If you prioritize top-notch performance and a premium build, along with excellent battery life, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) stands out. It offers powerful processors suitable for demanding tasks, a high-quality display with a high refresh rate, and a solid operating system focused on creative professionals. However, it comes at a higher price and its ecosystem works best with other Apple products. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is more affordable and provides respectable performance for everyday use and multitasking, with a larger screen, though at a standard refresh rate and resolution. Its Windows operating system is more universally compatible but might lack the refined integration and optimization seen with the MacBook Pro. If cost is a lesser concern and you need a machine for intensive tasks like video editing or software development, the MacBook Pro is an excellent option, while the Dell Inspiron fits better for budget-conscious users needing a reliable laptop for general use. 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 Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Very good portability
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 excels in CPU, RAM, and screen quality with its Apple M1 Pro chip, sufficient memory for multitasking, and high-resolution Mini LED display, which contribute to excellent performance, vibrant display and long battery life, albeit at a higher price. Alternatively, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers more storage with a solid Intel CPU and adequate RAM, alongside a good IPS screen, although it compromises on battery life and portability while offering a more attractive price point.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.2/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is better suited for 3D work, owing to a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate that can benefit 3D rendering and visuals, despite the fact that it might not support many popular games due to macOS limitations. The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, while fair for gaming and 3D, has a less capable integrated GPU and a standard screen refresh rate, making it less optimal for demanding gaming or 3D tasks, though it can run a wider range of games due to its Windows operating system.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
7.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
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
8.3/10
7.3/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
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.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
6.0/10
14.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers exceptional clarity and sharpness due to its higher resolution and brightness, making it ideal for general use, and its wider color gamut ensures accurate colors for engineering and design tasks. The Dell Inspiron 15’s modest screen provides adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks, but it lacks the color precision needed for professional design work. Neither of these laptops is optimized for 3D applications, as their screens do not have the high refresh rates required for smooth rendering of fast-moving images.
Battery
13.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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
14.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
6.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$580
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $580.
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"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 Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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.
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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Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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