Lenovo IdeaPad 3 ChromebookvsDell Inspiron 15 3521

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

Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
IdeaPad 3 Chromebook

Quick Stats

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook's average performance is typical for a budget Chromebook with Intel Celeron processors overall.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook's build is satisfactory and sturdy, justifying its budget-friendly price of $250.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook's display is subpar and a major letdown for extended viewing periods.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook features a simple setup process and quick boot up time.
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.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
#842
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
Winner
#838
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
#524
Winner
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#760
Display
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
#866
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#830
Winner
Performance
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
#844
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#803
Winner
Build
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
#268
Winner
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#561
Features
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
#766
Dell Inspiron 15 3521
#332
Winner

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

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook
Dell Dell Inspiron 15 3521
up to 8GB
up to 16GB
up to 128GB SSD
up to 2000GB SSD + up to 2000GB HDD
Intel Pentium Silver N6000
Intel Pentium Silver N5030
Intel UHD Graphics 600
Intel UHD Graphics 605

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook

Strengths

The ideapad 3 provides you with 2 usb c ports, 2 usb a ports, a headphone jack, and a micro sd card reader... It's definitely refreshing to see a usbc on a $250 laptop.
You'll get solid battery life here if you literally use this for web browsing on chrome os as it was intended for. However, if you use this laptop for entertainment purposes, I was able to squeeze roughly 45 hours running a game non-stop off the plug... that's not too bad.
The typing experience is satisfactory, thanks to a large comfortable key layout. The keycaps don't give off that mushy feel that many laptops in the budget range of yesteryear are known for.
The addition of a micro sd card slot helps alleviate the minuscule 32 gigabytes of on-board storage.
It's constructed from plastic and deceptively large, but seems well put together.
If you're looking to use this laptop only for its intended purpose (web browsing), it is very much a serviceable machine.

Weaknesses

The trackpad isn't quite precise enough to be reliable to use... I found myself having to subconsciously target what I'm clicking on more than usual.
The speakers are down-facing and sound muffled, with a kind of archaic tone. You can tell Lenovo didn't put a lot of value into audio reproduction here.
Don't expect much from the 720p webcam... you'll have to rely on your own beauty to impress your co-workers or classmates instead of placing your trust on the capabilities of this camera.
The budget for this laptop is very tight, and it shows in some areas. Unless you can add $25 to your budget, I highly recommend looking into other options.
It's not an ideal computing machine... You'll just have to stomach looking at it.
The display isn't mentioned anywhere as a strong point of the laptop.

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
Read Full Reviews

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is an affordable option that has benefited from the pandemic's surge in demand for remote work and learning tools. With its price point of $250, this budget-friendly laptop offers decent performance and a range of ports, including USB-C and USB-A. While it may not excel in areas like display quality or audio capabilities, it remains a serviceable machine for basic computing tasks.

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.

Need help choosing?

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

Read Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook ReviewRead Dell Inspiron 15 3521 Review

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