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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you need a laptop that can handle intensive tasks like 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is often preferred for its higher performance despite its higher cost. However, it is less portable than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511, which could be more suitable for general use due to its lighter weight, smaller size, and generally lower price. Battery life is another important consideration; a higher performance laptop like the ASUS may have shorter battery life compared to the Dell, which can be an important factor if you need to use the laptop for extended periods away from a power outlet. Choose the ASUS if performance is your top priority and you are okay with spending more, or go for the Dell if budget and portability are your main concerns. 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 17
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17.
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17, with its advanced AMD Ryzen CPU and dedicated Nvidia GPU, provides high performance and excellent screen color coverage, making it very suitable for general use, but it's heavier and has less portability compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3511. The Dell model, on the other hand, despite its less powerful CPU and integrated graphics, is lighter, offers exceptional heat management, and is good for general usage, though its screen color quality and battery life are not as impressive as the ASUS's.
Gaming and AI
6.9
6.2
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
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 17 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 provides better gaming and 3D performance mainly due to its Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU which is more powerful compared to the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics in the Dell Inspiron 15 3511. Additionally, the ASUS's AMD Ryzen 9 processor is more suited for intensive tasks than the Dell's Intel i5 CPU, further enhancing its capability for demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.1
7.0
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is favored for engineering and design due to its superior AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, which provide robust performance for demanding tasks, along with a high-quality, large screen suitable for detailed work.
Content Creation
8.2
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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.
Software Development
7.9
7.3
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both good for software development, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is somewhat better.
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
7.2
6.0
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering screen quality, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 provides a crisp, bright display with higher resolution, making it suitable for general use and detailed engineering tasks, but its lower refresh rate limits its performance in fast-paced gaming and 3D applications. The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers an adequate display for everyday tasks and engineering work, but its fair resolution and brightness levels mean it might not deliver as sharp or vibrant an image as the ASUS. Both laptops may not offer the smooth visuals desired by gamers or 3D designers due to their lower refresh rates, even though the ASUS may edge out slightly due to better overall screen clarity.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has 9 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
Good
Good
17.3in
SIZE
15.6in
5.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 both have good portability, though the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
6.2
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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
$1,500
$560
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a price of $1,500 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $560.
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How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 | Dell Inspiron 15 3511 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,500 | $560 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.6'' x 10.2'' x 0.74'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.18 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.55" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.18" | 9.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 230 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.1/10 | 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 | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 15 3511
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Zachary Cuevas | November 2021
"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 Zenbook Pro 17 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.
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