Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
If you want performance, the Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) takes the lead with its powerful Intel i7 chip, pushing up to 5.0 GHz. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U offers a solid budget option with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it smoother for everyday tasks and sports. However, the Dell's RAM is upgradeable, so if you're looking to stretch your budget and improve performance down the line, that's a key benefit. The Acer is great for heavy multitasking with 16GB of RAM, but it’s soldered, meaning no future upgrades. 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 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, 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.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Acer Aspire | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.2★ (111 reviews) | ✓4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thunderbolt 4 support (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 | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Mid-range | Budget |
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
No (Not supported)
TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
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.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(111)Amazon | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard) | 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 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) | 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 (LCD; LED-backlit; ComfyView; Anti-glare) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (Typical) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Touchpad integrated) | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) | 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 | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio 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 | 3-cell Li-Ion (50 Wh) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 65 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1.78 kg (3.92 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum top cover; Plastic chassis (Steel Gray) | 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 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U)
Intel Core i7-1355U (10-core: 2P + 8E), 1.70 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz turbo
Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated; shared memory)
No (Not supported)
TwinAir Cooling (dual copper thermal pipes, dual fans, air inlet keyboard)
16 GB LPDDR5 (Onboard)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in this price bracket)
- 1080p webcam with noise reduction
Cons
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- Display has limited color gamut (45% NTSC) and average brightness
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?
Key specs: Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz and Weight: 62.79 oz vs 58.55 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) if: you need serious multitasking performance, a high-quality webcam, or plan to use demanding applications. (60 Hz refresh, 62.79 oz weight)
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you're on a tight budget, want smoother scrolling for gaming or media, or prefer having the option to upgrade your RAM later. (120 Hz refresh, 58.55 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.5★ vs 4.2★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 111
→ 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 4.2★. That said, Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) is the better choice if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (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 (4.2★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Acer Aspire 5 15 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) offers thunderbolt 4 support (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 Slim Laptop (A515-58M-7570, i7-1355U) ram is soldered and cannot be upgraded. 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.
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.