Assessing the choice between an Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and a Dell Inspiron 15 3511 requires considering how you prioritize various features and your budget. The MacBook Pro is tailored for high-end performance and is well-suited for professional creative work, such as video editing and graphic design, due to its powerful chip and high-resolution display, but this comes with a higher price tag and limited ports requiring adapters for expanded connectivity. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers sufficient performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light media consumption at a more budget-friendly price, but with potentially lower build quality and screen resolution. It is also bulkier and has less battery life compared to the MacBook Pro, making it less portable. If high performance and screen quality are less of a concern and cost is a significant factor, the Dell may be the more practical option. On the contrary, if performance in intensive tasks and premium build are paramount, and the budget allows, the MacBook Pro would be the better 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 Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Excellent for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class 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 16 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
9.0/10
7.6/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in general use due to its powerful CPU and RAM, superior screen quality with high resolution and brightness, and long battery life, though it's heavier and less portable compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3511. While the Inspiron also has ample RAM, its CPU is less robust, and the screen displays less accurate colors and lower brightness, but it benefits from being lighter and offering more storage.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
6.2/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3456 x 2234
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 16 (2021) is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) excels in 3D tasks due to its robust GPU and high screen refresh rate, which enhance visual performance; however, its operating system limits gaming options, as many popular games aren't available on Macs. Conversely, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is adequate for gaming, with a competent GPU for its class and standard screen refresh rate, but it's less optimized for 3D and gaming compared to the MacBook Pro, particularly for software favoring high-end graphics capabilities.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
7.0/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
5.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) provides superior performance for engineering and design due to its robust CPU, ample RAM, potent GPU, and high-quality Mini LED screen, all essential for demanding tasks that require precise visuals and fast processing.
Content Creation
8.8/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (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
8.9/10
7.3/10
7.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (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
9.4/10
6.0/10
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 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 16's screen stands out in general use and engineering due to its high resolution, superior brightness, and wide color gamut, offering clear and vivid visuals critical for these tasks. In contrast, for gaming and 3D applications where the refresh rate is crucial, the MacBook Pro's typically lower refresh rate compared to dedicated gaming laptops might not be as smooth. The Dell Inspiron 15 offers an all-around fair display suitable for everyday tasks and basic design work, but lacks the high-end screen features of the MacBook Pro, making it less ideal for professional engineering, design, and fast-paced gaming environments.
Battery
17.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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.
Build Quality
10.0/10
6.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (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
$1,949
$580
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has a price of $1,949 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $580.
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
"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 16 (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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