The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers a larger screen size, which can be beneficial for multitasking and entertainment, but at the cost of greater weight and reduced portability compared to the more compact and lighter Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro. The Lenovo boasts a higher resolution screen, potentially offering clearer and sharper images, well-suited for graphic design or video editing. In contrast, the Dell's screen is standard full HD. The Lenovo also has a better battery life, which may be important if you need to use the laptop on the go without frequent charging. However, the Dell is usually less expensive, which might make it a more budget-friendly option. If performance is a top priority, particularly for engineering or intensive tasks, keep in mind both models have similar processor and graphics capabilities, so choosing between the two may come down to whether you prioritize screen quality and portability (Lenovo) or screen size and cost savings (Dell). 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 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.0/10
7.7/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
90Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
395.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro's very good screen quality is likely due to its higher resolution and brighter display, making text crisper and colors more vibrant compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3511. In engineering and design, the exceptional quality of the Lenovo's screen stems from its ability to accurately represent a wider range of colors, a significant consideration for professionals needing precision in their visuals. However, when it comes to Gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short because despite their screen resolution and panel type, they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and gameplay.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has 8.5 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
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
7.8/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has 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
$799
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $580 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro costs $799.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is suited for general use with its good CPU and fair portability, offering a large screen and excellent battery life which makes it ideal for a range of everyday tasks. In comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro also caters to general use with a superior screen quality, solid CPU, and more RAM, but with a higher price tag, less storage, and a smaller yet sharper display that enhances portability while still providing good battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
90Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers modest gaming and 3D performance with its integrated Iris Xe graphics and a 60Hz refresh rate, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro provides slightly better graphics performance due to the same type of integrated graphics but benefits from a higher 90Hz screen refresh rate, potentially offering smoother visuals in games and 3D applications. Screen quality also plays a role with the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro boasting a higher resolution screen, which can result in sharper images and text, enhancing the overall visual experience.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
7.0/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro are both good for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is equipped with a dedicated GPU and ample RAM, making it suitable for demanding engineering applications, while its screen quality supports detailed design work. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro, while also providing sufficient RAM and a high-quality display for engineering and design tasks, offers a more portable form factor and quieter operation, though its integrated GPU may not handle intensive 3D tasks as well as the Dell.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.4/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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
7.3/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.0/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro 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."
"The main selling point of the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro versus a regular IdeaPad Slim 7 is its faster Core H-series CPU. In reality, the Core i7-11370H is only marginally faster than the U-series Core i7-1165G7 to the point where most users are not likely to notice the benefits. The slight performance uptick comes at the cost of slightly higher power consumption as well meaning owners will have to deal with potentially warmer temperatures or louder fans to compensate. Unless if you happen to be a power user, then the regular non-Pro model will be more than enough. Once you go 90 Hz, you can't go back."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
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.
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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