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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers stronger performance with a more powerful Intel i5 processor and is suitable for intensive tasks, while the Gateway 14.1" has a simpler Intel Celeron processor for basic use. The Dell has a larger 15.6" display, offering a more comfortable viewing experience, especially for multitasking. In comparison, the Gateway's smaller 14.1" screen can be more portable and easier to carry around. As expected with the performance difference, the Dell is much more expensive, making the Gateway a cost-effective option for general tasks. The Dell's larger size and weight might make it less convenient for travel compared to the lighter Gateway. If you value performance over portability and are willing to invest more, the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is a good choice, particularly for demanding applications or multitasking. However, for everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and streaming, the Gateway 14.1" could be a more budget-friendly and portable option. 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 14.1"
- Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.6
5.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
230.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is favorable for general use with its powerful Intel i5 processor, abundant RAM, and large storage capacity, while its adequate screen quality and reasonable portability contribute to its versatility. Conversely, the Gateway 14.1" falls short in general use due to its less capable Intel Celeron processor, limited RAM, and smaller storage capacity, despite its slightly better portability and battery life, traits which do not fully compensate for its performance deficiencies.
Gaming and AI
6.2
5.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers better gaming and 3D performance with its more powerful Intel Iris Xe graphics, compared to the Gateway 14.1" which houses the much less capable Intel UHD Graphics 600. While both laptops have similar screen refresh rates, the Dell's superior GPU combined with a stronger CPU and better overall screen quality, including higher brightness and more color coverage, provide a more suitable experience for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.0
5.5
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 14.1" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.5
5.8
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" 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
5.8
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" 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
6.0
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for software development, and content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Gateway 14.1" have screens that offer appropriate resolution and brightness for tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, which is why they're adequate for general use. For engineering and design, their screens don't cover the wider color gamuts necessary for precise color work, rendering them only fair for these purposes. Both lack the high refresh rates preferred for smooth 3D rendering and gaming, which is central to a superior experience in those areas, making their screen quality poor for these uses.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Gateway 14.1" 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.
Build Quality
6.2
5.1
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$580
$99
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $580 and the Gateway 14.1" costs $99.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gateway 14.1" to have very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Gateway 14.1" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3511 | Gateway 14.1" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $99 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | 13.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 3.35 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 13.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 8.78" | |
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" | 14.1" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 230 nits | 208 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
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."
Gateway 14.1"
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | September 2021
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 or the Gateway 14.1"
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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