When you’re planning to purchase a laptop, you’ll need to determine the features you want and which ones matter in terms of performance. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered when buying a laptop.
To find the best laptop with an i5 processor, you need to look at how much money you want to spend and how long you intend to use it. We all know that laptops come with different specifications and performance levels.
You need to determine the features that are right and your setup and filter out those that aren’t relevant to your needs.
Furthermore, paying attention to essential aspects such as battery life, weight, and noise level is crucial.
Here are the best 10th, 11th, and 12th gen i5 Laptops.
What to Look for in an i5 Processor Laptop?
If you want to buy any laptop or electronics, money only matters because you can easily buy better ones with more money.
Before buying any laptop, you have to remember what you are buying.
Because laptops are built primarily to focus on tasks, if you want to use the I5 laptop for browsing or everyday use, you don’t need to buy that big. If you have to do intensive work like 4k Video Editing, 3d Modeling, and Gaming, choose a gaming laptop with a powerful processor and graphics card.
Performance
You must first choose a good processor to get good performance on any laptop. If a computer has a powerful CPU, it can easily handle demanding tasks. The 12th or 11th-generation processors are very powerful, so that you can choose either.
Secondly, how powerful is its graphics card; it would be even better if it had a discrete graphics card. The latest integrated features are just as powerful for multitasking or everyday use.
Also, see how much RAM and storage space the laptop has and how fast it is. 8GB RAM with 256GB SSD is a good choice, but 16GB RAM with 512GB SSD is perfect.
Regardless of the new laptop, they have good battery performance for most businesses or students. But the battery will provide less backup if you’re on a gaming laptop.
Minimum & Recommended Intel Core i5 Laptop’s Specification
Specs | Minimum | Recommended |
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Screen | Full HD (1080 x 1920) | Full HD (1080 x 1920) or more |
CPU | 9th Generation Intel Core i5 | 10, 11, and 12th Generation Intel Core i5 |
GPU | Integrated Intel UHD | Shared Intel Iris Xe or Dedicated GPU |
Memory | 4GB | 8GB or more |
Storage | 128GB SSD | 256GB SSD or more |
Battery Life | 4 Hour | 6 hours or more |
Weight | 3.75 lbs (1.7 Kg) or Less |
6 Best Laptops With Intel Core i5 Processor: Top Picks
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 |
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HP Pavilion X360 |
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Acer Nitro 5 |
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ASUS TUF F17 Gaming |
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HP 15 |
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ASUS VivoBook S14 |
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1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1165G3 Processor |
GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics with the shared graphics memory |
RAM | 8/16 GB DDR4 |
Storage | 256/512 GB SSD |
Screen | 13.5-inch FHD+ (2256 x 1504) Touchscreen with pen input |
Weight | 2.76 lbs(1.25 kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 19 hours |
Others | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, Dolby Atmos audio, windows 10 home OS |
For students, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a great choice. More and more students are comfortable with tablets, as they are light, easy to handle, and can give them all the capability they need while carrying them everywhere.
It comes with the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor. Which we already looked that good for a heavy workload. It is the best I5 laptop for photo editing and multitasking.
It features an Iris Xe GPU with 8 GB memory and 512 GB SSD. With Iris Xe graphics, you can choose any game or application that requires advanced graphics for the performance of playing it. It has an 11.5-hour battery life, significantly increasing from the previous generation.
The Surface Laptop 4 is a 13.5-inch touchscreen laptop with a slim profile that is easy to carry but can easily take on the same broad range of tasks. Surface Laptop 4 is a lightweight laptop and an excellent value for money. It has a powerful Intel processor and an updated graphics architecture with a screen resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels to help you work faster and more efficiently.
It has two USB 3.0 ports, which is more than enough for most people. This laptop comes with a USB C type instead of HDMI. If you prefer using an HDMI port on your computer, you must have used USB-C to HDMI adapters. The new Microsoft laptop runs the Windows 10 Home operating system. For connectivity, it has the killer and fastest Bluetooth 5 and wifi-6.
PROS
- Powerful Performance
- Excellent Battery Life
- Metal Build Quality
- Stunning Display
- Clean, elegant design
CONS
- No Thunderbolt port
2. HP Pavilion x360

You get the latest 11th gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor in the HP Pavilion x360. With 11th Gen CPU intel provides turbo boost technology for the first time.
Intel’s new Core i5-1135G7 processor increases energy efficiency, improves battery life, and enhances security. Despite its mid-range performance, this machine has many impressive hardware features that make it a perfect workhorse.
It has integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, significantly improving performance at lower resolutions. It can be used for faster graphics performance.
Despite its mid-range, the HP Pavilion x360 has an impressive 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD memory. You can set the settings to high performance to meet your preferences and get the best battery life. In video playback mode, the battery lasts ten hours and 45 minutes; this feature makes it the best 11th gen i5 laptop.
It features a 1920×1080 full HD IPS display with 178° left-to-right and 170° bottom viewing angles. It is the first touchscreen laptop with a 14-inch screen we’ve seen.
The ports section comes with 2 USB ports (1 USB-C Type and 1 Standard SD Type), an HDMI port, and a headphone jack.
This system runs on Windows 10 and supports a variety of peripherals that increase productivity and connectivity. As far as wireless connectivity is concerned, it has Intel wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5 combined (capable of Gigabit-speed file transfers).
3. Acer Nitro 5

Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H processor ( 6 core, Boost up to 4.2 GHz) |
GPU | 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM 2933MHz |
Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
Screen | 14-inch full HD (1920 x 1080) micro bezel and anti-glare display |
Weight | 3.77 lbs (1.71 kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 9.45 hours |
Others | Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 10 Home |
Acer Nitro 5 is a 10th Generation laptop powered by a Core i5-10300H processor from Intel. Gaming enthusiasts will find the Acer Nitro 5 to be a good choice. This processor offers excellent value for money and performance with minimum sacrifice, as it can boost its performance up to 4.5 GHz.
Featuring the powerful and specialized GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, the Nitro 5 is a perfect choice for the game package. Its specs make it the best budget i5 laptop.
It comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It allows users to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The Acer Nitro 5 is not a laptop for long-term use. When you run high gaming on it, the battery lasts a couple of hours and has a battery life of 5 hours for regular use.
In addition to its thin, light design, the Acer Nitro 5 has a widescreen LED IPS display that measures 15.6 inches. The Acer Nitro 5 Keyboard also has a Backlit feature that can turn on and off automatically so that users won’t have to switch modes every time. It is one of the best 10th gen i5 laptops for gaming and video editing under budget because of its 1920 x 1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate.
For connecting an external display, it has 4 Type-C ports, a USB charging port, a USB Type port, and an HDMI port. A pre-installed version of Windows 11 Home is included with the computer. You can connect to wifi 6 and Bluetooth, enhancing your experience.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Latest and Powerful Processor
- Powerful RTX 3060 GPU
- Wireless Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi 6 Convenience
- Provide very loud sound with DTS X Ultra
- 144Hz Refresh rate Display
Cons
- Heavy
4. ASUS TUF F17

Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10300H Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 4 cores) |
GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 2933MHz |
Storage | 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
Screen | 17.3 inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-Type display, 144Hz screen refresh rate |
Weight | 5.07 lbs (2.29 kg |
Battery Life | Up to 13 hours |
Others | RGB Backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and Windows 10 Home |
It is a gaming laptop; designed for casual gamers who don’t require an expensive or powerful machine. Asus is best known for its high-quality, high-performance motherboards, CPU, and Graphics card.
It has been designed with a focus on gaming to give its loyal customers an edge. A gaming laptop cannot compete with the device’s performance; it can keep up with even high-end PC rigs.
At 4.5GHz CPU frequency, this laptop is powered by an 11th-generation i5-11400H processor with six cores. It is the core that is a CPU’s most significant feature. Because of its processor, this laptop is a good choice for gamers.
There is a powerful 4GB DDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card inside the Asus TUF Gaming F17 laptop. It is not just a gaming laptop because it can be used as an entertainment or productivity task.
The unit includes 8 GB DDR4 memory and 512 GB PCIe SSD. Battery life provides a longer battery time of up to four hours. In addition to an FHD IPS 17.3-inch display with a refresh rate of 144Hz, the laptop includes a special Anti-Dust Cooling (ADC) system cooling solution. This display provides gamers with a comfortable viewing angle. This laptop offers high performance and high quality for gaming and video editing.
There are three USB 3.0 ports on this device. It runs Windows 11 Home. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth and wifi wireless connectivity. Asus TUF F15 has a great processor and graphics card for video editing.
Pros
- Powerful Processor
- Outstanding Battery Life
- Lots of Memory and Storage Available
- Large Screen with less bezel
- Affordable Price
Cons
- No Thunderbolt port
5. HP 15

Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor |
GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
RAM | 8 GB DDR4 RAM |
Storage | 256GB NVMe solid-state drive |
Screen | 15.6-inch full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS micro-edge and anti-glare display |
Weight | 3.75 lbs (1.70 kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 7.15 hours |
Others | Full-size Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, HD webcam, Windows 11 |
The HP 15.6-inch Laptop has the 11th generation of Intel Core i5 1135G7 processor. It’s designed to deliver the best connectivity and responsiveness. This processor makes it possible to run applications up to 4 times faster than previous generations of processors, which means your work will be done in a fraction of the time it takes today. The HP 15 is the best cheap i5 laptop on the list.
Its CPU can handle multitasking jobs better than any previous generation. With the powerful Intel Iris XE Graphics, you get a brand new level of performance with crisp and stunning visuals, and it comes with excellent battery life. This device is estimated to have a battery life of approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.
The Intel Iris Xe Graphics is one of the latest and most powerful high-end integrated graphics cards on the market. It is designed mainly for professional users who need high-quality visuals to create illustrations, web pages, and other forms of visual content. Consider HP 15 if you are looking for a laptop with an i5 processor for college students.
The HP 15.6-inch laptop comes with 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB SSD space is just what you need to do your daily work quickly and efficiently. A thin and light design is the key to making it portable, and it has been designed to take on any task. It has a 6.5 mm thin-bezel display that provides a full-screen viewing experience when you need to work in your favorite browser or an app that doesn’t support full-screen mode.
This laptop display has a micro-edge screen and an anti-glare screen with a full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution. These features make it an ideal I5 laptop for students who want a computer with good performance and battery. Its 15-inch display has a wide viewing angle and color gamut, making it look great.
There are three USB 3.0 ports included in the port selection. It runs on Windows 11 Home. As for the connectivity features of the laptop, it features Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2. So you can make your everyday life easier because you can connect to your wi-fi hotspot to make calls or send files from your phone no matter where you are at home or the office as long as you are within range of another’s wi-fi router.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Powerful CPU
- Best in Mid Range
- Good Sound Quality
- Looking Stylish
- Excellent Battery Life
Cons
- Not for Heavy Gaming
Read our full HP Pavilion 15 2022 Review
6. ASUS VivoBook S14

Specifications
CPU (Processor) | 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz, with IPU) |
GPU | Shared Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
RAM | 8GB DDR4 Memory |
Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD |
Screen | 14-inch Full HD display with a stunning 85% screen-to-body ratio |
Weight | 3.09 lbs (1.4 Kg) |
Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
Others | Thunderbolt 3, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 11, Backlit Keyboard |
The ASUS VivoBook S14 is an excellent laptop that meets all your needs. It provides all-rounder performance for every user type. This is not a dedicated gaming laptop, but you can use it for gaming. ASUS VivoBook S14 has an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1115G7 quad-core processor, who works at a clock speed of 4.2 GHz.
The Intel Iris Xe graphics power the ASUS VivoBook S14. With these graphics, you can enjoy a better experience on a laptop that can handle most tasks. With 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, this laptop is a powerhouse regarding performance.
The battery easily lasts through an 8-hour workday. The ASUS VivoBook S14 offers excellent battery life, unlike many other laptops, and It is an affordable laptop with an i5 processor for those who need a big battery. It boasts an extended battery life of 13.5 hours, a significant change from the previous generation of its predecessor.
ASUS VivoBook S14 S433 is a budget i5 laptop with a bezel-less display, a backlit keyboard, and a 14″ Full HD resolution screen. The laptop boasts an impressive 85% screen-to-body ratio, making it stand out among its competitors. It looks like you are carrying a big device, but it weighs only 3.09 pounds (1.4 kg).
It has 2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI video output, an audio jack, an SD card reader slot for memory cards up to 64GB in size, and a Thunderbolt 3 port that supports DisplayPort 1.2 (up to 40W), HDMI port and headphone jack.
ASUS VivoBook S14 is available in the preload with Windows 10 Home. As well as having high-speed connectivity via 802.11ax 2×2 and connecting devices like tablets and smartphones with Bluetooth 5.0, there’s also an HDMI port to show movies or music on your TV.
How to Choose a Good Intel i5 Laptop?
Choosing the ideal laptop for a particular task with a specific CPU might be challenging. That is why we have put this guide to assist you in selecting the best i5 laptop for each activity within your budget.
I5-based laptops with this CPU are appropriate for students and others who use computers for business or education.
When looking for a laptop, seek Intel Core i5 CPUs from the 10th, 11th, and 12th generations. Other factors to consider are the graphics card, RAM, storage, battery life, and screen quality.
After determining your needs, it’s time to pick your laptop! Here are some pointers to get you started:
Difference between the i5 generation
The Core i5 is an excellent CPU for any computer; it has a quad-core architecture with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz, which makes it perfect for gaming and heavy multitasking. It is the successor to the i3, which can barely handle graphics-intensive games and requires the graphics settings to be low. But for graphics-intensive games, processors of the 10th, 11th, and 12th gen i5 laptops perform fantastically.
As a result, this generation is more efficient, has superior architecture, and has a faster clock speed. Three generations of core i5 are considered the best: the 10th, 11th, and 12th generations. One of the great things about these processors is that they provide affordable high-performance laptops that do not require a high-performance graphics card.
In terms of performance, the Intel i5 10th generation processor has a quad-core design that can be used for daily tasks. The 10th generation i5 processor laptop is the best for college students.
It is specially designed for rendering high-end content and making 3D animations. Gamers and application developers can easily use it for heavy workloads. A vital advantage of this processor is its ability to handle multiple tasks well. The 12th generation of Intel Core i5 processor is ideal for gaming, having 8 cores and 16 threads. Make it easy for gamers and heavy workloads to use. Besides being reliable, it can also work at 1080p with 60 frames per second.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple is considered the best laptop brand because it delivers the same performance as before, even after years of use. Second, the best brand is Dell; that’s pretty good and has always been credited with delivering portability and performance.
Apple and Dell are considered high-end brands, but if you want Affordable, then HP, Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo would be the right choice. For gaming and other heavy tasks, Razer, MSI, Lenovo, Asus, and Alienware are the best.
Intel is always making a lot of improvements with newer generations of processors (like performance battery backup, security, etc.) so the latest and newest processors are always better.
Still, if the processor series is good – the H series offers better performance it will be better than the U series. The 12th-gen processors are powerful, and the 11th-gen is powerful, but it would be nice to have a 10th-gen H-series CPU in a gaming laptop.
How much RAM a laptop need depends on the tasks. For any task like 3D design, rendering, video editing, or modern gaming, you should have the most RAM in your laptop. You’ll get RAM options in I5 processor laptops, mostly 8GB to 16GB. You can choose either, an 8GB laptop if budget is an issue, or 16GB RAM if money isn’t an issue.
Final Words
This article covers some of the world’s most popular and affordable laptops with i5 processors. However, there is a significant element of truth to all these laptops. Every company has its requirements and wants when selecting a computer for them.
These notebooks are known for their high performance and are offered at a very affordable price.
You can select any of these according to your need, like students, business, games, and other tasks. Or, if you are a social media influencer, you can choose any of these good I5 laptops for video editing, photo editing, and music production.