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Updated January 12, 2024·
If affordability is a primary concern and you need a computer for general use, the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 could be a good fit. However, if you require higher performance for activities like 3D modeling, machine learning, gaming, or engineering tasks, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, while more expensive, would provide you with more power and capabilities. You will also need to consider that the Lenovo may be less portable due to its potentially larger size and weight. Additionally, if you're often on the move or away from power sources, battery life is crucial; more powerful laptops like the ThinkPad may have shorter battery life compared to less demanding models like the Inspiron. 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
- Good portability
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Excellent speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
220.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is good.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530, with its balanced CPU, ample RAM, and IPS display, is suitable for general use due to its decent screen quality and good portability, but with limited battery life. Conversely, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 boasts a more powerful CPU, superior screen resolution, and longer battery life, making it suitable for more demanding tasks, although it is less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.9
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Dell Inspiron 15 3530 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has a modest GPU and standard screen refresh rate, which offer satisfactory performance for casual gaming and basic 3D tasks, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, equipped with a higher-end GPU and a superior screen refresh rate, delivers smoother and more immersive experiences suited for more demanding gaming and 3D applications. Additionally, the ThinkPad's stronger CPU and higher screen quality enhance overall performance and visual clarity, further differentiating it for users with more intensive requirements.
Engineering and Design
6.9
8.3
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offers a more powerful CPU and specialized GPU for intensive engineering and design work, along with a higher-resolution, brighter, and more color-accurate screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3530, which is crucial for detail-oriented tasks. However, the Dell model is lighter and thus more portable, while the Lenovo has superior build quality and keyboard, but is less portable and produces more operating noise.
Content Creation
7.3
8.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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
8.4
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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
8.2
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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, with an adequate panel type, resolution, and brightness, offers a screen that satisfies daily tasks but may not provide the vibrancy and clarity needed for detailed engineering work or the smoothness desired for gaming. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16, with its superior color accuracy and wider color gamuts, excels in displaying precise and rich visuals crucial for engineering and design but lacks the high refresh rate gamers look for to ensure fluid motion in 3D environments. Both laptops, due to their poorer refresh rates, are less suited for the split-second imagery and fluid motion that gaming and 3D applications demand.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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.
Portability
Good
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
6.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
8.5
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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
$1,449
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 has a price of $722 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 costs $1,449.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3530 | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$722 | $1,449 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.65'' | 14.3'' x 10.5'' x 1.2'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.64 lbs | 6.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.3" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.25" | 10.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1335U | Intel i7-12800HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 4 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 94 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 220 nits | 569 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad P16
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | February 2023
"It's only a few months since we gave the MSI CreatorPro X17 one of our rare 4.5-star ratings and our top mobile workstation honor, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 matches that achievement in a more premium overall build. Ultimately, its build quality, screen, and keyboard give our latest Editors' Choice nod to the Lenovo—it's enough of a monster on almost all fronts that it simply cannot be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3530 or the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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