Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) takes the lead in this comparison, offering a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and an impressive 18 hours of battery life. On the flip side, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U boasts a larger 15.6-inch display and a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals. However, if you prioritize a larger screen and want the flexibility of upgrading your RAM, the Inspiron 15 is worth considering, particularly for casual gaming and everyday tasks. Key specs: Display: 13.6" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) (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 | Apple MacBook | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (1,823 reviews) | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB) | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Premium | Budget |
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
16-core Neural Engine
Passive (Fanless silent design)
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: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,823)Amazon | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) |
Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 13.6" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 (Native) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:9 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 500 nits | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3) | 45% NTSC (approx. 60% sRGB) |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (ANSI) with NumPad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | No (Optional/Configuration dependent; mostly No on retail units) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | No (Fingerprint reader is optional/configuration dependent) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p HD camera |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 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 | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) | 1x HDMI 1.4 (Supports up to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone/Mic combo jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax 2x2); Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) | 1,660 g (3.65 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | Plastic (Carbon Black) |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | Windows 11 Home |
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
16-core Neural Engine
Passive (Fanless silent design)
8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory
No (Unified Memory architecture)
Pros
- Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
Cons
- Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB)
- Limited to 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion 120Hz)
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?
Key specs: Display: 13.6" vs 15.6" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you want a lightweight laptop at 43.74 oz, need all-day battery life with 18 hours, or prefer a premium build quality.
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you want a larger 15.6" screen, need 120Hz for smoother scrolling in games, or want upgradeable RAM for future-proofing.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Dell Inspiron
Significantly faster M3 Priority
Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.5★. However, Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) is the better choice if you prioritize significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. 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 (4.8★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) offers significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 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 Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) base model starts with only 8gb ram and 256gb storage (slow ssd speeds on 256gb). 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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