Dell Inspiron 15 3520 2022: Overview

The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is a grounded, no-nonsense laptop for students, professionals, and casual users who need a machine that boots fast, feels smooth, and doesn’t get in the way. And with that surprising 120Hz screen, it brings just enough sparkle to make daily use feel genuinely better.

Design

This Dell Inspiron 15 doesn’t show off and that’s kind of the point. It’s finished in a quiet Platinum Silver, feels solid in the hand, and slips easily into any routine. At just under 2kg, it’s light enough to carry to class or your favorite café but sturdy enough to take a few daily knocks. The chassis design is modest, but dependable no gimmicks, just get-things-done vibes.

Performance

Under the hood, the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U is a quiet workhorse. With 10 cores split between performance and efficiency, it breezes through typical multitasking think research tabs, documents, Zoom, and light editing. It’s not built for deep creative workflows or gaming marathons, but for day-to-day productivity, it runs like a well-oiled machine.

Graphics

You won’t find a dedicated GPU here. Instead, Intel UHD handles visuals. And while you won’t be rendering 3D worlds or editing 4K video, it handles YouTube, Netflix, light design work, and even some indie gaming without fuss. Perfect for users who don’t need frills just reliability.

Display

Here’s where it flips the script: the display. Sure, it’s a standard 15.6-inch Full HD panel with modest color and brightness (don’t expect studio-grade visuals), but the 120Hz refresh rate? That’s the star. Everything feels smoother scrolling, window-switching, even watching videos. Once you experience it, it’s hard to go back. The matte finish also helps keep glare in check during daytime use.

RAM and Storage:

You start with 8GB of RAM just enough for most people. It’s a single stick, so performance could be better, but the good news? There’s another slot waiting. Pop in another 8GB and enjoy dual-channel speeds. The 512GB SSD is fast and spacious enough to handle your files, apps, and a small game library. And there’s even an empty 2.5” SATA slot for those who want to expand later.

Ports

No dongles required here. The port selection covers all the usual suspects USB-A (both modern and legacy), HDMI, headphone jack, microSD, and even a USB-C with DisplayPort output. Whether you’re connecting a monitor or just transferring files from an old flash drive, it’s ready.

Input and Audio

The keyboard’s not backlit, which might be a bummer if you work late often, but the typing feel is fine. The precision touchpad is roomy and responsive, and the webcam is... functional. It’s 720p not crisp, but it’ll do for basic video calls. Audio is handled by stereo speakers that get the job done, though headphones are still your best bet for immersion.

Battery

With a 41Wh battery, it won’t win endurance awards but it’ll get you through a work session or two with breaks in between. Thankfully, the included 65W charger tops it up fairly quickly, so you’re not stranded long.