Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust metal design

crisp full HD display

backlit keyboard feature

adequate processing power

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited graphics performance

heavier than competitors

no USB-C port

Dell Vostro 3520 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Dell Vostro 3520 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price

robust build quality

decent processor performance

good battery life

comfortable keyboard

average display quality

limited graphics capability

heavier design

fewer USB-C ports

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Dell Vostro 3520
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Dell Vostro 3520 Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 35.85 cm x 23.556 cm x 1.899 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.83 kg
Case Material Metal -
Colour Golden Carbon black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) - 140
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 120 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 -
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, ±80° horizontal viewing angle, ±80° vertical viewing angle, Narrow Border Display, 35 ms response rate, 0.17925 mm pixel pitch
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4 GHz 4.2 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 8 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
RAM 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered)) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2133 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 2
Empty Slots 0 1
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
Optical Drive DVD±RW -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM -
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - HD
Resolution 1 Megapixel 0.92 Megapixel
Camera Features Fixed focus 78.6 degrees
Image Sensor Type - CMOS
Video Resolutions - 1280 x 720
Frame Rate - 30 frames per second
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Wireless Controller M.2 Card M.2 2230
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111H
Features Single stream (1x1) Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Technology 2-cell lithium polymer 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 35 Wh 41 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt, 19.5 V, 3.34 A
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Interfaces USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
HDMI
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 2.0
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 11 Pro - Dutch / English / French / German / Italian
Software Included - Microsoft Office (30 days trial, excludes office licence), McAfee Business Protection (1-year)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Dell Vostro 3520
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip
Security Slot Type Kensington mini security slot Noble Wedge security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password -
Compliant Standards RoHS -
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 0 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 10 - 90% (non-condensing)
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return -
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