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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is generally less expensive and might appeal if budget is a primary concern; it also has a higher refresh rate which is good for fast motion but offers less storage and memory compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i. The IdeaPad Slim 5i comes at a slightly higher price point, nevertheless it boasts a more powerful processor, more RAM and storage, a higher resolution screen with a taller aspect ratio which can be beneficial for productivity, and superior battery life. Given these differences, the IdeaPad Slim 5i is better suited for more demanding tasks and general use while the Inspiron, being lighter, may be considered for its portability and cost-effectiveness for more basic computing needs. 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 Slim 5i.
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i outperforms the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use due to its superior processor and double the RAM, which provides better multitasking capabilities and overall speed, plus an enduring battery and higher screen quality with improved brightness and resolution. However, despite being slightly heavier and not as quiet in terms of operating noise, the IdeaPad Slim 5i's larger storage, high-quality keyboard, and effective heat management further establish its suitability for a variety of tasks beyond basic use.
Engineering and Design
6.3
7.0
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its basic Intel i3 processor and UHD graphics, offers sufficient but limited capabilities for engineering and design work, while its screen quality provides adequate but not exceptional visual clarity. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i steps up performance significantly with a more powerful Intel i5 processor, superior Iris Xe graphics, and a higher quality screen with greater brightness and resolution, making it a stronger choice for more demanding engineering and design tasks.
Software Development
6.7
7.4
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
6.4
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
315.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i offer screens with adequate resolution and brightness, ensuring clear visibility for daily tasks like browsing and document editing. In engineering and design, although these laptops provide fair screen resolution, they may lack the wide color gamut necessary for precise color work, which could result in less accurate color representation. When it comes to 3D and gaming, the lower refresh rates of these laptops mean less fluid motion and potential visual delays, which is less ideal for fast-paced or graphically intensive applications.
Battery
6.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i has 8 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
7.6
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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
$329
$828
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $329 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i costs $828.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.3
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its UHD Graphics, handles gaming and 3D tasks but is limited by its integrated GPU and screen with a higher refresh rate, which is beneficial for smooth visuals in fast-paced games. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i also accommodates gaming and 3D work, thanks to its slightly more powerful Iris Xe graphics, but has a lower screen refresh rate, potentially making fast-motion scenes less fluid compared to higher refresh options.
Content Creation
7.0
7.4
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i 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 Slim 5i compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$329 | $828 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 4.17 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.02" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.88" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | Intel i5-1335U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 56.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 315 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
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 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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Dig into reviews and images
HT Tech
Robin Sinha | February 2021
"The device is made for average work loads and if your work has a lot to do with online browsing, using apps that are not power-hungry and streaming videos. The looks are really good and the device in itself is not a heavy one. And with Intel 11th-gen Core processor, you might sail through most of your work without complaints."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
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.
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