Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the budget option here, packing a solid 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling feel twice as smooth compared to the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop's 60Hz. However, if you're after premium features, the HP's aluminum chassis and 5MP webcam for video calls win out in quality. With a weight of 58.55 oz, the Dell is lighter, making it easier to carry around, but the HP's extra features justify its heft for those needing versatility in a 2-in-1 design.
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Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
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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 | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy | ★4.6(1,605)Best Buy |
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
✓ 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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HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop
✓ 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
- • Both USB-C ports support 10Gbps data, charging, and video output
- • Battery life is solid for productivity tasks thanks to the efficient Ryzen chip
- • Includes HDMI 2.1 and a multi-format SD card reader (often missing in this class)
✗ Cons:
- • Display is dim (250 nits) and has limited color gamut (45% NTSC)
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded
- • Ryzen 7 7730U is a refreshed older architecture (Zen 3) lacking new AI features
- • 16:9 aspect ratio feels dated compared to the taller 16:10 screens on newer rivals
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Which one is better?
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the better buy for most people - its 120Hz refresh rate crushes the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop. That said, grab the HP if you want a premium build and a top-notch webcam - it's worth the extra features.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a lightweight laptop at 58.55 oz, you value smooth scrolling for gaming with its 120Hz refresh rate, or you need upgradeable RAM for future-proofing.
Choose the HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop if: you want a premium feel with an aluminum design, you need a high-quality webcam for video conferencing, or you prefer a versatile 2-in-1 for creativity and productivity.
Conclusion
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U and HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop 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?
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U excels if you value 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. HP ENVY x360 15.6" 2-in-1 Laptop is better if you prioritize versatile 2-in-1 aluminum design with a premium look and feel. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
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+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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