Dell Inspiron 15 3520 (i5-1235U) Review
Quick Verdict
Student Score: 79/100
✅ Buy if
- • You code daily and need a smooth dev experience
- • You're on a tight student budget
- • You want the best bang for your buck
❌ Skip if
- • You want heavy AAA gaming
- • Raw specs aren't a priority for you
- • Portability isn't important
🎯 Best for
Overview
Dell wins on one thing that matters more in India than specs: after-sales service. If a laptop fails the week before end-sems, you want a service center that's actually reachable. Dell has that. The Inspiron 15 with i5-1235U is a capable everyday laptop — handles standard CS coursework comfortably, has a generous 54 Wh battery, and the build feels solid despite its budget positioning. The display is the weak link — a washed-out WVA panel that struggles to make colors pop.
Student Score
Score breakdown
How we score →Pros
- Dell's build quality and after-sales service is unmatched in India
- i5-1235U has good peak performance for coding tasks
- 54 Wh battery lasts a solid college day
- Dell service centers are available in tier-2 cities
Cons
- Anti-glare WVA panel is dull — colors look washed out
- No Thunderbolt support
- Fan noise is audible during compiles
Verdict
The safe, reliable choice for students in tier-2 cities where service center proximity matters. Dell's support network across India is genuinely stronger than Acer/ASUS in most regions — a practical advantage that doesn't show up in any spec comparison. Performance is adequate; display is a compromise. In major cities with access to other brand service centers, there are better value options at this price.
Full specs
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1235U |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 15.6" WVA Anti-glare 60Hz |
| Battery | 54 Wh |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Ports | USB-A x2, USB-C 3.1, HDMI 1.4, SD card, 3.5mm |
| Release Year | 2022 |
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₹46,990
Approx. price
Price may change — always verify on Amazon
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