As you consider your options between the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, keep in mind the areas where each may excel. The MacBook Pro is likely to offer superior performance, especially for tasks like video editing, music production, and software development due to its powerful hardware. It also typically has a high-quality display and a longer battery life, which is excellent for on-the-go use. However, all these features come at a higher price point. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron may be more budget-friendly, but with that, it may have less power and shorter battery life, making it suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and light media consumption. If portability matters less to you and you're looking for a more cost-effective solution for general use, the Inspiron could be the appropriate choice. Conversely, if your work involves more demanding applications and you require top-tier performance and are willing to invest more, the MacBook Pro is likely the better fit. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
Excellent for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Excellent 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 3520
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023).
Key differences
General Use
9.1/10
6.9/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
487.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
17.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) excels in general use due to a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, a superior screen with higher brightness and color accuracy, and longer battery life compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520. While the MacBook Pro is less portable and more expensive, the Inspiron offers better portability and affordability, but at the cost of lower performance, less impressive screen quality, and shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.0/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is equipped with a high-performance GPU suitable for demanding 3D tasks, supported by a screen with excellent color accuracy and brightness, but gaming options are limited due to fewer compatible titles on macOS. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its fair screen quality and integrated graphics, may handle some games and 3D tasks, but performance and visual fidelity won't match those of the MacBook, though it offers wider gaming compatibility with Windows.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
6.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
5.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) offers a superior CPU, more RAM, and a more powerful GPU compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, making it better suited for demanding engineering and design tasks that require high processing power and graphics performance. Additionally, the MacBook's high-resolution Mini LED screen provides better visual clarity and color accuracy essential for design work, whereas the Inspiron's lower-resolution IPS screen and less capable internals make it more apt for less intensive tasks.
Content Creation
9.1/10
7.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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
6.7/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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
9.3/10
6.8/10
16.2in
SIZE
15.6in
3456 x 2234
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
487.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 16's higher resolution and brighter display offer a clearer and more vibrant viewing experience than the Dell Inspiron 15, which has a more basic display. Engineering and design professionals prefer the MacBook Pro because it covers a wider range of colors, crucial for accuracy in their work, while the Inspiron's fair color gamut is less ideal. Meanwhile, the lower refresh rate of both laptops' screens means neither is optimal for 3D tasks that benefit from smoother motion and quicker image updates.
Battery
17.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,423
$346
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has a price of $2,423 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 costs $346.
"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."
"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. Plus, those alternatives are much more enjoyable after work."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) or the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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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