Dell Inspirion 15

[roamingzebra]

I notice Dell has a deal on an Inspirion 15-3520. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1215U (10 MB cache, 6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.40 GHz Turbo)

Memory: 8 GB: 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MT/s

My main goals are to (1) have a backup computer (2) to have something that will handle the continuing bloating of websites in the future, and (3) to buy a computer while they still have at least a few features I like (e.g., USB ports).

I use my laptop as a lightweight desktop...plugged into wall power, so battery life is not an issue.

I mainly want to be able to go to financial and shopping sites without too much slog. My existing, older laptops are good for most everything else.

Pros

• Only $300. That's more than the Inspirion 15 I bought 5 years ago but it has an SSD while my existing ones have spinning drives

Cons

• No ethernet port and I use ethernet maybe 98% of the time. I can get an adapter but that would use up one of the USB ports.
• It has Windows 11 and I rarely use Windows, but there isn't an option on the Dell page to order this laptop with Linux or without an operating system.
• Only 8GB Ram. I was thinking 16GB might be better to "future-proof" the machine. Sure I can upgrade but based on past experience of doing upgrades, if there's a way to screw it up, I can find it! )
  
  Questions
  1. Are the processor and RAM enough to get me through anticipated continuing heavy websites in the future? Is the use of an SSD more important than the RAM or processor?
  2. Any noise issues?. All Dells I've ever used are quiet and I want to make sure that hasn't changed. I do prop up laptops on little feet to promote heat dissipation.

[jebmke]

I think a lot of these standard sale items have memory soldered onto the board. If so, it would need another socket to add memory. Something to check.

[Wrench]

I notice Dell has a deal on an Inspirion 15-3520. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1215U (10 MB cache, 6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.40 GHz Turbo)

Memory: 8 GB: 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MT/s

My main goals are to (1) have a backup computer (2) to have something that will handle the continuing bloating of websites in the future, and (3) to buy a computer while they still have at least a few features I like (e.g., USB ports).

I use my laptop as a lightweight desktop...plugged into wall power, so battery life is not an issue.

I mainly want to be able to go to financial and shopping sites without too much slog. My existing, older laptops are good for most everything else.

Pros

• Only $300. That's more than the Inspirion 15 I bought 5 years ago but it has an SSD while my existing ones have spinning drives

Cons

• No ethernet port and I use ethernet maybe 98% of the time. I can get an adapter but that would use up one of the USB ports.
• It has Windows 11 and I rarely use Windows, but there isn't an option on the Dell page to order this laptop with Linux or without an operating system.
• Only 8GB Ram. I was thinking 16GB might be better to "future-proof" the machine. Sure I can upgrade but based on past experience of doing upgrades, if there's a way to screw it up, I can find it! )
  
  Questions
  1. Are the processor and RAM enough to get me through anticipated continuing heavy websites in the future? Is the use of an SSD more important than the RAM or processor?
  2. Any noise issues?. All Dells I've ever used are quiet and I want to make sure that hasn't changed. I do prop up laptops on little feet to promote heat dissipation.

My experience with computers in general and laptops in particular is you get what you pay for. If you don't care that it is slow, will come with a fair amount of bloat, will become unbearably slow in a few years as software gets more and more processor dependent then go for it. As a backup system that you only use infrequently in a pinch, it might be OK.

If you like Linux, buy a raspberry pi 4 and a cheap monitor, keyboard and mouse and you'll have a system that's just as good for less money, AND it will use Linux that you say you like. My guess is the performance would be comparable, though I have never seen benchmark comparisons between two such systems so I can't say for sure...

Wrench

[hudson]

I notice Dell has a deal on an Inspirion 15-3520. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1215U (10 MB cache, 6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.40 GHz Turbo)

Memory: 8 GB: 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MT/s

My main goals are to (1) have a backup computer (2) to have something that will handle the continuing bloating of websites in the future, and (3) to buy a computer while they still have at least a few features I like (e.g., USB ports).

I use my laptop as a lightweight desktop...plugged into wall power, so battery life is not an issue.

I mainly want to be able to go to financial and shopping sites without too much slog. My existing, older laptops are good for most everything else.

Pros

• Only $300. That's more than the Inspirion 15 I bought 5 years ago but it has an SSD while my existing ones have spinning drives

Cons

• No ethernet port and I use ethernet maybe 98% of the time. I can get an adapter but that would use up one of the USB ports.
• It has Windows 11 and I rarely use Windows, but there isn't an option on the Dell page to order this laptop with Linux or without an operating system.
• Only 8GB Ram. I was thinking 16GB might be better to "future-proof" the machine. Sure I can upgrade but based on past experience of doing upgrades, if there's a way to screw it up, I can find it! )
  
  Questions
  1. Are the processor and RAM enough to get me through anticipated continuing heavy websites in the future? Is the use of an SSD more important than the RAM or processor?
  2. Any noise issues?. All Dells I've ever used are quiet and I want to make sure that hasn't changed. I do prop up laptops on little feet to promote heat dissipation.

Sounds like you need a Linux machine, 16GB Memory, lots of USB ports, an ethernet port, and an SSD Drive.
I run windows so I don't know what it takes to run Linux.
If I was going to buy a (WIN11) computer today, I would want a good processor, 16GB memory and a 1TB SSD drive.
I think you can get USB splitters: https://www.amazon.com/USB-3-0-Hub-Spli ... w_wcB&th=1

I would shop around and get what I wanted.

[roamingzebra]

Sounds like you need a Linux machine, 16GB Memory, lots of USB ports, an ethernet port, and an SSD Drive.

Just to clarifty a bit, it's not about "need" but rather my desire to get a backup laptop while they still have some features I like. Each year they remove something I consider basic so if I wait too long, laptops will no longer be a desireable item for me.

What's preventing me from pulling the trigger on this new one is that I'm not sure I'm getting good value for the money. If it were $50 to $75 less, I would probably buy since that's comparable to what I paid five years ago for similar Inspirions with 8GB of RAM. Despite the fact this new one is missing an ethernet port.

And Windows 11 weighs heavily. If I have to create a Microsoft account, that's a no go for me and I'd have to just wipe out Windows and install Linux over it. Yet I'd be paying for Windows 11. My preferred plan is to have a dual boot option where I can boot into Linux 99% of the time and boot into Windows the remaining 1%.

I run windows so I don't know wha t it takes to run Linux.

Not much! Linux works fine on an old 32-bit computer. It's the modern web that is the bottleneck on all computers these days. I can avoid the slog by turning off javascript but financial and shopping sites require javascript. So while my current machines handle modern web sites mostly okay, I want to have at least one that will handle whatever is in store for the future. I don't ever want to be unable to easily navigate my financial sites.

If I was going to buy a (WIN11) computer today, I would want a good processor, 16GB memory and a 1TB SSD drive.

A 1TB drive is not needed here since I have 1 and 2 TB external drives for storage.

So my questions center on whether the 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U processor and 8GB of RAM are reasonably future-proof. IOW, will they allow for easy use of the Web in the forseeable future.

I think you can get USB splitters: https://www.amazon.com/USB-3-0-Hub-Spli ... w_wcB&th=1

I have a couple of USB hubs and they work okay most of the time, but I still prefer the built-in ports. And I'm not sure how hubs or splitters would work with something like an ethernet adapter/dongle.

[hudson]

Sounds like you need a Linux machine, 16GB Memory, lots of USB ports, an ethernet port, and an SSD Drive.

Just to clarifty a bit, it's not about "need" but rather my desire to get a backup laptop while they still have some features I like. Each year they remove something I consider basic so if I wait too long, laptops will no longer be a desireable item for me.

What's preventing me from pulling the trigger on this new one is that I'm not sure I'm getting good value for the money. If it were $50 to $75 less, I would probably buy since that's comparable to what I paid five years ago for similar Inspirions with 8GB of RAM. Despite the fact this new one is missing an ethernet port.

And Windows 11 weighs heavily. If I have to create a Microsoft account, that's a no go for me and I'd have to just wipe out Windows and install Linux over it. Yet I'd be paying for Windows 11. My preferred plan is to have a dual boot option where I can boot into Linux 99% of the time and boot into Windows the remaining 1%.

I run windows so I don't know wha t it takes to run Linux.

Not much! Linux works fine on an old 32-bit computer. It's the modern web that is the bottleneck on all computers these days. I can avoid the slog by turning off javascript but financial and shopping sites require javascript. So while my current machines handle modern web sites mostly okay, I want to have at least one that will handle whatever is in store for the future. I don't ever want to be unable to easily navigate my financial sites.

If I was going to buy a (WIN11) computer today, I would want a good processor, 16GB memory and a 1TB SSD drive.

A 1TB drive is not needed here since I have 1 and 2 TB external drives for storage.

So my questions center on whether the 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U processor and 8GB of RAM are reasonably future-proof. IOW, will they allow for easy use of the Web in the forseeable future.

I think you can get USB splitters: https://www.amazon.com/USB-3-0-Hub-Spli ... w_wcB&th=1

I have a couple of USB hubs and they work okay most of the time, but I still prefer the built-in ports. And I'm not sure how hubs or splitters would work with something like an ethernet adapter/dongle.

I suspect that the processor and RAM bolded above are fine for Linux...maybe not for Windows.
I have a USB hub but have never used it much since my Dell OptiPlex 7050 desktop has 4 USBs in front.

[WoostaGal]

Don't know if this helps, but if you're looking for a laptop with lots of ports (including ethernet), I recently paid just under $300 for this one from Dell Refurbished, which is has a 40% discount on the already discounted price:

Dell Latitude 5410
Product ID: dell-latitude-5410-000110
Dell Latitude 5410 Notebook, 14-in HD (1366 x 768), Webcam, 1x Intel Core i5 Quad (i5-1031OU) 1.70 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, No Optical, Intel Integrated Graphics, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 Professional

Mine came with all the ports pictured here:

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-u ... #Left_View
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-u ... Right_View

The coupon and link to available models is on this page:

https://dellrefurbished.com/coupons

The model I received is eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade. I did not upgrade to Win 11, and plan to install Linux Mint with a double boot option. It's early days, but so far I am very pleased with the laptop.

[tibbitts]

I understand the urge to buy a "spare" when you think tech is changing and a product you want won't be available in the future. But I wouldn't put too much effort into economizing regarding $300 vs. double that or more for something as important as a computer. It sounds like this will actually be the computer you'll use most now and for a while in the future. 16GB is important and I'd rather have it come with the computer rather than add it later... and I've always had to add extra memory myself.

[roamingzebra]

So my questions center on whether the 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U processor and 8GB of RAM are reasonably future-proof. IOW, will they allow for easy use of the Web in the forseeable future.

I suspect that the processor and RAM bolded above are fine for Linux...maybe not for Windows.

Okay great. Also worth noting that I retired before SSDs were used on work machines, so I've never used a computer with an SSD. I've heard that SSDs may be even more important than processor or RAM with the modern web, but never having used one that's still a question mark.

[roamingzebra]

Don't know if this helps, but if you're looking for a laptop with lots of ports (including ethernet), I recently paid just under $300 for this one from Dell Refurbished, which is has a 40% discount on the already discounted price:

I'm kinda ashamed to say but I've always had a mental block against buying refurbished even though that would answer my technical needs. It's a matter of trust, I guess. I just don't know what was done to the computer before it was refurbished.

[roamingzebra]

I understand the urge to buy a "spare" when you think tech is changing and a product you want won't be available in the future. But I wouldn't put too much effort into economizing regarding $300 vs. double that or more for something as important as a computer. It sounds like this will actually be the computer you'll use most now and for a while in the future. 16GB is important and I'd rather have it come with the computer rather than add it later... and I've always had to add extra memory myself.

Yeah, the 16GB is important. If I choose that option on the particular model of Dell under question, that brings the price up considerably because Dell changes the processor. It odd that they pair added RAM only with a different processor.

Regarding the price, it's another mental thing with me. Every computer I've bought has been half the price of the previous one: $1200 > $600 > less than $300. I attribute that to advances in technology. But for the last several years with COVID and inflation it seems things have changed. This is the first Black Friday season for awhile that I've found an Inspirion within what I consider a reasonable price range. That's the only reason I've been considering pulling the trigger. Buying a new computer isn't an emergency at this point since I have the older Inspirions and I have the really old computer that I'm typing on right now. But on the belief that one can never have enough computers and laptops are shedding features, I'm giving consideration to buying something during this Black Friday season.

As another poster pointed out, I can always get a Raspberry Pi, but I'm not ready to abandon the laptop form factor, which I consider ideal.

[dukeblue219]

I don't think there's much merit in buying something today to "future proof" your computing.

Buy a good laptop if you need a new laptop, not a mediocre consumer laptop with a low-end processor just to be a "backup."

Don't know if this helps, but if you're looking for a laptop with lots of ports (including ethernet), I recently paid just under $300 for this one from Dell Refurbished, which is has a 40% discount on the already discounted price:

Dell Latitude 5410
Product ID: dell-latitude-5410-000110
Dell Latitude 5410 Notebook, 14-in HD (1366 x 768),

Friends don't let friends buy 1366x768 displays in 2023. Entry level phones have much higher resolution than that, and yes, it will be noticeable compared to any decent 1080P or better laptop screen.

[roamingzebra]

I don't think there's much merit in buying something today to "future proof" your computing.

Buy a good laptop if you need a new laptop, not a mediocre consumer laptop with a low-end processor just to be a "backup."

I think my perspective is different being a Linux user. I have realized how little technology I need to enjoy the Internet. I can surf the web on WIndowsXP-era computers and only suffer on particularly javascript-heavy websites. It seems wasteful to spend a lot of money when it doesn't materially affect my Internet experience. And my offline uses aren't particularly processor-heavy. Also, I can be happy with Dell's plastic shell because I don't take the laptop on the road.

Someone (and I'm speaking generically here) ... someone who has never experienced the joy of turning an ancient computer into something usable (i.e.,Linux) but that has modern security features can have a hard time relating. I get that.

The real inpetus behind this thread is that I've noticed that my brokerage site is getting slower to navigate because they're adding all kinds of "features" that result in slow loading times. At some point, even my 5-year-old Inspirions are going to have trouble, so I will need to have a new computer at some point even if it's just used with my brokerage. I't kind of funny, looking back, that when I moved from Windows 98 to WindowsXP, it was again because of my brokerage.

[WoostaGal]

...

Don't know if this helps, but if you're looking for a laptop with lots of ports (including ethernet), I recently paid just under $300 for this one from Dell Refurbished, which is has a 40% discount on the already discounted price:

Dell Latitude 5410
Product ID: dell-latitude-5410-000110
Dell Latitude 5410 Notebook, 14-in HD (1366 x 768),

Friends don't let friends buy 1366x768 displays in 2023. Entry level phones have much higher resolution than that, and yes, it will be noticeable compared to any decent 1080P or better laptop screen.

I can distinguish no issue with the display.

[hudson]

roamingzebra,

I've installed various types of linux through the years. I always thought it was neat. I liked running it off of a thumb drive. Linux never was my daily driver.
I also bought a Chromebook years ago to test drive it. It also was neat; I think it's Linux underneath. I didn't warm up to it as I've been using Microsoft since MS-DOS. I gave the Chromebook to a grandchild who needed a computer.
I prefer desktops. I wouldn't mind trying out a Chromebox...maybe this one? https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Chromebox-C ... 9hdGY&th=1
I have a Mac laptop, but never warmed up to it. I use it if I travel. I used Parallels software to run Windows 11 on the Mac. (Not as good as native Windows 11.)
I'm running Windows 10 Pro on a five year old machine. When I can't make it work anymore (or when Win 10 runs out), I'd like to have a Dell OptiPlex desktop with Win 11, a good processor, 16GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD. (Optiplexes don't come with large SSDs any more. I assume that business users files are on a server, the cloud, or the equivalent.

[vnatale]

Don't know if this helps, but if you're looking for a laptop with lots of ports (including ethernet), I recently paid just under $300 for this one from Dell Refurbished, which is has a 40% discount on the already discounted price:

I'm kinda ashamed to say but I've always had a mental block against buying refurbished even though that would answer my technical needs. It's a matter of trust, I guess. I just don't know what was done to the computer before it was refurbished.

I considered Manufacturer refurbished to be of a higher quality than new.

New items just get spot checked while it is my belief that refurbished get individually tested.

Also, in the case of my first iPad purchase, which was refurbished from Apple, it came with a new battery and screen and same one year warranty as a new one. The way it came to me if I had not known it was refurbished, I would have thought it was new.

It is STILL going 11 years later!

[tibbitts]

Don't know if this helps, but if you're looking for a laptop with lots of ports (including ethernet), I recently paid just under $300 for this one from Dell Refurbished, which is has a 40% discount on the already discounted price:

I'm kinda ashamed to say but I've always had a mental block against buying refurbished even though that would answer my technical needs. It's a matter of trust, I guess. I just don't know what was done to the computer before it was refurbished.

I considered Manufacturer refurbished to be of a higher quality than new.

New items just get spot checked while it is my belief that refurbished get individually tested.

Also, in the case of my first iPad purchase, which was refurbished from Apple, it came with a new battery and screen and same one year warranty as a new one. The way it came to me if I had not known it was refurbished, I would have thought it was new.

It is STILL going 11 years later!

It depends: "refurb" of a customer return of a product recently bought new (such as I've gotten from Apple as well), yes; a refurb of some three-year-old off-lease business laptop that's been used as to support an F550 while someone changed the oil, not so much.

[roamingzebra]

Well today the Inspirion was $260 so I pulled the trigger.

I guess it pays to wait.

[hudson]

Well today the Inspiron was $260 so I pulled the trigger.

I guess it pays to wait.

Thanks for the update and for the discussion!
The Dell Page with your choice: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-la ... n3520gmxph

I started there and upgraded the Inspiron 15-3520 with
Win 11 Pro
16 GB RAM
1 TB
Total 659.99

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-la ... 11p1c2014s

If I wanted a laptop, that would work for me.
I really like Dell Support...if needed. Dell continues to upgrade drivers, bioses, and more years after purchase. (Probably as long as you stick with the original operating system.)

[DesertGator]

I notice Dell has a deal on an Inspirion 15-3520. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1215U (10 MB cache, 6 cores, 8 threads, up to 4.40 GHz Turbo)

Memory: 8 GB: 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 2666 MT/s

My main goals are to (1) have a backup computer (2) to have something that will handle the continuing bloating of websites in the future, and (3) to buy a computer while they still have at least a few features I like (e.g., USB ports).

I use my laptop as a lightweight desktop...plugged into wall power, so battery life is not an issue.

I mainly want to be able to go to financial and shopping sites without too much slog. My existing, older laptops are good for most everything else.

Pros

• Only $300. That's more than the Inspirion 15 I bought 5 years ago but it has an SSD while my existing ones have spinning drives

Cons

• No ethernet port and I use ethernet maybe 98% of the time. I can get an adapter but that would use up one of the USB ports.
• It has Windows 11 and I rarely use Windows, but there isn't an option on the Dell page to order this laptop with Linux or without an operating system.
• Only 8GB Ram. I was thinking 16GB might be better to "future-proof" the machine. Sure I can upgrade but based on past experience of doing upgrades, if there's a way to screw it up, I can find it! )
  
  Questions
  1. Are the processor and RAM enough to get me through anticipated continuing heavy websites in the future? Is the use of an SSD more important than the RAM or processor?
  2. Any noise issues?. All Dells I've ever used are quiet and I want to make sure that hasn't changed. I do prop up laptops on little feet to promote heat dissipation.

Look into Lenovo ThinkPad, with preinstalled Linux, your choice of Fedora or Ubuntu. No need to chase down drivers, and support is available. Far better hardware than the Inspiron line by Dell. By comparison, Dell now sucks.

[michaelingp]

Well today the Inspirion was $260 so I pulled the trigger.

I guess it pays to wait.

I bought one a couple of weeks ago. Obviously, I disagree with most of the posters here. Personally, I think it's a great deal. Passmark is 11,042, which is better than my 7 y.o. desktops which have plenty of speed. It has 3 USB A ports, and no USB C, which could be a disadvantage if you have high speed peripherals (I don't ). Why people pay $1,000+ for a Windows laptop is beyond me. This laptop will replace my Inspiron N5030 that was 12 years old. It worked fine, but was getting a little slow. By coincidence, I bought that one at Walmart for about $300 in 2011 dollars. I don't actually use a laptop that much, but for what I do, it's a great buy.

[michaelingp]

I really like Dell Support...if needed. Dell continues to upgrade drivers, bioses, and more years after purchase. (Probably as long as you stick with the original operating system.)

Another benefit of the computer the O.P. bought (and Dell in general) is that you can replace parts like memory and SSD, and Dell even makes the Service Manual available.