That's $90 off and the best price we could find. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1155G7 2.5GHz Quad-Core CPU
- 15.6" 1920x1080 (1080p) 120Hz display
- 16GB RAM; 512GB NVMe SSD
- Windows 11 Home
Apply coupon code "CLEAR10" to save. That's $43 off and the lowest price we could find. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- 13th Generation Intel Core i5-1335U 3.4GHz Raptor Lake 10-core CPU
- 14" 1920x1080 (1080p) display
- 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Pro
After coupon code "10OFFCLEAR" gets the extra discount, Vostro laptops start from $386.10, XPS laptops from $539.10, 2-in-1 laptops from $584.99, and XPS desktops from $629.99. We've pictured the Dell Inspiron 16 13th-Gen. i5 16" Laptop for $539.99 after the code ($310 off). Shop Now at Dell Technologies
A 3-year Dell warranty applies to both models on offer. Pictured is the Refurb Dell Latitude 7320 11th-Gen. i5 256GB 13" Detachable Notebook for $369.99 (low by $994 for a refurb model). Shop Now at Woot! An Amazon Company
That's at least $150 less than the best price we could find elsewhere. Buy Now at eBay
- Intel Core i5-1335U 10-core CPU
- 1920 x 1200 IPS display
- 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- Model: HP-Elitebook-i5-16-512
That's $30 under our mention from a month ago, $150 off list, and the lowest price we've seen. Buy Now at Sam's Club
- 12GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Model: 15-er1051cl
It's the best price we found by $150. Buy Now at Amazon
- 12th-generation Intel Core i5-12500H 2.8GHz / 1.8GHz 12-Core CPU
- 15.6" 1920x1080 (1080p) 144Hz display
- 16GB RAM & 512GB PCIe SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 8GB GPU
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: FX507ZC-ES53
- UPC: 197105000469
Apply coupon code "SAVEBIGONLSERIES" to get this deal. That's a savings of $1,239 and the best price we could find. Buy Now at Lenovo
- 13th-Generation Intel Core i5-13500HX 2.5GHz Raptor Lake 14-core CPU
- 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD
- 14" 1920x1080 (1080p) IPS touch display
- Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
- Model: 21C1S0TY00
Apply coupon code "EXTRAFIVE" to get this deal. That's $87 under our October mention and the lowest price we could find. Buy Now at Lenovo
- 13th-Generation Intel Core i5-13500HX 2.5GHz Raptor Lake 14-core CPU
- 16" 2560x1600 165Hz touchscreen
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: 82WK0005US
- 15.6" Full HD display " The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient LED backlight.
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7300HQ mobile processor: Smart quad-core processing performance. Intel Turbo Boost Technology delivers dynamic extra power when you need it, while increasing energy efficiency when you don't.
- 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking, 256GB solid state drive (SSD), NO cd/dvd drive.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics: Backed by 4GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory for a fast, advanced GPU to fuel your games.
- Windows Mixed Reality Ultra Ready, Windows 10 operating system, Bluetooth 4.2, 3 USB 3.0
- Model: T8TJG
- UPC: 884116984474
It's $516 under list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 Features Quad Core 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1065G7 Processor, Vibrant PixelSense Display with a 13.5" touchscreen (3240 x 2160)
- 256GB of storage SSD, 8GB RAM
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics, Up to 17 hours of video playback
- Detachable Design, USB Type-C | USB 3.0 Type-A, 802.11ac Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 4.1 LE
- SDXC Media Card Slot, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition
- Model: SKR-00001
- UPC: 889842597530
- 15.6" Full HD display " The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient LED backlight.
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7300HQ mobile processor: Smart quad-core processing performance. Intel Turbo Boost Technology delivers dynamic extra power when you need it, while increasing energy efficiency when you don't.
- 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking, 256GB solid state drive (SSD), NO cd/dvd drive.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics: Backed by 4GB GDDR5 dedicated video memory for a fast, advanced GPU to fuel your games.
- Windows Mixed Reality Ultra Ready, Windows 10 operating system, Bluetooth 4.2, 3 USB 3.0
- Model: T8TJG
- UPC: 884116984474
Use coupon code "WOW5410DELL" to take an extra 50% off these refurb Dell Latitude 5410 i5- and i7-equipped laptops, with prices ranging from $399 to $469 before the discount, or $200 to $235 after. Shop Now at Dell Refurbished Store
It's $516 under list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 Features Quad Core 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1065G7 Processor, Vibrant PixelSense Display with a 13.5" touchscreen (3240 x 2160)
- 256GB of storage SSD, 8GB RAM
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics, Up to 17 hours of video playback
- Detachable Design, USB Type-C | USB 3.0 Type-A, 802.11ac Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 4.1 LE
- SDXC Media Card Slot, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition
- Model: SKR-00001
- UPC: 889842597530
It's $212 under list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Next-gen, best-in-class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can type, touch, draw, write, work, and play more naturally
- Faster than Surface Pro 6, with a 10th Gen Intel Core Processor redefining whats possible in a thin and light computer. Wireless: Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible. Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology
- More ways to connect, with both USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
- Standout design that wont weigh you down ultra-slim and light Surface Pro 7 starts at just 1.70 pounds.Aspect ratio: 3:2
- All-day battery life upto 10.5 hours, plus the ability to go from empty to full faster about 80% in just over an hour
- Free Upgrade to Windows 11 when available (see below).
- Model: VDV-00001
- UPC: 889842476965
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U mobile processor
- 8GB system memory for advanced multitasking, 256GB solid state drive (SSD)
- Typical 1366 x 768 HD resolution. Natural finger-touch navigation makes the most of Windows 10. Energy-efficient LED backlight.
- Intel HD Graphics 620, Windows 10 operating system
- This laptop does not include a built-in DVD/CD drive. Weighs 5.07 lbs. and measures 0.9" thin
- OS: Windows 10
- Model: I3567-5949BLK-PUS
- UPC: 884116312949
- 14 Inch Full HD lightweight device designed for on-the-go professionals
- 8GB of System Memory / 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Processor: Intel Quad-Core i5-8265U, 1.60 GHz (up to 3.90 GHz) 6 MB Intel Smart Cache
- Ports: 1 x USB Type-A (USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1) 2 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x HDMI 1.4
- Windows 10 Pro, Headphone/Microphone Input/Output,
- Model: 20QES8X600-cr
- UPC: 649661776161
- Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable 2-in-1 13" Touch Screen
- Intel Core i7 11th Gen i7-1180G7 Quad-Core Processor 2.2GHz (4.6GHz With Turbo Boost)
- 1TB SSD Hard Drive & 16GB RAM Memory
- 1920x1280 FHD+ resolution Touch with an integrated Webcam and an integrated graphics chip
- Wireless Wifi & Bluetooth
- Model: Latitude 7320 Detachable 2-in-1
- UPC: 196105025328
It's $312 under list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1155G7 (4C / 8T, 2.5 / 4.5GHz, 8MB.
- 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED Backlight Touch Narrow Border WVA Display Display; Intel UHD Graphics.
- 64GB DDR4 SDRAM Memory; 4TB PCIe NVMe SSD.
- 802.11ac 1x1 WiFi and Bluetooth; 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x SD Card Reader, 1x HDMI Out 1.4b, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combination Jack.
- Windows 11 Professional in S Mode (64-bit); Non-Backlit Keyboard, English; Carbon Black.
- Model: 3520
- UPC: 884116400691
It's $301 under list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Windows 10 Home; 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U processor; 13" display; 8GB memory; 512GB solid state drive; fingerprint reader; touch screen; backlit keyboard; DVD/CD drive not included
- Model: I7391-5537SLV-PUS
- UPC: 884116360537
Core i5 Laptops: The Basics
When researching a laptop to buy, one of the main factors to consider is the processor. The processor handles the workload of the computer, so its performance and speed can have a large impact on the overall value of your system.
Core i5 is a line of processors made by Intel that are intended for the mainstream user. Within the Core i5 family, there are several generations and models of products. The most recent Intel Core generations are listed below, along with their code name (Intel’s naming scheme for the platforms they develop):
- 10th Generation : Comet Lake, Ice Lake, or Amber Lake Y
- 9th Generation : Coffee Lake
- 8th Generation : Coffee Lake, Whiskey Lake, Kaby Lake R or G, or Amber Lake Y
- 7th Generation: Kaby Lake
Deciphering the Processor Name
When reviewing the specifications for a laptop at a certain retailer, you may not see the generation listed in the processor name. However, you can determine this by the first number listed in the name of the processor after “i5”. For instance, “Intel Core i5-1035G1” has a 10 after i5, which indicates it is 10th gen. Along the same lines, “Intel Core i5-9300H” is 9th gen.
The last letter or number/letter combination in this string also has meaning , and represents certain features. As examples, an “H” on the end means high performance graphics, while a “U” means ultra-low power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which i5 Processor Generation Should I Choose?
Most of the Core i5 laptop deals listed on DealNews are at least 8th gen; the majority are 10th gen. Generally speaking, the latest generation of a processor represents advances in technology compared to previous generations.
That said, according to Intel , “A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features, but it may be more of one and less of another.” So it’s worth checking into the specifics once you’ve narrowed down your choices. A slightly older processor at a great deal may be perfectly sufficient compared to spending more for the very latest development.
How Many Cores Are in an i5 Laptop?
Core i5 processors for laptops can go up to six cores, but more typically have two or four cores. The majority of i5 laptop deals on DealNews are for quad-core systems. Having multiple cores basically means your processor can multitask, doing up to six things at once (or more with hyper-threading ).
Quad-core is commonly recommended for average users that aren’t using specialized software that’s designed to take advantage of additional cores. Dual-core may also suffice, particularly if cost is the main driver of the purchase.
Should I Buy a Core i5 or Consider i3, i7, or i9?
When considering a Core i5 laptop deal, you may be wondering if you should upgrade to i7 or i9 — or save money by opting for i3. Like the processor generations mentioned above, the higher numbers generally mean higher performance. Core i5 would be a step above i3, i7 a step above i5, and so on.
That said, there can be a lot of variance within these lines, and several factors besides the number of cores will affect performance, including:
- Clock Speed : Measures how fast the processor is, with higher numbers meaning higher speeds (higher speeds also use more power and generate more heat)
- Turbo Boost : Speeds up processor performance during peak loads
- Hyper-Threading : Allows multiple threads to run on each core (doing more simultaneously without slowing down)
Intel highlights some of the key features in the Intel Core processor family and provides detailed comparison charts for the following mobile processors:
This chart is not available for Core i9 , but Intel also offers a handy tool for comparing processors using their Product Specifications Page (ARK). If you are considering a couple of specific models and want to view the processor specifications side-by-side with differences highlighted, you can follow the instructions for using the search with the option to compare.
When making a choice between the i5 and other CPUs, it will likely come down to how much you can afford. All other things being equal or at least comparable, you’ll want to get the latest and greatest processor possible for the money you plan to spend. That said, shelling out for a processor with way more power than you need isn’t necessary. That extra power will only benefit those that run high-end games and complex software.
How Can I Get a Discount On an i5 Laptop?
You can browse the i5 laptop deals here at DealNews to find several options for getting a discount. Many of the i5 deals we find come from these stores:
If you don’t see a deal, you can search the model number for the system you are interested in to check prices. To potentially get even more savings, you can search DealNews for coupons for the stores that sell it. Once you’ve determined the prices and whether coupons are available, you can compare to find out which store has the lowest price.
Sarah Jones is the resident coupon expert at DealNews and oversees a team that covers deals, coupons, and Black Friday content. Her articles or quotes have been featured on sites such as Christian Science Monitor, Oprah.com, Fox Business, Kiplinger, and Lifehacker.