Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the flagship option here, boasting a stunning 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR display with a jaw-dropping peak brightness of 1,600 nits. After testing both, the real difference lies in performance and usability for demanding tasks versus everyday needs. Key specs: Display: 14.2" vs 15.6" and Weight: 56.79 oz vs 58.55 oz.
Why compare these? The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (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 | Apple MacBook | Dell Inspiron |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.9★ (3,372 reviews) | 4.5★ (2,701 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness | 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling than typical 60Hz budget laptops |
| Main Drawback | Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD | Most high-volume US retail configurations (e.g., Best Buy) LACK a USB-C port |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Budget |
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
16-core Neural Engine
Active (Dual fan cooling system)
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 Pro 14-inch vs Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy | ★4.5(2,701)Best Buy |
Processor | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U (Alder Lake-U, 10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) |
Graphics | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated; requires dual-channel RAM, otherwise UHD) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Active (Dual fan cooling system) | Air (Single fan) |
RAM | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory | 8 GB or 16 GB DDR4-2666/3200 MHz |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) | Yes (2x SODIMM slots, up to 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially) |
Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) | Yes (1x M.2 2230/2280 slot) |
Display Size | 14.2" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 3024 x 1964 (Native) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:9 |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) | IPS (Anti-glare; Wide Viewing Angle) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion) | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3); True Tone | 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 | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) | 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 or 4K@240Hz) | 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 | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 41 Wh (3-cell Li-ion) or 54 Wh (4-cell; config dependent) |
Charger | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter | 65 W Barrel-pin AC adapter (4.5mm) |
Weight | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 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 Pro 14-inch
Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
16-core Neural Engine
Active (Dual fan cooling system)
18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory
No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase)
Pros
- Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
- M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis
Cons
- Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
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?
Battery life: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is rated for up to 18 hours. That said, grab the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 if you want to save money and need a decent laptop for basic tasks.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you need top-tier performance for video editing, demand the best display quality for graphics work, or want a laptop that lasts all day on a single charge. (14.2" display, 56.79 oz weight)
Choose the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U if: you need a budget-friendly laptop for browsing, want an upgradeable RAM option, or prefer a larger screen for general use. (15.6" display, 58.55 oz weight)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.9★ 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
Class-leading Liquid Retina Priority
Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
→ Choose Apple MacBook
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch edges ahead with a 4.9★ 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 Pro 14-inch or Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better choice if you prioritize class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. 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 (4.9★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 — Intel Core i5-1235U?
Key differences: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch offers class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness, 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 Pro 14-inch expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for ram and ssd. 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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