Choosing between the ASUS Zenbook 14X and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 depends primarily on your preferences and needs. The ASUS offers better performance due to its higher-tier Intel i7 processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics, making it a strong fit for intensive tasks like video editing or gaming. It also features a higher quality OLED display with richer colors, which is excellent for creative work or media consumption. However, it's less affordable and slightly less portable due to its weight. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron is more cost-effective and lighter, lending itself well to general use and portability. Its performance is modest with an Intel i5 processor and integrated graphics, suitable for everyday productivity tasks without the need for high-end graphics. The screen quality, while good, isn't as superior as the ASUS with its standard IPS panel. If budget and portability are key, the Dell is a smart pick, while for higher performance and better display quality, the ASUS is a strong contender, albeit at a higher price point. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 14X
Good for engineering and design
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
Good battery life
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
6.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 14X is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X, with its higher-tier Intel i7 processor, dedicated Nvidia graphics, and OLED display, provides robust performance for engineering and design applications and offers superior screen quality for precise color work. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530, while still capable with an Intel i5 processor and integrated graphics, focuses on good basic performance and portability, making it a more budget-friendly option for engineering and design tasks without the high-end display features.
Screen Quality
8.3/10
6.6/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
339.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X boasts a higher resolution and brighter display, enhancing the clarity and detail for everyday tasks and making it suitable for detailed engineering and design work where color accuracy is key. Dell Inspiron 15 3530's decent resolution and acceptable brightness provide an adequate display for typical use, but its limited color gamut doesn't cater as well to professional design needs. Neither laptop offers a high refresh rate, making them less ideal for 3D applications and gaming, where smoother motion and quicker response times are crucial.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
6.2/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$777
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has a price of $777 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 costs $699.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X stands out for general use with a more powerful CPU, vibrant OLED screen, and higher resolution, making it suitable for tasks that benefit from visual clarity and processing speed, albeit at a higher price and with average battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.3/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X is fair for gaming and 3D because it has a dedicated Nvidia MX550 graphics card which provides better gaming performance than typical integrated graphics but has a lower refresh rate of 90Hz, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is also considered fair due to its integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU which is less powerful for gaming, though it offers a higher screen refresh rate of 120Hz which can make for smoother visuals in games and 3D applications.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.3/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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.
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 14X and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 compare to other laptops
"With the Zenbook 14X, Asus has a 14-incher in its range that is - mostly - a joy to use. First, there is the colorful OLED panel with 3K resolution that displays the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces. The Zenbook is also at the forefront in terms of workmanship, input devices and connections with 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports and a generous keyboard layout. A pleasure to use, the Zenbook 14X is a solid, very well-built subnotebook that sits well on the table. A runtime of five hours, however, is below average for a high-end subnotebook nowadays. The OLED screensaver causes increased power consumption when in idle mode."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook 14X or the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
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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