The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (model 3501) is a budget ultraportable Windows laptop. It's available with Intel 11th Gen. CPUs, ranging from a Core i3 to a Core i7. You can configure it with integrated graphics only or with an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 discrete GPU, and up to 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. You can also choose between a 720P TN or a 1080P IPS panel. It has a full-size keyboard with a Numpad on the right, a 720p webcam, and a 42Wh battery. Its port selection includes three USB-As, an HDMI 1.4, an SD card reader, and an Ethernet port.
Our Verdict
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is okay for school use. It's portable thanks to its thin and light design, and it feels well-built even though it's entirely plastic. The display is decently sharp, the touchpad tracks well, but the keyboard is a bit tiring to type on for long periods. The Intel 11th Gen CPU can handle most workloads; however, its integrated and entry-level discrete GPU options aren't ideal for graphically intensive tasks like 3D rendering. Unfortunately, the webcam image looks dark and unnatural, and the screen doesn't get bright enough to combat glare. The battery also lasts less than eight hours of light productivity, so you may have to plug it in at some point.
- Thin and light design makes it easy to carry around.
- Feels well-built despite all-plastic chassis.
- Touchpad tracks well.
- Keyboard feels tiring to type on for extended periods.
- Webcam image looks unnatural and microphone is too loud.
- Battery doesn't last long enough for a typical 8-hour day.
- No USB-C port.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is inadequate for gaming. It's only available with power-efficient Intel U-series processors with integrated or entry-level discrete GPUs, which aren't powerful enough to handle demanding AAA titles. That said, you can play some lighter or older games on the Core i5 and i7 models. Unfortunately, the display is limited to 60Hz with no VRR support, and its slow response time causes noticeable ghosting. Its serviceability is outstanding, though, making it easy to upgrade the memory and storage yourself.
- Outstanding serviceability makes it easy to upgrade.
- Fast NVMe SSD.
- Minimal performance loss over time.
- CPU and GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
- 60Hz refresh rate with no VRR support.
- Keyboard feels tiring to type on for extended periods.
- No USB-C port.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is okay for media consumption. Although the speakers don't get very loud, they sound relatively well-balanced overall. However, the display's poor color gamut makes most content look washed out, its low contrast makes blacks look gray in the dark, and it doesn't get bright enough to combat glare. On the upside, the laptop is portable due to its thin and light design, and its battery lasts long enough for a couple of movies or TV show episodes.
- Thin and light design makes it easy to carry around.
- Speakers sound well-balanced.
- Okay battery life for video playback.
- Screen looks dim and washed out.
- Poor color accuracy out of the box.
- Low contrast ratio makes blacks look gray in dim settings.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is only mediocre for use as a workstation. You can only configure it with a power-efficient Intel CPU with integrated or entry-level discrete graphics, which aren't powerful enough for demanding tasks like 3D rendering or physics simulations in a professional environment. Also, it doesn't have a USB-C port, and its HDMI port is limited to a 1080p output. On the bright side, it doesn't throttle much under load, and its outstanding serviceability makes it easy to upgrade the components.
- Outstanding serviceability makes it easy to upgrade.
- Fast NVMe SSD.
- Minimal performance loss over time.
- CPU and GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
- Keyboard feels tiring to type on for extended periods.
- No USB-C port.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is okay for business use. It feels decently well-built, with a thin and light design that makes it easy to carry around for business trips. Its Intel 11th Gen CPU can handle most productivity tasks like web browsing, text formatting, spreadsheets, and presentations. It has a full-size keyboard with a Numpad, which is great for those working with a lot of numbers, but it feels a bit tiring to type on for extended periods. Unfortunately, the battery doesn't last long enough for a typical eight-hour workday, so you'll have to plug it in at some point to top it off. Also, the webcam image looks unnatural and underexposed.
- Thin and light design makes it easy to carry around.
- Feels well-built despite all-plastic chassis.
- Outstanding serviceability makes it easy to upgrade.
- Touchpad tracks well.
- Keyboard feels tiring to type on for extended periods.
- Webcam image looks unnatural and microphone is too loud.
- Battery doesn't last long enough for a typical 8-hour day.
- No USB-C port.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 23, 2024: Added mention of the Dell Precision 3591 (2024) as an alternative with more powerful GPU options for professional workloads in the GPU section.
- Updated Aug 07, 2024: Added mention of the Acer Aspire 5 15 (2023) as an alternative with newer, faster CPUs in the Geekbench 5 section.
- Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2.
- Updated Nov 03, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (model 3501) equipped with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU, Intel UHD Graphics 11th Gen, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The display, CPU, GPU, memory, and storage are configurable; you can see the options in the table below.
There are many models in the Inspiron 15 3000 series, so to avoid confusion, our review only applies to the 3501 model with Intel 11th Gen. Core CPUs released in late 2020. Dell replaced this lineup with the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 models in 2021, which also have Intel 11th Gen. CPUs, but there are some differences in the port selection and design. There are also lower-end Dell Inspiron 15 3510 models which are available with Intel Pentium and Celeron processors.
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Our display and performance results are only valid for the configuration we tested. If you come across a different configuration option not listed above, or you have a similar Dell Inspiron 15 3000 that doesn't correspond to our review, let us know, and we'll update it. Some tests, like black uniformity and color accuracy, may vary between individual units.
You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Laptop Comparisons
The Dell Inspiron 3000 is an okay ultraportable laptop. It's among the most serviceable and user-upgradeable laptops in its class, but it otherwise doesn't stand out in any way.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best laptops, the best budget and cheap laptops, and the best laptops for college.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2020) is marginally better than the Acer Aspire 3 15 (2023) for most uses. The Dell has a slightly sturdier build, and it's much more upgradeable because you can replace the RAM. It also has two storage slots, whereas the Acer only has one. The Dell offers more configuration options, including a brighter IPS display and a more powerful NVIDIA GeForce MX330 discrete GPU. On the other hand, the Acer has a faster SSD, and the keyboard doesn't get as hot under load. The Acer has a USB-C port, although you can also get the Dell with one.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) is much better than the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2020). The ASUS is available with newer and faster CPUs, providing a better user experience overall with a better keyboard and touchpad. It also has a better webcam, a faster SSD, and longer battery life. However, the Dell is more upgradeable, as it has two SO-DIMM memory and storage slots, whereas the ASUS only has one of each.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i (2023) is better than the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2020) for most uses. The IdeaPad Slim 3i has a brighter display, a more comfortable keyboard, and a better webcam. Additionally, it's available with faster CPUs and doesn't get as hot or loud under load.
The ASUS X515 (2020) and the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (2020) are very similar Windows laptops. The Inspiron 15 offers a better user experience because its keyboard is more comfortable to type on, the touchpad has better tracking, and its webcam has better video quality. It also has better serviceability, making it easier to upgrade the memory and storage after purchase. The X515 has a USB-C port which the Inspiron 15 lacks, but it only supports data transfer, meaning you can't use it for charging or video output.
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