Best Dell Strategy & Simulation Players Laptops under $1500

What a Strategy / Simulation laptop means: a laptop tuned for CPU-bound games where late-game turn times, AI threads, and giant simulations stress the processor more than the GPU,strong multi-core CPU, plenty of RAM, fast storage. Typical use: Civilization, Crusader Kings, Total War, Cities: Skylines, Stellaris, Football Manager,long sessions where end-game turns get slow. Fits strategy game enthusiasts, history-game fans, sim players, and anyone whose top game is decided by "how long does the AI take to think on turn 300?"

Also relevant for: strategy game laptops · simulation rigs · turn-based · CPU-bound games

Updated: July 2026
Products evaluated: 2281
How we work: Editorial principles →

Showing: under $1500 · Dell

Showing 1–10 of 220 Strategy & Simulation Players laptops
  1. #1
    Champion
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus
    (Core Ultra 9 288V, 32GB, 2TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    $1,344 – $1,486
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    68 / 100
    Weight1.87 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display16.0" 2560x1600
    RAM32 GB
    Storage2 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 64
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 53
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 66
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 78
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 66
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 67
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  2. #2
    Runner-Up
    Objective profile
    Dell Precision 5560
    (i9-11950H, 64GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 15.6" · 2021
    $1,044 – $1,154
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    67 / 100
    Weight0.99 kg
    Battery7.0 hr
    Display15.6" 1920x1200
    RAM64 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 48
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 83
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 70
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 70
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 58
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 56
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  3. #3
    Top Pick
    Objective profile
    Dell Precision 7560
    (i7-11850H, 64GB, 1TB)     Renewed
    Dell · 15.6" · 2021
    $870 – $962
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    66 / 100
    Weight2.45 kg
    Battery6.0 hr
    Display15.6" 3840x2160
    RAM64 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 64
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 52
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 70
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 63
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 32
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 81
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  4. #4
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1
    (Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    $943 – $1,043
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    64 / 100
    Weight1.95 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display16.0" 1920x1200
    RAM16 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 60
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 66
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 53
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  5. #5
    Objective profile
    Dell Alienware 16 Aurora
    (Core 7 240H, 32GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2024
    $1,315 – $1,453
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    64 / 100
    Weight2.58 kg
    Battery7.0 hr
    Display16.0" 2560x1600
    RAM32 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 57
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 60
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 63
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 67
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  6. #6
    Objective profile
    Dell Alienware 16 Aurora
    (7 240H, 32GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2026
    $1,358 – $1,500
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    63 / 100
    Weight2.58 kg
    Battery7.0 hr
    Display16.0" 2560x1600
    RAM32 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 57
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 60
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 63
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 67
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    View on Amazon
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  7. #7
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1
    (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    $929 – $1,027
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    62 / 100
    Weight2.05 kg
    Battery12.0 hr
    Display16.0" 1920x1200
    RAM16 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 61
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 55
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 54
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 53
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  8. #8
    Objective profile
    Dell Precision 5570
    (i7-12700H, 32GB, 1TB)     Renewed
    Dell · 15.6" · 2022
    $760 – $840
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    62 / 100
    Weight2.09 kg
    Battery6.0 hr
    Display15.6" 3840x2400
    RAM32 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 49
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 61
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 70
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 58
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 94
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  9. #9
    Objective profile
    Dell Precision 7560
    (Xeon W-11855M, 32GB, 1TB)     Renewed
    Dell · 15.6" · 2021
    $808 – $893
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    62 / 100
    Weight2.49 kg
    Battery6.0 hr
    Display15.6" 1920x1080
    RAM32 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 73
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 56
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 56
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 41
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 55
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 44
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
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  10. #10
    Objective profile
    Dell 16 Plus
    (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB)
    Dell · 16" · 2025
    $839 – $927
    Strategy / Simulation SelvaScore
    61 / 100
    Weight1.87 kg
    Battery9.0 hr
    Display16.0" 2560x1600
    RAM16 GB
    Storage1 TB
    SelvaScore breakdown
    • 60
      CPU Speed Single-Core Performance
    • 52
      Multi-Core Performance Multi-Thread Scalability
    • 42
      System Memory RAM Capacity
    • 60
      Display Brightness Photometric Luminance
    • 54
      Graphics Performance Rasterization Potency
    • 52
      Storage Space Storage Capacity
    • 67
      Display Sharpness Pixel Density
    View on Amazon
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Quick Comparison

#LaptopScorePrice WeightBatteryDisplayRAMStorage
1 Dell 16 Plus (Core Ultra 9 288V, 32GB, 2TB) 68 $1,344 – $1,486 1.87 kg 9.0 hr 16.0" 2560x1600 32 GB 2 TB
2 Dell Precision 5560 (i9-11950H, 64GB, 1TB) 67 $1,044 – $1,154 0.99 kg 7.0 hr 15.6" 1920x1200 64 GB 1 TB
3 Dell Precision 7560 (i7-11850H, 64GB, 1TB) 66 $870 – $962 2.45 kg 6.0 hr 15.6" 3840x2160 64 GB 1 TB
4 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB, 1TB) 64 $943 – $1,043 1.95 kg 9.0 hr 16.0" 1920x1200 16 GB 1 TB
5 Dell Alienware 16 Aurora (Core 7 240H, 32GB, 1TB) 64 $1,315 – $1,453 2.58 kg 7.0 hr 16.0" 2560x1600 32 GB 1 TB
6 Dell Alienware 16 Aurora (7 240H, 32GB, 1TB) 63 $1,358 – $1,500 2.58 kg 7.0 hr 16.0" 2560x1600 32 GB 1 TB
7 Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB) 62 $929 – $1,027 2.05 kg 12.0 hr 16.0" 1920x1200 16 GB 1 TB
8 Dell Precision 5570 (i7-12700H, 32GB, 1TB) 62 $760 – $840 2.09 kg 6.0 hr 15.6" 3840x2400 32 GB 1 TB
9 Dell Precision 7560 (Xeon W-11855M, 32GB, 1TB) 62 $808 – $893 2.49 kg 6.0 hr 15.6" 1920x1080 32 GB 1 TB
10 Dell 16 Plus (Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB, 1TB) 61 $839 – $927 1.87 kg 9.0 hr 16.0" 2560x1600 16 GB 1 TB

How we ranked these

SelvaScore is independent. Rankings reflect our editorial judgment, not vendor relationships. No laptop manufacturer pays for placement, and affiliate revenue from retailers does not affect which laptop wins this list.

Every laptop here has been evaluated through the same lens for this use case. The same machines are evaluated differently for other use cases. What works for one use case doesn't always work for another.

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