Dell Inspiron 15 3520 Laptop Review 2023 Powerful Touchscreen Performance and Features

Description

Sleek Design with Functional Features

The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 3000 immediately caught my attention with its sleek, carbon black finish. Aesthetically, it feels modern yet understated, which I personally like because it doesn’t scream for attention but still looks professional on a desk. The 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen display is a standout feature. It’s crisp, vibrant, and the anti-glare coating makes it a lot easier to work under bright lighting, such as by a window or in a café. I also appreciated the narrow border WVA display, which maximizes screen real estate. However, the lack of a backlit keyboard was a small letdown, especially for nighttime use.

Performance That Packs a Punch

This laptop is powered by the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, and let me tell you, it’s no slouch. The 10-core architecture (2 performance cores paired with 8 efficiency cores) ensures multitasking is smooth. I ran applications like Adobe Photoshop while streaming music in the background, and there was no noticeable lag. The 16GB DDR4 RAM complements the processor perfectly, and the 1TB PCIe SSD provides ample space for files without sacrificing speed. Booting up the laptop felt almost instantaneous, and file transfers were lightning-fast. However, heavy gaming isn’t its forte, as the Intel UHD Graphics aren’t designed for intensive graphical tasks.

Connectivity Options for Modern Users

Incorporating 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth, this laptop offers strong connectivity. I tested it with various networks and Bluetooth devices, and the stability was excellent. The multiple USB ports (two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and one USB 2.0 Type-A) allowed me to connect multiple peripherals seamlessly. The HDMI 1.4b port worked like a charm when I connected it to an external monitor, although the HDMI version feels slightly dated for those who might want to work with 4K resolutions. The inclusion of an SD card reader is great for photographers like my friend, who loved the convenience it offered.

Good Points

• The touchscreen display adds versatility.
• Fantastic performance for multitasking, thanks to the Intel Core i5-1235U and 16GB RAM.
• Abundant storage space with the 1TB PCIe SSD.
• Slim, professional design that feels premium.

Caveats

• Lack of a backlit keyboard makes it less ideal for low-light use.
• The Intel UHD Graphics struggle with demanding graphical tasks.
• HDMI version could have been more modern for better external display support.

Software and Usability

Loaded with Windows 11 in S Mode, the laptop felt optimized for security and performance. While S Mode restricts app installation to Microsoft Store apps, turning it off is straightforward and allows for more flexibility. The inclusion of a Microsoft Office Annual License was a nice touch, although the email instructions for installation were a bit confusing. It’s important to avoid installing Office 365, as it invalidates this license—something I learned the hard way!

Market Rivals

Comparing this laptop to competitors like the HP Pavilion 15 or Lenovo IdeaPad 5, I noticed a few differences. Both competitors also feature excellent processors, but the Dell Inspiron’s touchscreen gives it an edge for those who value versatility. While the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 boasts a better GPU for casual gaming, the Dell is more suited for productivity tasks due to its larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the HP Pavilion 15 offers a backlit keyboard, which I genuinely missed on the Dell. However, the build quality of the Inspiron feels more robust.

Value for Money

This laptop delivers excellent value for its price. The combination of a powerful processor, high RAM capacity, and ample SSD storage ensures that you’re getting a machine capable of handling daily tasks and more. While it’s not designed for heavy gaming or high-end graphical work, it’s a fantastic choice for professionals, students, or anyone who values speed and efficiency. Skipping unnecessary frills, it focuses on delivering core functionality at a reasonable cost.

Throughout my time using this laptop, I found it to be a reliable companion for work, streaming, and light creative projects. While there are areas for improvement, such as the keyboard’s lack of backlighting and the limited graphics capability, it’s a solid pick for anyone seeking performance and practicality.