The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is pricier and offers a smaller screen but it's more portable and has a slight edge in overall performance due to a powerful AMD processor. It might be more suitable for tasks that require more computing power, like photo editing or multitasking. Alternatively, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is less expensive, featuring a bigger screen that might be advantageous for tasks like spreadsheets or watching videos. However, its Intel processor and larger size make it slightly less portable and it may not handle intensive tasks as swiftly as the 5425 model. Consider your primary use case and whether the performance boost and portability of the 5425 are worth the higher price compared to the 3511's larger screen and cost savings. 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 Inspiron 14 5425
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 5425.
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.3/10
6.0/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
279.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, and engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and Inspiron 15 3511 both have screens with sufficient resolution and brightness for everyday tasks, but they may not provide the sharpness or color accuracy preferred for more specialized engineering and design work. Without wide color gamuts, these displays don't offer the precise color representation needed for professional photo editing or graphics work. For gaming and 3D applications, the absence of high refresh rates can lead to less smooth visuals, making these laptops less suitable for fast-paced or visually intensive experiences.
Battery
12.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 has 12 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
7.0/10
6.2/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 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
$500
$560
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 has a price of $500 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $560.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is well-suited for general use with its solid CPU and GPU combination for smooth multitasking, a high-quality IPS screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio for ample vertical space, and an excellent portability, backed by a decent battery life. Conversely, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 also serves general use purposes with a larger screen and more storage, but offers superior RAM for even more efficient multitasking, though it has a slightly less impressive battery life and screen brightness, which may affect its outdoor usability and viewing experience. Both laptops have adequate keyboards and manage heat well, yet neither is designed for intensive gaming.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425, equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 and its Vega 8 GPU, and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 with an Intel i5 and Iris Xe graphics, both offer 60Hz screen refresh rates which are fair for casual gaming and 3D applications but may not be the best for high-end gaming or professional 3D work. While both use IPS panels that provide good screen quality, the Inspiron 14 offers a slightly higher resolution and pixel density which may render sharper images, but neither laptop has a high-refresh display or top-tier GPUs, limiting their gaming and 3D performance compared to specialized gaming laptops.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
7.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 14 5425 are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is favored for its stronger CPU and GPU performance, essential for engineering work; this, combined with considerable RAM and a quality screen suited for detailed designs, makes it a compelling choice. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511's larger screen and higher RAM complement its adequate CPU and GPU, with the potential tradeoff of reduced battery life and portability compared to its rival.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 14 5425 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
7.5/10
7.3/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 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
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 5425 to have very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 14 5425 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 compare to other laptops
"A slim chassis, an acceptable weight (1.6 kg) and a real-world battery life of almost 13 hours turn the Inspiron into a mobile companion. Good: The battery can not only be charged using Dell's proprietary power adapter, but also with a universal USB-C power adapter (min. 45 watts). Office and Internet applications are handled by the built-in combination of Ryzen 5 5625U APU and 16 GB of RAM just as easily as modest computer games. Heat and noise development are generally okay, but the laptop should work a bit quieter under full load."
"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 Inspiron 14 5425 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.
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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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