HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H is the flagship option here, boasting a stunning 14" 2.8K OLED display and a powerful 32GB of RAM. After using both laptops, it's clear that the Spectre is designed for those who prioritize top-tier performance and display quality. Key specs: Display: 14" vs 15.6" and Weight: 51.15 oz vs 58.55 oz.
Why compare these? The HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H (premium flagship) 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 | HP Spectre | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5★ (156 reviews) | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Premium 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and IMAX Enhanced certification | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | No built-in HDMI port (requires USB-C adapter) | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Budget |
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 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 fan with rear venting)
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: HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(156)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 fan with rear venting) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 32 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz | 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 | 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 slot) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 14" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 (2.8K) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | OLED (Multitouch; UWVA; Gorilla Glass NBT) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 48-120 Hz (Variable VRR) | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 400 nits (SDR) / 500 nits (HDR Peak) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) without NumPad | 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 | 9MP Wide Vision IR camera with hardware shutter | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, drop-jaw) | 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 | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 68 Wh (4-cell Li-ion polymer) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 65 W USB-C adapter | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1,450 g (3.19 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | CNC Aluminum (Nightfall Black) | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 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 fan with rear venting)
32 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Premium 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and IMAX Enhanced certification
- Best-in-class 9MP webcam with AI noise reduction and hardware shutter
Cons
- No built-in HDMI port (requires USB-C adapter)
- Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded later
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?
The HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H is the better buy for most people - its 2.8K display crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520's FHD screen.
Who should buy each?
Choose the HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H if: you need a stunning 2.8K display, you're into content creation or photography, or you want the best webcam available.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a budget-friendly option, you need upgradable RAM, or you're okay with a less impressive display. (15.6" display, 58.55 oz weight)
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 156
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose HP Spectre
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium 2.8K OLED Priority
Premium 2.8K OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and IMAX Enhanced certification
→ Choose HP Spectre
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
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: HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H is the better choice if you prioritize premium 2.8k oled display with 120hz refresh rate and imax enhanced certification. 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 HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H offers premium 2.8k oled display with 120hz refresh rate and imax enhanced certification, 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 HP Spectre x360 14" 2-in-1 Core Ultra 7 155H no built-in hdmi port (requires usb-c adapter). 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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