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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers higher performance for intensive tasks and is likely to have a better display due to its larger size, which can be a benefit for productivity and multimedia consumption. However, the Gateway 11.6" is more portable due to its smaller size and possibly lighter weight, making it easier to carry around for everyday tasks or travel. If you prioritize performance and a larger screen for work or entertainment, and budget is not a primary concern, the Dell may be a better fit. If you prefer something that is easier to take with you and more affordable, while still suitable for general use, the Gateway could serve you well. Keep in mind that battery life can also be a deciding factor, with larger laptops often having room for bigger batteries, but the actual battery life can vary greatly based on the specific hardware and usage patterns. 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 general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
Advantages of the Gateway 11.6"
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.6
5.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
230.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is praised for its ample storage, high RAM, and full HD display, ensuring smooth multitasking and clear visuals for general use, but it is larger and heavier which can impact portability. In contrast, the Gateway 11.6" has limited storage and RAM, which might slow down performance, and a lower resolution screen, making it less ideal for general use despite its lightweight and compact size, which offers better portability.
Gaming and AI
6.2
5.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has an Intel i5-1135G7 Iris Xe graphics unit, which provides fair gaming and 3D capabilities, along with a 60Hz screen refresh rate, while the Gateway 11.6" comes with a less powerful Intel UHD Graphics 600, leading to poor gaming and 3D performance, and matches the Dell with a 60Hz screen refresh rate. Both screens are well-suited for general use; however, the Dell's superior GPU, paired with its larger and higher resolution display, makes it a better choice for gaming and 3D applications compared to the Gateway.
Engineering and Design
7.0
5.4
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is equipped with a stronger processor, larger amounts of RAM, and a more capable integrated graphics unit which are crucial for handling engineering and design tasks, along with a higher resolution and larger screen that benefits such detailed work. Conversely, the Gateway 11.6" has a lower-end CPU, significantly less RAM, and a less powerful GPU, along with a smaller, lower-resolution screen, making it unsuitable for demanding engineering applications.
Content Creation
7.5
5.7
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
15.6in
SIZE
11.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers a balance suitable for everyday tasks with its fair resolution and brightness, but for engineering and design where precise colors matter, the limited color gamut lowers its adequacy. In contrast, the Gateway 11.6" suffers overall due to its lower resolution and reduced brightness, which detract from the general viewing experience and make detailed design work challenging. Neither is ideal for 3D and gaming; the Dell's mediocre refresh rate and resolution restrict immersive gameplay, and for the Gateway, these shortcomings are further pronounced, making fast-paced visuals less smooth and clear.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Gateway 11.6" has 8 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
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
11.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 11.6" has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
5.1
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$580
$89
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $580 and the Gateway 11.6" costs $89.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Gateway 11.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3511 | Gateway 11.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $89 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 2.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 7.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 11.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 230 nits | 200 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 or the Gateway 11.6"
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.
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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