In 2023, we think it's a pretty easy choice between the newest 15 inch Dell Inspiron 3525 versus the HP Pavilion 15 i7.
If you're looking for one of the fastest, highest-resolution laptops when it comes to streaming and work, then the HP Pavilion is the mid-range laptop for you.
The Inspiron is significantly cheaper, and has almost double the memory, but still struggles on overall performance compared to the HP Pavilion, making the Pavilion our favorite here.
HP Pavilion Pros and Cons
The HP Pavilion 15 has came lightyears from where this model was just a few years ago. The new i7 processor gives the HP laptop a processing speed it severely lacked earlier, making this one of their fastest laptops to date.
Among midrange laptops, the HP Pavilion became a heavyweight with the latest 15 model, scoring a 5278 on a multi-core score. Thermal throttling wasn’t an issue either, unlike most of other laptops in this price range. A lot of laptops out there get so hot that they actually have to take things down a notch and slow down to not overheat. Yet when we tested the HP it didn't have this issue at all, with its temp maxing out at 190 degrees Fahrenheit and not suffering any slowdown..
While it's far from the best laptop for gaming, it's extremely well-performing for your everyday tasks. If you are considering using the Pavilion for gaming, video editing, or multitasking with dual monitors, you'll want to upgrade to the Ryzen 7 processor. But the good news is even at the base version, the HP Pavilion can be reliably quick for most usage, and for years to come.
When you have a midrange laptop that performs well, there's often something you're sacrificing — and more often than not, that's the keyboard or display. However, I actually love the keyboard on the Pavilion, the spacing feels perfect, and the keys feel nearly MacBook-esque.
Where there might have been some sacrifices, however, is the display. Sure, it's 1080p, but the brightness settings are so poor that this is not a laptop you can use outdoors or serious gaming, and this is an area where the Inspiron definitely wins.
HP Pavilion Dimensions
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5500U (2.10GHz 6-core with up to 4.0GHz Boost, and 8MB L3 Cache), upgradable to Ryzen 7
Storage: 256-512GB NVMe TLC M.2 SSD
Memory: 8-16GB DDR4 3200MHz
Display: 15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS Display
Battery: 41Wh Battery with fast charging
Ports: 1x USB Type-C 10Gbps with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 2x USB Type-A 5Gbps, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x A/C, 1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo
Connectivity: Realtek Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax (2x2) & Bluetooth 5.2
Weight: 3.86 pounds
Dimensions: 14.18 x 9.21 x 0.7 inches
Warranty: one-year limited warranty
Dell Inspiron Pros and Cons
Both the latest 3525 and 3000/3111 models significantly lag behind the HP Pavilion when it comes to both performance and the overall look and feel of this laptop.
Unlike the metallic Pavilion, the Dell Inspiron is all-plastic, making it a fairly obvious budget laptop instead of the sleek HP. Still, the Inspiron has double the RAM as the Pavilion, and a 140hz refresh rate that makes it a bit better for gaming and working.
There's an anti-glare effect on the display which actually makes this laptop significantly better for working outside. But TV shows and movies look extremely dull on the Inspiron, with the display really coming short on sharpness and contrast. The Pavilion is miles ahead if you're looking to stream -- but if you want a computer that will keep you focused on work, the Inspiron might be the perfect fit.
You can see its latest price on Amazon here.
See also our review of the Dell Inspiron vs HP Envy.
FAQ
What is the processor speed and type in the HP Pavilion laptop?
AMD Ryzen 5500U (2.10GHz 6-core with up to 4.0GHz Boost, and 8MB L3 Cache), upgradable to Ryzen 7.
What is the screen size and resolution of the HP Pavilion laptop?
The HP Pavilion has a 15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS Display.
How much RAM does the HP Pavilion laptop come with?
The HP Pavilion comes with 8 to 16GB of RAM
What is the storage capacity of the HP Pavilion laptop?
The HP Pavilion has a 256-512GB storage capacity.
Is the HP Pavilion laptop suitable for gaming or video editing?
The HP Pavilion isn't the best laptop for gaming or video editing, but if you are looking to do those on the Pavilion, it could be worth upgrading to the Ryzen 7 processor.