The L520 is very similar to its counterpart, the L420, in that they are the same model that only differ in display sizes and resolution; the L520 has a larger 15.6-inch screen and can produce 1600x900 resolutions. Other components and options for upgrades are identical to the L420, including compatibility with up to the second generation of Intel i7 processors, 8GB of RAM, and an optional solid state drive. The quality of these components can vary depending on the user's choice and budget at the time of purchase, but even the most basic model can handle multiple home and office programs. Video options will vary more severely depending on hardware choices, and the laptop can be upgraded to higher discrete graphics cards for higher performance in gaming programs.