Best i5 Laptop
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Laptops with Intel Core i5 processors strike an excellent balance between performance and affordability, making them ideal for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and light photo editing. They’re also capable of handling light gaming and more demanding tasks like video editing when needed. When choosing an i5 laptop, it’s important to consider the generation of the chip—newer generations offer better speed and power efficiency. We recommend at least 8GB of RAM and an SSD for smooth performance. Screen size, display quality, battery life, and build quality are also key factors that can greatly impact your daily experience. We tested numerous i5 laptops to find the best options that deliver strong performance, quality displays, long battery life, and solid build quality at reasonable prices.
HP 15.6″ i5 Laptop
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for everyday computing tasks and light gaming, offering good performance at a reasonable price.
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for everyday computing tasks and light gaming, offering good performance at a reasonable price.
We tested this HP laptop and found it to be a capable machine for most users. The 11th Gen Intel i5 processor zips through everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. We noticed apps open quickly thanks to the speedy 1TB SSD.
The 16GB of RAM lets us keep many browser tabs and programs open without slowdowns. We like the variety of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and an SD card reader. The full-size keyboard feels comfortable for long typing sessions.
While using the laptop, we noticed the 15.6″ 1080p screen is fine for most tasks but lacks the vibrancy of pricier displays. The battery lasted about 6-7 hours in our tests, which is okay but not outstanding. The integrated graphics can handle light gaming, but don’t expect to play demanding titles at high settings.
HP 15.6″ Full HD Laptop
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for everyday computing tasks at a budget-friendly price point.
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for everyday computing tasks at a budget-friendly price point.
We tested this HP laptop for a few weeks, and it handled basic tasks well. The 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor zipped through web browsing, word processing, and video streaming without breaking a sweat. We liked the crisp and clear full HD display, which made movies and photos look great.
At just 3.73 pounds, this laptop was easy to carry around. The battery lasted about 7 hours in our tests, good enough for a full day of work or classes. We found the keyboard comfy to type on for long periods. The numeric keypad was handy for working with spreadsheets.
Storage space is a bit tight with only a 256GB SSD. We filled it up pretty quickly and had to start using cloud storage. The 8GB of RAM was okay for basic use, but we noticed some slowdowns when running lots of browser tabs and apps at once. There’s no DVD drive, so you’ll need an external one if you work with discs often.
Dell Inspiron 15 Touchscreen
We think this Dell laptop offers good value for users who need a versatile touchscreen device with solid performance for everyday tasks.
We think this Dell laptop offers good value for users who need a versatile touchscreen device with solid performance for everyday tasks.
We recently got our hands on the Dell Inspiron 15 3511, and it’s a solid choice for most users. The 15.6-inch touchscreen is crisp and responsive, making it easy to navigate Windows 11. We found the Intel i5 processor and 12GB of RAM handled multiple browser tabs and office apps without breaking a sweat.
The 256GB SSD isn’t huge, but it boots up quickly and loads programs fast. We like the variety of ports – HDMI, USB, and an SD card reader came in handy. The keyboard feels nice to type on, though the trackpad could be smoother.
Battery life is just okay – we got about 5-6 hours of real-world use. The plastic body doesn’t feel premium, but it keeps the laptop lightweight. While the speakers aren’t amazing, they’re fine for video calls. For the price, we think this Dell offers good performance and features for everyday computing needs.
EYY 15.6″ i5 Laptop
We think this EYY laptop offers great value for its price, with a solid mix of performance and features.
We think this EYY laptop offers great value for its price, with a solid mix of performance and features.
We tested this EYY laptop and found it to be a capable machine for everyday tasks. The Intel i5 processor handled multiple apps with ease, and we didn’t notice any slowdowns while browsing the web or working on documents.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display looked crisp and clear. Colors popped nicely, and we liked the anti-glare coating for reducing eye strain. The slim bezels gave it a modern look too.
We were happy to see 16GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB SSD. This combo made for quick boot times and snappy performance when opening files or switching between programs. Having Microsoft Office 2024 pre-installed was a nice bonus that saved us time and money.
Dell Inspiron 15 Touchscreen
We think this Dell laptop is a solid choice for most users seeking a mix of performance and features at a reasonable price.
We think this Dell laptop is a solid choice for most users seeking a mix of performance and features at a reasonable price.
We tested the Dell Inspiron 3511 and found it to be a capable all-around laptop for work and play. The 11th gen Intel Core i5 processor zipped through our daily tasks without breaking a sweat. We opened dozens of browser tabs, ran multiple apps, and even did some light photo editing – all without any noticeable slowdowns.
The 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen is a nice bonus at this price point. We enjoyed using it to scroll through webpages and navigate Windows 11. The anti-glare coating helped reduce reflections in bright rooms. Colors looked vivid and text was crisp, though not as stunning as higher-end displays we’ve seen.
Storage and memory are real strong points here. The 32GB of RAM let us keep tons of apps and browser tabs open simultaneously. And the spacious 1TB SSD provided lightning-fast boot times and app launches. We never felt like we were waiting on the computer.
On the downside, we wished for a backlit keyboard for low-light typing. The 3.82-pound weight also made it a bit hefty to carry around all day. Battery life was decent but not amazing – we got about 6-7 hours of real-world use before needing to plug in.
Lenovo V15 Business Laptop
This Lenovo V15 is a solid choice for business users who need a reliable, well-equipped laptop at a reasonable price.
This Lenovo V15 is a solid choice for business users who need a reliable, well-equipped laptop at a reasonable price.
We recently got our hands on the Lenovo V15 business laptop, and we’re impressed with its performance for everyday tasks. The Intel Core i5 processor zips through office work and web browsing with ease. We noticed minimal lag when multitasking between apps.
The 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD provide ample memory and storage for most users. We loaded up dozens of browser tabs and several apps without a hitch. The SSD makes booting up and loading files quick and snappy.
We like the 15.6-inch Full HD display. It’s crisp and clear for working on documents or watching videos. The keyboard feels comfortable for long typing sessions, and the numeric keypad is handy for data entry.
The laptop’s plastic build keeps it lightweight at 3.7 pounds, but it doesn’t feel as sturdy as some pricier models. Battery life is decent – we got through most workdays on a single charge.
While it’s not meant for gaming, the V15 handles basic photo and video editing tasks well enough for casual users. The integrated Intel UHD graphics won’t cut it for serious gamers or creative pros, though.
HP EliteBook 840 G5
We think this refurbished business laptop offers good value for basic work tasks, but has some drawbacks to consider.
We think this refurbished business laptop offers good value for basic work tasks, but has some drawbacks to consider.
When we tested this HP EliteBook, we were impressed by its crisp 14-inch Full HD screen. The touchscreen function was responsive and made navigating Windows 11 Pro a breeze. With 16GB of RAM, we had no issues running multiple apps and browser tabs simultaneously.
The 512GB solid state drive gave us plenty of fast storage for work files and programs. Boot-up and app loading times were quick. We liked the backlit keyboard for working in dim lighting. The laptop felt solid and well-built overall.
Battery life was disappointing though, lasting under an hour in our tests. You’ll want to keep the charger handy. As a refurbished model, there may be some cosmetic wear, but our unit looked almost new. For basic business tasks, this EliteBook offers good bang for your buck if you can live with the short battery life.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
We think the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a solid choice for students and casual users looking for a budget-friendly laptop with good performance.
We think the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a solid choice for students and casual users looking for a budget-friendly laptop with good performance.
We tried out the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i and found it to be a capable machine for everyday use. The laptop feels light in our hands, making it easy to carry around campus or to a coffee shop. Its slim profile fits nicely in our backpack without adding much bulk.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display looks crisp and bright. We enjoyed watching videos and browsing websites on it. The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, and we like the inclusion of a number pad for quick data entry.
In our tests, the Intel Core i5 processor handled basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without any hiccups. The 512GB SSD provides snappy boot times and quick app launches. We did notice that opening many browser tabs or running multiple apps at once could slow things down a bit due to the 8GB of RAM.
Battery life impressed us, lasting through a full day of work or classes. The rapid charge feature came in handy when we needed a quick power boost. We also like the variety of ports, including USB-C, which lets us connect to external displays and charge our phone.
While not a powerhouse for gaming or video editing, we think the IdeaPad 3i strikes a good balance between performance and affordability for students and casual users.
HP 15.6″ FHD Business Laptop
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for most people looking for a capable business machine with good performance and storage.
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for most people looking for a capable business machine with good performance and storage.
This HP laptop packs a punch with its 12th generation Intel i5 processor. We found it handled everyday tasks and light gaming smoothly. The 16GB of RAM let us keep lots of browser tabs and apps open without slowdowns.
The 1TB SSD gives tons of fast storage. Programs and files load quickly. The 15.6-inch 1080p screen looks sharp and bright. Its anti-glare coating cuts down on reflections in bright rooms.
We like the selection of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and a full-size SD card slot. The laptop feels solid but stays portable at under 4 pounds. Windows 11 runs great on this hardware. For business users and students, this HP offers strong performance at a fair price.
HP 15 Laptop
We recommend this HP 15 Laptop for its solid performance and portability at an affordable price point.
We recommend this HP 15 Laptop for its solid performance and portability at an affordable price point.
We tested the HP 15 Laptop and found it to be a capable machine for everyday tasks. Its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor handled multiple browser tabs, office apps, and HD video playback without breaking a sweat. The 256GB SSD booted Windows quickly and loaded apps faster than traditional hard drives.
The 15.6-inch Full HD screen impressed us with vivid colors and wide viewing angles. We enjoyed watching movies and working on documents side-by-side. The anti-glare coating reduced reflections in bright rooms. At just 3.75 pounds, this laptop was easy to carry around all day.
We got about 7 hours of real-world use on a charge, which is decent but not outstanding. The keyboard felt comfortable for long typing sessions. While not a powerhouse for gaming or video editing, this HP laptop strikes a good balance for students and casual users who want a reliable, portable PC without breaking the bank.
Buying Guide
When shopping for an i5 laptop, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
Processor Generation
We recommend looking for 11th or 12th gen Intel Core i5 processors. Newer generations offer better performance and efficiency.
RAM
8GB is the minimum we suggest for smooth multitasking. 16GB provides more headroom for demanding applications.
Storage
An SSD is essential for fast boot and load times. 256GB is a good starting point, but 512GB or more gives you room to grow.
Display
Consider resolution, size, and panel type. A 1080p IPS display offers a good balance of clarity and color accuracy for most users.
Battery Life
Look for laptops rated for 8+ hours of real-world use. This ensures all-day productivity without hunting for outlets.
Portability
Think about weight and dimensions. Ultrabooks offer great portability, while larger laptops may provide better performance.
Ports and Connectivity
We recommend a mix of USB-A and USB-C ports, plus HDMI for external displays. Wi-Fi 6 ensures fast, reliable wireless connections.
Build Quality
Sturdy construction with metal or high-quality plastic helps your laptop stand up to daily use.
By focusing on these key areas, we can help you find an i5 laptop that meets your needs and budget.