Dell Inspiron 15 3521vsAcer Chromebook Spin 314

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Dell
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
Inspiron 15 3521

Quick Stats

The Dell Inspiron 15 3521 delivers snappy performance, making it ideal for everyday tasks and basic productivity needs.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3521 features sturdy, lightweight, and rigid build quality with minimal flexing throughout.
The display on the Dell Inspiron 15 3521 is decent but not impressive, overall average quality.
The Dell Inspiron 15 3521 features a Core i3 processor, Windows 8, and chicklet-style keyboard primarily.
Acer
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
Chromebook Spin 314

Quick Stats

The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 offers impressive performance with ease of handling demanding tasks smoothly overall.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 boasts a sturdy, robust build quality despite being an affordable option.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314's full HD touchscreen display is its standout feature and highlight.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 boasts a full HD touchscreen display with stylus support.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#838
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
Winner
#834
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#760
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
#430
Winner
Display
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#830
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
#565
Winner
Performance
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#803
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
#798
Winner
Build
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#561
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
#126
Winner
Features
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#332
Winner
Acer Chromebook Spin 314
#836

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Dell Dell Inspiron 15 3521
Acer Acer Chromebook Spin 314
up to 16GB
up to 8GB
up to 2000GB SSD + up to 2000GB HDD
up to 2000GB SSD
Intel Pentium Silver N5030
Intel Pentium Silver N6000
Intel UHD Graphics 605
Intel UHD Graphics G1

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Dell Inspiron 15 3521

Strengths

It runs pretty good, it's pretty fast, it's a Snappy little laptop
The chicklet style keyboard is real nice
It has a webcam built-in with decent picture quality
The laptop is lightweight and has minimal chassis flex
Dell seems to have got its mojo back in terms of design

Weaknesses

The screen resolution is average, on par with a screen from 6-7 years ago
There are issues with viewing angles, which may be due to an outdated screen technology
Windows 8 gestures can be tricky to navigate with the touchpad
The laptop does not come with a wireless mouse, making it harder to use Windows 8 features
No Touch interface option available, even though the reviewer would have preferred it

Acer Chromebook Spin 314

Strengths

The display is a strong point for me, it's a full HD touchscreen stylus compatible
It gets nice and bright, I couldn't find an official number from Acer on it but I'd imagine they may claim it's somewhere up to 300 nits
The keyboard feels nice to type on with medium key travel, most models like mine won't be backlit but checking the US spec page it looks like there is a less common option for that
The trackpad is pretty standout, it's large and responds well, although I don't think it's glass, ASA brand it as ocean glass which seems to mean it's made from what Asus is 100% ocean bound plastic
The Chromebook has been decent in performance, you can see games like Fortnite running just fine with the Pentium silver n6000 and General performance has been really good as well
It has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 certified Port wise connectivity is decent
You'll get updates to Chrome OS all the way through to June 2031, thanks to the recently extended AE dates from Google

Weaknesses

The build quality is all plastic which may not be ideal for some users but it feels pretty solid in a positive way and weighs in at a fair 1.52 kg
There's no second USBC Port, but I guess they've given you that HDMI port in its place
Sadly the webcam doesn't have a privacy slider control and there's not much to shout about here
You may partly expect the Chromebook feeling a little hot sometimes through the bottom plastic due to the fan design and plastic build
Battery life has been good but you may need to charge it on the second day of light usage
The speakers are decent but it's not clear if the DTs branding has anything to do with that
There are model variations without the full HD screen, they'll just say HD ready and have a resolution of 1366 by 768 display out
Read Full Reviews

Dell Inspiron 15 3521

The Dell Inspiron 15 3521 is a no-frills laptop that packs a punch with its Core i3 processor. Priced at $400 off the original price, this model offers a fast and snappy performance perfect for everyday use. With a maximum screen resolution typical of older laptops, it's not ideal for graphics-intensive tasks or touch-based interactions. However, it's an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable laptop for work, productivity, or basic computing needs.

Acer Chromebook Spin 314

The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 is a fully convertible 14-in Chromebook with a full HD IPS touchscreen. Released in 2022, this device combines the spin's convertibility with a larger form factor and updated processor. Priced affordably at £170 (around $220), it offers impressive build quality, decent performance, and a notable battery life. I'll dive into the details of my experience with this Chromebook, including its display, keyboard, trackpad, and performance, to help you decide if it's the right choice for your needs.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Dell Inspiron 15 3521 ReviewRead Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Review

Compare other laptops

Explore comparisons between any other laptops

Compare laptops
VS

Choose two different items to see a detailed comparison of their specifications, performance, and features