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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is significantly less expensive and offers a larger 15.6-inch screen and a number pad, which can be favorable for budget-conscious users and those who do a lot of data entry. It also includes features like Thunderbolt ports and a backlit keyboard, making it more suitable for power users who need enhanced performance and connectivity in a portable package. 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 Latitude 5430.
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 5430
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.8
6.1
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
248.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5430 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5430 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
Both the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Dell Latitude 5430 offer display qualities that match everyday tasks with decent resolution and brightness, but when it comes to specialized needs like engineering and design, they fall short due to limited color range coverage, which is crucial for precise color work. For gaming and 3D applications, their refresh rates are not high enough to provide the smooth visuals enthusiasts look for, and while their resolution and panel types are adequate, they do not excel in these areas, leading to a less than optimal experience for fast-paced or graphics-intensive use.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 5430 has 9 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
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Latitude 5430 has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
7.4
The Dell Latitude 5430 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
$325
$790
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $325 and the Dell Latitude 5430 costs $790.
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Key similarities
General Use
6.9
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
248.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Latitude 5430 to be good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers fair performance for general use with a basic Intel i3 processor and integrated graphics, sufficient for daily tasks but not for demanding applications, while its larger screen and heavier build make it less portable but with a bigger display for ease of use. In contrast, the Dell Latitude 5430, also fair for general use, comes with a more powerful Intel i5 processor and better-integrated graphics, which could handle more intensive tasks, has a more portable and durable build, a longer-lasting battery, and is equipped with professional features like Windows 11 Pro, which may be appealing for business users.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.0
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Dell Latitude 5430 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
6.3
6.5
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Latitude 5430 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its Intel i3 processor and UHD Graphics, offers modest performance capabilities and battery life, making it suitable for lighter engineering and design tasks, while its screen quality is fair for color-sensitive work.
Content Creation
7.0
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Latitude 5430 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both good for content creation.
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
7.1
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Latitude 5430 to be 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the Dell Latitude 5430 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | Dell Latitude 5430 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$325 | $790 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.76'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 3.01 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 12.65" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 8.35" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 248 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
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 Latitude 5430
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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