion. Google's growing investments in infrastructure, security, data management, analytics and AI are positive.
DELL's shares have gained 4.9% year to date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's return of 3.7%.
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DELL stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 0.77X compared with the Computer & Technology sector's 6.45X. DELL has a Value Score of B.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.26 per share, which has increased 7.1% in the past 30 days. This indicates a year-over-year increase of 19.58%.
Dell Technologies Inc. price-consensus-chart | Dell Technologies Inc. Quote
The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is pegged at $9.43 per share, which increased 2.6% in the past 30 days. This suggests 15.85% year-over-year growth.DELL currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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In this case, plan to invest in a USB hub for those specific needs. But the power this device can draw upon to work on the heaviest applications, including CAD and video editing, makes the price and the weight well worthwhile. Best Features CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 165U | RAM: 32GB | Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13.3-inch QHD+ touch screen | Battery: Up to 12 hours | Weight: 2.5 pounds Pros: Lightweight aluminum build is great for working on the go Long battery life lasts most of the day on a single charge Cons: Display is on the smaller side Minor software glitches may be off-putting The Dell Latitude 7350 13-Inch 2-In-1 is a great choice for those seeking a blend of workhorse power but also need a touch-screen tablet. I used it as my main working device for several months—the aluminum chassis is lightweight enough to tuck into my work bag when I'm traveling around New York City, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor feels snappy for all of my working needs. The model here has 32GB of RAM which is more than plenty for editing work and may be overkill for those seeking a device for watching content. But for the price, it's worth that extra splurge. It's worth noting that I work with Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop to edit projects; the Dell 7350 handles these tasks with ease, and the display gets plenty bright and can hit 500 nits. That said, there are a few drawbacks to the Dell 7350. While the laptop itself offers plenty of ports, for those doing light editing work, plan to add a USB hub that includes an SD card slot. While most Dell devices don't come with this, it's an oversight for creatives who feel a 2-in-1 better suits their needs. Also, there have been moments with small software glitches—some of my peripherals randomly disconnect, and restarting and repairing these peripherals is the only way to get them working again. The Forbes Vetted team works entirely from home, and we rely on our laptops to stay connected to our coworkers and complete day-to-day tasks, like maintaining our hundreds of tech and electronic guides . By leveraging our personal experiences with laptops and in-depth product research, we've published several guides on home office essentials , including the best home printers and Wi-Fi extenders in addition to this roundup. Author of this guide and Forbes Vetted consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has spent the past six years testing and reviewing the latest in consumer technology. Isaacs has personally tested many Dell laptops and can speak to benchmarking, build quality and more. She has also tested products for related guides, like the best gaming TVs , Android phones and writing tablets . has spent the past six years testing and reviewing the latest in consumer technology. Isaacs has personally tested many Dell laptops and can speak to benchmarking, build quality and more. She has also tested products for related guides, like the , and . We also consulted unbiased computer experts to learn more about Dell devices and their offerings. In particular, we spoke with Jake Turner, cofounder and CFO of IT consulting company Cosmistack, Inc. To ensure our recommendations are current and relevant, we frequently update this guide. It was published in June 2025. To find the best Dell laptops, we reviewed the company's latest laptop launches and considered its most popular laptop models. We compared key features and cross-checked components like the processor, graphics card, RAM and more to determine what made the shortlist. We also leaned on expert insights from IT professionals. We dove into the details for the processor, RAM, graphics, storage, display and more to narrow down what features provide the best experiences. We relied on the expert advice of Turner to help guide our choices. Additionally, we interviewed a representative from Dell to understand which laptops were designed for which type of user, and took into account the features that can help make or break these experiences. All of the laptops on this list have outstanding customer reviews, with an average rating of no fewer than 4 out of 5 stars. We also considered different customer needs, from gamers to students to casual browsers and more. All of the laptops on this list encompass a variety of users, so there's something on this list for everyone. A Dell laptop should showcase plenty of processing power so you can accomplish all of your work tasks, but it's not just about processing power. There's plenty more to consider before deciding on your next Dell laptop. Here's what to know. Performance A laptop's performance refers to how well its processor, or CPU, tackles different tasks. Essentially, it's considered the laptop's brain, and the stronger it is, the faster it can work with heavy applications. Dell offers two different brands of processors, Intel and AMD. 'Intel and AMD are neck-and-neck these days, and you'd have to be doing some pretty intensive computing to start fretting over the nuances between each. All of the processors available in the Dell Pro line, the line I recommend, are going to throw some heavy punches,' says Turner. For Intel, look for the Intel 14th generation or the Core Ultra. AMD Ryzens typically come in three different levels, also known as series. Series 5 is good for casual tasks and general internet browsing. Series 7 offers more balance for power-hungry tasks while keeping this power affordable. Series 9 is the company's top-of-the-line processor that's built for heavy applications and AAA gaming. Most shoppers, depending on their needs, should opt for an AMD Ryzen Series 7 or higher, especially for multitasking or playing video games on your Dell laptop. Display Odds are you're staring at your screen for multiple hours per day, and a bright display can make a big difference, whether you're reviewing images or just watching content. Most of the Dell displays that made our list are FHD displays that are an IPS display, which is a type of LCD. LCDs are recommended for having bright backlighting, so they're ideal for working at any time of day. That said, there are a few on our list that are OLEDs, which is a panel that's composed of self-lit pixels. These displays are excellent for reproducing high-contrast images with vivid colors, and it's why a lot of video editors and photographers prefer this type of panel. Portability If you tend to move between an office or travel frequently for work, consider the size and weight of your laptop. Some of the best Dell laptops on this list, including the Dell 7350 13-Inch 2-In-1 and the Dell Pro 14 Premium, weigh less than three pounds, making them a great option to carry in a backpack or work bag. Battery Life With a longer battery life, you don't have to worry about always being near an outlet. The minimum amount of time a laptop's battery should last is eight hours (though gaming laptops can last as few as four), but some laptops can last significantly longer. The Dell 14 Plus, as an example, can last up to 22 hours on a single charge. What Series Of Dell Laptops Are Best? It depends on what you plan to use the laptop for. Turner says to ask yourself, 'What kind of tasks will you be doing? General web browsing and administrative work or graphic design and video editing?' In general, Turner recommends the Dell Pro 14 line of laptops for workers, saying it's great for 'knowledge workers who need all-around performance and portability.' For most needs, the Plus lineup is a great choice. It offers the balance of the raw power that the Pro line has while staying more affordable. The Plus line is also great for document processing, like working on essays or school assignments. Is Dell XPS Or Inspiron Better? It depends on your needs. The Dell XPS lineup is best suited for business owners and those who need a more powerful processor. The Inspiron line is better suited to casual users and students who may be working with documents and lighter processing. But there's another more complicated answer here: Dell is in the process of sunsetting these lineup names, opting for a standardized lineup called Dell, Dell Plus, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max titles. You can still get the XPS and the Inspiron laptops, but plan to look for these new titles. If you're looking to go straight to the new names, Turner recommends the Pro line. 'The new 'Pro' line is a result of Dell simplifying their naming conventions in 2025 and combines the product families that business users may already be familiar with, such as Latitude, OptiPlex, and Vostro,' says Turner. But once you dive into the Pro family, you can narrow your needs further. 'Inside of the 'Pro' line, there are three further segments: 'Pro,' 'Pro Plus,' and 'Pro Premium,' each with differing levels of performance, connectivity, and versatility,' Turner says. So in short, while the Pro lineup is best for business owners, make sure you consider all the features before buying. For students and casual users looking to replicate the Dell Inspiron line, the Plus line should be where you start. The Dell Plus line can handle document processing for working on schoolwork without costing a hefty sum. Which Dell Laptop Is Best Overall? Based on our research and testing, the best Dell laptop right now is the Dell 14 Plus. It has a great Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and plenty of RAM and storage that fits most needs.
