Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 3181

Updated on June 21, 2026

Note: This product has been discontinued. It is no longer available for purchase new.

The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 3181 was a budget Chromebook aimed at students and basic users who needed a reliable machine for everyday browsing and light productivity. An Intel Celeron N3060 and 4GB of RAM drove the 11.6-inch notebook, which traded display quality and build materials for long battery life and silent operation. It arrived in the mid-2010s as part of Dell’s education Chromebook lineup, and reviewers consistently noted that the cheap construction and poor TN display limited its appeal. Its Auto Update Expiration date of June 2022 has passed, so the machine no longer receives Chrome OS updates or security patches.

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Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 3181 Comparison Chart

	Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 3181	Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 3181
Price	List Price: $199.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $219.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	3181	3181
Performance Rating	2.4	2.4
Chromebook Plus	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.60 Ghz (max 2.48 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3060	Dual-core 1.60 Ghz (max 2.48 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3060
RAM	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	TN LED-backlit	TN LED-backlit
Touch Screen	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.94 x 8.11 x 0.81 inches (303.28 x 205.99 x 20.57 mm)	11.94 x 8.11 x 0.81 inches (303.28 x 205.99 x 20.57 mm)
Weight	3.08 lbs (1.4 kg)	3.08 lbs (1.4 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No
Webcam	1280x720	1280x720
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3	2 USB 3
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 42 WHr, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2022	June, 2022

Cost Cutting Shows in the Case and the Screen

The textured polycarbonate chassis flexes under pressure. NotebookCheck noted that “the first thing users will notice is the cheap case.” The reviewer found noticeable flex in both the lid and the keyboard deck under pressure, though the machine stayed structurally sound in normal use. At 3.08 pounds and 0.81 inches thick, it was portable enough for a student carrying it between classes.

NotebookCheck measured a 1206:1 contrast ratio and 300 nits of brightness on the 11.6-inch TN display, respectable numbers for a budget device. The panel technology undercut them anyway, and the same review called it “rather ugly when compared to even the most basic IPS alternatives.” Colors looked washed out even head-on and inverted at roughly 30 degrees off-center. The matte finish cut glare, the panel showed no PWM flickering, and response times were fast enough for text work and web browsing.

Connectivity covered the basics for a budget Chromebook of its generation: two USB 3.0 Type-A ports (enough to run a USB Ethernet adapter for wired networking), a full-size HDMI port for external displays, a microSD slot for storage expansion, and 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 4.2. All of those ports sat on one side of the chassis. NotebookCheck clocked the microSD reader at only 12.5 MB/s, well behind competing devices. Nothing on the machine used USB Type-C, so charging ran through Dell’s proprietary connector, already dated at launch.

The dual-core Intel Celeron N3060 handled web browsing, Google Docs, email, and video streaming, and slowed down under heavy multitasking or demanding Chrome extensions. NotebookCheck found that “the CPU is fine for basic browsing and simple office work but will quickly meet its limits with more complex tasks like photo editing and spreadsheet computations.” The 4GB of RAM covered a typical set of tabs. The eMMC storage shipped in 16GB or 32GB capacities and booted Chrome OS quickly, though that little space pushed most files to the cloud.

Praise for the Battery, Complaints About the Panel and the Keyboard

NotebookCheck scored it 77%

NotebookCheck measured nearly 13.5 hours in their Wi-Fi web browsing test, a strong result for any laptop at this price point. The fanless design kept it completely silent, with surface temperatures staying between 30-35°C even under load.

Sam Medley faulted the keyboard for its spongy feel and key clatter, and he described the touchpad as cheap-feeling with an overly stiff click mechanism. Color accuracy testing returned a DeltaE of 10.9, a significant deviation from accurate color reproduction. Medley concluded: “There’s little reason to consider the Chromebook 11 3181 when its 2-in-1 brother can be had for a mere $50 more.” The Dell Chromebook 11 3181 2-in-1 variant offered an IPS touchscreen and more durable construction for a modest price premium.

Loud keys and a stiff trackpad on the 2-in-1

CoolSmartphone reviewed the 2-in-1 variant, and its observations apply broadly to the 3181 family. Reviewer Garry Clark wrote that the device was “designed with education needs firmly at the forefront, prioritizing durability and functionality over sleek aesthetics.” The ruggedized construction with protective rubber edges served impact protection in classrooms rather than looks. On speed, Clark wrote that “this Chromebook when compared to previous entry-level Chromebooks, runs rings around them.”

Clark praised the keyboard for its firm travel and tactile feedback, but noted that “the keys produce a very loud click” which could be disruptive in quiet environments. He liked the trackpad far less, describing it as requiring excessive force to click and tracking poorly. At £289.99 for the 2-in-1 variant in the UK market, Clark considered it a good buy for students and teachers, concluding “I have been pretty impressed by the Dell Chromebook 11 2-in-1” despite its limitations.

A Cheap Education Laptop That Has Outlived Its Updates

Budget education buyers in the mid-2010s wanted all-day battery and a low price, and this Chromebook gave them both. The Celeron N3060 kept it to basic tasks, but web browsing, Google Workspace, email, and video streaming ran without complaint, and the fanless design made it silent enough for a library or a shared classroom. Students, teachers, and families who ranked battery life and cost above display quality got what they paid for during its active years.

For those who needed more than the bare minimum, the 2-in-1 variant with its IPS touchscreen represented a meaningful upgrade for relatively modest additional cost. The standard 3181 worked as a web-focused computing appliance, and it never competed with pricier Chromebooks on user experience.

The Auto Update Expiration date of June 2022 is now in the past, so the machine has reached the end of its supported life. It still runs basic tasks, but without Chrome OS updates or security patches it does not belong anywhere that needs current security. Newer Chromebooks with later AUE dates and faster processors are the better buy today.

To weigh current options side by side, our Chromebook Comparison Chart covers the full range of models available today.

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