Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U vs MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop comes out ahead for most gamers thanks to its powerful RTX 4060 and i7-13620H combo, making it the better buy for performance enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U is the budget option, offering a solid 120Hz refresh rate, but it lacks the raw gaming power of its rival. In real-world use, the MSI Katana 15's 144Hz refresh rate delivers a noticeably smoother experience in fast-paced games compared to the Dell's 120Hz. Plus, the Katana's dual M. 2 SSD slots allow for future storage upgrades, giving you more bang for your buck if you're into gaming graphics or heavy applications.
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Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
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 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 | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy | ★4.6(38)Best Buy |
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
✓ 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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MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with RTX 4060 and i7-13620H
- • Dual M.2 SSD slots allow for easy and cheap storage expansion
- • Effective Cooler Boost 5 cooling system keeps temperatures managed
- • Full-sized keyboard with 4-zone RGB lighting and number pad
- • Includes HDMI 2.1 for high-refresh external 4K monitors
✗ 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
- • USB-C port does NOT support Power Delivery (charging)
- • All-plastic build quality feels budget-oriented compared to premium rivals
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Which one is better?
The MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is the smarter buy for gamers - its powerful RTX 4060 crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's integrated graphics. That said, grab the Dell if you're after a lightweight laptop for everyday tasks - it's lighter, making it easier to carry around.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you need a lightweight laptop at 58.55oz, you value a smooth 120Hz display for everyday use, or you prefer a budget-friendly option.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop if: you want top-notch gaming performance with the RTX 4060, you need ample storage with 1TB SSD, or you enjoy gaming at higher refresh rates with 144Hz.
Conclusion
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U and MSI Katana 15 Gaming 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. MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop is better if you prioritize excellent gaming performance-per-dollar with rtx 4060 and i7-13620h. 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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