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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 3 14 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 have differences that may affect your decision. The Acer, while generally less expensive, is smaller and more portable due to its 14-inch screen size but may have less powerful hardware or a smaller battery compared to the Dell. The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, with a 15.6-inch screen, likely offers a larger display for multitasking and possibly better performance, which can be advantageous for more demanding tasks. However, it may be heavier and less portable. If budget is a primary concern and you value portability for basic tasks, the Acer might suit you better. If you prefer a larger display and increased performance potential for complex applications, and don't mind spending a bit more, the Dell could be a better fit despite potentially shorter battery life or added weight. Consider your needs for performance, screen size, portability, and budget when making your choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Aspire 3 14
- Very good portability
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
- Good for engineering and design
Key differences
General Use
7.0
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Acer Aspire 3 14 are both good for general use, though the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is appreciated for its ample storage and significantly higher RAM, which enhance performance for general use, along with its good portability despite a larger screen when compared to the Acer Aspire 3 14. The Acer, though, is praised for its excellent heat management and silent operation but has less storage and RAM, which might limit performance in certain tasks, and a lower battery life affects its use away from power sources.
Engineering and Design
6.1
7.0
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is equipped with more RAM and a better GPU which are very important for engineering and design tasks, providing faster performance and better handling of complex software, whereas the Acer Aspire 3 14 offers less RAM and a less powerful GPU which could slow down such tasks. Furthermore, the Dell has a larger screen which is beneficial for design work, but it may be less portable and a bit noisier under load compared to the more compact and silent Acer Aspire.
Screen Quality
6.1
6.0
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 3 14 for software development.
For general use, the Acer Aspire 3 and Dell Inspiron 15 provide adequate visuals with their resolutions and brightness levels being suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and streaming, although their panel types may not offer the wide viewing angles and color reproduction of higher-end laptops. For engineering and design, both laptops have limitations in their color gamuts, meaning professionals may find colors are not as accurate or vibrant for precise work such as photo editing or CAD. With gaming and 3D applications, their lower refresh rates can result in less fluid motion and responsiveness, making them less ideal for fast-paced gaming or complex 3D rendering.
Battery
9.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$434
$580
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a price of $434 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $580.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
5.9
6.2
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 15 3511 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Content Creation
7.2
7.5
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Acer Aspire 3 14 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.1
7.3
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Acer Aspire 3 14 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
6.2
6.2
The Acer Aspire 3 14 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 both have only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 14 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 14 | Dell Inspiron 15 3511 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$434 | $580 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.9'' x 8.5'' x 0.74'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.09 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.9" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.5" | 9.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 250 nits | 230 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 15 3511
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Zachary Cuevas | November 2021
"The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) is a solid, if unremarkable, 15-inch budget laptop. It improves on many of the issues we had with the previous 3505 model, and with the inclusion of Windows 11, the 3511 is already a step above its competition. The lack of a USB-C port, the subpar speakers, and the dim display are drawbacks to factor in, but it's still one of the better 15-inch budget laptops on the market, especially when you consider it's under $400."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 14 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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