Dell Inspiron 15 3520 vs Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"

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.

When considering screen quality for general use, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15"'s displays provide adequate resolution and brightness for daily tasks like browsing and streaming, but may lack the clarity and vibrancy found in higher-end panels. For engineering and design, these laptops have fair color accuracy but may not fully cover professional color gamuts, which could limit the precision needed for color-sensitive work. Gamers and 3D designers could find the refresh rates on both models limiting, as they don't support the smooth motion required for high-speed gaming or fluid 3D rendering, although their resolution and panel technology are sufficient for moderate use.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" offers superior general use performance with more RAM and a more powerful AMD processor compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, which has an Intel i3 processor and less RAM, making multi-tasking and more demanding tasks smoother on the IdeaPad. Additionally, the IdeaPad has a touchscreen and longer battery life, enhancing interactivity and on-the-go usage, although both have similar screen quality and portability, making the IdeaPad a better choice for users seeking more power and convenience.

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.

The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its Intel i3 processor and integrated graphics, is considered fair for engineering and design use due to its adequate CPU and GPU for entry-level tasks but not for heavy computational work; its Full HD screen and color coverage are sufficient for basic design work but won't match the fidelity required by professionals. Similarly, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15" with a more powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Vega 8 GPU is fair for such tasks as it offers better performance, but the screen's color range still limits it primarily to non-professional design work, and while its portability is slightly better, both models have keyboards, speakers, and operating noise at levels acceptable but not outstanding.

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.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.