For tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and more intensive engineering software, the Apple MacBook Pro 14" with its powerful processor and enhanced graphics capabilities will provide better performance. It also offers a high-quality display with better color accuracy, making it ideal for tasks that require visual precision. However, the MacBook is typically more expensive and has a less diverse range of ports. The Dell Inspiron 15, on the other hand, is considerably more affordable and comes with a touch screen which the MacBook lacks, it's slightly heavier but still reasonably portable. It's also more suited for general use and non-intensive tasks, with a satisfactory level of performance for everyday activities. The Dell has a wider array of common ports, potentially reducing the need for additional adapters. Consider the MacBook if performance and display quality are your top priorities and you're okay with the higher cost. Opt for the Dell if affordability and a touch screen are more important, and your work doesn't demand the highest performance specs. 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 3525
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.0/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 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 3525 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) offers a more powerful CPU and GPU, more RAM, a higher-resolution Mini LED screen with better color accuracy, and longer battery life, making it a premium choice for general use, with improved portability due to its lighter weight and compact size.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.0/10
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 3525 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in 3D tasks due to its superior GPU and high-quality screen, which are very important for these applications, but its lower screen refresh rate might not be ideal for certain high-speed games. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 provides fair performance in gaming and 3D because of its decent GPU and screen refresh rate, but falls short compared to the MacBook Pro 14 in both CPU and screen quality, with the added limitation that many popular games aren't compatible with MacOS.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
6.4/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful CPU and GPU, greater RAM, and superior screen quality offering high resolution and color accuracy; these factors are crucial for demanding applications and detailed visual work. The Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while more portable with a larger screen, compromises on CPU power, has less RAM, and a lower-quality screen, making it less ideal for intensive engineering and design tasks but may still be suitable for less demanding work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 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
6.9/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 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 3525 is only fair.
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
6.3/10
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
259.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) offers a high-resolution screen with excellent brightness and color accuracy, making it ideal for general use and engineering tasks that require a wide color gamut, but its typical refresh rate is less suited for 3D applications that benefit from higher refresh rates. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 provides a fair level of resolution and brightness suitable for everyday tasks and some design work, but its color range and refresh rate may not fully meet the demands of professional engineering design or fluid 3D gaming experiences. While both have their strengths, the MacBook Pro excels in display quality crucial for general use and professional design, whereas the Inspiron falls short for high-end gaming and 3D performance due to its more modest screen capabilities.
Battery
13.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 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 3525 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 3525 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
$400
$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 3525 costs $400.
"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."
"Dell's Inspiron 15 (3525) is a peppy-enough and affordable-enough home or remote work machine, but it's not very ambitious; it does little to go beyond the basics. More the concern: It’s readily overshadowed by a number of machines that outperform and outclass it. Even if the Inspiron can get the job done today, its competition has the mettle to keep doing the job tomorrow in a way the Inspiron simply can’t promise. Many of its slightly higher-end rivals have to be on sale (and frequently are) to match it on price, but the Inspiron 15 (3525) is outclassed even by some similarly priced options, making it a difficult recommendation."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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