Dell is refreshing and rebranding all of its PCs: What all the new names mean

"Dude, you're getting a Dell" is about to be more apt than ever.

Dell announced a sweeping overhaul of its AI-powered PC portfolio at CES 2025 Monday. More than just a next-generation refresh, the company's upcoming fleet of laptops and desktops will feature new hardware, new designs, and new names under the same all-encompassing brand.

Dell PCs now fall into three categories called Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max, each representing a different use case: everyday tasks, business, or demanding apps, respectively.

Within each category, individual variants are further differentiated by three subcategories representing varying degrees of configurability. There will be starter-level base models, mid-range Plus models for "scalable performance," and high-end Premium models for "the ultimate in mobility and design," according to a Dell press release.

This rework marks a major shakeup for Dell's PC naming schema, which has used the Inspiron, XPS, Latitude, and Precision monikers since the 1990s. In consolidating its branding, Dell hopes to make it easier for consumers to figure out which device will best match their needs, streamlining the oft-complicated experience of buying a PC.

The decision follows on the heels of an April 2024 consumer survey in which 74 percent of participants said they scrapped a purchase "simply because they felt overwhelmed," the release states.

The new Dell extended universe will launch with a slew of laptops in the first half of 2025. The Mashable team hasn't tried any of them yet — Dell didn't have a booth at CES — but we'll get our hands on demo units soon.

Dell: 'Play, school, and work'

Geared toward everyday multitasking, a Dell PC is the machine the average user will buy. The base Dell and Dell Plus tiers can be thought of as the spiritual successors to the cheap, entry-level Inspiron and Inspiron Plus series, respectively, while the Dell Premium tier pulls from the advanced features and stylish looks of the now-defunct XPS family.

The first wave of Dell devices stars four Plus-tier Copilot+ PCs with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, including two hybrid laptops with 360-degree hinges: the Dell 14 Plus ($1,099+), the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 ($999+), the Dell 16 Plus ($1,149+), and the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 ($999+). Dell says they have a thin new design and a battery life that's up to 39 percent better than some of its Inspiron series laptops with previous-gen Core Ultra Series 1 CPUs. All four of them begin shipping on Feb. 18.

Later this year, Dell will flesh out this category with more variants powered by AMD and Qualcomm Snapdragon X series CPUs. Additional models in the base and Premium tiers are also slated to join the ranks.

Dell Pro: 'Professional-grade productivity'

Dell Pro PCs are posited as the company's new flagship machines and unofficially succeed its Latitude line of business computers. Thin and light, they opt for classy over clunky without sacrificing durability: Dell says one 13-inch model withstood three times as much wear and tear as an HP EliteBook 640 G11 in internal testing. They also come with modular USB-C ports that can be replaced if damaged — a first for a business laptop.

The first Dell Pro releases span all three tiers. Helming the upper slot are the Dell Pro 13 Premium and Dell Pro 14 Premium, the slimmest and lightest options in the Pro family.

At a starting weight of just 2.36 pounds, they're a third of a pound lighter than the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air. They're also the quietest business laptops Dell has ever made thanks to a new dual-fan thermal design.

The Dell Pro Premium models boast Core Ultra Series 2 processors that supposedly offer 36 better multithread performance, 82 percent better graphics rendering performance, and 3.5 times faster AI performance than a Latitude laptop.

On the battery life front, Dell says they last up to 21.5 hours per charge. The Dell Pro 14 Premium tacks on a tandem OLED display — another commercial laptop first — which will probably bring that number down a bit. Both models sport an 8MP webcam with HDR.

The Dell Pro 13 Premium and Dell Pro 14 Premium are available starting Jan. 6.

The initial Dell Pro portfolio also includes the Dell Pro Plus 13, 14, and 16, which are billed as "the world's most scalable mainstream business laptop[s]."

They come in chamshell and convertible styles; with different USB, HDMI, and Thunderbolt port options (plus WiFi 7 and 5G); and with Core Ultra Series 2 or AMD processors. Models with Intel Core Ultra 200V CPUs will be available first on Jan. 6 for the Dell Pro Plus 14 and 16, then on Feb. 25 for the Dell Pro Plus 13. The AMD variants are due sometime within the next six months.

Rounding out the current Dell Pro laptop lineup are the Dell Pro 14 and Dell Pro 16, two base tier models. They come equipped with low-power displays that can help stretch their battery lives further. Core Ultra Series 2 configurations will be available by March or April, and AMD versions some before July.

Dell Pro Max: 'Maximum performance'

Dell's new Pro Max machines cram more power into the sleek-but-durable design of the Dell Pro family. They usurp the company's Precision series of desktop computers, targeting professionals who need high-octane PCs capable of handling intense tasks — think video rendering and AI inferencing.

The first Pro Max models out of the gate will be the Dell Pro Max 14 and Dell Pro Max 16, which have Core Ultra Series 2 and AMD Ryzen or Threadripper CPU options.

The 16-inch model is configurable with a QHD+ touschreen display and up to Nvidia RTX 2000-series graphics. Stay tuned for their Intel launch in March or April and their AMD debut in the first half of 2025.