It's $350 off and the second lowest price we've seen after our Black Friday mention. Buy Now at HP
- HP Rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen
- 12th-Generation Intel Core i5-1235U 3.3GHz Alder Lake 10-core CPU
- 15.6" 1366x768 (720p) touchscreen display
- 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: 4V223AV_1
That's $30 under our February mention and tied as the best price we've ever seen. Buy Now at HP
- 13th Generation Intel Core i5-1335U 1.53GHz Raptor Lake 10-core CPU
- 15.6" 1366x768 LCD
- 12GB RAM and 128GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: 7P8K6AV_1
Save on a selection of more than three dozen. We've pictured the Dell Inspiron 12th-Gen. i5 15.6" Laptop w/ 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD for $330 ($120 off). Shop Now at Dell Technologies
That's $280 off and a great price for any gaming laptop with such specs. Buy Now at HP
- 14th Generation Intel Core i5-14450HX 2.4GHz Raptor Lake 10-core CPU
- 1920x1080 (1080p) 144Hz IPS display
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB GPU
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: 16t-ae000
Pictured is the Refurb Dell Latitude 3390 Kaby Lake i5 2-in-1 Touch Laptop for $119.99 ($156 off). Shop Now at Woot! An Amazon Company
That's $20 under our mention from three days ago, $100 off, and the lowest price we've seen. 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 "SAVEONTHINKBOOK" to get this deal. It's a savings of $759. Buy Now at Lenovo
- Intel Core i5-1235U 4.40GHz Alder Lake 10-core CPU
- 14" 1920x 1080 display
- 8GB RAM; 256GB SSD
- Windows 11 Pro 64
- Model: 21DJ0011US
That's a $50 drop from two weeks ago and the best price we could find by $220. 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
Save on more than two dozen models, most with customisable specs. We've pictured the Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 4 12th-Gen. i5 14" Laptop for $550 ($759 off). Shop Now at Lenovo
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
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
It's $9 under list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- High Speed RAM And Enormous Space64GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer.
- Display17.3" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), multitouch-enabled, IPS, edge-to-edge glass, 300 nits, 100% sRGB
- Tech Specs2 x Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C, 3 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Headphone/microphone combo, 1 x Multi-format SD media card reader; Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth Combo; Backlit Keyboard (Enable: F4)
- Operating SystemWindows 11 Home - Beautiful, more consistent new design, Great window layout options, Better multi-monitor functionality, Improved performance features, New videogame selection and capabilities, Compatible with Android Apps
- Model: 17
- UPC: 196188789810
- High Speed RAM And Enormous Space4GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe M.2 Solid State Drive for fast boot up and data transfer
- ProcessorIntel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, 8MB Cache, Base 2.40GHz up to 4.20GHz Max Turbo Frequency), Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) touchscreen, IPS
- Tech Specs802.11ac 1x1 WiFi and Bluetooth, SD Card Reader, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 2 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x Built-In Microphone, HD Webcam, Stereo speakers
- Operating SystemWindows 11 Home - Beautiful, more consistent new design, Great window layout options, Better multi-monitor functionality, Improved performance features, New videogame selection and capabilities, Compatible with Android Apps
- Model: Inspiron 15 3522
- UPC: 884116669975
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6440HQ Quad-Core 2.60GHz (3.50GHz Max Turbo)
- Memory: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SATA M.2 SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
- Screen Info: 14.0" FHD (1920x1080) Non-Touch w/ Webcam
- Condition: Renewed
- AC Adapter: Included
- Model: Latitude 14-5480SA110
- UPC: 703962428560
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Renewed products look and work like new. These pre-owned products have been inspected and tested by Amazon-qualified suppliers, which typically perform a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, and a thorough cleaning process. Packaging and accessories may be generic. All products on Amazon Renewed come with a minimum 90-day supplier-backed warranty.
- 11.6" backlit LED screen, 802.11ac Wireless, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0
- 1.4 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
- 4 GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3 Memory, 128 GB PCIe-based flash storage.
- Model: Apple-cr
- UPC: 034722865166
- 14 Full HD NanoEdge bezel display with stunning 85% screen-to-body ratio
- Latest 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Quad Core Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz, with IPU)
- Free Upgrade to Windows 11 Home
- 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD
- Metal chassis and 16mm z-height
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello
- Comprehensive connections including Thunderbolt 3 via USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A (Gen 1), USB 2.0, HDMI, and Gigplus Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) (USB Transfer speed may vary. Learn more at ASUS website)
- ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology employs machine learning to isolate unwanted noise from human speech, which ensures the best communications experience
- Model: S433EA-DH51-WH
- UPC: 192876868430
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
- Powerful Performance with Intel Core 1135G7Intel 11th Gen i5-1135G7, Quad-Core, 2.4 GHz Processor (upto 4.2GHz, 8MB Smart Cache, 8 Threads)
- CustomizationSeal is opened for Hardware/Software upgrade only to enhance performance. Upgrade to 32GB DDR4 SDRAM, 1TB NVMe Solid State Drive, No DVD
- Display and graphics15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), micro-edge, BrightView, 250 nits, 45% NTSC, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, HP True Vision 720p HD camera with integrated dual array digital microphones
- ConnectivityRealtek RTL8821CE-M 802.11b/g/n/ac (1x1) and Bluetooth 4.2 Combo, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (Data Transfer Only, 5 Gb/s signaling rate); 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (Data Transfer Only); 1 x AC smart pin; 1 x HDMI 1.4b; 1 x headphone/microphone combo; 1 x multi-format SD media card reader
- RE Bundle EnhancementWindows 10 Home, Full-size backlit keyboard, 3-cell 41 Wh Li-ion battery up to 7 hours, 9.53 x 14.11 x 0.71 in, 3.75 lbs, Silver, free Rock eDigital Acessories: 1xHDMI cable, 1xUSB Extension cord, 1xMousepad
- Model: HP-15-DW300
- UPC: 785378280017, 755565620971
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.