Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
If you're looking for a lightweight powerhouse, the LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H. ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) takes the lead with its massive 2TB SSD and ultra-light design. However, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U offers a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, making it a tempting budget option for gamers. The 17" WQXGA display also ensures vibrant visuals, but the Dell's upgradeable RAM gives you flexibility for future needs. So, let’s break down what each laptop offers and who they’re really for in 2026.
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Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
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: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
| Criterion | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U | LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy | ★4.5(6)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan) | Air (Single fan with heat pipe) |
RAM | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz | 16 GB LPDDR5X (7467 MHz) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (Configured as 2x 1TB drives) |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 slots; both occupied in this configuration) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 17" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
Screen Type | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) | IPS (Touchscreen; Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 350 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) | 99% DCI-P3 |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) | Yes |
Biometrics | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) | IR Face Recognition (Windows Hello) |
Webcam | 720p HD camera | 1080p FHD IR webcam with dual microphones |
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 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; Power Delivery; DisplayPort); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 |
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) | 77 Wh (Li-Ion) |
Charger | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) | 65 W USB-C adapter |
Weight | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) | 1,415 g (3.12 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic (Carbon Black) | Magnesium Alloy |
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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LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H)
✓ Pros:
- • Incredibly lightweight (3.12 lbs) for a 17-inch laptop
- • Massive 2TB storage pre-installed (split across two 1TB drives)
- • Excellent battery life (77Wh) for general productivity
- • Display covers 99% DCI-P3, offering rich and accurate colors
- • Full suite of ports including dual Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1
✗ Cons:
- • RAM is soldered and limited to 16GB (cannot be upgraded)
- • Storage slots are both populated out of the box (must replace a drive to upgrade)
- • Refresh rate is standard 60Hz, lagging behind 120Hz competitors
- • Magnesium chassis can feel flexible compared to rigid aluminum rivals
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Which one is better?
The LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H. ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) is the better buy for most people - its 2TB storage crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U's 512GB. That said, grab the Dell if you want a budget-friendly option with a smooth 120Hz display - it's a no-brainer for gaming.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a smoother 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, prefer upgradeable RAM, or need a full-size SD card slot.
Choose the LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) if: you need a lightweight laptop for travel, require massive 2TB storage for large files, or prefer a high-quality WQXGA display for content creation.
Conclusion
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U and LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) 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. LG gram 17" Laptop (17Z90S-H.ADB7U1, Core Ultra 7 155H) is better if you prioritize incredibly lightweight (3.12 lbs) for a 17-inch laptop. 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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