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I picked one up last time with AMEX credit, being basically free, it's a fine machine for a light workload user that won't be bothered with the pitiful 256gb drive. I bought a $20 stick of RAM and it's decently snappy.
The chassis is awful though, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone moving it around a lot.
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This is a much better processor than the Ryzen 7320u and 7520u. Both for CPU and iGPU once you add ram.
Food for thought:
- The 1235U only comes with the UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, if the ram is single channel.
- The 1235U upgrades to the Iris XE Graphics with 80 Execution Units, if in dual channel. Much better graphical/gaming/system performance'
TIL.
Look at the Graphic Card option. If you select the Iris XE, it makes the ram 16gb dual channel (2 x 8gb) and increses the SSD to 512gb for $429.
Personally, if you really want this laptop, I'd go with the $329, then
- upgrade the ram to 32gb of 3200MHz ram for $50 on amazon. 16gb (2x8gb) is around $35.
- upgrade the SSD to 1tb for like $55. $40 for 512gb...
You'll get faster ram (vs 2666MHz), faster graphics and more storage for an extra $110 bucks or so.
This is a much better processor than the Ryzen 7320u and 7520u. Both for CPU and iGPU once you add ram.
Food for thought:
- The 1235U only comes with the UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, if the ram is single channel.
- The 1235U upgrades to the Iris XE Graphics with 80 Execution Units, if in dual channel. Much better graphical/gaming/system performance'
TIL.
Look at the Graphic Card option. If you select the Iris XE, it makes the ram 16gb dual channel (2 x 8gb) and increses the SSD to 512gb for $429.
Personally, if you really want this laptop, I'd go with the $329, then
- upgrade the ram to 32gb of 3200MHz ram for $50 on amazon. 16gb (2x8gb) is around $35.
- upgrade the SSD to 1tb for like $55. $40 for 512gb...
You'll get faster ram (vs 2666MHz), faster graphics and more storage for an extra $110 bucks or so.
I agree with going with the cheapest option possible and upgrading RAM/SSD yourself. If anyone's buying this, just keep in mind that ram speed is limited to 2666mhz (even if you install higher speed rams).
I also loosened the hinges a little myself based on comments that this model has a high incidence of premature hinge failure.
This is a much better processor than the Ryzen 7320u and 7520u. Both for CPU and iGPU once you add ram.
Food for thought:
- The 1235U only comes with the UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, if the ram is single channel.
- The 1235U upgrades to the Iris XE Graphics with 80 Execution Units, if in dual channel. Much better graphical/gaming/system performance'
TIL.
Look at the Graphic Card option. If you select the Iris XE, it makes the ram 16gb dual channel (2 x 8gb) and increses the SSD to 512gb for $429.
Personally, if you really want this laptop, I'd go with the $329, then
- upgrade the ram to 32gb of 3200MHz ram for $50 on amazon. 16gb (2x8gb) is around $35.
- upgrade the SSD to 1tb for like $55. $40 for 512gb...
You'll get faster ram (vs 2666MHz), faster graphics and more storage for an extra $110 bucks or so.
Changing graphics card to XE will increase price to $429. But you mentioned $329 option can be upgraded to 32GB RAM. Did you mean to replace 8GB with a single 32GB RAM?
Changing graphics card to XE will increase price to $429. But you mentioned $329 option can be upgraded to 32GB RAM. Did you mean to replace 8GB with a single 32GB RAM?
Thank you for recommendation. Please provide the upgrade ram link of amazon.
The dual channel ram upgrade to get to Iris XE graphics is a good idea.
I didn't know this before but I researched it and it seems like these laptops will work as UHD graphics if you have one stick of ram, but if you make it two sticks of ram then it will automatically switch to Iris XE graphics. There's no other upgrade needed.
Now I'm wondering if going to 2x 16gb is really necessary... I'm sure two sticks of matched ram would perform better, but if I just add another 1x 8gb from Amazon (<$20) to pair with the existing 1x 8gb, I think they should still run in dual channel?
I'm thinking the $429 might be a better deal if those are the specs you need.
$329 for the base config.
+ 2x8gb ram from Amazon $40
+ 512gb SSD $40
So basically you're paying +$80 and installing everything yourself.
For an extra $20, you're getting it ready to go out of the box. Consider it labor cost... if it took me half an hour to install everything, that'd also be $20 of my time.
Last edited by mr_rolla January 7, 2024 at 04:29 PM.
Changing graphics card to XE will increase price to $429. But you mentioned $329 option can be upgraded to 32GB RAM. Did you mean to replace 8GB with a single 32GB RAM?
No. There are two ram slots. One has 8gb 2666 ram installed. If you want 32gb, you'd have to buy 2 x 16gb sticks of ram. That's just future-proofing and performance, since the Iris Xe can use up to half of your ram. I don't have any idea how it would do that, but its nice to have more ram and not need to worry.
If you're just a normal person that doesn't care about gaming or content creation, you'd be fine with 16gb of ram, meaning that you just need to buy one stick of 8gb DDR4 2666. Idealy, you'd want the exact same specifications for the second stick, but you'd be fine with the same speed and size, not necessarily the brand.
If you can wait, open the laptop after you get it, and buy the exact part number for the ram off ebay. 😉
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Thank you for recommendation. Please provide the upgrade ram link of amazon.
I won't post links, because I've had posts and comments removed because slickdeals likes to curate what "deals" are posted and from whom... Just search 32gb 3200 Sodimm on amazon. Make sure that the kit you buy has two sticks of 16gb and you'll be golden.
I picked one up last time with AMEX credit, being basically free, it's a fine machine for a light workload user that won't be bothered with the pitiful 256gb drive. I bought a $20 stick of RAM and it's decently snappy.
The chassis is awful though, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone moving it around a lot.
Does that include the hinge not being solid and sturdy?
I agree with going with the cheapest option possible and upgrading RAM/SSD yourself. If anyone's buying this, just keep in mind that ram speed is limited to 2666mhz (even if you install higher speed rams).
I also loosened the hinges a little myself based on comments that this model has a high incidence of premature hinge failure.
How did you loosen them? I thought loose hinges would cause them to fail or break earlier than sturdy ones?
How did you loosen them? I thought loose hinges would cause them to fail or break earlier than sturdy ones?
The problem with this model, I've been told, is that the plastic body is too fragile to sustain a strong hinge (so repeated opening and closing of the lid will eventually break it).
Loosening them is quite easy if you are used to upgrading laptop parts yourself. Just open the bottom panel (it gives you more room to operate), and then pry out the two hinge caps (they are plastic and should come out easily) to expose the hinges. Watch a few youtube videos to get a better idea (search for 'dell 15 3520 hinge').
I won't post links, because I've had posts and comments removed because slickdeals likes to curate what "deals" are posted and from whom... Just search 32gb 3200 Sodimm on amazon. Make sure that the kit you buy has two sticks of 16gb and you'll be golden.
The problem with this model, I've been told, is that the plastic body is too fragile to sustain a strong hinge (so repeated opening and closing of the lid will eventually break it).
Loosening them is quite easy if you are used to upgrading laptop parts yourself. Just open the bottom panel (it gives you more room to operate), and then pry out the two hinge caps (they are plastic and should come out easily) to expose the hinges. Watch a few youtube videos to get a better idea (search for 'dell 15 3520 hinge').
The back bottom panel of the laptop does not need to come off to adjust the hinges.
Simply pry off the hinge covers, and using needle nose pliers, loosen the hinge nuts slightly to reduce the over-torqued tension that is done at the factory. Then press the hinge covers back on afterwards.
Does that include the hinge not being solid and sturdy?
It doesn't feel any worse than other cheap plastic laptops in my opinion. You'll notice a difference if you are daily driving a aluminum machine for sure.
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I was able to get 512gb storage at $299, the processor(12th Generation Intel Core i3-1215U (10MB Cache, up to 4.4 GHz, 6 cores) was the first option but its was for my father in law so i didnt care much. I had 40$ cashback offer on amex so after tax total came out to be $280. Ill probably upgrade his RAM on my own after a couple of years
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank FantasticGazelle573
The chassis is awful though, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone moving it around a lot.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ghostfreckle
Food for thought:
- The 1235U only comes with the UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, if the ram is single channel.
- The 1235U upgrades to the Iris XE Graphics with 80 Execution Units, if in dual channel. Much better graphical/gaming/system performance'
TIL.
Look at the Graphic Card option. If you select the Iris XE, it makes the ram 16gb dual channel (2 x 8gb) and increses the SSD to 512gb for $429.
Personally, if you really want this laptop, I'd go with the $329, then
- upgrade the ram to 32gb of 3200MHz ram for $50 on amazon. 16gb (2x8gb) is around $35.
- upgrade the SSD to 1tb for like $55. $40 for 512gb...
You'll get faster ram (vs 2666MHz), faster graphics and more storage for an extra $110 bucks or so.
Food for thought:
- The 1235U only comes with the UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, if the ram is single channel.
- The 1235U upgrades to the Iris XE Graphics with 80 Execution Units, if in dual channel. Much better graphical/gaming/system performance'
TIL.
Look at the Graphic Card option. If you select the Iris XE, it makes the ram 16gb dual channel (2 x 8gb) and increses the SSD to 512gb for $429.
Personally, if you really want this laptop, I'd go with the $329, then
- upgrade the ram to 32gb of 3200MHz ram for $50 on amazon. 16gb (2x8gb) is around $35.
- upgrade the SSD to 1tb for like $55. $40 for 512gb...
You'll get faster ram (vs 2666MHz), faster graphics and more storage for an extra $110 bucks or so.
I also loosened the hinges a little myself based on comments that this model has a high incidence of premature hinge failure.
Food for thought:
- The 1235U only comes with the UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, if the ram is single channel.
- The 1235U upgrades to the Iris XE Graphics with 80 Execution Units, if in dual channel. Much better graphical/gaming/system performance'
TIL.
Look at the Graphic Card option. If you select the Iris XE, it makes the ram 16gb dual channel (2 x 8gb) and increses the SSD to 512gb for $429.
Personally, if you really want this laptop, I'd go with the $329, then
- upgrade the ram to 32gb of 3200MHz ram for $50 on amazon. 16gb (2x8gb) is around $35.
- upgrade the SSD to 1tb for like $55. $40 for 512gb...
You'll get faster ram (vs 2666MHz), faster graphics and more storage for an extra $110 bucks or so.
I didn't know this before but I researched it and it seems like these laptops will work as UHD graphics if you have one stick of ram, but if you make it two sticks of ram then it will automatically switch to Iris XE graphics. There's no other upgrade needed.
Now I'm wondering if going to 2x 16gb is really necessary... I'm sure two sticks of matched ram would perform better, but if I just add another 1x 8gb from Amazon (<$20) to pair with the existing 1x 8gb, I think they should still run in dual channel?
I'm thinking the $429 might be a better deal if those are the specs you need.
$329 for the base config.
+ 2x8gb ram from Amazon $40
+ 512gb SSD $40
So basically you're paying +$80 and installing everything yourself.
For an extra $20, you're getting it ready to go out of the box. Consider it labor cost... if it took me half an hour to install everything, that'd also be $20 of my time.
If you're just a normal person that doesn't care about gaming or content creation, you'd be fine with 16gb of ram, meaning that you just need to buy one stick of 8gb DDR4 2666. Idealy, you'd want the exact same specifications for the second stick, but you'd be fine with the same speed and size, not necessarily the brand.
If you can wait, open the laptop after you get it, and buy the exact part number for the ram off ebay. 😉
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
The chassis is awful though, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone moving it around a lot.
I also loosened the hinges a little myself based on comments that this model has a high incidence of premature hinge failure.
Loosening them is quite easy if you are used to upgrading laptop parts yourself. Just open the bottom panel (it gives you more room to operate), and then pry out the two hinge caps (they are plastic and should come out easily) to expose the hinges. Watch a few youtube videos to get a better idea (search for 'dell 15 3520 hinge').
Loosening them is quite easy if you are used to upgrading laptop parts yourself. Just open the bottom panel (it gives you more room to operate), and then pry out the two hinge caps (they are plastic and should come out easily) to expose the hinges. Watch a few youtube videos to get a better idea (search for 'dell 15 3520 hinge').
Simply pry off the hinge covers, and using needle nose pliers, loosen the hinge nuts slightly to reduce the over-torqued tension that is done at the factory. Then press the hinge covers back on afterwards.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
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