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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 offers high-end performance suitable for gaming, engineering, and intensive tasks, thanks to its powerful processor and dedicated graphics card, but at a higher cost and less portability due to its weight. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 comes at a lower price and is more suitable for general use with its ample storage and memory. It is lighter and likely to have better battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use, but its integrated graphics lack the performance needed for demanding software or gaming. 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 Dell Alienware x14 R1
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware x14 R1.
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.6
6.2
7.0/10
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
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is better suited for gaming and 3D tasks due to its powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and high screen refresh rate of 144 Hz, which contribute to smoother visuals and better overall performance in demanding applications.
Engineering and Design
8.2
7.0
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 boasts stronger performance capabilities for engineering and design tasks with a high-end Intel i7 CPU, dedicated Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU, and ample RAM, complemented by a high-quality screen which is critical for design work. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a more modest Intel i5 integrated GPU setup, greater RAM, and a good quality display, but it trades off some performance for better portability and a quieter operating noise, which can be significant for mobile or shared workspace usage.
Screen Quality
7.9
6.0
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
411.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 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 general use, the Dell Alienware x14 R1 offers a vibrant, high-resolution display with sufficient brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption. For engineering and design, the same laptop's color accuracy and range meet the necessary standards for precise color work, but for gaming and 3D applications, its slower refresh rate may lead to less fluid motion and delayed input response, hindering fast-paced visuals. Conversely, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511, while providing an adequate display for daily activities and casual design work, lacks the enhanced color gamut and sharpness for professional design tasks and the high refresh rate needed for immersive gaming experiences.
Battery
9.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 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.
Build Quality
8.5
6.2
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has very 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
$1,201
$560
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 has a price of $1,201 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $560.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.8
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
411.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both good for general use.
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.
Content Creation
7.9
7.5
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 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
7.7
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Alienware x14 R1 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware x14 R1 to have very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware x14 R1 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware x14 R1 | Dell Inspiron 15 3511 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,201 | $560 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 10.3'' x 0.57'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.06 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.66" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.34" | 9.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 80 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 411 nits | 230 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware x14 R1
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The Alienware X14 series is thinner, but also slower than the competition. With the X series, you get plenty of modern technology: Intel Alder Lake CPUs, GeForce RTX 3000 GPUs, Thunderbolt 4, PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6E, G-Sync, and Advanced Optimus. However, the slim design has some drawbacks, just like its larger siblings. The shifted hinge position results in a very deep device with a large footprint compared to the competition."
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 Dell Alienware x14 R1 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
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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