The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is a higher-priced laptop that delivers superior performance for intensive 3D, machine learning, and engineering tasks compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3525. The M16 is also better for gaming, with a faster screen refresh rate, higher resolution, and advanced features like hardware ray tracing. However, it's heavier than the Inspiron, making it less convenient for travel. Conversely, the Inspiron 15 offers a more affordable option for general use, with adequate performance for everyday tasks and a touchscreen display. It has longer battery life and is lighter, enhancing its portability but falls short on high-demand computing tasks and gaming capabilities. 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 Zephyrus M16
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
7.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
627.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
4.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 offers a more powerful Intel i9 processor and higher RAM, contributing to superior performance for general use compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, which has a less powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor and less RAM. Additionally, the ASUS has a higher quality screen with better resolution, color coverage, and brightness, enhancing the visual experience, while the Dell Inspiron has a lower screen quality but compensates with a longer battery life and lighter weight for better portability.
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very 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
8.8/10
6.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is excellent for engineering and design due to its high-end Intel i9 CPU, 16 GB of memory, powerful Nvidia GPU, and superior screen quality with high resolution and color coverage, making it well-suited for demanding tasks and detailed visuals.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.1/10
9.5/10
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 Zephyrus M16 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
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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
9.0/10
6.3/10
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
627.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16's superior panel type, higher resolution, and greater brightness enhance viewing and readability, whereas the Dell Inspiron's modest specs provide an adequate but less impressive visual experience. For engineering and design tasks, the M16's wide color gamuts ensure precise color representation critical for detailed work, but the Inspiron's narrower ranges might not reproduce colors as accurately. In the realm of 3D and gaming, the Zephyrus M16's lack of a high refresh rate may lead to less fluid motion compared to a gaming-specific laptop, while the Dell offers similar limitations in this regard due to its basic display features.
Battery
4.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has 4.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 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
8.5/10
6.2/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 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
$2,059
$400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a price of $2,059 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 costs $400.
"The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is not yet as optimised as its predecessor. Compared to the previous gen, performance and efficiency have improved significantly. What's more, the wonderful, Mini-LED Nebula display is a contender for the main highlight and almost manages to put the CPU and GPU in the shade. We already found its predecessor to be a well-rounded and well-optimised gaming machine. Generally, but not unequivocally, that also applies to the new Asus M16. Similar to most of the current, new laptops, we are dealing with a double generational leap in terms of the CPU and GPU. However, this change doesn't always run smoothly."
"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 Zephyrus M16 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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