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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the HP Spectre x360 14, consider that the Dell is generally more budget-friendly and may suffice for everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing. However, the HP Spectre offers a more premium experience with better build quality, performance, and features that are ideal for demanding applications, making it suitable for creative professionals or power users. The Spectre also has a convertible design with a touch screen, providing versatility for tablet use or presentations. If portability and battery life are important, the HP is typically more lightweight and offers longer usage away from a power outlet. Choose the Dell for cost savings and general use, or invest in the HP for a higher-end, more versatile laptop experience. 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 Spectre x360 14.
Advantages of the HP Spectre x360 14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9
8.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The HP Spectre x360 14 offers superior CPU performance and screen quality, making it very good for general use, and its long battery life and lightweight design enhance its portability. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, while adequate, has less impressive performance and screen quality, and is bulkier with a shorter battery life, making it fair for general tasks but less convenient for on-the-go use.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.8
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.5/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the HP Spectre x360 14 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the HP Spectre x360 14 are limited in their gaming and 3D capabilities due to their integrated graphics, which can handle some tasks but won't match dedicated gaming GPUs for more demanding games or 3D work. While both have decent processors and screens, the lack of a high refresh rate screen further limits their ability to provide a smooth gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
6.3
8.4
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The HP Spectre x360 14, with its more powerful CPU, additional RAM, and superior GPU, will better handle demanding engineering and design applications, while its high-quality screen will provide clearer and more accurate visuals. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, although less suited for intensive tasks due to less robust internals, may appeal to those who prioritize a balance between performance and cost, and still offers decent keyboard and speaker quality for everyday use.
Content Creation
7.0
8.7
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The HP Spectre x360 14 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
8.4
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The HP Spectre x360 14 is very 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
8.6
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
384.0 nits
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520's screen may offer sufficient clarity and brightness for everyday tasks and some professional design but lacks the color accuracy critical for precise engineering work. The HP Spectre x360 14 offers a rich, high-resolution display that provides vibrant colors and sharp details suitable for both general use and demanding design applications, but its typical refresh rate isn't ideal for the fluid motion required in gaming and 3D rendering. For gaming and immersive 3D experiences, a laptop with a higher refresh rate would be more appropriate, making neither of these laptops the best fit for those specific needs.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HP Spectre x360 14 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
3.4 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The HP Spectre x360 14 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
8.5
The HP Spectre x360 14 has very 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
$1,630
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $329 and the HP Spectre x360 14 costs $1,630.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the HP Spectre x360 14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | HP Spectre x360 14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$329 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | January 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 12.4'' x 8.7'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 3.45 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 12.35" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 8.68" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | |
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 | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 68 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 384 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 2160p | |
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 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
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."
HP Spectre x360 14
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMag
Rami Tabari | February 2024
"The numbers don’t lie — the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is a star, and a hell of a one at that. From performance to battery life, this machine is a dream. But why didn’t I give it a perfect score? Well, I wish the display performed better and that there were more ports to go around. If you’re itching for someone a little cheaper that offers a brighter display and significantly more battery life, I can only recommend the MacBook Pro 14 as a suitable substitute. Otherwise, the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) is the perfect choice for those who want a reliable premium laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the HP Spectre x360 14
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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