The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is less expensive and offers basic performance suitable for general use with a reasonable battery size and display quality. It is relatively lightweight, enhancing its portability. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro is more expensive with a higher resolution screen, more powerful processor, and graphics card, making it better for demanding tasks like engineering, 3D rendering, and light gaming. It also has a larger battery and additional features such as a backlit keyboard and a higher-quality build, but it is slightly heavier, which might affect its portability. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good battery life
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9/10
7.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
409.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro outperforms the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 in general use primarily due to its superior CPU and RAM, which contribute to faster and smoother operation. Additionally, the Lenovo boasts a higher-quality screen with better resolution and color coverage, contributing to a more vivid and detailed display, factors like longer battery life and a higher-quality keyboard also enhance the user experience, albeit with a slight tradeoff in increased weight compared to the lighter Dell laptop.
Engineering and Design
6.3/10
7.2/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.0/10
7.5/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both good for content creation, though the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro is somewhat better.
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
6.7/10
7.4/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 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
6.8/10
7.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
409.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro’s higher resolution and brightness, along with a superior panel type, provide clearer and more vibrant visuals compared to the Dell Inspiron, which offers acceptable display characteristics for everyday tasks but falls short in clarity and color reproduction. When it comes to engineering and design work, the IdeaPad's wider color gamuts ensure more precise color representation which is critical for professional work, while the Dell's average gamuts make it less suitable for color-sensitive tasks. Gaming and 3D applications demand high refresh rates for smooth motion, and both laptops may not satisfy hardcore gamers because of their low refresh rates, although gamers may accept the IdeaPad's slightly better resolution and panel type for casual gaming.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro has 10 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
6.2/10
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 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
$335
$1,025
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $335 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro costs $1,025.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics GPU which is less powerful compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro's discrete Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, affecting their gaming and 3D performance. Both have similar high screen refresh rates which are beneficial for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications, but the superior GPU in the Lenovo IdeaPad gives it an edge for these tasks.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.3 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro turns out a successful all-rounder that, aside from 3D applications, always strikes a good or very good figure. This begins with the elegant metal case that isn't particularly light but fairly robust, giving a high-quality impression. The input devices are also better than those of many competitors. Both the keyboard and the touchpad are attractive and comfortable. In addition, the performance of the Ryzen 5 6600HS is easily able to keep up with the Intel competitors."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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