Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
If you're looking for budget-friendly without sacrificing too much performance, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the way to go. It features a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling feel twice as smooth compared to the HP ENVY x360's 60Hz. However, the ENVY x360 offers a premium build and a superior 5MP webcam, making it a better choice for video calls and content creation. On the flip side, the HP's aluminum chassis feels more durable and stylish, but its display brightness of only 250 nits might disappoint those needing vibrant visuals. Each has its strengths, but your choice should align with your specific needs, especially in 2026. Key specs: Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz and Weight: 58.55 oz vs 64.55 oz.
Why compare these? The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U (budget-friendly) and HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop (mid-range) 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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How We Compare These Products
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Sources Checked
Official specifications, Retailer ratings, Manufacturer documentation, Buyer feedback.
Decision Factors
We weigh processor class, memory, display quality, battery life, ports, weight, and upgrade limits.
Editorial Standard
Research-based analysis from documented specs, published lab measurements, and verified-buyer evidence. Any hands-on note is labeled as such. Full methodology.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Dell Inspiron | HP ENVY |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7★ (2,701 reviews) | 4.7★ (1,605 reviews) |
| Top Strength | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops | Versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel |
| Main Drawback | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port | Display is dim (250 nits) and has limited color gamut (45% NTSC) |
| Market Position | Budget | ✓Mid-range |
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)
HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz)
AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Dual fan cooling)
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: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
| Criterion | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U | HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(2,701)PageBen | ★4.7(1,605)PageBen |
Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) | AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan) | Air (Dual fan cooling) |
RAM | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz | 16 GB LPDDR4x-4266 MHz (Onboard) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) | Yes (1x M.2 2280 slot; user replaceable) |
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; Wide Viewing Angle) | IPS (Touchscreen; Edge-to-edge glass; Micro-edge) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 60 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) without NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) | Yes (Nightfall black opaque) |
Biometrics | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) | IR Face Recognition (Windows Hello) |
Webcam | 720p HD camera | 5MP HP Wide Vision IR camera with privacy shutter |
USB Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0; (Note: USB-C is often ABSENT on i5-1235U US retail units) | 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps; Power Delivery; DisplayPort 1.4; Sleep & Charge); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) | 55 Wh (4-cell Li-ion polymer) |
Charger | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) | 65 W USB-C adapter |
Weight | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) | 1,830 g (4.03 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic (Carbon Black) | Aluminum (Nightfall Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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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)
HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (Barcelo-R, 8 cores, up to 4.5 GHz)
AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated)
No (Not supported)
Air (Dual fan cooling)
16 GB LPDDR4x-4266 MHz (Onboard)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel
- High-quality 5MP webcam with IR face unlock is excellent for video calls
Cons
- Display is dim (250 nits) and has limited color gamut (45% NTSC)
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
Which one is better?
The HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop is the better buy for most people - its 5MP webcam crushes the Dell's 720p option. That said, grab the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 if you're on a budget and need a lightweight option at 58.55oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you need a budget-friendly laptop, want the option to upgrade RAM, or need a lighter device at 58.55oz.
Choose the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop if: you prioritize build quality, need a high-quality webcam for video calls, or want a versatile 2-in-1 design.
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 1,605
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose HP ENVY
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
120Hz refresh rate Priority
120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops
→ 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: Both products share a 4.7★ rating, making this comparison particularly close. Your decision should come down to which specific features matter most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U or HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop?
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the better choice if you prioritize 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop wins if you value versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel. Both are rated highly (4.7★ vs 4.7★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U and HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop?
Key differences: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U offers 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops, while HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop stands out with versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel. Consider that Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U most high-volume us retail configurations (e.g., best buy) lack a usb-c port. Meanwhile, HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop display is dim (250 nits) and has limited color gamut (45% ntsc). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+What should I prioritize when choosing between these laptops?
Focus on the features that matter most for your daily use. Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U stands out for 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops and memory (ram) is not soldered and can be upgraded via two sodimm slots. HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop excels at versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel and high-quality 5mp webcam with ir face unlock is excellent for video calls. Check the spec table above for the complete side-by-side breakdown.
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