If you need a powerful laptop for tasks like gaming or intensive engineering software, you'll appreciate the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 which has a high-end processor and superior graphics capabilities. However, it is less budget-friendly and heavier, making it less ideal for carrying around. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is more affordable and lighter, suited for everyday tasks and general use without the premium graphics and computing power. The Dell also has a larger screen, which might be more comfortable for long periods of use, but with less resolution compared to the ASUS. The ASUS offers the versatility of a detachable keyboard for tablet use, which the Dell lacks, adding to its portability despite its weight. Choose the ASUS for high performance and tablet versatility at a higher cost or the Dell for basic usage, lighter weight, and cost savings. 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 Z13
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has no clear advantages over the ASUS ROG Flow Z13.
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
511.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 stands out for general use due to its high-end CPU and quality graphics card coupled with a high-resolution touchscreen display, making it excellent for performance-intensive tasks; yet it remains lightweight and relatively portable with a detachable keyboard.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
6.3/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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
8.4/10
6.9/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 surpasses the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 for engineering and design due to its superior CPU, RAM, GPU, and screen quality, which are crucial for intensive tasks and detailed visuals. However, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 offers decent performance in the same areas but stands out for its better portability, keyboard, and quieter operating noise, factors which can improve overall user experience.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.3/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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
8.0/10
7.2/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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
8.4/10
6.6/10
13.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
511.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 provides a vibrant and sharp display with good brightness, enhancing everyday tasks like browsing and video playback, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 offers a decent but less vivid experience. When it comes to engineering and design, the ASUS stands out with a wider color range, allowing for more accurate color representation, crucial for detailed and color-critical work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is key, the ASUS's lower refresh rate may lead to less fluid visuals compared to laptops designed specifically for gaming with higher refresh rates.
Portability
Excellent
Good
13.4in
SIZE
15.6in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,575
$722
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a price of $1,575 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 costs $722.
"The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming tablet with powerful Alder Lake i9 CPU. The ROG Flow Z13 impresses with its good cooling. After our review, the impression is predominantly positive. Besides a very fast Alder Lake CPU and stable gaming performance, especially the cooling system is surprisingly effective and quiet. You can use the integrated speakers without any issues while gaming. The 1200p display in the 16:10 format also impresses with good color reproduction and high brightness. Since the battery runtimes aren't particularly long as it is, we wouldn't recommend the optional 4K panel."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
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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