Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Review (3530). The Dell Inspiron 15 3530 is a sleek-looking mid-range laptop for personal, student, and business use, released in the second quarter of 2023.
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Let’s have a look at this laptop and its features. For this review, we are looking at the model with the following configuration (model number i3530-5074SLV-PUS):
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1335U
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD 120Hz
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Name: New Inspiron 15 3530
Price: ~$600
Manufacturer: Dell
Overall Rank: 9/10
Features
Let’s have a look at its features and what it all means.
Processor: 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1335U (12 MB cache, 10 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.60 GHz Turbo)
This is a powerful processor and one of Intel’s latest. It was released in quarter 1 of 2023. We still see a lot of 11th and 12th-generation CPUs in laptops in the market today, so with this option, you have pretty new technology, and you can expect good performance. In fact, I’ve seen reviews that show that the i5-1335U performs better than a 12th-generation i7-1255U.
RAM: 16GB DDR4, 3200MHz
Even though DDR5 is the latest generation of DDR, DDR4 is still widely used and still very much a viable option in new laptops today. The 3200MHz speed is what you can typically expect by today’s standards.
Storage: 512GB SSD
You can do quite a lot with 512GB of storage (if you don’t store thousands of movies). If you require more storage space, you can always opt for external storage.
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Intel Iris Xe Graphics is a graphics processing unit (GPU) that is integrated into the core-i5 processor (meaning it doesn’t have its own video memory, but uses the laptop’s main memory). It is widely used in Intel laptops today. It is not intended for high-performance gaming, but for everyday work and personal use, it is perfect.
Display: 15.6-inch, Full HD, 120Hz, 1920×1080, Anti-Glare, Narrow Border, LED-Backlit
This makes for a crisp, clear display that is perfect for video chatting, internet browsing, and home office tasks. The 120Hz update rate is better than the 60Hz alternative that is commonly used in laptops. However, if you are a specialist working with graphics, video, and photo editing requiring much higher resolutions with extra sharp detail, this laptop is not for you.
Dimensions and Weight
- Height (Front): 0.61 in. (15.52 mm)
- Height (Rear): 0.69 in. (17.50 mm)
- Width: 14.11 in. (358.50 mm)
- Depth: 9.25 in. (234.90 mm)
- Weight (Maximum): 3.64 lb (1.65 kg)
From personal preference and experience, this is an easy-to-manage size and weight and easy to carry. Dell notes on their website that weight may vary depending on configuration and manufacturing variability.
Case and Chassis: Aluminum exterior shell in Platinum Silver color
Aluminum is a durable material and makes the laptop feel much more sturdy than plastic alternatives.
Ports
- Type-A ports (the wide rectangular USB ports):
- 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port: for data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps
- 1 USB 2.0 port: the slower USB port for speeds up to 480 Mbps
- 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C full function: the small reversible oval USB port – “full function” means it can transfer power, audio, video, and data at the same time (as opposed to needing separate ports for charger, monitor, speakers, and a USB flash drive).
- 1 Headset jack (3.5mm): Dell notes that headset jack functionality varies by model configuration, and to use Dell recommended audio accessories for best results.
- 1 HDMI 1.4 port: The maximum resolution supported over HDMI is 1920×1080 @60Hz. There is no 4K/2K output.
As can be seen, this laptop does not contain the latest USB4 technology. However, USB4 technology is more expensive, and mostly seen today in high-end laptops only.
There is no dedicated RJ45 Ethernet port on this laptop, a common trend in newer laptops today. If you prefer connecting an Ethernet cable, you will have to use a compatible docking station, or a USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Slots: 1 SD 3.0 card slot
Camera: Integrated widescreen FHD (1080p) Webcam with Dual Digital Microphone in metal chassis
The built-in webcam has a widescreen aspect ratio, likely 16:9, which is common for most modern displays and video content. FHD stands for Full High Definition, and 1080p refers to the resolution of the webcam. In this case, the webcam is capable of capturing video at 1920×1080 pixels, providing a high-quality image.
“Dual Digital Microphone” indicates that there are two microphones included. These microphones are digital, meaning they convert sound into digital signals for processing. Dual microphones are often used to improve audio quality by capturing a broader range of sound and providing noise cancellation or stereo recording capabilities.
In summary, this laptop features a built-in webcam with a widescreen and Full HD resolution for video conferencing or recording purposes. The dual digital microphone setup enhances the audio quality, and the metal chassis adds a premium and robust construction to the laptop. These features collectively contribute to a better multimedia experience on the laptop, particularly for video communication.
Audio and Speakers: Stereo speakers, 2 W x 2 = 4 W total
This is typical for laptop speakers, and it provides sufficient sound for individual activities, for example, a video call or watching a movie by yourself.
Wireless
- Realtek Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax (model number RTL8852BE)
- 2×2
- MU-MIMO
- Bluetooth® wireless card
Realtek is the company that produces these Wi-Fi and Bluetooth components. The laptop is equipped with the sixth generation of Wi-Fi technology, known as Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax. Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax and released in 2019, is the latest standard for wireless networks, offering improved speed, capacity, and efficiency over its predecessors (Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ac). Note that it is expected that Wi-Fi 7 will be released in the second quarter of 2024. However, as with previous releases, you should have no problem with using Wi-Fi 6 on a Wi-Fi 7 network.
2×2 refers to the number of transmit and receive antennas for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In a 2×2 configuration, there are two antennas for transmitting data and two antennas for receiving data. This configuration can enhance data transfer rates and overall wireless performance.
MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) allows the Wi-Fi card to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, improving overall network efficiency and performance in environments with multiple connected devices.
This laptop includes a Bluetooth wireless card, which allows it to connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as mice, keyboards, headphones, and smartphones.
In summary, this laptop’s wireless networking capabilities provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
Primary Battery: 3 Cell, 41 Wh, integrated
Generally, a higher number of cells and a higher Wh rating suggest a potentially longer battery life, but it’s not the only factor affecting real-world performance. It also depends on the specific laptop model and how efficiently it uses the battery power.
Also note for this laptop, that it has an “integrated” battery; this means it is embedded in the device and is not removable without special tools; in case the battery needs to be replaced, the laptop will need to be taken to a certified repairer.
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours, 15 minutes.
It is important to note that Dell states the following on their website: “Test results are for comparative purposes only. Actual battery life may be significantly less than the test results and varies depending on product configuration and use, software, usage, operating conditions, power management settings, and other factors. Tested configurations may not be available in all regions/countries at all times. Maximum battery life will decrease with time. The stated Watt Hour (Whr) is not an indication of battery life.”
Power: 65 Watt AC Adapter
Palmrest: Platinum Silver without Finger Print Reader
Touchpad: Platinum Silver: Precision touchpad
“Precision touchpad” basically means better than traditional touchpads: better accuracy and reliability, and better user experience. “Precision touchpad” is in wide use today in modern laptops.
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Keyboard: English US backlit keyboard
No optical drive
Overall Impression
Be aware that this laptop is definitely not suited for the high-end market, and don’t expect it to handle tasks like professional high-resolution video editing or specialist high-performance data processing. However, overall, I think that this is an excellent mid-range laptop for everyday personal, student, and business use, and it is a very good buy if used for these purposes.
On Dell’s website, this laptop has a 4.4 out of 5 rating, from over 750 reviews. Further, if you look on Amazon, it is tagged with “Amazon’s Choice,” which means Amazon considers it as a highly rated, well-priced product. On Amazon, over 1000 purchases of this laptop have been made in the past month. The vast majority of people who purchased this laptop are very satisfied with it.
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