Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX is the premium option, delivering stunning visuals with a 2560 x 1600 display for serious gamers and creators. In real-world use, the 165Hz refresh rate feels buttery smooth, making it a no-brainer for gaming. On the other hand, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U offers reliable performance with its 120Hz display, but it lacks the high-resolution finesse of the Lenovo. Key specs: Display: 16" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 165 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX (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 | Lenovo Legion | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5★ (18 reviews) | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) delivers top-tier performance for its class | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | Battery life is average despite the 80Wh capacity due to high-power HX CPU | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Premium | Budget |
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
Intel Core i7-13700HX (Raptor Lake, 16 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max)
No dedicated NPU (Uses Lenovo LA1 AI chip for system optimization)
Legion Coldfront 5.0 (Dual fans, hybrid heat pipes, massive intake/exhaust)
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: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(18)Amazon | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Intel Core i7-13700HX (Raptor Lake, 16 cores, up to 5.0 GHz) | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | No dedicated NPU (Uses Lenovo LA1 AI chip for system optimization) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Legion Coldfront 5.0 (Dual fans, hybrid heat pipes, massive intake/exhaust) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM) | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB officially) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 16" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | IPS (Anti-glare) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 165 Hz (G-SYNC supported) | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 300 nits (Typical) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 100% sRGB | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (ANSI) with NumPad | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (4-Zone RGB) | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD camera with E-shutter | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4, 140W Power Delivery); 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4); 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (1x Always On) | 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 | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz) | 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 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 80 Wh (Li-Polymer) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 300 W Slim Tip adapter | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 2,550 g (5.6 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Top) / PC-ABS (Bottom) | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX
Intel Core i7-13700HX (Raptor Lake, 16 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR6, 140W TGP max)
No dedicated NPU (Uses Lenovo LA1 AI chip for system optimization)
Legion Coldfront 5.0 (Dual fans, hybrid heat pipes, massive intake/exhaust)
16 GB DDR5-4800 (2x 8GB SO-DIMM)
Yes (2x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 32 GB officially)
Pros
- High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) delivers top-tier performance for its class
- Sharp 16:10 WQXGA display with 100% sRGB coverage and G-SYNC
Cons
- Battery life is average despite the 80Wh capacity due to high-power HX CPU
- Bulky and heavy power brick (300W)
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 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX is the better buy for most people - its 2560 x 1600 display crushes the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U's 1920 x 1080.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX if: you want a high-resolution display for gaming, need serious performance for video editing, or prefer a premium build quality. (16" display, 165 Hz refresh)
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you need a lighter laptop for travel, want a budget-friendly option, or prioritize battery life in everyday tasks. (15.6" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 2,701 reviews vs 18
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Lenovo Legion
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
High-wattage RTX 4060 Priority
High-wattage RTX 4060 (140W) delivers top-tier performance for its class
→ Choose Lenovo Legion
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: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX is the better choice if you prioritize high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) delivers top-tier performance for its class. 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 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX offers high-wattage rtx 4060 (140w) delivers top-tier performance for its class, 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 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 Core i7-13700HX battery life is average despite the 80wh capacity due to high-power hx cpu. 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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