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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers higher performance for demanding tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, or intensive engineering applications due to its more powerful processor and dedicated graphics unit. It also has a high-resolution OLED screen, which is superior for color-sensitive work like video editing but comes with a higher price tag. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is more budget-friendly, lighter, and better suited for everyday tasks and general use. Its battery life is shorter, and its performance is less suited for heavy workloads, but it offers good portability for daily commuting or travel. 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 Zenbook Pro 16X
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3525
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X.
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.0
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
354.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is rated higher for general use due to its superior CPU, double the RAM, high-quality OLED screen with higher resolution, and more robust battery life compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, which has a moderate CPU, half the RAM, and an IPS screen with standard resolution, making it less powerful and sharp for demanding tasks.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.0
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is equipped with a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth gaming and efficient 3D rendering, providing clear, fluid visuals. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while still capable of handling games and 3D content, offers less graphical power and a lower refresh rate, which may result in less smooth gameplay and renderings.
Engineering and Design
8.6
6.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers superior CPU, RAM, and GPU performance along with a higher quality screen, which are crucial for demanding tasks like engineering simulations and high-resolution design work. While the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 provides basic capabilities suitable for less intensive work, its lower-grade components make it more portable and likely quieter, but less ideal for complex engineering or design projects.
Content Creation
8.5
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
8.2
6.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very 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
8.3
6.3
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
354.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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 Zenbook Pro 16X offers a high-resolution display with exceptional color accuracy, making it excellent for tasks that demand precise color representation, such as photo editing and CAD work in engineering or design. However, its lower refresh rate can limit the smoothness and responsiveness needed for immersive gaming and 3D rendering. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, with its adequate resolution and brightness levels, provides a satisfactory experience for everyday tasks and casual content creation, but falls short in both color range for design and refresh rate for gaming.
Build Quality
7.6
6.2
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
$1,300
$400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a price of $1,300 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 costs $400.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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
16.0in
SIZE
15.6in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X | Dell Inspiron 15 3525 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,300 | $400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.29 lbs | 3.71 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 9.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 96 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 354 nits | 259 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marc Herter, Alex Wätzel | November 2023
"The new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
Dell Inspiron 15 3525
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | January 2023
"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 Zenbook Pro 16X 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.
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