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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is a lower midrange-priced laptop that's typically less expensive, making it a more budget-friendly option with more storage and a higher memory capacity compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15". If you prioritize a stronger processor for potentially better performance in more demanding tasks like engineering or gaming, the Lenovo comes with a higher-end CPU, which may make it somewhat more expensive but could provide a smoother experience for intensive applications. Both laptops offer similar screen size and quality, but the Lenovo also has a touchscreen, adding versatility at the cost of battery life. Consider the Dell for more storage and a tighter budget, or the Lenovo for better processing and a touchscreen feature. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.0
6.4
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" have adequate resolution and brightness, but the types of panels they are equipped with may not provide the most vivid colors or viewing angles. In engineering and design tasks, where color accuracy is crucial, these laptops offer fair performance, but they may lack the full color gamut coverage professionals often need for precise work. When it comes to 3D and gaming, the moderate resolution and screen type are acceptable, however their lower refresh rates will not be ideal for fast-paced visuals, potentially making them less desirable for these purposes.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 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.
Cost
$560
$741
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $560 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" costs $741.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
230.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers a robust combination of storage and memory, which is ideal for multitasking and storing extensive data, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" stands out with its touch-enabled, brighter screen and extended battery life, making it more conducive for on-the-go use and interactive tasks. Both laptops share similar CPU power and high-quality IPS displays for clear visuals, yet the Dell's higher RAM aids in smoother performance, and the Lenovo's superior screen brightness enhances viewing in various lighting conditions.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.1
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
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
9.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" are both considered fair for gaming and 3D tasks as they have integrated graphics units (Intel Iris Xe for Dell and AMD Vega 8 for Lenovo) that offer respectable performance within a non-dedicated GPU setup. However, due to both laptops having standard screen refresh rates of 60Hz, neither can deliver the high refresh rates desired for more competitive or fluid gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
7.0
6.6
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 15 3511 to be good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is superior for engineering and design due to its higher RAM capacity and a generally robust CPU and GPU setup, which are crucial for demanding tasks, alongside a better-quality display for detailed work. Conversely, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 offers a touch screen and excellent keyboard quality, it has less RAM and a less potent graphics setup, affecting its ability to easily handle intensive engineering software and graphics work.
Content Creation
7.5
7.4
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" 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
7.3
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
32.0 GB
RAM
12.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
6.0
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" both have only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3511 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$560 | $741 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | March 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | 14.2'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 3.57 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.18" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.29" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | AMD Ryzen 7 5700U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 12 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 42 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
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 | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
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 | 2 | |
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."
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Alex Iliev | April 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" is affordable and pretty efficient. At the end of the day, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (15″, 2023) is one of the better affordable laptops money can buy right now. It has a decent performance, albeit coming from a CPU that is based on old architecture. Playing low-intensity games is possible but at low to medium settings. We are really happy with the cooling setup, but the main event here is the battery life. We got 9 hours of either Web browsing or video playback, which is a great result. Especially if you compare this device with the ASUS E410."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 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.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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