The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 outclasses the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for gaming and 3D due to its Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, enhancing graphics performance significantly compared to the Inspiron's Intel Iris Xe and a standard 60 Hz refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 stands out for engineering and design primarily because it is equipped with a potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor and an Nvidia RTX GPU, ensuring excellent performance for heavy tasks, along with a high-quality screen, although it is less portable due to its size and weight. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511, while also good for such tasks with its Intel i5 processor and ample RAM, offers integrated graphics which may not be as suitable for demanding graphics work, and has a smaller screen size that aids in portability but may be less ideal for detailed design work.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.5/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 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.
Screen Quality
6.8/10
6.0/10
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
253.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use such as web browsing, document editing, and video playback, both the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offer displays with decent resolution and brightness, providing comfortable viewing experiences but they might not be as crisp or vibrant as higher-end models. When it comes to engineering and design tasks, professionals might find the color accuracy lacking in both laptops since they do not cover professional color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB comprehensively, impacting detailed color work. In gaming and 3D applications, where smooth motion is key, the ASUS TUF Gaming A17's screen doesn't refresh as quickly as dedicated gaming laptops, so while playable, the action won't be as smooth, and the Dell matches this performance.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has 10 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
6.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,550
$560
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a price of $1,550 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $560.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS TUF Gaming A17 to be very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers higher performance for general use due to its more powerful AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia GPU; although it has a lower quality portability score and shorter battery life compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 which has more RAM, better heat management, and is lighter, contributing to its portability. Screen quality is comparable in both, but the ASUS has a higher refresh rate which could enhance the viewing experience; the Dell, on the other hand, prioritizes a more balanced approach suitable for everyday tasks and is easier to carry around due to its lighter weight and longer battery life.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.3/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both good for software development.
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.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 compare to other laptops
"There is one big question that needs an answer. Is the TUF Gaming A17 FA707 a better purchase than the ROG Strix G17 G713R (2022)? Well, it depends. Undoubtedly, the Strix is the more premium product. Arguably the biggest advantage it has over its TUF fellow is in regards to the display. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 A707’s IPS panel has a Full HD resolution, comfortable viewing angles, and a very good contrast ratio."
"The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) is a solid, if unremarkable, 15-inch budget laptop. It improves on many of the issues we had with the previous 3505 model, and with the inclusion of Windows 11, the 3511 is already a step above its competition. The lack of a USB-C port, the subpar speakers, and the dim display are drawbacks to factor in, but it's still one of the better 15-inch budget laptops on the market, especially when you consider it's under $400."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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