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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is less expensive and comes with a touchscreen and a number pad on the keyboard, which makes it suitable for general use and its lower cost makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious users. However, if you require a laptop with better performance for tasks like 3D rendering or engineering applications, the Dell Latitude 5530, despite its higher price, has a better processor, more RAM, a higher battery capacity, and enhanced features such as a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and facial recognition. The Latitude 5530 is also slightly lighter, making it more portable, and it offers a longer battery life for extended use away from power sources. Both have similar size displays and resolutions, but if advanced security and performance features are important to you, the Latitude 5530 is the better choice despite its higher cost. 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 Latitude 5530.
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 5530
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.4
6.9
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both only fair for engineering and design, though the Dell Latitude 5530 is somewhat better.
The Dell Latitude 5530 outperforms the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for engineering and design due to the former's superior Intel i5 processor, double the RAM, and higher quality integrated graphics, which collectively accelerate computational and graphic tasks. While both have high-quality IPS screens, the Latitude's screen offers better brightness and contrast, enhancing visual detail, although the Inspiron 15 3525 is slightly lighter and has a touchscreen, which could be beneficial for hands-on design work.
Screen Quality
6.3
6.3
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
286.0 nits
The Dell Latitude 5530 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and Dell Latitude 5530 likely offer sufficient resolution and brightness, but may fall short in achieving the standout quality some users look for due to average panel type. In engineering and design, while fair for casual use, professionals who need precise color representation might find the screens lacking due to limited coverage of professional color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB. Gamers and 3D designers would likely be dissatisfied with these models due to their lower refresh rates, which cannot match the fluid motion and responsiveness needed in fast-paced games and high-frame-rate 3D applications.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 5530 has 9 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
7.4
The Dell Latitude 5530 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
$919
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has a price of $400 and the Dell Latitude 5530 costs $919.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.0
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
286.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 5530 outperforms the Inspiron 15 3525 with a more powerful processor, double the RAM, and a larger battery contributing to a longer battery life, which in combination with its lighter weight, enhances portability and performance for general use. Despite having a slightly better screen quality and more storage, the Inspiron 15 3525's lower RAM and battery capacity make it less suitable for more demanding tasks, although it manages heat well and has a good portability score.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.2
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
8.0/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is equipped with an integrated AMD GPU which is adequate for light gaming and 3D work; similarly, the Dell Latitude 5530 features an integrated Intel GPU, also suited for modest gaming and 3D tasks, with both systems limited by standard screen refresh rates. The CPUs and screen quality of both laptops contribute somewhat to their capabilities but do not elevate them to high-end gaming or 3D performance levels.
Content Creation
7.1
7.4
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 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
6.9
7.3
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Latitude 5530 to be 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and Dell Latitude 5530 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 Latitude 5530 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3525 | Dell Latitude 5530 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $919 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.75'' | 14.1'' x 9.2'' x 0.87'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.71 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | Intel i5-1245U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 58 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 | 259 nits | 286 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
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 Latitude 5530
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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