The ASUS Vivobook S 15 is the better performer, with more storage and RAM, making it ideal for intensive engineering tasks or if multitasking is a frequent part of your workload. However, it is less portable due to its heavier weight and larger size. The Dell Inspiron 15 is more budget-friendly, lighter, and also offers a touchscreen, which the ASUS doesn't. The Dell's performance is still suitable for general use but might struggle with more demanding applications. Both have a similar battery life, but the ASUS edges out slightly longer usage times. If price is a concern and your tasks are more day-to-day, the Dell Inspiron 15 might be the better choice. For better performance and potential engineering use, consider the ASUS Vivobook S 15 despite the higher cost and reduced portability. 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 Vivobook S 15
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good overall build quality
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Vivobook S 15.
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
7.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
267.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for general use, though the ASUS Vivobook S 15 is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
6.4/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 is better suited for engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a higher-quality integrated GPU, which provide smoother performance in intensive applications, whereas the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, with a less powerful CPU and GPU and half the RAM, offers an experience that may not be as fluid for demanding work. While both have similar screen size and type, the ASUS also boasts a slightly higher screen brightness, contributing to clearer visuals; however, the Dell has a greater battery life which can be important for those prioritizing longer use without charging over raw performance.
Software Development
7.4/10
6.9/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 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
6.3/10
6.3/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
267.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the ASUS Vivobook S 15 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 have screens that offer adequate resolution and brightness, making them suitable for tasks like web browsing and document editing. However, for engineering and design, both laptops may fall short in displaying a wide color gamut, which is crucial for accurately rendering visuals in professional editing software. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, their screens may not support high refresh rates, which are vital for smooth motion and a responsive gaming experience.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has 9 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
7.0/10
6.2/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 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
$908
$400
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 has a price of $908 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 costs $400.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 offers fair gaming performance with its AMD Ryzen 7 5800H with Vega 8 graphics, suitable for casual gaming due to its moderate GPU capabilities and a standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, with its Ryzen 5 5625U and Vega 7 graphics, also provides a fair level of gaming with similar GPU constraints and the same 60Hz screen refresh rate, potentially at a lower price point due to its more modest CPU and half the storage capacity.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.1/10
7.4/10
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 Vivobook S 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for content creation.
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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.9 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and ASUS Vivobook S 15 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Vivobook S 15 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 compare to other laptops
"Internals make Asus VivoBook S15 laptop a compelling option. The Asus multimedia laptop may look rather below-average with its modest black chassis, lack of a dedicated GPU, limited RAM and meagre port selection without Thunderbolt support. But your impression of the device will start changing once you set your eyes on its high-contrast OLED capable of producing deep blacks and highly accurate colours. And your opinion will change completely when the VivoBook is switched on. The AMD CPU can effortlessly keep up with powerful rivals from Intel. The integrated Radeon graphics blows away Intel's iGPU when it comes to graphics workloads such as rendering and simpler games."
"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 Vivobook S 15 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
99,195
Recommendations made
21,493
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.