What is the right laptop performance for everyday tasks?
What is the right laptop performance for everyday tasks?
I'm trying to decide which laptop fits my needs but I'm unsure about what's considered "good" performance in real life.
I've been relying on CPU scores from PassMark to guide my choices.
This feels a bit confusing for me.
I'm used to devices like the HP ProBook 640 G1 with an i5-4300M (PassMark score 2992) and the Macbook Air with an i7-5650U (score 3170).
So I'm used to seeing those numbers when thinking about practical performance.
I mostly use my computer for browsing the internet with many tabs, office tasks, watching videos, and light photo editing.
Why am I considering budget laptops with CPUs like the Ryzen 5 4500U or Intel i5-1135G7?
These models have scores that are three to four times higher than what I'm used to.
I'm really puzzled and not sure what to focus on anymore.
My budget is between 600 to 700 CAD (about 500 to 600 USD).
Do I really have to spend that much just to get something that performs a little better than what I'm used to?
I just need some clarity right now.
What will cause the issue is photo editing. Everything else could likely be handled on a Raspberry Pi... but if you lack sufficient processing power, editing might become excessively slow. If this happens while you're working under time pressure, it would be quite problematic. Another factor I think is important is the screen's color accuracy and resolution.
The first thing I’d examine would be the recommended minimum specifications for the editing software you’re using. Besides that, think about the screen size you prefer and any ergonomic concerns.
On the last laptop I bought... I chose an i5 because it provided the performance I needed while still maintaining decent battery life. I didn’t require a dedicated GPU.
I looked into everything available in my budget, including used and refurbished models. I went for a new one but chose a machine with an HDD and less RAM than I wanted. I made sure the components I planned to replace weren’t permanently soldered, which is now common, and I managed to upgrade it with my own SSD and extra memory. This saved me a lot of money.
I recommend that unless you’re extremely passionate about Apple products, there’s much more worth getting a PC for. Apple sets a certain standard, but it doesn’t guarantee superior performance. They intentionally limit hardware compatibility to ensure stability and consistent results, which is usually a good thing. I don’t mind planned obsolescence for that reason.
From a brand standpoint, consider what you expect from the manufacturer and the support they provide. I’ve preferred Dell Inspiron or XPS models whenever possible, unless a much better deal is offered elsewhere.
Good luck and stay calm. The laptop market can be quite confusing.
@punkncat
Thank you for such a great and detailed reply.
I don't have an affinity for apple products (I actually prefer to stay away from them).
Yes, the laptop space is definitely confusing and a bit overly convoluted in terms of options and pricing.
Basically this is what I'm looking for:
A good display with a high nits value (300+) and color accuracy (14inch preferred but not mandatory)
8+ gigs of ram (the more the better, and hopefully it's not all soldered in (why do they do that!?)
512GB of storage (SSD preferred)
GPU (no preference)
CPU = no idea (this part is what troubles me the most)
Webcam = must be good. (No hot garbage conference call quality)
Ergonomics ? (will mostly be stationed at a desk but would like to have the choice to be mobile)
Build quality = no preference (as long as it's not laughable)
If I could find all this within a budget of around 600-700 CAD (500-600 USD) or lower (preferred), that would be amazing.
I will keep researching but if anyone has any recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it.