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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is more affordable, offers a higher refresh rate display for smoother visuals, better battery life for on-the-go usage, and higher scores in general use and heat management, making it suitable for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption. The MSI GF63 Thin, while more expensive, provides superior processing power with a better main processor and dedicated graphics card, making it more apt for gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks; however, it does come with a compromise on battery life and is slightly heavier, impacting portability. Choose the Dell for cost-effectiveness and casual use, or the MSI for performance-oriented tasks if budget allows. 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 for content creation
- Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI GF63 Thin
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9
6.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.2 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for general use, though the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is somewhat better.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the MSI GF63 Thin both have CPUs and RAM that are adequate for everyday tasks and multitasking, and their screen quality is fine for general use. However, both are limited in portability and battery life, which could impact their convenience for on-the-go users, while the Inspiron's bulbous build and the GF63's compromised battery due to its gaming orientation make them less than ideal for prolonged use away from power outlets.
Content Creation
7.0
6.0
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is good for content creation, while the MSI GF63 Thin is only fair.
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
6.0
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for software development, though the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is somewhat better.
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
6.1
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
249.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the MSI GF63 Thin for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and MSI GF63 Thin have screens that are adequate for everyday tasks like browsing and document editing due to their resolution and overall decent brightness, but they lack the color fidelity and professional-grade color gamut coverage essential for high-end engineering and graphic design. For gaming and 3D applications, their screens fall short as they do not offer the high refresh rates preferred for a smooth visual experience, which is more vital in these areas than slightly better resolution or panel technology that these models provide. Both are better suited for users with less demanding visual needs, offering a balance between cost and display capability.
Battery
6.5 Hours
4.2 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The MSI GF63 Thin has 4.3 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.
Cost
$329
$599
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $329 and the MSI GF63 Thin costs $599.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.0
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
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 Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its integrated graphics and a high screen refresh rate, is suitable for lighter gaming and 3D tasks, while the MSI GF63 Thin, equipped with a dedicated Nvidia graphics card but a lower screen refresh rate, offers better graphical performance for demanding gaming and 3D applications but may not be as smooth in fast-paced scenes. The Dell's lower-tier CPU and the MSI's slightly superior processor also contribute to their respective suitability for less or more intensive gaming and 3D workloads.
Engineering and Design
6.3
6.0
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and MSI GF63 Thin are both only fair for engineering and design.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520, with its Intel i3 processor and integrated graphics, is viable for engineering and design but may struggle with more demanding tasks, while the MSI GF63 Thin offers a more powerful Intel i5 processor and dedicated Nvidia graphics, making it better suited for intensive applications, but at the expense of slightly less portability and higher operating noise.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.1 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and MSI GF63 Thin both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
6.5
The MSI GF63 Thin and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 both have only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the MSI GF63 Thin compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | MSI GF63 Thin |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$329 | $599 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2019 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.85'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 4.1 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.99" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | Intel i5-10300H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 4.25 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 51 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 | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 249 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
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."
MSI GF63 Thin
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Florian Glaser | January 2020
"If you leave aside the meagre port selection (no card reader, no DisplayPort, no Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Gen2), the fan control that could be improved (idle mode!) and the relatively dark and slow display, the MSI GF63 Thin 9SC does not have any major weaknesses. The 15-inch gamer is compact, has a low weight and offers a good price-to-performance ratio, which should please gamers that are looking for both a portable and an affordable gaming notebook. Input devices, battery life, case quality and performance are all appropriate for this purchase price."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the MSI GF63 Thin
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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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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