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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is known for its high performance, exceptional build quality, and long battery life, making it suitable for professionals who need reliable power and can afford a higher price point. Its portability is advantageous for those on the go. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers a more budget-friendly option with decent performance for everyday tasks and some entry-level creative or engineering work. However, it tends to have a bulkier build and shorter battery life compared to the MacBook, which may be a concern for those needing mobility and all-day power. Consider the MacBook Pro if performance and portability are paramount, and the Inspiron if cost savings are a priority with moderate usage needs. 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 Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022).
Key differences
General Use
7.7
6.9
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
497.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
20.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is better for general use because it has a more powerful CPU, the Apple M2 chip, and superior screen quality with higher brightness and color coverage, along with a higher portability score and longer battery life. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a less capable Intel i3-1215U CPU and a screen with lower brightness and color coverage, resulting in fair general use performance; it also has a shorter battery life and lower portability score, despite having good heat management.
Engineering and Design
7.5
6.3
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) features a powerful Apple M2 processor and an advanced GPU that handles engineering and design tasks smoothly, and its high-resolution screen with superior color accuracy makes it excellent for detailed visual work. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a less powerful Intel i3 processor and basic integrated graphics, and its screen offers lower color coverage, making it less suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks that require high-performance computing and precise color reproduction.
Content Creation
7.9
7.0
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is somewhat better.
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
7.8
6.7
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) 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
7.6
6.8
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 boasts a high resolution and bright display with excellent color gamut coverage, making it ideal for general use and attractive for engineering and design tasks that require color accuracy, though its standard refresh rate limits 3D performance. On the other hand, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers a fair resolution and acceptable brightness which is adequate for general activities, and while its color gamut may be sufficient for some design work, it is not optimal for color-critical tasks; its lower refresh rate and display specifications do not support demanding gaming or 3D applications. Overall, the MacBook Pro is better for users who prioritize screen quality and color fidelity in their professional work, while the Inspiron 15 may be a more cost-effective choice for everyday tasks with some compromises on display performance.
Battery
20.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
6.2
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has best in class 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
$1,219
$329
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 costs $329.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.0
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is less suitable for 3D and gaming tasks because its MacOS doesn't support many popular games, and its screen refresh rate is standard at 60Hz, whereas the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers a 120Hz refresh rate favorable for gaming, but it may perform similarly in 3D applications as both have fairly capable CPUs and GPUs for entry-level purposes and the Inspiron's Windows platform supports a broader range of games.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,219 | $329 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3 lbs | 3.65 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 14.11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 9.27" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Intel i3-1215U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 20 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58.2 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 497 nits | 259 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | January 2023
"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 Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) or the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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.
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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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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
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