Dell Latitude 15 3520 review
The Dell Dell Latitude 15 3520 ranks as the #647 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 67. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #165-ranked connectivity among 235 laptops. Consider the Dell Inspiron 14 5406 or Dell Inspiron 13 7306, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Dell Latitude 15 3520 is a solid business laptop that checks all the right boxes. With its simplistic design, security enhancements, and affordability, it's an easy choice for corporate customers. However, upon closer inspection, some flaws emerge. The plastic build is flimsy and flexes under pressure, while the keyboard and touchpad leave room for improvement. Despite these drawbacks, the laptop delivers on performance, with a long-lasting battery and ample upgradability options. While it may not be perfect, the Latitude 15 3520 is still a worthwhile investment for businesses looking for a reliable and secure device.
Build
The Dell Latitude 15 3520's build is a mixed bag. The all-plastic body is surprisingly light at 1.8 kilograms, but unfortunately, it flexes and creaks everywhere, making it feel flimsy. This lack of rigidity is a concern for a business laptop that will likely be handled frequently. Despite the weight savings, the plastic build makes the device feel cheap and less durable than other options in its class. Overall, while the Latitude 15 3520's build may not be the sturdiest, it still manages to pack a punch with its diverse I/O options and long-lasting battery. You might prefer Dell Inspiron 15 5590, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The display on the Dell Latitude 15 3520 is a mixed bag. While it's available in several resolutions, we recommend opting for the Full HD IPS panel over the 768p TN display. The latter has limited viewing angles and contrast ratio, although it does reach 89 nits of brightness. However, its use of PWM for brightness adjustments may cause flickering at lower levels. Thankfully, our health guard profile eliminates this issue entirely. If you choose the Full HD IPS panel, you'll enjoy better viewing angles and a decent contrast ratio of 960:1, although it's limited to only 53% sRGB coverage. For a superior display, Dell Inspiron 15 3511 could be the right choice.
Performance
The Dell Latitude 15 3520 delivers decent performance for business tasks, but falls short in other areas. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 processor is the best option available, offering relatively high frequencies after long periods of use. However, it struggled to maintain speeds above 3.0 GHz even with the BIOS Performance Mode enabled. This resulted in some slow performance and high CPU temperatures under load. While the device handled everyday tasks smoothly, demanding applications were less responsive. Overall, the Latitude 15 3520's performance is adequate for business use, but not impressive by modern standards. A better alternative might be Dell Inspiron 15 3530, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The Dell Latitude 15 3520's battery life is impressive, with the larger 54Wh battery delivering up to 13 hours of web browsing or 9 hours of video playback. The charging time is not specified, but it's likely reasonable given the laptop's design. One notable point is that the device allows for a smaller 41Wh battery in exchange for a 2.5-inch SATA drive bay, offering flexibility for users who prioritize storage over power. Overall, the battery life and charging capabilities of the Latitude 15 3520 are solid, making it suitable for business use cases where a long-lasting laptop is essential.
Connectivity
The Dell Latitude 15 3520 offers a comprehensive range of ports, including USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, two Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, and one slow Type-A 2.0 port. Additionally, you'll find an Ethernet port, HDMI 1.4 connector, audio jack, micro SD card slot, and optional SIM card tray. The inclusion of a wedge-shaped security slot adds an extra layer of protection. If you’re after a better connectivity, Dell Inspiron 15 3511 could be the ideal option.
Features
The Dell Latitude 15 3520 boasts a simplistic design with security enhancements. It features Intel's Tiger Lake U processors, an optional IR face recognition sensor, fingerprint scanner, and privacy shutter for the webcam. The laptop has two SDOM slots, one M2 slot, and various ports, including USB Type-C and HDMI. Dell Inspiron 15 5590 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The Dell Latitude 15 3520 is a solid choice for business users seeking stability, security, and affordability. The laptop's simplistic design belies its robust features, including Intel's Tiger Lake U processors and enhanced security options. While the all-plastic build may compromise durability, the device excels in terms of support and maintenance, with upgradable components, diverse I/O, and a long-lasting battery.
Pros
1. The laptop offers a long-lasting battery life, with almost 13 hours of web browsing or around 9 hours of video playback.
2. It has a diverse I/O port selection, including USB Type-C, USB-A, HDMI, and an optional SIM card tray.
3. The laptop features upgradability options, making it more future-proof, with two SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and one M.2 slot for storage upgrades.
4. The Dell Latitude 15 3520 has a decent contrast ratio of 960:1 on its full HD IPS display, which also offers better viewing angles.
5. It comes with security enhancements from Dell, including an optional IR face recognition sensor, fingerprint scanner, and privacy shutter for the webcam.
Cons
1. The laptop's all-plastic body flexes significantly, causing audible cracks and squeaks, making it feel less durable.
2. The keyboard has short travel but is clicky, and the touchpad is not the smoothest, although it makes up for it with its large size.
3. The display uses PWM for brightness adjustments, which might cause flickering at lower brightness levels, although our Health Guard profile eliminates this issue entirely.
4. Dell's decision to use a plastic build helps keep costs down but compromises on structural rigidity and durability.
5. The Intel Core i5-1145G7 CPU couldn't achieve frequencies above 3.0 GHz mark even with the BIOS performance mode enabled, which might affect performance.
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