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Updated January 12, 2024·
If budget is your primary concern, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is more affordable and can handle everyday tasks well. However, for a noticeable improvement in performance, especially for more demanding engineering software or creative tasks, the Dell XPS 15 is better equipped, but at a higher cost. The XPS 15 also typically boasts a higher build quality with better screen options, making it more suitable for professionals who need color accuracy and crisp visuals. In terms of portability, the XPS 15 is generally sleeker and lighter, whereas the Inspiron tends to be bulkier, which might affect comfort if you need to carry it around frequently. Lastly, the XPS series often has a longer battery life compared to the Inspiron, which is an advantage for those who work on the go. 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 3530
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 15.
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is good.
The Dell XPS 15 outshines the Inspiron 15 3530 due to its more powerful processor, better screen quality with higher brightness and color coverage, and longer battery life, making it very good for general use despite being slightly heavier which affects its portability. On the other hand, the Inspiron 15 3530, while offering adequate performance for general use, has a shorter battery life and its display isn't as vibrant, but it compensates with lighter weight for better portability.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.8
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell XPS 15 is somewhat better.
The Dell XPS 15 is more suitable for gaming and 3D applications thanks to its stronger dedicated GPU, the Intel Arc A370M, providing higher graphics performance than the integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU in the Inspiron 15 3530. Although the Inspiron offers a higher screen refresh rate, which could be beneficial in fast-paced games, the XPS 15's superior GPU, along with its better overall screen quality, makes it better suited for these demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.9
8.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530, with an Intel i5 CPU, integrated GPU, and a focus on standard applications makes it suitable for engineering tasks that are not graphically intensive, while the Dell XPS 15's more powerful Intel i7 processor and dedicated GPU cater to both engineering and design use, offering higher performance for demanding software, yet may be less portable due to its build. Though both have adequate RAM and screen quality for engineering work, the XPS 15 pulls ahead for design tasks which benefit from its superior graphics capabilities, but trade-offs include a heavier build and potentially more operating noise.
Content Creation
7.3
8.3
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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
7.2
8.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 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
6.6
7.4
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530's screen may deliver adequate sharpness and visibility for everyday tasks with its resolution and brightness, but it lacks the wide color coverage essential for precise engineering and design work. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 15 likely offers a vibrant display that provides both the detail and color accuracy professionals require for engineering and design-related tasks. However, neither model is optimal for gaming and 3D applications, as their screens do not support high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and gameplay.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 has 10 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
8.5
The Dell XPS 15 has very good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$722
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has a price of $722 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 and Dell XPS 15 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3530 | Dell XPS 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$722 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.65'' | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.64 lbs | 4.21 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 13.57" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.25" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1335U | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 86 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 220 nits | 606 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell XPS 15
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PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 or the Dell XPS 15
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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