The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is a newer model with better display refresh rate and potentially faster processor performance, which can be advantageous for smoother visuals and some workloads. However, the Inspiron 15 3511 may have more storage space and could be more affordable. Both offer similar sizes and battery life. If you prioritize newer tech and can handle having less storage or are willing to supplement with external storage, the 3530 might be the better choice. If budget and more built-in storage are your concern, then the 3511 could provide what you need. Both are similar in weight and form factor, making portability comparable. 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 15 3511
Good for engineering and design
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3530
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 15 3511.
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.0/10
6.6/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
220.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
Both the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and 3530 have displays that offer adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks like browsing and document editing, satisfying the needs of general users. For engineering and design, where accurate color representation is crucial, these models may fall short due to limited color gamut coverage, making them less ideal for professionals who require precise color fidelity. However, the screens of these two models aren't optimized for gaming and 3D applications, as they lack high refresh rates, which are essential for smooth motion and fast-paced visuals in these scenarios.
Cost
$510
$650
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $510 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 costs $650.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a larger storage and more RAM, making it well-suited for general use by allowing for smoother multitasking and more data storage, with a robust battery life and a bright IPS screen that enhances viewing experience. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 offers a slightly lighter weight for better portability, a more modern CPU for efficient performance, and a higher screen refresh rate which can provide a snappier visual response for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
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 15 3530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both equipped with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, adequate for fair gaming and 3D performance; however, neither has a dedicated GPU, which is very important for these tasks. The Inspiron 15 3511 has a standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz, while the Inspiron 15 3530 has a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, which is better for gaming and could offer smoother visuals.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
6.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 15 3511 to be good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and 15 3530 are suited for engineering and design due to their high RAM, which facilitates multitasking and running complex applications, and their capable integrated GPUs, which support moderate design tasks. While both have quality IPS screens for accurate color representation, the Inspiron 15 3530 has a higher refresh rate, making visual tasks more fluid, and its lighter weight improves portability, but the Inspiron 15 3511's higher RAM capacity gives it an edge for more demanding workloads.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.3/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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
7.3/10
7.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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.
Battery
6.5 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 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
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
6.2/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 both have only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 compare to other laptops
"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 15 3511 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.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
126,495
Recommendations made
27,408
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.