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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 offers a better processor, more storage, and more RAM compared to the Gateway 14.1", favoring more demanding tasks such as 3D projects, machine learning, or engineering software. However, it's usually more expensive, larger, and heavier which detracts from its portability. Despite the larger screen and being touch-enabled, battery life is lower. On the other hand, the Gateway is more portable due to its smaller size and weight with a slightly higher portability score, and it's more cost-effective for those who prioritize budget and basic tasks over performance. Both feature similar resolution and screen quality, but the Dell's IPS panel and higher brightness support better color reproduction, critical for detail-oriented work where color accuracy is important. Neither is suited for intensive gaming. Choose the Dell for better performance and more complex computing needs, but prefer the Gateway for simple tasks and easier portability. 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
- Good for general use
- Good for content creation
Advantages of the Gateway 14.1"
- Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
7.0
5.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
7.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is good for general use, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 offers a stronger CPU and more RAM, which boosts general performance over the Gateway 14.1", whose lower-tier CPU and limited RAM may hinder multitasking and smooth operation. Additionally, the Dell has a higher-quality screen and larger storage, making it more suitable for various tasks, whereas the Gateway trades off performance for better portability and slightly longer battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.0
5.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
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
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 offers better gaming and 3D performance due to its AMD Ryzen 5 5625U Vega 7 graphics, which are superior to the Intel UHD Graphics 600 found in the Gateway 14.1" laptop. Additionally, while both have IPS displays with a 60 Hz refresh rate, the Dell's more powerful GPU and higher RAM capacity give it an advantage for these tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.4
5.5
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is better suited for engineering and design use than the Gateway 14.1" because it features a more powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, more RAM, and a stronger integrated GPU that can handle demanding software used in these fields. On the other hand, the Gateway 14.1" has a basic Intel Celeron processor and less RAM, which aren't adequate for intensive tasks, and a lower-quality GPU that struggles with engineering and design applications; despite its greater portability due to a lighter build and compact size, these advantages do not compensate for its limitations in raw performance.
Content Creation
7.1
5.8
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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
5.8
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is only fair for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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
6.0
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and the Gateway 14.1" offer adequate screen quality due to their screen's satisfactory resolution and brightness, which are essential for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming, but they may not stand out in terms of exceptional clarity or vibrancy. Considering engineering and design, their fair screen quality might not cover the full spectrum of color accuracy needed for professional work since wider color gamuts ensure precise hues, which is important for detailed and color-critical tasks. When it comes to gaming and 3D work, the importance of refresh rate takes center stage for fluid motion, but the poorer screen quality on both laptops can lead to less immersive experiences, thus making them less ideal for fast-paced games or intensive 3D rendering where smooth visuals are key.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Gateway 14.1" 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
5.1
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has only fair build quality, while the Gateway 14.1" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$400
$99
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has a price of $400 and the Gateway 14.1" costs $99.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gateway 14.1" to have very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 and the Gateway 14.1" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3525 | Gateway 14.1" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $99 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.75'' | 13.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.71 lbs | 3.35 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 13.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 8.78" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14.1" | |
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 | 208 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
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 | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Gateway 14.1"
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | September 2021
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 or the Gateway 14.1"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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