When deciding between the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, consider that if you need a laptop for everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, or streaming, the Dell Inspiron is more budget-friendly and offers solid performance for these activities. However, if you require a laptop for more demanding tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, or high-end gaming, the MSI Stealth, while more expensive, provides significantly better performance suited for these intensive tasks. The MSI will also likely have a shorter battery life compared to the Dell due to its more powerful hardware. If portability is a concern, the Dell Inspiron is lighter and easier to carry around. Choose the Dell for cost-effective, general-purpose use or the MSI if your work demands high performance and you are willing to invest more. 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 portability
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Very good for general use
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
8.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
230.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 offers adequate processing power and memory for everyday tasks, along with decent screen quality and battery life, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize cost efficiency and basic functionality. In contrast, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with its superior CPU and RAM, excels in screen quality and has a better keyboard and cooling system, but it’s less portable and more expensive, suited for professionals and creatives who demand high performance and can accommodate a shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
8.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511, with a decent GPU that supports some gaming and 3D tasks, doesn't match the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio's superior graphics card and higher screen refresh rate, which provide smoother visuals and better performance for demanding graphics-intensive applications. While both have capable processors and good screen quality, the differences in the GPU and refresh rate make the MSI a better fit for high-end gaming and professional 3D work.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
9.1/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 provides adequate processing power and memory for engineering tasks with a respectable display, but the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio boosts performance significantly with a stronger CPU, more RAM, and superior GPU, along with a higher quality screen, making it an excellent fit for more demanding engineering and design work. While the MSI model excels in performance, it's less portable due to its size and potentially noisier under load, and although the Dell is more travel-friendly and may offer a quieter operation, it compromises on the high-end specs critical for intensive design applications.
Content Creation
7.5/10
8.5/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
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
8.2/10
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good.
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
6.0/10
8.4/10
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
230.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 may have adequate resolution and brightness for tasks like browsing and document editing but lacks wide color gamut coverage needed for precise engineering and design work; it also falls short in refresh rate, which is crucial for a smooth gaming and 3D rendering experience. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio offers higher screen resolution and superior color accuracy, making it ideal for engineering and design professionals who require precise color representation, but its lower refresh rate may not be optimal for gaming or 3D applications where fluid motion is key. Both laptops balance between various screen attributes, and while the MSI is more suited for professional creative work, gamers and 3D artists may need to look elsewhere for screens that prioritize high refresh rates.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
18.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has good portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
8.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio 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
$2,900
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a price of $580 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
"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 MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
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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