Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) review: A work laptop built for those on a budget

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

working on a budget

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (3511) review: A work laptop congenital for those on a budget

The Inspiron 15 3000 is everything you'd expect from an affordable laptop by Dell, and that's a good matter.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Source: Windows Fundamental

Updated Dec 22, 2022: This review has been updated to reverberate the category of the reviewed device every bit a consumer laptop that is as well sold aslope business devices.

While many of the best Windows laptops price over $750, you don't need to break the banking concern to get a reliable piece of hardware. Ofttimes, dipping below the $500 threshold results in poor quality laptops that aren't even worth their asking price, just that's not the case with the Dell Inspiron fifteen 3000 (3511).

Reviewing a laptop like this is almost difficult because at that place's so little almost it that's surprising. Anyone who'due south owned an Inspiron device, or just about whatsoever laptop from Dell, is going to wait a nice slice of hardware with loftier build quality. That'south the example here, as the Inspiron feels solid and well built.

The Inspiron xv 3000 is a more affordable laptop designed for getting work done. Dell oftentimes lists the device in business laptop deals, though information technology is technically a consumer laptop. With an entry price of $350, yous're obviously not going to get some of the fit and finish of the Breadth series or the consumer-focused XPS line. What you do get is a budget-friendly laptop that tin can handle everyday productivity. The model looked at in this review is the Inspiron fifteen 3000 (3511) from 2022.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Reco

Dell Inspiron 15 3000

Bottom line: The Inspiron xv 3000 is a solid laptop for people getting work done on a budget. It's well built, has enough of legacy ports for accessories, and features a full number pad. Its biggest drawback is that it lacks a USB-C port.

The Good

High build quality
Wide range of legacy ports
Large 15.6-inch screen
Low starting price

The Bad

No USB-C port
Lacks built-in hardware for Windows Hi
Trackpad feels loose at corners

Dell Inspiron xv 3000: Price, availability, and specs

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Source: Windows Key

The Inspiron 15 3000 is a budget-friendly laptop aimed at people getting work done. It starts at $350 for the model with an 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. Y'all can double the RAM to 8GB for only an additional $50, bringing the total to $400. This is probably worth information technology for nearly employ cases. 4GB of RAM is serviceable in some workflows, but 8GB should requite you lot more to piece of work with.

Several configuration options are bachelor, maxing out at a $680 model with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 12GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. Oddly, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 model isn't bachelor through Dell's website. You lot can, however, guild information technology through Amazon for $609.

Category	Spec
Bone	Windows eleven Home Windows eleven Due south
Processor	11th Gen Intel Cadre i3-1115G4 11th Gen Intel Cadre i5-1135G7 11th Gen Intel Cadre i7-1165G7
Graphics	Intel UHD Intel Iris Xe
Storage	128GB SSD 256GB SSD 512GB SSD
Display	fifteen.6-inch FHD (1920x1080), anti-glare, non-touch on
Ports	1x USB-2.0, audio jack, HDMI 1.4, 2x USB-A 3.two, SD carte slot
Audio	Stereo speakers
Connectivity	802.11ac 1x1 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Photographic camera	Front end-facing 720p, 30 FPS
Keyboard	Not backlit
Battery	41Wh battery
Dimensions	fourteen.eleven x 9.27 10 0.74 inches (358.8mm x 235.66mm x xviii.99mm)
Weight	3.82 pounds (i.73 kg)
Color	Black

Dell Inspiron 15 3000: What I like

The Inspiron fifteen 3000 is what it says on the box. It's a budget-friendly laptop. It has a big, xv.6-inch display, a full number pad, and enough of legacy ports. What surprised me about the Inspiron 15 3000 is how much it can become done despite its modest specs.

The model I reviewed only has an Intel Cadre i3 CPU, but that'south enough for web browsing, Function, and general productivity. I usually lean toward Core i5 models, merely reviewing this device opened my eyes to how much the lower end of the Intel Cadre i3 line has come over the years. If y'all're picking upwards a laptop for calorie-free work and productivity, don't slumber on Core i3 models, especially if y'all're on a upkeep.

Whether purchasing a single laptop or buying several in majority, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is easy to recommend.

Dell packed a lot of laptop into the fourteen-inch body of the Inspiron 15 3000. The bezels around the 15.6-inch display are thin, though not as thin as those on premium laptops. Thanks to this, the laptop has a large screen despite a relatively small body. When you open up the Inspiron 15 3000, that screen is raised slightly by an ErgoLift swivel, which is a nice touch. That hinge also places the keyboard at a better bending.

Bombardment life on the Inspiron xv 3000 is decent. Streaming 1080p content with the screen at full brightness will drain the battery in nigh 6 hours.

Dell Inspiron xv 3000: What I don't like

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Source: Windows Cardinal

While the Inspiron 15 3000 has plenty of ports, information technology lacks 1 for USB-C. Information technology'south great to have an HDMI port, SD card slot, a headphone jack, and three USB-A ports on a laptop, simply information technology'south disappointing that in that location isn't even a unmarried USB-C port. Maintaining legacy support is important for some only I think Dell could have swapped one of the USB-A ports for a USB-C one. Alternatively, the company could accept removed the barrel charging port and put in a USB-C port that also supports powering the laptop.

Many of the best webcams for Windows PCs use USB-A, so it makes sense to accept older ports, but some PC accessories apply USB-C. For example, some of the best external hard drives connect through USB-C.

The Inspiron fifteen 3000 besides lacks a built-in style to unlock the laptop through Windows Hello. You tin can add together a fingerprint reader or webcam that supports Windows Howdy, merely that'southward non equally seamless equally having born hardware.

The trackpad of the Inspiron 15 3000 feels a fleck loose and hallow, particularly at the bottom corners. It tracks movement well and is clickable, but the trackpad is one of the areas that shows the toll of the device.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000: Competition

HP 14z Laptop Source: Windows Central

While the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is an impressive laptop for its cost, information technology's non the only skilful laptop that you can buy for betwixt $350 to $500. The HP 14z Laptop starts at $430 and is a dependable device. It has a wide range of ports, including a USB-C port, and gets decent bombardment life.

The ASUS Vivobook 15 is 1 of the all-time upkeep laptops on the market. Like the Inspiron 15 3000, the Vivobook fifteen has a fifteen.six-inch FHD brandish and a plethora of legacy ports. Unlike the Inspiron fifteen 3000, the Vivobook xv has backlit keys, a fingerprint reader, and a USB-C port.

The Surface Laptop Get is pricier than the entry-level Inspiron fifteen 3000, simply it'southward in the same range every bit some midrange models from Dell. Microsoft's Surface Laptop Get is an splendid laptop that comes at $550. It has a bright display, impressive performance, and gets skilful battery life.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000: Should you buy it?

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Source: Windows Primal

Y'all should buy this if ...

You're looking for an affordable device
You need a laptop with a number pad
Y'all want a laptop with a large screen

You shouldn't purchase this if ...

You demand a laptop for gaming
Y'all do video editing or graphically demanding work
Y'all want a more premium laptop

This laptop fits squarely in the budget category. Those that want a reliable device for general productivity should be happy with the Inspiron fifteen 3000. Those that want a more premium device or a laptop for video editing or graphic design should check out more powerful pieces of hardware.

Whether purchasing a single laptop or ownership several in bulk, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is easy to recommend. It'southward an affordable laptop with the high build quality you'd expect from Dell. I'd like to run across a USB-C port and congenital-in hardware for Windows Hello, but those omissions aren't dealbreakers for about people.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Reco

Dell Inspiron 15 3000

Bottom line: The Inspiron 15 3000 is a solid laptop with a low starting price. For the most office, the device hides that it'southward a budget laptop well by having expert build quality and a nice design.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.