Technology can be pretty expensive in Israel once import fees and the necessary profit margins are factored in, so you might be happy to know that there are some laptops that now ship to Israel for free on Amazon, and that come out cheaper even when taxes are added on to some of them.
Below, we will provide you with a few of the laptops that we found to be cheaper through Amazon, even with the added shipping costs and with the taxes that some of them are subject to, than you would find in an online store. Each order summary has been taken directly from the Amazon checkout basket, while a link to the online Israel-based retailer has been indicated below for comparison.
Acer Swift 7 14-inch (SF714-52T)
- ItemsILS 5,989.30
- Shipping & handlingILS 57.59
- Total before taxILS 6,046.89
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 536.68
- Amazon order totalILS 6,583.57
Specs:
- CPU: i7-8500Y
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- SSD: 512GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: ~13 hours
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop, 15.6”
- ItemsILS 1,700.73
- Shipping & handlingILS 83.01
- Free shipping promo-ILS 83.01
- Total before taxILS 1,700.73
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Import fees depositILS 340.26
- Amazon order totalILS 2,040.99
Specs:
- CPU: i7-8500Y
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- SSD: 512GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
- Battery Life: ~13 hours
HIDevolution ASUS ROG Strix Scar III G531GW 15.6-inch
- ItemsILS 7,428.72
- Shipping & handlingILS 481.29
- Total before taxILS 7,910.01
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Amazon order totalILS 7,910
Specs:
- CPU: i7-9750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
- SSD: 1TB
- RAM: 32GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Lenovo Ideapad 330 15.6-inch Red
- ItemsILS 1,062.94
- Shipping & handlingILS 91.34
- Free shipping promo-ILS 91.34
- Total before taxILS 1,062.94
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Imports fees depositILS 217.98
- Amazon order totalILS 1,280.92
Specs
- CPU: AMD A9-9425
- GPU: AMD Radeon R5
- SSD: 256GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Dell Gaming Laptop G3579
- ItemsILS 2,282.76
- Shipping & handlingILS 110.98
- Free shipping promo-ILS 110.98
- Total before taxILS 2,282.76
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Imports fees depositILS 464.90
- Amazon order totalILS 2,747.66
Specs:
- CPU: i5-8300H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4GB
- SSD: 128GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
HIDevolution ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo
- ItemsILS 10,613.97
- Shipping & handlingILS 452.98
- Total before taxILS 11,066.95
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Amazon order totalILS 11,066.95
Specs:
- CPU: i9-9980HK
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- SSD: 1TB
- RAM: 16GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Lenovo Flex 6 14-inch 2-in-1 Touchscreen
- ItemsILS 2,119.96
- Shipping & handlingILS 75.52
- Free shipping promo-ILS 75.52
- Total before taxILS 2,119.96
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Imports fees depositILS 423.92
- Amazon order totalILS 2,543.88
Specs:
- CPU: i7-8550U
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620
- SSD: 256GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E590 15.6-inch
- ItemsILS 2,119.96
- Shipping & handlingILS 75.52
- Free shipping promo-ILS 75.52
- Total before taxILS 2,119.96
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Imports fees depositILS 423.92
- Amazon order totalILS 2,543.88
Specs:
- CPU: i7-8565U
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620
- SSD: 256GB
- RAM: 8GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Dell Latitude 5501 15.6-inch Notebook
- ItemsILS 6,186.89
- Shipping & handlingILS 97.64
- Free shipping promo-ILS 97.64
- Total before taxILS 6,186.89
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 0.00
- Imports fees depositILS 1,184.42
- Amazon order totalILS 7,371.31
Specs:
- CPU: i7-9850H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX150
- SSD: 512GB
- RAM: 16GB
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Samsung Chromebook 3 11.6-inch
- ItemsILS 450.35
- Shipping & handlingILS 0.00
- Total before taxILS 450.35
- Estimated tax to be collectedILS 39.98
- Amazon order totalILS 490.33
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Celeron N3060
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 400
- SSD: 16GB
- RAM: 2GB
- Operating System: Chrome OS
Some important considerations
1) Processing Power & Graphic Cards
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for processing and executing tasks. The more powerful the CPU is, the greater the number of tasks and types of programs it will be able to carry out.
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), is responsible for rendering graphics. They are responsible for transmitting the display signals sent to it by the CPU to the laptop screen or monitor. It processes the graphics independently from the CPU in order for the graphics to be processed faster and to lessen the processing burden on the CPU.
Most laptops come with a built-in GPU, meaning that you cannot upgrade it. There are two types of GPUs that can be found in laptops, namely either an integrated GPU that uses part of the CPU’s power to generate images or a GPU that is part of a dedicated graphics card. Dedicated graphic cards have their own memory and processors that calculate the refresh rates and process the images separately from the CPU and will therefore be able to produce higher quality images at faster refresh rates than an integrated GPU can. This is the type of graphic card that someone who plans on rendering high quality images will need to look out for when purchasing the laptop.
However, in both cases, higher performance rates aren’t always necessary as the amount of power that a CPU uses is determined by the type of task that it is processing. So, if you are planning on generally just listening to music, writing essays or using basic programs, you will not have the same system requirements as someone who is planning on rendering 4k images or video recordings. It is always best to research the type of CPU and graphic cards that you will need before purchasing a laptop, or to directly ask about the laptop’s performance for the task that you would like to perform on a tech forum or even on its Amazon product page.
2) Internal Memory
There are two main types of internal memory, namely temporary support memory in the form of RAM and permanent storage memory in the form of SSDs and HDDs:
- Random Access Memory (RAM) acts as a conduit through which the data from a program runs to the CPU. The larger the RAM, the more data can be stored in the RAM and the faster it can be transferred to the CPU, thereby speeding up the CPUs processing time. This is of course provided that the CPU has the capability to process at the speed with which the data is being transferred to it. It stores the necessary data temporarily while the program is running, so that the CPU can access it as needed. When the computer is turned off, the data stored in it is erased. RAM is an important consideration if you want to perform demanding tasks.
- The Solid-State Drive (SSD) is an internal hardware device that uses flash-memory to allow for permanent data storage in the laptop. It determines how much permanent data can be stored on the computer at one time and does not affect the overall. Hard Disk Drives function similarly but uses magnetic storage instead of flash memory. They also more sensitive than SSDs and are therefore more susceptible to damage when subjected to hard force, such as when they’re dropped or exposed to the elements.
3) Battery Life
This is an important consideration if you are planning on constantly using your laptop when you’re on the move, as is the availability of replacement batteries should the battery become non-functioning. It is important to remember that the battery life stated for laptops is usually generous and does not take into account the affect that internet usage and high-processing tasks will have on depleting the device.
Windows’ Task Manager allows you to check which apps are consuming the most power in the background, so you can close the unnecessary ones to save more battery life. To open it, select Ctrl-Shift-Esc and then scroll right until you can see the ‘Power usage’ column.
4) Screen Size & Resolution
Screen size refers to the physical size of the screen in inches or centimeters. The size that you want the screen to be is determined by your personal needs and preferences.
Resolution, on the other hand, refers to the number of pixels per inch on the screen. The higher the Dots Per Inch (DPI) the more dots (pixels) there are in a space, the sharper the image will appear. The importance of this depends on your screen size, as well as what you are planning on doing on your PC.
5) Ports
The connection slots for external devices. The number of ports and types of slots will vary from device to device. Some can be supplemented with external adapters and hubs, while others can’t.
Notebook vs. Laptop
Notebooks are a type of laptop that are designed to be used on-the-go and are therefore generally lighter and thinner than regular laptops. While they are able to perform basic tasks, such as basic office programs and lighter games, they usually don’t have the processing power or graphics cards that are necessary to handle more intensive software like photography and editing software or fast-paced shooting games. But it is also because they do not process content at such high rates that notebooks also tend to have have a longer battery life than laptops do, as they consume less power.
However, notebooks also often lack a DVD-Rom drive, meaning that you will not be able to use CDs with it, which could be problematic if you are planning on using older programs or were hoping to burn discs on your device. Laptops also usually have more USB ports than Notebooks do, which isn’t too big a problem, as USB hubs are pretty inexpensive.
Basically, notebooks are intended for business and schoolwork more than for gaming purposes or creative work. However, some of the more high-end notebooks can give regular mid-range laptops a run for their money.
