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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is often significantly less expensive than the MSI Bravo 15 and offers a lightweight, budget-friendly option with reasonable performance for general use. Conversely, the MSI Bravo 15, while more expensive, is better suited for gaming and engineering applications due to its more powerful AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX graphics, a larger battery, and increased storage capacity. Both laptops share similar display qualities and are not remarkably different in portability; however, if you're looking for better performance for 3D tasks, machine learning, or gaming, the MSI would be the preferred choice. 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
- Good portability
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.0
7.2
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The MSI Bravo 15 offers a better gaming and 3D experience than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 primarily due to its more capable Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card and higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz, as opposed to the Dell's integrated Intel UHD Graphics and 120Hz refresh rate. While both laptops have IPS screens with the same resolution, the MSI's GPU and refresh rate make it better suited for smoother gameplay and 3D rendering tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.3
7.2
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, while fair for engineering and design, comes with a lower-tier CPU, less RAM, and a less powerful GPU compared to the MSI Bravo 15 which houses a higher-grade CPU and GPU combo, making it good for such tasks; the MSI also boasts a superior screen quality. Portability is somewhat diminished with the MSI due to its specs, but for engineering and design use where CPU, RAM, GPU, and screen quality are very important, it stands out despite the tradeoff with slightly lower keyboard and speaker quality, and higher operating noise compared to the Dell.
Screen Quality
6.8
6.9
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The MSI Bravo 15 has a better screen than the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 for general use, and gaming and AI.
For general use, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's screen offers adequate resolution and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and office work. The MSI Bravo 15, with its stronger resolution and brightness, provides a clearer and more vivid display for general activities. However, for both engineering and gaming where precision in color and rapid movements are crucial respectively, neither laptop's display meets the high standards required for color accuracy or fast refresh rates.
Portability
Good
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has good portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
6.7
The MSI Bravo 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 both have only fair build quality, though the MSI Bravo 15 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$325
$862
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $325 and the MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
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Key similarities
General Use
6.9
7.1
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Bravo 15 to be good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is suitable for general use due to its fair battery life, IPS screen, and reasonable weight making it portable, albeit its screen quality and speaker quality are just average, which mirrors its modest CPU and integrated graphics. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15, while also fair for general use, offers a more powerful CPU and dedicated graphics card for better performance, along with more storage and a slightly better screen, but it is less portable due to its heavier weight and has similar battery life despite a larger battery capacity.
Content Creation
7.0
7.1
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Bravo 15 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.
Software Development
6.7
6.8
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for software development.
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.
Battery
6.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Bravo 15 has 6 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.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | MSI Bravo 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$325 | $862 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 267 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
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."
MSI Bravo 15
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Nikolay Palaozov | July 2023
"Overall, the MSI Bravo 15 C7U is a great gaming device for the masses that isn’t too pricey. The capable hardware (for the price range), the 144Hz display, and the comfortable keyboard are one of the things that should attract buyers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new gaming laptop."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the MSI Bravo 15
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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