The Dell model number system is hard to understand so I have put together some notes to explain these numbers.

Names

Latitude, Inspiron, Vostro (discontinued), OptiPlex, Precision

• Solved: Vostro vs Latitude-Difference Between Dell vostro vs latitude. - Dicy Trends - Vostro vs Latitude- What is the difference between Dell Vostro and Latitude Laptops? Which one should you choose? Dell has one of the most extensive laptop

Type

Desktops

These naming convention is based on OptiPlex but some of it is valid for other desktops.

• Example: OptiPlex 3070 Micro
• Explanation:
  • A business class desktop PC
  • in the 3000 series
  • first manufactured in June 2019
  • Micro format

• OptiPlex = Target Market
  • OptiPlex = Corporate enterprises, healthcare, government, and education markets.
  • Inspiron = Consumer oriented / Home user.
• 3 = Line
  • 3xxx = Entry
  • 5xxx = Mainstream
  • 7xxx = High-tier
• 0 = ???
• 7 = ???
• 0 = ???
• Micro = Form Factor

Links

• Dell OptiPlex - Wikipedia
  • A line of business-oriented desktop and all-in-one computers made for corporate enterprises, healthcare, the government, and education markets.
  • This article gives a timeline of these desktop PCs.
• Dell Inspiron - Wikipedia - No meta description

Laptops

I have used information found for the Latitude range of Dell laptops but the rules should be the same for the other laptop ranges such as XPS and Inspiron.

• Example: Latitude 7390 2-in-1
• Explanation:
  • A business class laptop
  • in the 7000 series
  • with a 13" screen
  • first manufactured in 2018
  • which can be folded and used as a tablet by using it's touchscreen

• Latitude = Target Market
  • Latitude = Corporate enterprises, healthcare, government, and education markets.
  • Vostro = Small Business (Discontinued)
  • Inspiron = Consumer oriented / Home user
  • XPS =  Gaming / Consumer oriented / Home user
• 7 = Series
  • 3xxx series = Budget models intended for education and small businesses
  • 5xxx series = Mainstream line.
  • 7xxx series = Premium Ultrabooks.
  • 9xxx series = Ultra-premium laptops and 2-in-1s.
• 3 = Screen Size
  • x1xx = 11.6"
  • x2xx = 12.3"
  • x3xx = 13" / 13.3"
  • x4xx = 14.0"
  • x5xx = 15.6
• 9 = Year of 1st Manufacture
  • xx5x Models (2024)
  • xx4x Models (2023)
  • xx3x Models (2022)
  • xx2x Models (2021)
  • xx1x Models (2020)
  • xx0x Models (2019)
  • xx9x Models (2018)
  • xx8x Models (2017)
  • Dell used the "E-series" name up through the 2016 models, and new 2017 models drop the "E."
• 0 = Model Revisions
  • This gives an additional parameter when two models have the same grade, screen size and generation of processor.
  • By default 0 is taken as the standard configuration and 1 if there is a later variant.
  • Some product ranges like the XPS like to use 0 as the standard laptop configuration and 5 as the `2 in 1` device while 4 is used in the Latitude range of products for rugged devices.
• 2-in-1 = Additional feature
  • 2-in-1
  • Ultralight
  • Detachable

• A laptop with the same model number can have a better CPU, Motherboard RAM and other features as the laptops are redeveloped over time but not necessary reflected with a new model number, perhaps because it uses the same chassis.
• These different laptops will have a different Dell Part number.

Classification

I am not sure they are classified like this any more.

The laptops can be targeted at different markets so have an arbitrary description assigned to them which is not reflected in the model number.

• Convertible
• Education
• Essential
• High-Performance
• Mainstream
• Ultraportable

Links

• Dell Latitude - Wikipedia
  • Dell Latitude was a line of laptop computers manufactured and sold by American company Dell Technologies. It was a business-oriented line, aimed at corporate enterprises, healthcare, government, and education markets; unlike the Inspiron and XPS series, which are aimed at individual customers, and the Vostro series, which is aimed at smaller businesses.
  • Gives the MFG Date by model number

Laptop Chargers

• Example:
  • Model: LA45NM150
  • DP / N: 0HDCY5
• Explanation:
  • Manufactured by LiteOn
  • with a 45w power rating
  • .......

• LA = Manufacturer
  • DA = Delta Electronics
  • HA = Chicony Power Technology
  • LA = LiteOn
• 45 = Power Rating
  • 45 = 45w
  • 65 = 65w
  • 100 = 100w
  • etc...
• NM1 = ???
  • NM1
  • PM1
  • PM2
• 50 = ???

Chargers can be made by different manufacturers but they will share the same Dell Part Number.

Links

• Dell Model Years — Purdue IT  |  Research and Health Technology Services  |  STEM - This table shows the approximate calendar year during which select Dell computer models were originally released.
• Solved: Vostro vs Latitude-Difference Between Dell vostro vs latitude. - Dicy Trends - Vostro vs Latitude- What is the difference between Dell Vostro and Latitude Laptops? Which one should you choose?