Display size: 27-inch
Display: 1920x1080 resolution
Capacity: 512GB, 1TB
Chip: 12th Gen Intel® Core i7-1255U
Camera: 1080p HD Webcam
Weight: 6.74kg without stand
Dell’s all-in-one option, the Inspiron 27, takes its name from the fact it’s the 27-inch version with a cheaper 24-inch configuration, too.
It’s that screen that feels like the biggest missed opportunity, too – it’s big enough, sure, but a 1080p resolution at this price feels much too low. There is an optional touch screen variant, too, which may be handy since Windows 11 (which it’s running right out of the box) offers plenty of intuitive touch-based elements.
It feels akin to a “monkey paw” computer. Every positive has a drawback attached, with the 1.5TB of storage included at the base level a combination of an SSD and an old spinning hard drive, and then there’s the default GPU which will struggle for more complex creative work and gaming. Even the build-to-order option is a little underpowered.
Still, at least there’s a 1080p webcam (which pops up and can be hidden for extra privacy), and the speakers are solid, too.
For
- Great design
- Plenty of ports
Against
- Not very powerful for creative tasks
- HDD option not worth it
- 1080p is low for the price
Display size: 27-inch
Display: 2560x1440p resolution
Capacity: 512GB, 2TB Hybrid Drive
Chip: 12th Generation Intel Core i7
Camera: 5MP camera
Weight: 8.3kg
The HP Pavilion 27-ca1003na may not have the catchiest title, but it’s a solid machine that rectifies the Dell Inspiron 27’s biggest issue – the display resolution.
The HP here hits 1440p resolution, which is considerably sharper than 1080p. Much of the same we said of the Dell applies here, though, with an underpowered GPU that means you’ll want to look elsewhere for gaming.
While there is another outdated hybrid storage option, the base configuration comes with 512GB of SSD space. That’s better than some, but if you see the HP Pavilion 27-ca1003na as a family computer, you may want to hook up some additional drives.
Its stand is singular and central, with a flatter base that may be preferable based on your desk setup, and again, there’s a pop-up webcam and a soundbar-style audio setup on the “chin”.
For
- 1440p resolution
- Fast storage
- 16GB RAM
Against
- Integrated graphics lacks power
- Hybrid Storage option is outdated
Dell and HP have been near the top of the computer manufacturer standings for a while, and for good reason – both can scale according to budget, meaning there’s an option for affordable workstations all the way to ultra-portable laptops and powerful gaming machines.
Both have plenty of build-to-order options, too, but for the purposes of this comparison, we’re pitting the Dell Inspiron 27 against the less-than-catchily titled HP Pavilion 27-ca1003na. Both are priced similarly (around $1200), and both are all-in-one machines so they come with everything you need to get started.
Which is best? We’ve taken a look at the display, specs, speakers and plenty more to help you pick a winner in the Dell vs HP battle. For more comparisons, be sure to check out our comparison of the Dell Inspiron 27 with Apple’s M1 iMac.
Dell vs HP: Design
At first glance, much of the HP Pavilion all-in-one we’ve chosen for comparison looks a lot like the Dell. It’s got a “chin” that houses the speaker, thin bezels, and a pop out webcam.
There are some differences, though – the stand is central, and the ports are located above it on the back. It feels a little like HP’s attempt at an iMac from the pre-M1 days, and it’s all the better for it.
Your choice of stand setup will be entirely subjective of course, but both machines come in just one color – white for the HP, and silver for the Dell.
There’s honestly not really enough to differentiate them in this category, so we’re calling it a tie.
Winner: Tie
Dell vs HP: Display
Again, there’s little to differentiate the two machines here outside of the clear difference in resolution.
Both offer 27-inch panels, but the jump to 1440p resolution is more than enough to recommend the HP here. It’s not 4K (or 4.5K like you’d find in the iMac 24-inch).
There is the option for a touchscreen on the Inspiron 27, but unless your workload and processes are dependent on it, we’d always opt for resolution.
The HP does offer an anti-glare panel as standard, which may make a big difference if your office or workspace lets in plenty of light, and remains “flicker-free” due to its ability to adjust the current.
Still, the resolution alone gives HP a win here, particularly if you do any image editing whether that added detail will be a huge boon.
Winner: HP Pavilion 27-ca1003na
Dell vs HP: Audio
Both machines offer stereo speakers in a “soundbar” style setup at the bottom of the monitor, but you’d be hard-pressed to pick a winner.
The HP’s 4W speakers are developed in partnership with B&O, meaning there’s a pedigree, but the Inspiron matches it for most playback scenarios and also offers the ability to use its speakers as Bluetooth output for other devices.
As is always the case, all-in-one speakers pale in comparison to dedicated speakers, particularly those with a subwoofer, but for watching a movie or playing back a Spotify playlist, these will do the job.
Winner: Tie
Dell vs HP: Performance
This is where we really start splitting hairs between the machines, and where the Dell gets a win, too.
That’s largely down to the GPUs on offer, although it’s worth noting we’re looking at build-to-order options here. The basic, straight out of the box, basic configurations’ differences are negligible because they’re both integrated GPUs that lack grunt.
Scale up slightly, and the Dell gains a boost from offering an MX550 over the HP’s MX450. In truth, neither are particularly powerful (they’re designed for laptops), but the MX550 has faster memory speed and is more recent than the older variant.
They’re not the GPUs you’ll want for demanding games of video edits, but for editing photos and flicking through browser windows and tasks, they’ll do very nicely indeed.
Winner: Dell Inspiron 27
Dell vs HP: Value
There are plenty of ties in this guide, and this is another. The value you find in either the Dell Inspiron 27 or the HP Pavilion 27-ca1003na will come down to those two differentiating features – display and performance.
We’re inclined to go for the former since the difference in performance is slight and even then the SSD makes up some ground, but there really is no right answer here.
Winner: Tie
Dell vs HP: Verdict
While there’s little to distinguish the two in terms of performance, the combination of a 1440p display and significantly faster SSD storage make the HP Pavilion our pick between the two computers.
Neither is perfect, though, and we’d recommend looking elsewhere for video editing or gaming purposes.
