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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is budget-friendly with a larger screen, number pad, and higher storage capacity. It's heavier and has a lower battery life, which is not ideal for users frequently on the move. The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is more expensive but offers better portability with its lighter weight and longer battery life, along with a higher screen resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio that's beneficial for productivity tasks. It has excellent build quality, a backlit keyboard, and a high-resolution webcam. However, its smaller screen may not suit users preferring larger displays, and it has less storage. For intensive gaming, engineering, or 3D/machine learning tasks, neither is optimal, but general performance is sufficient for everyday use. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023).
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.4
7.3
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair.
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.
Software Development
6.9
7.6
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
7.4
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron's display may not have the sharpness and brightness desired for vibrant visuals in everyday tasks or the color accuracy critical for engineering and design work; meanwhile, its lower refresh rate limits its suitability for smooth gaming or 3D rendering. The Framework Laptop offers a higher-quality display with better sharpness and brightness for everyday use and more accurate color reproduction for professional design tasks; however, like the Dell, it lacks the high refresh rates needed for optimal gaming and 3D experiences. Both laptops, while capable in general and design applications, fall short for the fast-paced visuals demanded by gaming and 3D modeling due to their refresh rate limitations.
Portability
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
7.8
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
$1,079
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has a price of $400 and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) costs $1,079.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.0
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both good for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525, while offering more built-in storage and a larger screen, has lower portability due to its greater weight and size, and it received fair evaluations for key aspects like keyboard and speaker quality; battery life is also lesser compared to the Framework Laptop 13 (2023). On the other hand, the Framework Laptop stands out with a higher-resolution, brighter screen, superior portability owing to its lighter weight and compact size, alongside very good keyboard and speaker quality, as well as better battery life, making it more favorable for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.3
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Dell Inspiron 15 3525 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are fair for gaming and 3D because both have integrated graphics, with the Dell sporting AMD Ryzen 5 5625U Vega 7 graphics and the Framework Laptop packing Intel i5-1340P Iris Xe graphics, which can handle light gaming and some 3D tasks but aren't as powerful as dedicated gaming GPUs. Additionally, both laptops have the same screen refresh rate of 60 Hz.
Content Creation
7.1
7.5
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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.
Battery
6.5 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3525 | Framework Laptop 13 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $1,079 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.75'' | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.71 lbs | 2.95 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.01" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | Intel i5-1340P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 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 | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 55 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 472 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
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."
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 or the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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