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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 might be more fitting if you're on a tighter budget and prioritize a larger screen size and high refresh rates, making it suitable for smoother visuals while still being capable of handling general use effectively. On the other hand, the HP 14" Laptop is slightly more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, offers longer battery life which can be crucial if you are frequently on the go, and its newer AMD processor might provide a bit better performance for general tasks. Neither laptop is ideal for heavy gaming, intensive 3D rendering, or machine learning, but for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, office work, and media consumption, either will suffice. The decision between the two may come down to whether you prioritize portability and battery life (HP) or screen size and cost (Dell). 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 HP 14" Laptop.
Advantages of the HP 14" Laptop
- Very good portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.8
6.3
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
265.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the HP 14" Laptop for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
If you're primarily using your laptop for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, or document editing, both the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the HP 14" Laptop screens should suffice as they offer the necessary resolution and brightness, though they might not be the most vibrant. For engineering and design work, which requires precise color representation, these laptops may fall short since they lack the wide color gamuts that professionals need for accurate visuals. Gamers and those into 3D graphics would find the screen refresh rates on these laptops limiting, as they won't be as smooth or responsive as models with higher refresh rates necessary for fast-paced visuals and rendering.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.5 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HP 14" Laptop has 8.5 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
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.2 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The HP 14" Laptop has very good portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$329
$415
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $329 and the HP 14" Laptop costs $415.
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Key similarities
General Use
6.9
6.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
265.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.5 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and HP 14" Laptop are both only fair for general use.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the HP 14" Laptop offer fair performance for general use mainly due to adequate CPU and RAM that meet everyday computing needs; however, both have limited screen qualities, with average color coverage and brightness, impacting visual experience. The Dell Inspiron has a larger screen and a marginally better refresh rate, aimed at those who prefer a bigger display, but it's heavier and has less battery life, making the HP more suitable for those prioritizing portability and longer use away from power outlets.
Gaming and AI
6.0
5.8
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
8.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 15 3520 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the HP 14" Laptop is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 with its higher screen refresh rate is more suitable for gaming and 3D applications than the HP 14" Laptop, which only offers a standard screen refresh rate, thus providing smoother visuals in fast-paced scenes. However, the Inspiron’s integrated GPU and the HP's slightly superior integrated GPU are both entry-level and not designed for high-end gaming or demanding 3D tasks, limiting their performance in these areas.
Engineering and Design
6.3
6.0
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and HP 14" Laptop are both only fair for engineering and design.
Both the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and HP 14" Laptop have mid-tier CPUs and GPUs, sufficient RAM, and Full HD screens, which support decent performance for engineering and design, but may struggle with more intensive tasks. The Dell has a larger screen, which is better for design work, while the HP is lighter and more portable, but less suited to extensive design tasks due to its smaller display.
Content Creation
7.0
7.0
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP 14" Laptop 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
6.8
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.0/10
The HP 14" Laptop and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for software development.
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.
Build Quality
6.2
6.0
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and HP 14" Laptop both have only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the HP 14" Laptop compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | HP 14" Laptop |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$329 | $415 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 12.8'' x 8.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 3.22 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 12.76" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 8.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | |
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 | 8.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 41 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 | 265 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
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 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
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 | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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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."
HP 14" Laptop
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Consumer Reports
Nicholas De Leon | October 2022
"This feels like an ideal laptop for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a laptop and isn’t too bothered by things like build quality or construction. It’s a laptop that will be used to pay bills, keep track of expenses, do some online shopping, and will be tucked away in a spare bedroom/home office. It’s an appliance designed to do a job without fuss. It’s not a premium experience—the materials do feel a little cheap, the display won’t exactly wow you, and the battery life is nothing to write home about, especially if you’ve used more expensive devices. But overall it’s not too shabby, especially for the price."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the HP 14" Laptop
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.
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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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