Dell XPS 13 vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 for Accounting & Finance Studies

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the market for a new laptop as I begin my studies in Accounting and Finance. I’m considering two options: the Dell XPS 13-9315 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3.

Here are the main specs:

Dell XPS 13-9315

Processor: Intel Core i5-1230U
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Display: 13.4" FHD+ (1920 x 1200)
Price: £510
Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Display: 15.6" Full HD
Price: £379
I'm a bit torn between the two. The XPS is more expensive, but I’ve heard it has a better build quality and display. On the other hand, the IdeaPad is more budget-friendly and seems to have decent performance for everyday tasks.

Do you think the extra cost for the Dell XPS is justified for an undergrad? Or would the Lenovo IdeaPad be sufficient for my needs?

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences you might have!

Thanks in advance!

Reply 1

Dunnig Kruger

Don't get a Dell XPS. You'll be doing lots of typing and they have awful keyboards. They're so slim that the keys have very little travel, making them horrible to type on.

Don't get 15.6" laptop if you will be carrying it a lot on foot or bus or train AND you are of slim to medium build.
Do get a 15.6" or 16" laptop if you won't be carrying it much, OR if you're towards the physically strong end of the spectrum.

Instead of looking at the RAM and SSD size specs, look to see if they are soldered. If they are: avoid. If they are slotted in, you can upgrade RAM and SSD size should you ever need more. Chances are you won't (if you're just using your laptop for supporting your studies and run of the mill personal use). But you never know. You might, for example get into video editing which would gobble up your RAM and SSD storage.
In addition, about 1 in 50 laptops will have RAM that fails during its' lifetime. It's a shame to send such a laptop to landfill because of soldered RAM, instead of just spending £10 to £25 on a used stick of RAM to repair it.

Would you be willing to buy used off ebay? If so, you can get some fantastic deals on used premium business laptops. EG HP 840 G8's and HP 845 G7's for £200 to £260.

Reply 2

Random3

Thanks, I checked them out! I was wondering what you think of getting the Samsung Tab S9 FE?

Reply 3

Dunnig Kruger

I think: get a proper laptop. Not a Samsung Tab S9 FE.

Reply 4

Random3

Original post by Dunnig Kruger

I think: get a proper laptop. Not a Samsung Tab S9 FE.

what about a samsung galaxy book 4fe?

Reply 5

random_matt

Original post by Random3

what about a samsung galaxy book 4fe?

I have the new XPS 16, the keyboard is not thinkpad quality, but the oled display is great at least. Yeah, find a second hand thinkpad maybe?

https://www.laptopoutlet.co.uk/laptops-and-notebooks/lenovo-laptops.html?series_filter=616224&product_list_order=lowest&ram_size=521053

Reply 6

Dunnig Kruger

Original post by Random3

what about a samsung galaxy book 4fe?

Original post by random_matt

I have the new XPS 16, the keyboard is not thinkpad quality, but the oled display is great at least. Yeah, find a second hand thinkpad maybe?
https://www.laptopoutlet.co.uk/laptops-and-notebooks/lenovo-laptops.html?series_filter=616224&product_list_order=lowest&ram_size=521053

Laptop Outlet are overpriced compared to ebay.

Laptops are commodity items. A fully working laptop bought from ebay is as good as the same make, model and specification laptop bought elsewhere.

Reply 7

Random3

Original post by Dunnig Kruger

Soldered RAM!
Plus it's a 15.6" laptop. We don't know what size of laptop is best for you yet, because you haven't told us about your mobility profile.
The big 3 for global sales of laptops are Lenovo, HP and Dell. Large organisations buy business laptops from them by the hundred or by the thousand. One bonus of buying a Lenovo, HP or Dell used business laptop is the availability of spares (inparticular the battery) for many years to come.
Laptop Outlet are overpriced compared to ebay.
Laptops are commodity items. A fully working laptop bought from ebay is as good as the same make, model and specification laptop bought elsewhere.

Hey! - I use a 15' laptop now, its not that heavy to me but i guess at some points, it is bulky, i was going to buy a laptop from box.co.uk - what do you think?

These are some ive been looking at from your recommendations:
Lenovo Ideapad 5 Chromebook Intel Core i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD 16" Laptop - £349.99

1650 Medion Erazer Crawler E30 Intel Core i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD NVIDIA GTX Graphics 15.6 Gaming Laptop. £479.99

3 5 16 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim AMD Ryzen 7530U 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Laptop.£379.99

5 16 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim Intel Core i5-13420H 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Laptop.£429.99

14 SpoSamsung Galaxy Book2 Intel Core i5 8GB RAM 256GB SSD Laptop.£449.99iler

Samsung Galaxy Book4 FE Intel Core i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD 15.6 Laptop.£399.99

others

I really used your guys advice to look through laptops and found these- which have 8gb ram and 258 / 512 gb storage.
IDK laptops so please bear with - and if you have time, tell me which is a good choice.m
Thanks,
A.

Reply 8

Dunnig Kruger

What exact laptop do you have now? Make model specifications?

What makes you think your existing laptop wouldn't be totally fine for your needs?

I think that I would never buy a laptop from box.co.uk
If I were buying for a corporate client, that wanted dozens / hundreds / thousands of laptops I'd buy direct from HP / Dell / Lenovo. For ease of supporting them, and the corporate image cachet of new laptops. As well as the bulk discounts.
For laptops for me or my friends or my relatives to use, I buy from used from ebay.