Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the budget option here, but it offers impressive specs like a 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling feel twice as smooth compared to typical 60Hz displays. If you're looking for better gaming performance, the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop with its RTX 4060 and i7-13620H crushes the competition, delivering serious power for your dollar. However, the MSI's display is a letdown, with only 250 nits brightness, while Dell's 120Hz refresh rate enhances everyday tasks, making it a strong fit for casual use and light gaming. Key specs: Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz and Weight: 58.55 oz vs 79.37 oz.
Why compare these? The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U (budget-friendly) and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop (entry-level) 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
PageBen prioritizes usefulness for US shoppers. Affiliate commission does not decide recommendations, rankings, or verdicts.
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
Hands-on notes are labeled when available; otherwise analysis is based on documented specs and buyer evidence.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Dell Inspiron | MSI Katana |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.7★ (2,701 reviews) | 4.2★ (400 reviews) |
| Top Strength | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops | Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H |
| Main Drawback | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port | Display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% NTSC colors) |
| Market Position | Budget | ✓Entry |
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)
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design)
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 MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
| Criterion | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U | MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(2,701)PageBen | ★4.2(400)Amazon |
Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) | Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Single fan) | Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design) |
RAM | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz | 16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
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-Level (Anti-glare) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 144 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) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) | Yes (4-Zone RGB) |
Biometrics | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 720p HD camera | 720p HD webcam (30fps) |
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) | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (DisplayPort, Data only); 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports 8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz) |
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 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.2; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) |
Battery | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) | 53.5 Wh (3-cell Li-Polymer) |
Charger | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) | 200 W Barrel-pin adapter |
Weight | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) | 2,250 g (4.96 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic (Carbon Black) | Plastic chassis |
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)
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
Intel Core i7-13620H (Raptor Lake, 10 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 105W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Cooler Boost 5 (2 fans, 6 heat pipes, shared-pipe design)
16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz (2x 8GB SO-DIMM)
Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots, up to 64 GB)
Pros
- Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H
- Dual M.2 SSD slots allow for easy and cheap storage expansion
Cons
- Display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% NTSC colors)
- Battery life is short (approx. 4 hours) due to small 53.5Wh capacity
Which one is better?
The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is the better buy for most people - its 1TB storage and powerful RTX 4060 crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U. That said, grab the Dell if you're on a budget and need a lighter laptop at 58.55oz - it's way easier to carry around.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a lighter laptop at 58.55oz, you need a smooth 120Hz display for everyday tasks, or you prefer a budget-friendly option.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want superior gaming performance with an RTX 4060, you need 1TB of storage for games and files, or you prefer RGB lighting for an aesthetic boost.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.7★ vs 4.2★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 400
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose MSI Katana
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U edges ahead with a 4.7★ rating compared to 4.2★. However, MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U or MSI Katana 15 Gaming 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. MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop wins if you value excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. Both are rated highly (4.7★ vs 4.2★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U and MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop?
Key differences: Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U offers 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops, while MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop stands out with excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. 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, MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop display is the weak point: dim (250 nits) and washed out (45% ntsc colors). 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. MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop excels at excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h and dual m.2 ssd slots allow for easy and cheap storage expansion. Check the spec table above for the complete side-by-side breakdown.
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