Need a sub $750 laptop Intel 10th gen, 16 Gb, 512 SSD

DNyholm

Member
Jan 17, 2007
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Hello,
Im looking for a basic laptop just for daily use of Excel, internet, email, some kids games, etc... Just so I dont have to replace it too soon, i'm looking at the following specs:
10th Gen i5
16 GB Ram (prefer ability to upgrade later)
512 GB SSD
14 or 15"
Must have a USB type C to connect to my docking station with 2 monitors
prefer back lit keyboard but not a must
No need for dedicated Video card

Max budget $750 but would prefer to stay under $700

These are the ones I have found so far. I am so far out of the loop on computers (haven't made a purchase in over 5 years) that I do not know all the different options out there regarding screens (4K):




https://www.costco.com/lenovo-ideap...-intel-core-i7---1080p.product.100533843.html $699.00

https://www.costco.com/hp-pavilion-...-intel-core-i5---1080p.product.100512096.html 479.00 This is my budget buy if the others dont seem to offer enough more.

Thanks for the help and any suggestions you can give me!

Dennis
 

Staples

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2001
4,952
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Out of the ones you posted, the Lenovo from Costco is by far the best and the only one you should get. I value screen quality a lot and the ones from newegg all have 720p screens. They were ok 15 years ago but certainly not today.
 

DNyholm

Member
Jan 17, 2007
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Thank you. I'm not set on any of these, they were just what I could find in my searching last night. If there are others you might recommend, please let me know!
Thanks!
 

Steltek

Diamond Member
Mar 29, 2001
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If you want over 16GB of memory, that Lenovo may not be what you want. The actual model number shown at Costco is S340-15IIL. The 8GB of memory it comes with is 4GB soldered directly to the motherboard and a 4GB DDR4-2400 SODIMM (there is one memory upgrade slot). Lenovo itself says the max system memory is 12GB (the 4GB soldered + 8GB optional SODIMM), though Crucial's website indicates it will actually take a single 16GB module (for 20GB max memory). Which is correct, I can't tell you. However, the modules will be unmatched due to the 4GB soldered memory (i.e. no dual channel memory) so I don't know how that will affect performance. The screen brightness is also only 250 nits. On the upside, you do get Costco's great return policy and it does seem to have the capacity to add a second 2.5" drive.

You might also want to check out the Dell Home and Business Outlets for Gen9/10 laptops on clearance with coupons. Disadvantage is they are Dells (which is sometimes good, sometimes bad), the advantage over Lenovo is no soldered memory and most 15" Dells will take 32/64 GB of memory. Though you said you don't need dedicated graphics, they had a couple of G3 systems with GTX-1660TI cards in your price range (9th gen I5 w/512GB drive, 8GB memory, and one USB-C connector).
 
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DNyholm

Member
Jan 17, 2007
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Hmm, the Lenovo just went on sale for $599 (100 off) which definitely makes it seem like a bit of a better deal. I built some comparable dells (inspiron 5000) and in the scratch and dent, cant get them lower than 650 for specs I like.
 

Steltek

Diamond Member
Mar 29, 2001
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136
Hmm, the Lenovo just went on sale for $599 (100 off) which definitely makes it seem like a bit of a better deal. I built some comparable dells (inspiron 5000) and in the scratch and dent, cant get them lower than 650 for specs I like.

Did you apply the coupon codes from the Dell coupon webpage?

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with that Lenovo system if you can live with the memory issues -- in theory, you'll never be able to get more than 20GB of memory in it due to the soldered memory (and that is presuming that it will take a 16GB memory module - as previously stated, Crucial's website says it will, but Lenovo's own documentation shows max supported system memory for that laptop as being only 12GB).
 

DNyholm

Member
Jan 17, 2007
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Hmm, what coupons? It shows at 699 and has 100 off. There are more coupons I'm not aware of?! :)

Edit, duh, just saw you said Dell website.

I'll check for another 5000 or 7000 on their site
 
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DNyholm

Member
Jan 17, 2007
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Looks like the 5000 can be had for the same price but unfortunately does not come with a USB Type C :(
 

Steltek

Diamond Member
Mar 29, 2001
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136
Looks like the 5000 can be had for the same price but unfortunately does not come with a USB Type C :(

Yeah, I see that now. Looks like the only ones with USB-C are actually a few 5000's and 7000's with discrete graphics. Figures that they would do something stupid like that (it is Dell, after all).
 
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