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 powerhouse, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U caters to budget-conscious buyers. In real-world use, the Nitro V's RTX 4050 delivers excellent 1080p gaming performance, making it a no-brainer for gamers who want smooth visuals at 144Hz. Here's the key difference: the Acer Nitro V's i5-13420H can turbo up to 4.60 GHz, while the Dell's i5-1235U peaks at 4.4 GHz. This means you'll notice better performance in demanding applications and games with the Nitro V. However, if you're looking for a lightweight laptop for basic tasks, the Inspiron weighs just 3.53 lb, making it easier to carry around for classes or work trips in 2026.
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
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.
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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
✓ Pros:
- • Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- • Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
- • Excellent upgradeability (2x RAM slots, 2x M.2 slots)
- • Clean, understated design compared to typical gaming laptops
✗ Cons:
- • Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- • All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
- • Fans can get quite loud under heavy load
- • No SD card slot
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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
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Which one is better?
The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the better buy for most people - its RTX 4050 GPU crushes the Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520. That said, grab the Inspiron if you want a lighter laptop for work or school - it's lighter.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H if: you want to game at 1080p with high settings, need a future-proof laptop with Thunderbolt 4, or prefer a system that’s excellent for multitasking.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a budget-friendly option for browsing and office applications, need a lighter laptop for travel, or prefer a machine with a smooth 120Hz display for everyday use.
Conclusion
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H excels if you value thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). 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.
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