Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
This means smoother multitasking and better overall responsiveness for demanding tasks. Whether you're working remotely or enjoying some media, that extra power translates to real-world benefits, especially for a full day out and about. Key specs: Display: 13.4" vs 15.6" and Weight: 41.98 oz vs 58.55 oz.
Why compare these? The Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (high-end) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U (budget-friendly) 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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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Dell XPS | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5★ (63 reviews) | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | 3K OLED option is locked to 60Hz, unlike the 120Hz IPS panels | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Premium | Budget |
Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Dual fans with heat pipes)
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)
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 XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(63)Best Buy | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz) | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Air (Dual fans with heat pipes) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB LPDDR5x (7467 MT/s) | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) |
Storage | 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot; user-replaceable) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 13.4" | 15.6" |
Resolution | Options: 1920x1200 (FHD+), 2560x1600 (QHD+), or 2880x1800 (3K+) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | Options: IPS (FHD+/QHD+) or OLED (3K+ Touch) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (FHD+/QHD+ IPS) / 60 Hz (3K+ OLED) | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 500 nits (IPS) / 400 nits (OLED) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 100% sRGB (FHD+) / 100% DCI-P3 (QHD+/OLED) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Zero-lattice) with Capacitive Touch Function Row | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | Fingerprint reader (Power button) + IR Face Recognition | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD RGB+IR camera | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Data, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1) | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; 1x USB-A 2.0; (Note: USB-C is often ABSENT on i5-1235U US retail units) |
Video Ports | DisplayPort 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4 | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) |
Audio Ports | No (Requires USB-C to 3.5mm adapter) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (Intel Killer BE1750); Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 55 Wh (Integrated) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 60 W USB-C AC adapter | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1,170 g (2.6 lbs) [OLED] / 1,190 g (2.62 lbs) [IPS] | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | CNC-machined Aluminum + Gorilla Glass 3 (Victus on OLED) | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home or Pro | Windows 11 Home |
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Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake, 16 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated)
Intel AI Boost (Dedicated NPU)
Air (Dual fans with heat pipes)
16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB LPDDR5x (7467 MT/s)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest
- IPS panel options (FHD+/QHD+) finally support smooth 120Hz refresh rates
Cons
- 3K OLED option is locked to 60Hz, unlike the 120Hz IPS panels
- No physical function keys; uses capacitive touch row which lacks tactile feedback
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)
Which one is better?
Grab the Inspiron if you need a larger 15.6" display and want to save money.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H if: you want top-notch performance with a 4.8 GHz processor, need a lightweight laptop at about 2.6 lbs, or prefer a premium build quality with a 13.4" display.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a larger 15.6" screen, need upgradeable RAM, or are looking to spend less on a reliable everyday laptop.
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 63
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Dell XPS
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Ultra-modern, minimalist design Priority
Ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest
→ Choose Dell XPS
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 4.5★ 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 XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is the better choice if you prioritize ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest. Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U wins if you value 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Both are rated highly (4.5★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H offers ultra-modern, minimalist design with zero-lattice keyboard and seamless glass palm rest, while Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U stands out with 120hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60hz budget laptops. Consider that Dell XPS 13 (9340, 2024) — Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 3k oled option is locked to 60hz, unlike the 120hz ips panels. Meanwhile, Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U most high-volume us retail configurations (e.g., best buy) lack a usb-c port. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 26, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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