The Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop is designed to deliver a balanced mix of performance, sleek design, and affordability, making it a popular choice for students, professionals, and everyday users. Equipped with the latest Intel processors, ample storage options, and a vibrant display, this laptop promises smooth multitasking and reliable productivity. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at its performance, build quality, battery life, and overall value for money to help you decide if the Dell Inspiron 3520 is the right fit for your computing needs.
| Display Size | Color | CPU | RAM | Hard Disk | Battery Life | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15.6 Inches |
Black |
Core i7 |
32 GB |
1 TB |
7–8 Hours |
4.2 |
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop stands out as a practical choice for users seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and everyday usability. In this Dell Inspiron 3520 Review, we’ll dive deep into its specs, features, build quality, display, battery life, and real-world performance to help you decide if it’s the right laptop for your needs.
Designed for both students and professionals, the Dell Inspiron 3520 offers a sleek yet durable chassis that is lightweight enough for portability while remaining sturdy for long-term use. Powered by Intel’s 12th-generation processors and paired with customizable RAM and storage configurations, it’s optimized for multitasking, productivity tasks, and light entertainment.
Affordability is another highlight. The Dell Inspiron 3520 Price makes it a popular pick for those seeking value without sacrificing essential features. Users get a full HD display, a responsive keyboard, and modern connectivity options, including USB-C and HDMI ports.
Throughout this review, we’ll also explore the Dell Inspiron 3520 multitasking performance, discuss its suitability for gaming, and determine whether it’s truly a good option for students. If you’re comparing it with similar models, including the Dell Inspiron 3520 vs Dell Inspiron 15, we’ll provide clarity on which delivers better value.
By the end of this comprehensive Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop Review, you’ll have a complete understanding of its capabilities, strengths, and limitations, ensuring you can make an informed purchase decision in 2025.
Pros:
Cons:
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Specs are designed to cater to a wide range of users, offering flexibility and reliable performance for daily computing. At its core, it’s powered by Intel’s 12th-generation Core i3, i5, or i7 processors, delivering impressive speed and efficiency for multitasking.
Memory options include up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth switching between applications without system slowdowns. Storage is equally versatile, with configurations offering up to 512GB SSD, providing fast boot times and ample space for files and media. This makes the Dell Inspiron 3520 RAM and Storage a key selling point, as it can handle various workloads effortlessly.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Features also include a 15.6-inch Full HD display, integrated Intel UHD or Iris Xe graphics, and Wi-Fi 6 support for improved connectivity. Additional features include a backlit keyboard for low-light environments, multiple USB ports, HDMI output, and an SD card reader, ensuring seamless device integration.
Build-wise, the Dell Inspiron 3520’s Build Quality feels solid with a well-designed hinge mechanism, offering durability and long-term reliability. Users can easily upgrade RAM and storage, making it a future-proof investment.
When considering its price, these features make the laptop highly competitive in its segment. Compared to the Dell Inspiron 15, the 3520 often offers better performance-to-cost value. Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop delivers a feature-rich experience that balances affordability and essential functionality, making it suitable for a wide audience.
The Dell Inspiron 3520’s Performance is one of its strongest selling points, particularly for everyday multitasking. Whether you’re a student working on assignments, a professional managing spreadsheets, or someone handling daily productivity tasks, this laptop can manage it all seamlessly.
Equipped with Intel’s latest processors and up to 16GB RAM, the Dell Inspiron 3520 offers multitasking performance that allows users to open multiple tabs, run software, and switch between applications without lag. The SSD storage also speeds up file transfers and application loading times.
For users wondering, “Is the Dell Inspiron 3520 good for students?”, the answer is yes. Its performance is more than sufficient for research, online classes, and project work. Additionally, it handles video conferencing and light content creation with ease, making it ideal for academic environments.
In terms of graphics, while the integrated Intel Iris Xe isn’t designed for heavy gaming, it supports smooth multimedia playback and light photo editing. Productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and even basic coding environments run effortlessly.
Compared to other laptops in its range, including the Dell Inspiron 15, the 3520 offers a solid balance of processing power and efficiency. Thermal management is well-optimized, ensuring the laptop stays cool during prolonged use.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop excels at handling multiple tasks simultaneously, delivering stable and reliable performance for everyday needs, making it a dependable choice for both students and professionals.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Display offers a 15.6-inch Full HD screen designed to provide a clear and immersive viewing experience for everyday use. With a resolution of 1920×1080, this display ensures sharp visuals, making it suitable for document editing, streaming, and browsing.
Color reproduction is vivid enough for casual photo editing and multimedia consumption. While it may not meet the standards of professional designers, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Display provides an excellent balance for general users. Its anti-glare coating reduces reflections, ensuring comfortable viewing during extended periods of work or study.
The display’s brightness levels, around 250 nits, are optimal for indoor environments, although outdoor visibility may be challenging under direct sunlight. Nevertheless, it offers decent wide-viewing angles, meaning multiple people can view the screen without color distortion.
For students and professionals attending online classes or meetings, the screen’s clarity enhances video call experiences. Watching movies or streaming shows feels enjoyable thanks to good contrast levels and sufficient detail reproduction.
Comparing the Dell Inspiron 3520 vs Dell Inspiron 15, both models deliver similar display quality, but the 3520’s thinner bezels offer a more modern and immersive look. Optional touchscreen configurations are available, adding convenience for users who prefer interactive navigation.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop provides a display that balances quality and practicality, making it a dependable choice for productivity and entertainment without significantly impacting battery performance.
Battery performance is crucial for laptops, and the Dell Inspiron 3520 Battery Life offers dependable longevity for users who need mobility. Equipped with a 41Wh or 54Wh battery, depending on the configuration, this laptop can last approximately 7–8 hours during mixed usage, including web browsing, document editing, and video playback.
Fast charging is a notable advantage. The included adapter charges the laptop from zero to 80% in about an hour, ensuring you can quickly resume work. This feature is particularly useful for students and professionals who are often on the move.
Weighing around 1.7 kg, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop is relatively lightweight and portable, making it convenient for commuting or campus life. Its slim profile easily fits into backpacks, and the sturdy build ensures it withstands daily travel without compromising durability.
Thermal efficiency also contributes to battery endurance. Even during multitasking, the system remains energy-efficient, allowing for extended unplugged usage. Users who prioritize longer battery runtime may opt for configurations with integrated graphics, as these consume less power compared to higher-performance variants.
When compared to competitors in its price range, the Dell Inspiron 3520 performs impressively well in terms of mobility and battery reliability. For students attending classes or professionals working remotely, this makes it a practical device that won’t constantly require charging.
Overall, the combination of strong battery life, fast charging, and lightweight design enhances the portability of the Dell Inspiron 3520, making it suitable for day-long productivity on the go.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Price is one of its standout qualities, offering a budget-friendly yet feature-rich solution for users seeking reliable everyday computing. Starting at around $550 for the base model, it delivers significant value compared to similarly priced laptops.
Considering the included Dell Inspiron 3520 Specs—Intel’s latest processors, Full HD display, ample RAM and storage options, and strong build quality—it competes well in its category. Even higher configurations with an i7 processor and 512GB SSD remain competitively priced under $800, appealing to users needing more power without breaking the bank.
For students wondering if the Dell Inspiron 3520 is good for students, affordability is a key advantage. It provides all essential tools for academic tasks—research, presentations, online classes—without sacrificing performance.
In the Dell Inspiron 3520 vs Dell Inspiron 15 comparison, the 3520 often emerges as the better deal due to improved specs at similar pricing. It also outshines many rivals in durability and upgradability, allowing users to enhance RAM and storage over time, further extending its lifespan and value.
When factoring in long-term usability, fast SSD, responsive keyboard, reliable battery life, and overall performance, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop provides a cost-effective investment.
Ultimately, its combination of affordability, solid features, and future-proof design make it one of the best options for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on essential functionality or build quality.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 isn’t primarily designed for high-end gaming, but it still manages light gaming quite effectively. With integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, the Dell Inspiron 3520 for gaming is suitable for casual players who enjoy games like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Minecraft. On lower settings, these titles run smoothly, offering decent frame rates without noticeable lag.
For more demanding games, such as AAA titles or games with high graphical demands, the laptop might struggle, and frame rates will drop considerably. However, for light gaming, Dell Inspiron 3520’s performance is more than adequate. The Intel Iris Xe graphics perform better than traditional integrated graphics, ensuring an enhanced multimedia and casual gaming experience.
Battery life is reduced when gaming, with the laptop offering about 3-4 hours of gameplay on a full charge. If you’re a serious gamer or need to run resource-heavy applications, this might not be the best choice. For those who play casual games or watch videos, the Dell Inspiron 3520 performs reliably.
In comparison with Dell Inspiron 15, the 3520 may have a slight edge in terms of battery life while gaming, but neither model can compete with dedicated gaming laptops.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 is a solid choice for light gaming and general entertainment, though it won’t meet the demands of advanced gaming enthusiasts.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 is an excellent choice for both students and professionals. For students, it provides the perfect combination of affordability and performance. With its Intel Core processors and up to 16GB of RAM, it can handle day-to-day tasks like note-taking, research, and video conferencing without issues. The 15.6-inch Full HD display also makes it great for reading documents, browsing the web, and watching educational videos.
For professionals, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop offers an ideal balance of portability and productivity. Whether you work from home, travel for meetings, or need a reliable laptop for your office tasks, the laptop’s fast SSD storage ensures quick boot times and seamless file transfers. Additionally, its Wi-Fi 6 support guarantees stable and high-speed internet connectivity during important virtual meetings.
Another factor to consider is its battery life, which lasts for an entire workday of productivity and communication, making it an excellent companion for long meetings or classes. The keyboard and touchpad are both responsive, making typing and navigating through presentations or reports easy and efficient.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop meets the needs of students and professionals alike, offering dependable performance and affordable pricing.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Build Quality is a significant strength of this laptop. It features a plastic body that provides durability without feeling overly heavy. At around 1.7 kg, the laptop is lightweight and portable, ideal for daily commuting or travel. The lid has a matte finish, helping to reduce fingerprints and scratches over time.
The laptop’s overall design is minimalistic yet sleek. With thin bezels around the 15.6-inch screen, it offers a modern look while maximizing screen real estate. The keyboard is well-spaced, providing comfortable typing, which is great for those who need to type for long hours. Additionally, the backlit keyboard option is a nice touch, especially for working in low-light environments.
The Dell Inspiron 3520’s port layout is well-thought-out, with USB-C, USB-A ports, HDMI, and SD card reader placed conveniently on the sides. This makes it easy to connect external devices like monitors, keyboards, and USB drives.
In terms of design, the Dell Inspiron 3520 strikes a solid balance between portability and durability. Its clean, professional aesthetic is ideal for both students and professionals who want a laptop that looks good and performs well.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 RAM and Storage options allow users to tailor the laptop to their specific needs. Starting with 8GB RAM, this is more than sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and watching videos. For power users, however, the laptop can be upgraded to 16GB RAM, providing enough memory for more demanding tasks such as multitasking, running multiple applications, and handling light photo editing or programming.
When it comes to storage, the Dell Inspiron 3520 offers 256GB or 512GB SSD options. The SSD storage ensures faster boot times, quicker file access, and an overall snappier user experience compared to traditional hard drives. If you store a lot of files, photos, or videos, opting for the 512GB SSD is a good choice.
For those who require even more storage, the laptop offers the option of upgrading the SSD or using external drives. While there is no option for a dedicated GPU, the Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics offer sufficient performance for non-gaming multimedia tasks.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 Storage and RAM options ensure flexibility and efficiency, catering to both light users and more performance-driven tasks, making it a solid option in its price range.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop comes pre-installed with a range of software that enhances productivity and user experience. Windows 11 is the operating system, offering modern features, a streamlined user interface, and improved security compared to previous versions.
One of the standout pre-installed features is Dell’s SupportAssist software, which helps you keep your system updated with the latest drivers and software patches. It also provides easy access to diagnostics and troubleshooting tools, which are useful for managing system health.
For those looking for productivity tools, Microsoft Office (or Office trial) is typically included, giving you access to popular applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Additionally, McAfee LiveSafe or a similar antivirus program is included, ensuring your system is protected from security threats right out of the box.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 also comes with some other helpful apps like Dell Mobile Connect, allowing users to connect their smartphone to their laptop for easy file transfers and syncing notifications. While not overly loaded with bloatware, the laptop does include several useful apps that enhance productivity.
Overall, the software and pre-installed features on the Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop create a smooth user experience right from the start.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop is a great choice for remote work and online learning. With its solid performance and modern features, it can handle most virtual tasks, from video conferencing to research and document editing. The Intel Core processors and 8GB–16GB RAM configurations ensure smooth performance for video calls, online classes, and virtual collaboration platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display offers ample screen space for multitasking, allowing users to work with multiple tabs open or have video calls alongside documents. Its HD webcam provides clear image quality for virtual meetings, and the built-in microphone delivers decent audio quality, though using a dedicated headset or microphone would be ideal for clearer sound.
The laptop’s Wi-Fi 6 ensures fast and stable internet connections, which is crucial for remote work and online learning. Whether you’re attending classes, working remotely, or collaborating with colleagues, the Dell Inspiron 3520 delivers dependable connectivity.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 provides a reliable, affordable, and efficient solution for anyone needing a laptop for remote work or education. Its portability, battery life, and performance make it a solid option for staying productive on the go.
When comparing the Dell Inspiron 3520 vs Dell Inspiron 15, the main differences lie in price, build, and performance options. While both are part of Dell’s Inspiron lineup, the Dell Inspiron 3520 is typically more affordable, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. However, the Dell Inspiron 15 may offer more powerful configurations, especially for users who need additional processing power or graphics for gaming or content creation.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 features a slightly smaller design, making it lighter and more portable, while the Inspiron 15 has a larger screen option and more space for additional components. Performance-wise, the Inspiron 3520 handles day-to-day tasks with ease, while the Inspiron 15 may have more powerful processors and additional RAM options, suitable for heavier workloads.
For those who prioritize affordability and portability, the Dell Inspiron 3520 is a solid pick. For users who need more power for professional-grade applications, the Dell Inspiron 15 might be the better choice. Both models deliver excellent value for money, but your decision will ultimately depend on specific needs and budget.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop offers a solid computing experience at an affordable price. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual user, this laptop delivers on the essentials, offering good performance, decent battery life, and a reliable display. It’s especially appealing to those who want a budget-friendly laptop for productivity, browsing, and media consumption without sacrificing quality.
In our Dell Inspiron 3520 Review, we found that its performance, despite being entry-level, is more than enough for daily tasks. Intel’s processors, 8GB–16GB RAM, and SSD storage ensure that this laptop will handle most workloads with ease. The battery life is another strong point, making it great for working or studying on the go.
When comparing it to the Dell Inspiron 15, the Dell Inspiron 3520 edges out with its affordable price and solid feature set for general users. While it’s not designed for heavy gaming or resource-intensive tasks, it excels in everyday computing.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 3520 provides excellent value for money and is a solid investment for those looking for a reliable, affordable laptop for school, work, and general use. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly device that performs well across the board, the Dell Inspiron 3520 is worth considering.
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The Dell Inspiron 3520 is powered by Intel Core i5/i7 processors with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD display, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and a variety of connectivity options, including USB-C and Wi-Fi 6
The Dell Inspiron 3520 is suitable for light gaming. It can handle games like League of Legends or Minecraft at medium settings. However, for AAA games or graphics-heavy applications, it is not recommended due to its integrated graphics and lack of a dedicated GPU.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop provides up to 7-8 hours of battery life under moderate usage, including web browsing and document editing. Battery life can decrease when running resource-intensive tasks or gaming.
Yes, the Dell Inspiron 3520 offers RAM and storage upgrades. You can upgrade the RAM to a maximum of 16GB and expand the storage with a larger SSD or HDD depending on your needs.
Yes, the Dell Inspiron 3520 is an excellent choice for students. It’s affordable, lightweight, and capable of handling everyday tasks like writing papers, attending online classes, and watching educational videos. The long battery life also makes it great for day-long study sessions.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 has a 15.6-inch Full HD display that offers good color reproduction and clarity. It’s perfect for general use, document viewing, and media consumption, though it may struggle under direct sunlight due to its 250-nit brightness.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 includes several useful ports, such as USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and an SD card reader, offering excellent connectivity for external devices like monitors, USB drives, and peripherals.
The Dell Inspiron 3520 features a comfortable keyboard with well-spaced keys, making typing easy for long hours. The touchpad is responsive and accurate, allowing smooth navigation and gestures.
Yes, the Dell Inspiron 3520 supports fast charging. It can charge from 0% to 80% in about an hour, allowing users to quickly power up when on the go.
Yes, the Dell Inspiron 3520 is a solid option for remote work. Its performance, reliable battery life, and connectivity options (including Wi-Fi 6) make it suitable for tasks like video conferencing, document editing, and accessing cloud-based tools.
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