If high-performance gaming or demanding tasks like 3D modeling and engineering simulations are your priority, and you're comfortable with a higher cost and heftier build, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 would suit you well. However, if you're looking for something more budget-friendly, lighter in weight for better portability, and sufficient for general use like web browsing, office applications, and media consumption, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 could serve you better, albeit with lower performance capabilities. Keep in mind that the battery life on the ASUS is longer, but it's also a larger and heavier device compared to the Dell. 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 Strix Scar 17
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
Good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
292.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
5.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 offers superior performance for general use with a higher-end CPU, more RAM, a powerful dedicated GPU, and a larger, high-refresh-rate screen, but it is less portable with a heavier build and shorter battery life compared to the more lightweight and longer-lasting battery of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, which has a more modest processor and integrated graphics suitable for less intensive tasks.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
6.0/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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
8.6/10
6.3/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
8.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 stands out for engineering and design work due to its superior CPU, RAM, and GPU, enabling faster and more complex computations and graphics processing, along with a high-quality screen. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, while more portable, has a less powerful CPU and GPU and lower screen quality, making it less suited for demanding engineering tasks.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is very good 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
7.5/10
6.7/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 is 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
8.1/10
6.8/10
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
292.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 boasts a display that is crisp and bright, making it suitable for tasks like browsing and document editing; however, when it comes to gaming, the screen's lower refresh rate could detract from a smooth visual experience. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers an adequate screen for day-to-day tasks but doesn't excel in any specific area; its lower resolution and brightness are compromises for its price point. Both laptops have limitations in color accuracy and gamut range, which can hinder professional engineering and design work requiring precise color representation.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
6.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
6.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has very good 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
$2,499
$335
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 has a price of $2,499 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 costs $335.
"Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 laptop review: liquid metal 7 nm AMD Zen 3 is stunning. The raw performance increase is absolutely bonkers if you're upgrading from a laptop on Coffee Lake-H or older. The 45 W Ryzen 9 5900HX is neck-to-neck with the thicker, heavier, and hotter Schenker Ultra 17 running on a desktop-class Core i9-11900K despite their wide TDP differences. The performance-per-watt advantages can make Intel Rocket Lake feel like a last generation platform at times. As for the chassis itself, it's a huge light show with RGB LEDs on almost all sides of the system."
"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 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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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