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Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the Acer Aspire 1 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 depends on your needs and budget. If price is a major concern and your tasks are mostly basic, like web browsing and document editing, the Acer Aspire 1 is significantly less expensive and should serve you well. However, if you require more power for tasks such as photo editing, programming, or multitasking with numerous tabs and applications, the Dell Inspiron offers a higher performing processor, graphics, and more memory and storage, which justifies its higher cost. Additionally, while both laptops have similar screen sizes and resolutions, the Dell has an IPS display which generally offers better color and viewing angles compared to the TN display of the Acer. Keep in mind that the Dell's increased capabilities may also result in a slightly shorter battery life during intensive tasks. Despite the higher price of the Dell Inspiron, it provides a more capable system that may be a worthwhile investment if you need more than basic computing functions. 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 Acer Aspire 1
- The Acer Aspire 1 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 15 3511.
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
Key differences
General Use
5.8
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a lower-end CPU, less RAM, and a lower-quality TN screen, which may affect multitasking and the viewing experience, whereas the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 boasts a more powerful CPU, significantly more RAM and a higher-quality IPS screen, leading to smoother performance and better visuals for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
5.7
6.5
2.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
5.5
7.2
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
2.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is better suited for engineering and design as it comes with a high-performance Intel i5 processor, substantial RAM, and Intel Iris Xe graphics, which are essential for demanding applications often used in these fields. On the other hand, the Acer Aspire 1 has a lower-tier Intel Celeron processor, less RAM, and basic integrated graphics, which may struggle with intensive engineering software and complex design tasks.
Content Creation
5.9
7.6
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 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
6.1
7.4
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is good for software development, while the Acer Aspire 1 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
5.2
6.0
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
230.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If a laptop has a subpar panel type with low resolution and brightness, its overall screen quality is deemed poor for general use due to lackluster image clarity and vibrancy. Engineering and design tasks rely heavily on accurate color representation, and without an expansive range in color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, a laptop's display won't meet the required fidelity, hence a fair or poor rating. For immersive 3D experiences or gaming, a high refresh rate, along with decent resolution and quality panel type, is crucial; a lack thereof can lead to a rating of poor in that domain due to less fluid motion and detail.
Build Quality
5.5
6.2
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has only fair build quality, while the Acer Aspire 1 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$215
$530
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $215 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 costs $530.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 has 6.5 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3511 and Acer Aspire 1 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Aspire 1 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3511 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | Dell Inspiron 15 3511 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$215 | $530 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | UHD Graphics | Iris Xe G7 | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | No | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 230 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 1
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | May 2020
"There are no surprises and nothing's extraordinary here but this laptop's price. For those in need of an inexpensive Windows laptop for undemanding tasks, though, the Acer Aspire 1 offers just enough to get the basics done and a larger screen to do them on."
Dell Inspiron 15 3511
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Zachary Cuevas | November 2021
"The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) is a solid, if unremarkable, 15-inch budget laptop. It improves on many of the issues we had with the previous 3505 model, and with the inclusion of Windows 11, the 3511 is already a step above its competition. The lack of a USB-C port, the subpar speakers, and the dim display are drawbacks to factor in, but it's still one of the better 15-inch budget laptops on the market, especially when you consider it's under $400."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3511
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
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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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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