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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize processing power and a higher resolution display, the extra investment in the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus could be worthwhile, especially as it comes with a powerful Intel i7 processor and a sharper screen. However, if you are looking for a laptop with a longer battery life, lighter weight for better portability, and a preference for a slightly larger screen, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 may suit you better, although it has a lower-tier processor and standard full HD screen. Keep in mind, the Inspiron 15 3530 is more affordable, so it's a solid choice if budget is a key consideration. 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 Plus
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus.
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.8
6.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a higher-performance CPU and superior screen quality, which are essential for demanding engineering and design tasks, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530, although still suitable for such tasks, has a slightly less powerful CPU and lower screen resolution. While both have good RAM and GPUs, the Inspiron 14 Plus leads in overall capability, partially offset by the Inspiron 15 3530 being slightly more portable and quiet during operation.
Content Creation
7.9
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
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
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both good for software development, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
7.0
6.6
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
326.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and brightness suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, but lacks the high refresh rate needed for smooth gaming and 3D rendering. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has a fair screen that will cater decently to routine activities and design software but doesn't excel in any specific area, with average color range and suboptimal brightness limiting professional creative work and refresh rate not being conducive to high-end gaming or 3D applications. Both models do not prioritize the gaming and 3D experience, placing more emphasis on qualities that enhance productivity and media consumption.
Build Quality
7.4
6.2
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
$1,162
$722
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a price of $1,162 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 costs $722.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.4
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
326.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.9/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus stands out for general use with a high-resolution screen, a powerful CPU, and substantial RAM which makes multitasking and running demanding applications smooth, though it's a bit heavier and has average portability. The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is also suitable for general tasks with a decent CPU and RAM, but exhibits a lower resolution display and less storage; however, it offers a slightly better battery life and its light weight makes it more portable. Both have quality keyboards and manage heat well, but the Inspiron 14 Plus has a brighter and more color-accurate screen.
Gaming and AI
6.6
6.3
3.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is better suited for gaming and 3D applications due to its higher-end GPU and superior screen refresh rate, which are very important for these tasks, in addition to a better CPU and screen quality that also contribute to performance. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is considered fair for gaming and 3D in part because its GPU isn't as powerful and the screen refresh rate isn't as high, even though it still has a decent CPU and screen quality, which are somewhat important.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 14 Plus to have very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 14 Plus | Dell Inspiron 15 3530 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,162 | $722 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.65'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 3.64 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.36" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.96" | 9.25" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i5-1335U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 64 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 326 nits | 220 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
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 | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | August 2022
"The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is for power users on a budget. If you're looking to maximize CPU and GPU performance on your next 14-inch laptop, then consider the pricier Razer Blade 14 or Asus Zephyrus G14. If you're looking for a thin-and-light 14-inch Ultrabook, then the Asus Zenbook 14 or LG Gram 14 may be better options. For the best of both worlds, however, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 rides a fine line between extreme performance and portability while keeping prices at reasonable levels. Frequent travelers who rely on performance beyond what the Core U-series and integrated graphics series can offer will find the Dell to be a solid solution."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus or the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
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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