Are you looking for the best i5 laptop in the market? Despite other processors coming out, like Celeron, Apple M1, AMD Ryzen, and Intel Core i9, there are still many who prefer the Core i5. But why is that? And what is the i5 or processor anyway?
The processor, also known as the Central Processing Unit or CPU, executes the instructions on a computer. Think of it as the brain of a human being, this is the reason why it can be so pricey and why it is so important to choose the right processor.
Advantages of the Best i5 Laptops
Due to everyday technology advancements and lifestyles, more and more people are choosing to have a laptop as opposed to a desktop. And when it comes to laptops, the i5 is a more popular option, and here are 2 reasons why:
Affordable Option
Let’s face it, processors are very expensive. Even the i5 and its later generations are battling the newer i7 and i9. However, older i5 generations are still able to do the job without the exorbitant fees.
Less Power Needed
Why get a laptop when it’s just going to be plugged into a wall the entire time? The i5 isn’t as power-hungry as opposed to newer processors. That’s why it is a good option for laptops. You can do more work done, watch more movies, or play more games with an i5 laptop.
The Best i5 Laptops
No matter if you are a gamer, a student, or a businessperson, there should be an i5 laptop that should fit your needs. Here are some of the i5 laptops that you can consider:
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
The powerful Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop is installed with a 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H processor and can go as fast as 4.1GHz. This gaming laptop is perfect for hardcore games, it has 8GB RAM and a separate 4GB dedicated for graphics.
You don’t have to worry about lagging as the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop uses the Acer Cool Boost Technology—dual exhaust ports and twin fans. This laptop also has a cool, red-backlit keyboard, so you can play even in dimly-lit rooms.
Enjoy an immersive gaming experience with the Acer Nitro 5, its backlit, 15.6” LED display is in full HD. For connectivity, you have the option to use the 1000 gigabit Ethernet or the WiFi 6.
- Backlit LED display, 15.6 inches
- 1000 GB Ethernet + WiFi 6
- 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD
- Backlit keyboard
HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Touchscreen Laptop
Don’t let the lightweight and sleek design of the HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Touchscreen Laptop fool you. This convertible laptop packs a punch, thanks to its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM. It also has a 512GB SSD memory, yet the entire laptop is only about 4lbs.
Designed for work and play, the HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Touchscreen Laptop uses Intel Iris X Graphics, audio by B&O, and has a wide vision HD camera. With its 360-degree hinge and touchscreen display features, you can turn your laptop into a tablet.
The HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Touchscreen Laptop has a 15.6-inch display and boasts HP fast charge—get your power from zero to 50% in less than an hour.
- 360-degree hinge
- Touchscreen display
- 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD
- Less than 5lbs
ASUS VivoBook S13 Laptop
The ASUS VivoBook S13 Laptop has a quad-core processor, Intel Core i5 11th Gen, so you can have a flawless workflow even with multiple tabs open. It comes with a 512GB solid-state drive memory and 8GB RAM.
Ideal for people on the go, the ASUS VivoBook S13 Laptop has a 16mm z-height and a sleek design. No need to remember passwords, a fingerprint sensor on the touchpad can log you in. It also has a backlit keyboard for working in differently-lighted environments.
Presenting to clients or communicating with colleagues shouldn’t be any trouble with the ASUS VivoBook S13 Laptop. It has noise-canceling technology and also has Harman Kardon audio. With fast charging, this laptop can bring your battery up to 60% in under an hour.
- 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD
- Backlit keyboard + fingerprint sensor
- 16mm z-height
- Noise-cancelling technology
MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop
If you are in need of a powerful gaming laptop you can take anywhere, the MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop might just be for you. This laptop has a 6-core i5 9th Gen processor and an 8GB RAM with sockets to allow you to upgrade to a 64GB RAM.
Thanks to a built-in cooler boost on the MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop, you don’t have to worry about overheating. This gaming laptop has a solid battery that can last up to 7 hours or more. Definitely built for the gamers, it also has a backlit keyboard with an anti-ghost key.
The MSI GF65 Gaming Laptop NVIDIA Geforce Graphics for an immersive experience. It has a 15.6” FHD with a thin bezel.
- Dedicated thermal solutions for GPU/CPU
- 7+ hours battery
- 8GB RAM with upgrade options
- Backlit keyboard + anti-ghost key
Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ with Retina Display
Apple also uses Intel Core i5 processors in laptops, such as the Macbook Air 13.3”. This laptop has a quad-core processor and 8GB RAM. For storage, a 256GB solid-state drive is available.
The MacBook Air 13.3″ with Retina Display is one of the greenest products from the tech giant. Its body is made from 100% aluminum that has been recycled. You can expect an amazing retina display from this laptop, it has a 2560 x 1600 resolution.
You can bring the MacBook Air 13.3″ with Retina Display from Apple just about anywhere. It is lightweight and has a slim design. It also comes in a classy rose gold color. For charging, this laptop uses the Type C cable and adapter.
- 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD
- 2560 x 1600 resolution
- Made from 100% recycled aluminum
- Truetone retina display
Best i5 Laptops Buying Guide
If you are having a hard time finding the best i5 laptop that will suit you, here are some factors you need to deliberate on:
Usage
What will you be using your laptop for? Answering this question is crucial as it will be the basis for choosing the right i5 laptop. The best laptop for web development is not necessarily the same as the best one for gaming. Once you are able to figure out what you need a laptop for, the choices can be narrowed down.
Battery Life
How much time do you spend outdoors? Will you be away from any type of power source? The battery life of a laptop is something to focus on, especially if you are always working outside of the office or your home. Maybe you need a laptop that can last an entire school day? Multiple video calls? Or maybe an entire movie with maxed-out lights and sounds?
Display
The display is something you need to focus on, especially if your work requires you to see finer details. A bigger display can also offer a better experience when it comes to gaming or watching videos.
Memory
Are you the type to not rely too much on the cloud? How much memory do you need for your files, movies, games, and music? If you require separate memory for graphics, that is also something you should consider when picking a laptop. Opt for i5 laptops with expandable memory if you think in the future you’ll need more space.
Portability
A laptop, in essence, is portable but some are just easier to carry or slip into a bag. Aside from the weight of the laptop, you also need to consider its footprint. It may fit in a messenger bag but it may crowd a tiny coffee table.
Special Features
Finally, are there are any features that you might like from a laptop. A little perk or add-on might just be a deciding factor if you are stuck between two options. Maybe you want a fingerprint scanner so you don’t have to input passwords? Maybe it’s important to you to have a good audio system or a high-definition camera? It’s all about the little things and extra details to make a rather simple laptop into the best one.
Conclusion
The best i5 laptop is the one that works for you. There are still so many laptops in the market that use the i5 processor and it can be very confusing to choose the right one. A good step to picking a laptop is to consider your own needs. Will you be using it for school or work? Is it solely for gaming or for pretty much all of your projects and entertainment?
Once you have figured out what you really need, it’ll be easier to weed out the other laptop models that you don’t need. If there are still plenty of options, you can now focus on your wants. The best i5 laptop should have special features that can make your work easier to do or your entertainment even better.
