Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the mid-range option here, designed for gamers who want reliable performance. With its RTX 4050 GPU, it can handle 1080p gaming smoothly, providing a great experience with DLSS 3 technology. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is a budget-friendly choice that shines in everyday tasks, especially with its higher refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes scrolling feel twice as smooth compared to typical laptops with 60Hz displays. The Acer's 144Hz display is a gamer’s dream, but it does have its drawbacks, like poor color accuracy. On the flip side, the Dell Inspiron 15's lightweight design makes it easier to carry around, especially for students or professionals on the go. Key specs: Refresh: 144 Hz vs 120 Hz and Weight: 74.53 oz vs 58.55 oz.
Why compare these? The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H (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 Nitro | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓5★ (1 reviews) | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops) | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Mid-range | Budget |
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust)
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 Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★5(1)Amazon | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective) | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible) | 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 (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) | 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; Matte; ComfyView) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 144 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) with Numeric Keypad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (White backlight) | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 720p HD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Charging); 3x 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 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 4-cell Li-Ion (57 Wh) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 135 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 2.11 kg (4.66 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic chassis (Obsidian Black) | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust)
16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective)
Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible)
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
Cons
- Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
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 Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the better buy for gamers - its RTX 4050 GPU crushes the Intel Iris Xe Graphics in performance. That said, grab the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 if you're looking for a lighter laptop for general use - it's nearly a pound lighter.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H if: you want to play games at 1080p with smooth performance, need Thunderbolt 4 support, or plan to upgrade your RAM and storage easily.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you need a lightweight laptop for everyday tasks, want a smoother display for scrolling, or prefer a budget-friendly option without the need for high-end gaming. (120 Hz refresh, 58.55 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (5★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Acer Nitro
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 1
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Acer Nitro
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H edges ahead with a 5★ rating compared to 4.5★. However, Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the better choice if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). 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 (5★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H offers thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops), 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 Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H display has poor color accuracy (45% ntsc) and low brightness. 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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