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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 1 is more budget-friendly with a lower price, but comes with less storage and less powerful hardware compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, which has double the storage and a more capable processor for somewhat higher cost. The Inspiron also offers better display quality with an IPS panel and brighter screen, but this also makes it slightly more expensive. Both laptops have similar screen sizes and resolutions, but those prioritizing stronger performance and better visuals might lean towards the Dell, while those seeking to save money and who have modest computing needs might prefer the Acer. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Aspire 1
- The Acer Aspire 1 has no clear advantages over the Dell Inspiron 15 3520.
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has no clear advantages over the Acer Aspire 1.
Key differences
General Use
5.8
6.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is seen as more capable for general use than the Acer Aspire 1 primarily because it offers a more powerful processor and double the RAM, which are crucial for multitasking and smooth operation. In addition, the Dell has an IPS screen known for better color reproduction and viewing angles, compared to the Acer's TN panel, which tends to have poorer color accuracy and limited viewing angles; these factors contribute to a better overall experience, especially for media consumption.
Engineering and Design
5.5
6.4
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
2.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a lower-end CPU and GPU, which may not handle engineering and design applications as effectively as the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, which is equipped with better processing power suitable for such tasks. Also, the Aspire's TN screen provides poorer color reproduction and viewing angles compared to the Inspiron's IPS display, important for design work, and less RAM which is crucial for multitasking and handling complex projects.
Content Creation
5.9
6.8
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Screen Quality
5.2
6.8
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
259.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a sharp display with crisp colors for everyday tasks, the Dell Inspiron's fair screen quality offers a better balance of resolution and brightness compared to the Acer Aspire's poor display. For engineering and design work, where color accuracy is crucial, the Dell's capability to handle fair color gamuts gives an edge over the Acer's poor color representation. However, for gaming and 3D applications, while the Dell also has only fair screen quality, its possibly better refresh rate, resolution, and panel type don't quite meet the high standards required for an optimal experience, just like the Acer.
Build Quality
5.5
6.2
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has only fair build quality, while the Acer Aspire 1 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$215
$299
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $215 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 costs $299.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
5.7
6.1
2.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Inspiron 15 3520 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 is limited in gaming and 3D capabilities partly due to its Intel Celeron N4500 UHD Graphics GPU, which isn't as powerful for these tasks, and a screen refresh rate of 60Hz, which doesn't provide as smooth motion as higher rates. In contrast, the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a GPU that's part of the more capable Intel i3-1215U processor and a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, which together offer better performance and viewing experience for gaming and 3D applications.
Software Development
6.1
6.5
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Acer Aspire 1 are both only fair for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Acer Aspire 1 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Aspire 1 and the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | Dell Inspiron 15 3520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$215 | $299 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 3.65 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel i3-1215U | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | UHD Graphics | UHD Graphics | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | No | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 259 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 1
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | May 2020
"There are no surprises and nothing's extraordinary here but this laptop's price. For those in need of an inexpensive Windows laptop for undemanding tasks, though, the Acer Aspire 1 offers just enough to get the basics done and a larger screen to do them on."
Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | January 2023
"Dell's Inspiron 15 (3525) is a peppy-enough and affordable-enough home or remote work machine, but it's not very ambitious; it does little to go beyond the basics. More the concern: It’s readily overshadowed by a number of machines that outperform and outclass it. Even if the Inspiron can get the job done today, its competition has the mettle to keep doing the job tomorrow in a way the Inspiron simply can’t promise. Plus, those alternatives are much more enjoyable after work."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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