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Updated January 12, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630, consider the following points: the Inspiron 16 5630 has superior performance due to its better processor and graphics capabilities, twice the storage, and double the RAM, which makes it well-suited for more demanding tasks such as video editing or gaming. It also features a slightly larger and sharper display with a more productivity-friendly aspect ratio. However, it is also more expensive and slightly heavier, making it less ideal if you prioritize budget and portability. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more affordable option that can handle everyday computing tasks well and is easier to carry around, the Inspiron 15 3525 can be a good choice despite its less powerful hardware. The tradeoff for the lower cost, in this case, is less storage, lower performance, and a smaller display. 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 3525
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 16 5630.
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
- Very good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 offers superior performance with a more powerful Intel processor and double the RAM compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3525, and it also has a better screen quality with higher resolution and coverage of color spaces, which justifies its higher suitability for general use.
Engineering and Design
6.4
7.7
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has a mid-range CPU and integrated graphics, making it simply adequate for engineering and design tasks, and with its smaller RAM capacity, it's less suited for intensive multitasking or complex operations typical in these fields.
Content Creation
7.1
8.1
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 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
6.9
7.9
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
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
6.3
6.8
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering screen quality for general use, the Inspiron 16 5630's higher resolution and brightness provide clearer and more vibrant visuals compared to the Inspiron 15 3525. For engineering and design work, the Inspiron 16 5630's display offers a wider color range, facilitating more accurate and detailed color reproduction which professionals require. However, for Gaming and 3D applications where fast motion is common, both models may fall short due to lower refresh rates, making neither ideal for high-end gaming or intensive 3D work where smoother motion is critical.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 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
7.0
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$400
$849
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has a price of $400 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 costs $849.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.5
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and Dell Inspiron 16 5630 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3525 | Dell Inspiron 16 5630 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $849 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.75'' | 14.1'' x 9.9'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.71 lbs | 4.28 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.05" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.91" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | Intel i7-1360P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 54 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 15 3525
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | January 2023
"Dell's Inspiron 15 (3525) is a peppy-enough and affordable-enough home or remote work machine, but it's not very ambitious; it does little to go beyond the basics. More the concern: It’s readily overshadowed by a number of machines that outperform and outclass it. Even if the Inspiron can get the job done today, its competition has the mettle to keep doing the job tomorrow in a way the Inspiron simply can’t promise. Many of its slightly higher-end rivals have to be on sale (and frequently are) to match it on price, but the Inspiron 15 (3525) is outclassed even by some similarly priced options, making it a difficult recommendation."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 or the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
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.
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