Summary
Best Buy dropped the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 from $750 to $450, and it’s not making a big scene about it, but maybe itshould. At that price, you’re getting a full-fledged convertiblePCwith a touchscreen, solid build, and enough power for day-to-day use without the usual budget laptop compromises.
At $750, it was a decent contender in a crowded mid-range field. At $450, it’s the obvious choice for students, casual users, or anyone who just wants a reliable 2-in-1 without overthinking it. What do you get for that sort of money, you ask? We’re about to find out.
How Dell’s Inspiron Became the Best Convertible Under $500
Starting off with the meat and potatoes, we have a beautiful13th Gen Intel Core i5-1334U which comes with 10 cores and 12 threads, hitting boost speeds up to 4.6 GHz. The processor is good enough to handle everyday computing, multitasking, and light creative work without any bumps at all. The 12MB cache keeps frequently used data accessible, reducing those annoying wait times when switching between tasks. Throw in the 8GB of DDR5 RAM at 5200 MT/s, and you’re practically sorted for most use-case scenarios.
The RAM also expands up to 16GB if you need it later.The 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD provides fast boot times and quick file access, so no spinning hard drive delays here. Intel UHD Graphics handles everyday tasks and light gaming fine. You most definitely won’t run latest AAA games on high settings, but older titles, indie games, and productivity work all perform well. Video streaming, photo editing, and general graphics tasks should also work without any issues.
The14-inch FHD+ display at 1920 x 1200 resolutionprovides more vertical space than standard 1080p screens, which makes a real difference for document work and web browsing. The IPS panel with WVA technology delivers good viewing angles and color accuracy that stays consistent. Touch support works properly, responding to finger input without lag or missed touches. The 250-unit brightness handles indoor use well, though direct sunlight can be challenging. The 60Hz refresh rate is standard for this price range and works fine for productivity tasks. It won’t impress gamers, but for everything else, it’s adequate.
The Cool Part
The 360-degree hinge transforms this from laptop to tablet, tent, and stand modes, and it feels solid rather than flimsy. The mechanism operates smoothly and holds positions securely. Tablet mode works well for reading, media consumption, and touch interaction, though at 3.3 pounds it’s heavier than dedicated tablets. Tent mode works great for presentations or video calls when you want the keyboard out of the way. Stand mode is perfect for media watching or using an external keyboard while keeping the touchscreen accessible. Dell Active Pen support (pen sold separately) adds functionality for note-taking or creative work. Palm rejection works reasonably well, though serious digital artists will want something more specialized.
The port selection covers everything important. Two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports support Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, handling charging and external displays through the same ports.Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 portsconnect older peripherals without needing dongles. The HDMI 1.4 port supports up to 1920x1080 at 60Hz for most external monitors and TVs. Wi-Fi 6E provides fast wireless connectivity in compatible environments. Bluetooth 5.3 handles mice, headphones, and other accessories reliably.
Bottom line,most 2-in-1 laptopsunder $500 involve a lot of heavy compromises - weak processors, limited RAM, poor displays, or questionable build quality. The Inspiron 14 2-in-1 at $450 delivers legitimate performance with convertible functionality that works well. For students, professionals, or anyone wanting laptop and tablet functionality without spending serious money, this Best Buy Memorial Day deal delivers what’s been missing.
Head on over to Best Buy and get your hands on this beaut before the deal runs out. Offer valid until end of day 5/26.
