The Acer Swift X (2023) generally stands out with significantly better performance suited for intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming thanks to a stronger processor and dedicated graphics card. If you need high processing power for tasks like video editing or running engineering software, the Swift X would serve you well. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is more budget-friendly with lower power components, suitable for general use like web browsing, office applications, and media consumption. The Dell Inspiron has a larger screen but offers lower performance and battery life, making it less ideal for demanding applications and longer working sessions away from a power source. 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 Swift X (2023)
Good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has no clear advantages over the Acer Swift X (2023).
Key differences
General Use
7.9/10
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
390.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Acer Swift X (2023) has a stronger CPU, double the RAM, and a higher resolution display compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, providing faster performance, better multitasking, and sharper image quality, which is why it's considered good for general use. Additionally, the Acer offers a more compact and lighter build with a longer battery life that enhances its portability and usability on the go, factors that contribute to its higher suitability for general use over the Dell Inspiron.
Gaming and AI
6.9/10
6.0/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Acer Swift X (2023) is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X (2023) has a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, better suited for gaming and 3D applications, providing higher graphics performance and features like hardware ray tracing and DLSS, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 uses integrated Intel UHD Graphics, which offers lower performance for these tasks. Both have the same screen refresh rate, but the Acer's screen has a higher resolution and more vibrant colors, contributing to a more immersive gaming and 3D experience than the lower-quality screen of the Dell model.
Engineering and Design
8.0/10
6.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Acer Swift X (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Acer Swift X (2023) edges out over the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 in engineering and design tasks due to higher RAM, a more powerful Intel i5 CPU paired with Nvidia RTX GPU, alongside a higher-resolution, brighter, and more color-accurate display, essential for demanding applications and clear visual representation. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 offers less RAM and a lower-end Intel i3 CPU with integrated graphics, which are less suited for intensive tasks, and its display offers lower brightness and color coverage, impacting detailed design work.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Swift X (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is good.
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
7.9/10
6.7/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) is good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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
8.0/10
6.8/10
14.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
390.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The Acer Swift X has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Swift X stands out due to its higher resolution and superior brightness, providing clear and vivid visuals that are easy on the eyes, while the Dell Inspiron's display may seem less sharp and less vibrant due to lower brightness and resolution. In the realm of engineering and design, the Acer's coverage of color gamuts means it can display a wider range of colors precisely, which is crucial for professionals who need accuracy for their work; the Dell's color range is more limited, making it less ideal for detailed color work. However, both models lack high refresh rates, meaning neither are tailored for gaming or 3D applications where fluid motion is key; they'll manage the basics but won't provide the smoothest experience for these visually demanding tasks.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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
Very Good
Good
14.5in
SIZE
15.6in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Acer Swift X (2023) has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
6.2/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) has good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,100
$329
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Swift X (2023) has a price of $1,100 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 costs $329.
"The Swift X is an Acer for entry-level gaming. With the entry-level graphics chip, our Acer not only beats every single current AMD and Intel iGPU, but also Intel's dGPU Iris Xe Max. However, despite being a GDDR6 version, the GTX does not match the expectations set by its own counterparts from our database. This may be a result of the single fan, which only produces moderate noise levels under load. The performance level of the thin and light 1.4 kg (~3.09 lbs) 14-inch laptop is impressive nonetheless."
"Dell's Inspiron 15 (3525) is a peppy-enough and affordable-enough home or remote work machine, but it's not very ambitious; it does little to go beyond the basics. More the concern: It’s readily overshadowed by a number of machines that outperform and outclass it. Even if the Inspiron can get the job done today, its competition has the mettle to keep doing the job tomorrow in a way the Inspiron simply can’t promise. Plus, those alternatives are much more enjoyable after work."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2023) or the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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.
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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