Dell Inspiron 15 3520 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 offers a lower tier CPU and less storage capacity, which may lead to slower performance in general tasks compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 that features a higher-tier CPU and more storage, but with a larger battery, the Lenovo also offers better battery life. Additionally, the Lenovo has a better screen quality with higher brightness and color coverage and superior speaker and keyboard quality, although it is heavier and less portable than the Dell.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 outperforms the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 in engineering and design tasks due to its superior CPU and GPU, which are very important for such uses; it also offers better screen quality, with a higher color space coverage and contrast ratio. Although both laptops feature sufficient RAM and similar screen size and type, portability is somewhat compromised with the Lenovo due to its heavier weight and larger dimensions, which alongside higher keyboard and speaker quality, might make it a better fit for users prioritizing performance over ease of carrying.

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.

For general use, the Dell Inspiron's screen may appear sufficient due to its adequate resolution and brightness, which are key for daily activities like browsing and document editing, whereas the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a more vibrant display beneficial for both work and entertainment. Engineering and design tasks would benefit from the Lenovo's better color coverage, crucial for accurate color representation, but both laptops lack the optimal screen quality needed for professional work in these fields. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on both laptops may lead to less smooth visuals, impacting the overall experience; the resolution and panel type offer moderate clarity, but serious gamers will likely seek higher performance displays.

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

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

The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with an Intel i3 UHD Graphics GPU and a 120Hz screen refresh rate, offers moderate gaming and 3D performance, but falls behind the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 which is equipped with a stronger Nvidia RTX 2050 GPU and the same 120Hz refresh rate, making it better suited for these tasks. Also, while both have similar screen quality and decent CPUs, the higher GPU power of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 contributes more significantly to its gaming and 3D capabilities.

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.