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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is a budget-friendly option and offers a larger screen size, which is great for multitasking and watching media, but it has lower performance compared to the LG Ultra 13. Conversely, the LG Ultra 13 is more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, making it ideal for on-the-go use, and it provides better battery life. It also packs more RAM and a faster processor, suitable for more demanding tasks and general productivity. If your focus is on portability and performance for general to demanding applications, the LG Ultra 13 is the better choice. However, if you're looking to save money and need a laptop with a larger screen, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 could be the way to go. 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 LG Ultra 13.
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Good keyboard
Key differences
Software Development
6.7
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The LG Ultra 13 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
6.9
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the LG Ultra 13 for gaming and AI, while the LG Ultra 13 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a display that provides adequate resolution and brightness for everyday tasks, but its limited color range makes it less suitable for precise engineering and design work, and its lower refresh rate negatively affects gaming and 3D experiences. The LG Ultra 13, with a higher resolution and brightness, offers a crisp and vivid display for general use and sufficient color accuracy for most design tasks, although it too falls short for gaming and 3D due to an insufficient refresh rate. For users with a focus on productivity and professional work, the LG Ultra 13 is the better choice, while those primarily interested in gaming should consider other options.
Battery
6.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The LG Ultra 13 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.
Portability
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 13 has excellent portability, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
7.4
The LG Ultra 13 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
$529
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $329 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
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Key similarities
General Use
6.9
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG Ultra 13 to be good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a less powerful CPU and less RAM compared to the LG Ultra 13, which can affect multitasking and performance in demanding applications. Furthermore, the LG Ultra 13 boasts a higher battery capacity, better portability with its lighter weight and smaller size, and superior screen quality, contributing to its better rating for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.1
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The LG Ultra 13 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520's integrated Intel graphics and a higher screen refresh rate make it suitable for casual gaming and entry-level 3D applications, but it lags behind dedicated gaming systems. Meanwhile, the LG Ultra 13, also equipped with integrated AMD graphics and a standard refresh rate, offers similar performance for lightweight gaming and 3D work, but both laptops lack the GPU power and refresh rates of specialized gaming laptops.
Engineering and Design
6.3
6.6
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The LG Ultra 13 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is equipped with a less powerful processor and graphics, as well as a lower amount of RAM compared to the LG Ultra 13, indicating that it may handle engineering and design applications but not as efficiently as higher-end laptops.
Content Creation
7.0
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The LG Ultra 13 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the LG Ultra 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | LG Ultra 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$329 | $529 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | January 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 12.1'' x 8.1'' x 0.6'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 2.16 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 12.08" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 8.14" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 300 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
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."
LG Ultra 13
See more
Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | April 2017
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the LG Ultra 13
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 LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
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