The MSI GP66 Leopard is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, with an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and a 60 Hz screen refresh rate, offers moderate gaming and 3D capabilities suitable for entry-level requirements. In contrast, the MSI GP66 Leopard excels in gaming and 3D applications thanks to its high-end Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU and a significantly higher 144 Hz screen refresh rate, which provide smoother visuals and enhanced performance for demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
7.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Dell Inspiron 15 3511 are both good for engineering and design, though the MSI GP66 Leopard is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
6.0/10
7.5/10
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The MSI GP66 Leopard has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, with a basic panel, modest resolution, and adequate brightness, covers the essentials for everyday tasks but lacks the vividness and sharpness that professional work like engineering and design may require. The MSI GP66 Leopard, sporting a higher-quality display with solid resolution and brightness, provides more accurate colors essential for engineering and design, but both laptops fall short for 3D applications due to their lower refresh rates, which don't match the fluidity needed for optimal gaming experiences. While both can handle general and professional tasks to a degree, neither is tailor-made for the high-paced visual demands of gaming or intensive 3D modeling.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard has 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
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability, while the MSI GP66 Leopard has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
8.0/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard 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
$1,400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $580 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, with a competent Intel i5 processor and ample RAM, delivers satisfactory performance for day-to-day tasks, while its lighter weight and slightly longer battery life make it more portable for general use. On the other hand, the MSI GP66 Leopard offers a more powerful Intel i7 processor and high-quality GPU, which are overkill for general use but reduce its battery life and portability due to increased weight; however, it excels in screen quality and heat management, making it suitable for more demanding applications.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.4/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and MSI GP66 Leopard 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
7.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and MSI GP66 Leopard 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 MSI GP66 Leopard 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 MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 or the MSI GP66 Leopard
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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