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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is your budget-friendly option with a respectable performance for everyday tasks, a decent screen, and a reasonable battery life which makes it suitable for general use. However, the Dell XPS 15, while more expensive, offers significantly better performance that's well-suited for more demanding tasks such as 3D work, machine learning, or gaming thanks to a more powerful processor and graphics card. It also boasts a higher quality display, longer battery life, and a premium build. The XPS 15 is heavier and less portable than the Inspiron, so consider this if mobility is crucial for you. 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
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 15.
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.6
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
230.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 offers superior performance with a higher-end CPU and GPU for smoother multitasking and media tasks, a more robust battery for extended use away from a power source, and a higher quality screen which renders colors more vividly, making it very good for general use. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 boasts ample storage and more RAM for handling numerous applications at once, a lighter build for better portability, and excellent heat management, yet with a less impressive screen and shorter battery life, it's still good for general use but not as versatile as the XPS 15.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.8
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 offers better gaming and 3D performance primarily due to its more powerful Intel Arc A370M GPU compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3511's Intel Iris Xe graphics, both laptops have similar screen refresh rates which are important for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D contexts.
Engineering and Design
7.0
8.1
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, with a generous amount of RAM and a capable integrated GPU, suits design and engineering tasks that require plenty of memory but may not demand the highest graphical performance, while its lighter weight enhances portability compared to the Dell XPS 15. In contrast, the Dell XPS 15 provides a more powerful CPU and a dedicated GPU for more demanding engineering applications, alongside a higher-quality screen and better-built chassis, making it the preferred choice for intensive design work despite being less portable and more expensive.
Content Creation
7.5
8.3
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 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
7.3
8.1
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
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
6.0
7.4
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering screen quality for general use, the Dell XPS 15 boasts a higher resolution and superior brightness, offering a clearer and more vivid display than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511. For engineering and design work, the XPS 15 provides better color accuracy with wider color gamuts, crucial for professionals in those fields, enhancing its suitability over the Inspiron. However, for gaming and 3D, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates, although the XPS 15's better resolution and panel type still offer a more desirable experience than the Inspiron for these intensive visual tasks.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 has 10 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
6.2
8.5
The Dell XPS 15 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
$580
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $580 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Dell XPS 15 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3511 | Dell XPS 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 4.21 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 13.57" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 86 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 230 nits | 606 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 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 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
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."
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 or the Dell XPS 15
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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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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