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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is more budget-friendly and lighter, which makes it easier to carry around. However, its performance, storage, and memory are less robust compared to the Dell Inspiron 16 5630, which offers a faster processor, more memory, and extra storage space suitable for more demanding tasks like engineering or complex multitasking. The Inspiron 16 5630 also has a higher resolution screen with a taller aspect ratio better for productivity, plus it runs a professional version of Windows. Choose the Inspiron 15 3520 for affordability and portability or the Inspiron 16 5630 for enhanced performance and screen quality at a higher cost. 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 Dell Inspiron 15 3520
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 16 5630.
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
- Very good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 offers a more powerful Intel i7 processor and double the RAM compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's Intel i3 and less RAM, leading to faster and smoother performance in demanding tasks. Additionally, the Inspiron 16 5630 has superior screen quality with higher brightness and color coverage, larger storage capacity, a better keyboard, and longer battery life, enhancing its suitability for more intense general use.
Engineering and Design
6.3
7.7
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 is better suited for engineering and design because it has a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior integrated GPU compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, along with a higher-quality screen that improves visual detail and color accuracy. Though it is less portable due to being larger and slightly heavier, the Inspiron 16 5630 also offers advantages like a less noisy operation and a better keyboard, which can be significant for prolonged engineering tasks.
Content Creation
7.0
8.1
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 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
6.7
7.9
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 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
6.8
6.8
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers adequate clarity and brightness for everyday tasks, but for precise work in engineering and design, it lacks the color range, leading to less accurate color representation. The Dell Inspiron 16 5630, with a higher-quality display, provides sharp images and a wider color spectrum, making it suitable for more professional applications like CAD and graphic design. However, neither is ideal for gaming and immersive 3D experiences because they don't offer the high refresh rates required for smooth motion rendering.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 has 8 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.
Build Quality
6.2
7.0
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 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
$329
$849
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $329 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 costs $849.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.5
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 16 5630 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Dell Inspiron 16 5630 are fair for gaming and 3D because their integrated GPUs, screen refresh rates, and CPUs can handle average gaming requirements, but they might struggle with more demanding games and 3D tasks. While the Inspiron 15 3520 has a higher refresh rate, beneficial for smooth visuals in games, the Inspiron 16 5630 boasts a better CPU and GPU combination that can provide smoother performance in graphically intensive tasks, along with a slightly higher screen resolution and better color coverage, which results in improved screen quality.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Dell Inspiron 16 5630 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the Dell Inspiron 16 5630 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | Dell Inspiron 16 5630 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$329 | $849 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 14.1'' x 9.9'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 4.28 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.05" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.91" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | Intel i7-1360P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 54 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
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 Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the Dell Inspiron 16 5630
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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