If your focus is on performance, especially for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or intensive gaming, and you do not mind a higher cost and heavier device, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 would suit you better with its higher-end processor, more RAM, and powerful dedicated graphics. Conversely, if you prioritize portability, longer battery life, and a more budget-friendly option for general use or less demanding tasks, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 would be a more appropriate choice, though it offers lower performance suitable mostly for everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and media consumption. Both laptops offer touchscreens, but only the ASUS has features targeted at gamers, like a higher refresh rate display and hardware for ray tracing. 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 ASUS ROG Flow X16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
502.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out for general use due to its high-performance CPU, ample RAM, superior screen quality with better brightness and a higher refresh rate, and considerable battery capacity, ensuring robust operation and a more pleasing visual experience at the expense of being less portable due to its weight. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while offering portability due to its lighter weight, makes compromises with a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a screen that is less bright and offers a lower refresh rate, which could impact multitasking efficiency and the screen experience, yet it slightly edges out in battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
6.0/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
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.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
6.4/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 excels in engineering and design tasks due to its higher-end CPU (AMD Ryzen 9), more RAM, advanced GPU (Nvidia RTX 3060), and superior screen quality (better resolution, brightness, and color coverage) compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, which has a more basic CPU (AMD Ryzen 5), less RAM, integrated GPU, and lower screen quality specifications, making it less suitable for demanding tasks. While both laptops are portable, the ASUS has enhanced features for professional creative work, such as backlit keyboard and touch screen functionality, but with more operating noise, whereas the Dell has a lesser quality keyboard and speakers but operates more quietly, indicating a tradeoff between performance and comfort in use.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.1/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 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
7.7/10
6.9/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is 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
8.5/10
6.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and brightness, making it suitable for general use and providing accurate color reproduction essential for engineering and design tasks. However, its lower refresh rate may not be ideal for gaming or 3D applications where smooth motion is crucial. The Dell Inspiron's display provides adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and entry-level design work, but its limited color range and refresh rate fall short for professional design needs and high-end gaming.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good 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
$1,300
$400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a price of $1,300 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 costs $400.
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
"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 ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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