Dell Inspiron 15 7559 Review - Affordable, Upgradeable

Dell has some enticing new hardware on tap for its newest Inspiron 7000 series laptops, including the latest and most powerful Intel Skylake processors and NVIDIA GPUs, but the computer maker sent us a decidedly modest version for this evaluation. PC makers usually load their review systems to the hilt, in an effort to make them perform well in commonly used benchmarks, but Dell is confident that its Inspiron 15 7000 delivers solid, real-world performance for the money, even at base specifications, so we gave it a look.

Before we dig into the system we tested, let’s take discuss where it falls in Dell’s current family of laptops. If you’re looking for the most powerful and stylish of Dell’s offerings, you’re looking for an XPS. Those systems have price tags to match, though, which is why the bulk of Dell’s laptops are part of the Inspiron brand. There are three categories here – 3000, 5000 and 7000 – which hit the value, mid-range and high-end, respectively. Dell offers several models within each category, each with varying customization options.

Dell Inspiron 15 7559 Specifications & Features

Operating  System:	Windows 10
Display:	15.6-inch FHD LED-Backlit Display with Antiglare (1920x1080)
Processor:	Intel Core i5-6300HQ Quad Core 6MB; 2.3GHz (3.2GHz Turbo)
Graphics:	Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M 4GB GDDR5
Memory:	8GB DDR3L 1600MHz (8GBx1)
Storage:	1TB 5400 rpm Hybrid Hard Drive with 8GB Embedded Flash Cache
Networking:	802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Webcam:	720p Webcam with Dual-Array Mic
Ports:	3x USB 3.0 (1 with PowerShare), 1x HDMI 1.4a (Supports 4K Display), SD Card Reader, Mic/Headset, Kensington Lock, Ethernet
Battery:	74WHr 6-Cell Integrated Battery
Dimensions:	15.07 x 10.43 x 0.99 inches
Weight:	5.67 pounds
Software:	Dell Utilities, Microsoft Office 365 Trial, McAfee LiveSafe 30-Day Trial
Noteworthy Features:	Backlit, Spill-Resistant Keyboard
Warranty:	1-Year Hardware Warranty
Price:	$799.99 (as configured)

The model we are looking at today is the mainstream Dell Inspiron 15 7559, which goes for $799.99. Dell sees the system as a reasonably-stylish laptop with some gaming chops and easy upgradability, so we’re looking at it from that perspective instead unfairly comparing it to rigs that have an insurmountable hardware advantages. That’s not to say that we won’t include those systems in our comparison charts, of course, but we won’t expect performance from the system that it can’t reasonably provide.

The no-nonsense display on the Inspiron 15 7559 sets the tone for the laptop. The 15.6-inch screen has a typical 1920 x 1080 resolution and lacks touch. There are touch versions of the 7000 series available for people who consider the feature a deal breaker, but those models start at $999.99.

The hardware inside the Inspiron 15 7559 is a little more intriguing. The Core i5-6300HQ Skylake processor isn’t a surprise, but the included Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M GPU means the Inspiron 15 7559 has some game. Laptops in this price range usually rely on integrated graphics, so the Nvidia GPU is a nice touch.

Dell opted for a single-channel 8GB DIMM for the laptop’s system memory, which is good in that it leaves a slot open for easy upgrades, but the single-channel setup also diminishes performance somewhat versus a dual-channel configuration. For storage, Dell chose a 1TB hybrid drive that features an 8GB solid state cache, which strikes us as a good fit for a laptop like the Inspiron 15 7559.


When it comes to connectivity and ports, the Inspiron 15 7559 has a fairly traditional complement with a couple of perks, like PowerShare on one of the three USB 3.0 ports and 802.11ac for the latest wireless networks. Inspiron 3000 laptops (and even some models in the Inspiron 5000 series) are still limping along with 802.11n connectivity. The other ports include an HDMI port (with 4K display support), an SD card reader, an Ethernet port, a Kensington Lock and a mic/headset jack. The laptop doesn’t include an optical drive, but you’re not likely to need it these days anyway.

So, the Inspiron 15 7559’s hardware is decent, if not earth shattering, and the price is attractive for a stylish laptop with discrete graphics. If upgrading key components is as easy as Dell makes it out to be, the Inspiron 15 7559 could be a good investment, providing reasonable performance now and a longer lifespan than a typical laptop. Let’s open it up and find out...