The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is more expensive but offers superior performance for 3D, machine learning, and gaming, thanks to its more powerful Intel processor and Nvidia RTX graphics. However, it is heavier, potentially less portable, and has a shorter battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is more affordable and lighter, making it easier to carry, and it has longer battery life. It's suitable for general use and has a touchscreen, but its AMD processor and integrated graphics are less powerful for demanding tasks. Consider the ASUS if gaming or heavy tasks are essential, but choose the Dell for portability and everyday tasks. 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 TUF Gaming F15
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Good overall build quality
Good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
7.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
257.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
5.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for general use, though the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is somewhat better.
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is better for general use due to its higher-performing CPU and GPU, more RAM and storage, and better screen refresh rate, which offer speed and improved multitasking capabilities, although it's heavier and has shorter battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while more portable and with a touchscreen feature, has a less powerful CPU and GPU, less RAM and storage, and lower screen refresh rate, which makes it fair for general use but may struggle under heavy tasks.
Gaming and AI
8.0/10
6.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 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
8.2/10
6.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 boasts a more potent CPU and GPU combination, double the RAM, and higher screen refresh rate, all of which are crucial for rigorous engineering and design tasks that demand significant processing and graphics power and smoother visuals. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while more portable due to its lighter build, has a less powerful CPU and integrated graphics, less RAM, and a standard refresh rate screen, making it sufficient for less demanding engineering and design applications but less capable for intensive workloads.
Content Creation
7.7/10
7.1/10
9.1/10
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 TUF Gaming F15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for content creation, though the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is somewhat better.
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
6.9/10
6.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
257.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 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 TUF Gaming F15 offers a display with high resolution and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks and watching videos, while its panel type ensures decent viewing angles and color reproduction. However, for engineering and design, while this laptop's display provides acceptable color coverage, professionals might seek more accurate, wider color gamuts for precision work. Finally, for gaming and 3D applications, the F15 falls short due to its lower refresh rate, which is less than ideal for the fast-paced visuals these activities often demand.
Battery
5.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 has 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
4.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and ASUS TUF Gaming F15 both have good portability, though the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
6.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 has 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
$1,399
$400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 has a price of $1,399 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 costs $400.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS TUF Gaming F15 to be 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.
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How the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 compare to other laptops
"Aside from all the chassis updates, the new TUF Gaming is most notable for its much higher TGP target of 140 W compared to only 95 W on the previous generation. PC makers everywhere are using the same GeForce GPUs this year since Nvidia has yet to launch the successor to the mobile RTX 3000 series. The more demanding processors of the new TUF Gaming has directly impacted battery life and the size of the AC adapter. Don't expect runtimes to be longer than on the previous generation under most conditions and be prepared to carry around an even larger AC adapter than before."
"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 TUF Gaming F15 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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