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 mid-range powerhouse here, delivering impressive performance with its 10-core i7 processor. However, if you're on a budget, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U packs a punch with its 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling feel incredibly smooth. In real-world use, the Acer's Thunderbolt 4 port is a game-changer for connectivity, while the Dell's upgradeable RAM means you can easily boost performance down the line. The numbers tell a clear story of trade-offs that might sway your decision depending on your priorities in 2026. Key specs: Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz and Weight: 62.79 oz vs 58.55 oz.
Why compare these? The Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) (mid-range) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U (budget-friendly) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Acer Aspire | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3★ (107 reviews) | ✓4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket) | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB) | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Mid-range | Budget |
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
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.
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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 |
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Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan with TwinAir cooling design)
16 GB LPDDR5 (4800 MHz)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Includes Thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket)
- Sharp 1080p webcam is an upgrade over typical 720p budget cams
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16GB)
- Display has limited color coverage (45% NTSC), appearing washed out
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD)
No (Not supported)
Air (Single fan)
8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz
Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially)
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
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)
Which one is better?
The Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) is the better buy for most people - its Thunderbolt 4 port and higher performance crush the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) if: you need high performance for productivity tasks, appreciate a premium build quality, or want a better webcam for video calls. (60 Hz refresh, 62.79 oz weight)
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a budget-friendly option, need a smoother display for casual gaming, or plan to upgrade the RAM in the future. (120 Hz refresh, 58.55 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.5★ vs 4.3★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 107
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Acer Aspire
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Bottom line: The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U leads with a 4.5★ rating versus 4.3★. That said, Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) is the better choice if you prioritize includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket). Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U wins if you value 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Both are rated highly (4.3★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) offers includes thunderbolt 4 port (rare in this price bracket), while Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U stands out with 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Consider that Acer Aspire 5 15 Laptop Core i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded (limited to 16gb). Meanwhile, Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U most high-volume us retail configurations (e.g., best buy) lack a usb-c port. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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