Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) is the premium choice here, boasting a powerful i7-1355U processor that reaches speeds up to 5.0 GHz. In real-world use, the Acer's 1080p webcam provides sharper video quality compared to the Dell's 720p camera. While the Acer excels in processing power, the Dell’s 120Hz refresh rate makes it a standout for smoother scrolling and gaming experiences, which can be a game-changer for some users.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(107)Amazon | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz) | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz) | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 slot; user replaceable) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | IPS (Anti-glare, ComfyView) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Integrated in touchpad) | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0; (Note: USB-C is often ABSENT on i5-1235U US retail units) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI) | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 50 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 65 W barrel-pin adapter | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1,780 g (3.92 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Lid) / Plastic (Chassis) | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
✓ Pros:
- • Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket)
- • Sharp 1080p webcam is an upgrade over typical 720p budget cams
- • Aluminum lid gives a premium feel to the exterior
- • Decent performance for office tasks with Core i7-1355U
- • Wi-Fi 6E support for faster wireless connectivity
✗ Cons:
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB)
- • Display has limited color coverage (45% NTSC), appearing washed out
- • Only one M.2 storage slot (no secondary drive support)
- • Battery life is average with a 50Wh capacity
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
✓ Pros:
- • 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops
- • Memory (RAM) is not soldered and can be upgraded via two SODIMM slots
- • Includes a full-size SD card slot (rare in modern laptops)
- • Decent port selection with three USB-A ports and HDMI
- • Lift hinge design improves airflow and typing angle
✗ Cons:
- • Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port
- • HDMI 1.4 port cannot output 4K at 60Hz (limited to 1080p)
- • No keyboard backlight on many standard configurations
- • Plastic chassis feels budget-oriented and attracts fingerprints
- • Display colors are washed out (45% NTSC) and not suitable for photo editing
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which one is better?
The Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) is the better buy for most people - its powerful i7-1355U processor at 5.0 GHz crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U's i5-1235U.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) if: you need serious processing power for productivity tasks, you want a high-quality 1080p webcam for video calls, or you prefer premium build quality.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a smooth scrolling experience with a 120Hz display, you need an upgradeable RAM option for future-proofing, or you’re looking to save money without sacrificing too much performance.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) excels if you value includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is better if you prioritize 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.