Core i5 processors laptops are more productive than i3 and cheaper than i7, so laptops with them are often chosen for work, study, and even games if you choose the right hardware. We have compiled a ranking of the best laptops with Intel Core i5, showing their advantages and disadvantages. We also offer advice on choosing such devices. This will help you, as a buyer, better understand the topic and make the right choice.
What to look for when choosing an i5 laptop?
Processor generation
The generation of the i5 processor line is indicated with a hyphen. For example, Intel Core i5-11600KF means belonging to the 11th generation (the first two digits after the hyphen). The rest of the data refer to varieties within a generation. The higher the number after the hyphen, the better, because with each generation performance increases (even at a lower clock frequency), and energy efficiency, and heating decreases.
There were already 12 generations, but they are constantly being developed, so more and more will appear. You can check this and see the main characteristics of processors on the official website of the manufacturer Intel.
Number of Cores
i5 processors are produced with at least 4 cores there is no less. This is not bad, and with an increase in the number of independent computing modules, the performance also increases. Now on sale, there are i5 processors even with 6 and 10 cores.
Clock frequency
This is another performance indicator. The higher the value, the faster the calculations will be. Most i5s support Turbo technology, which speeds up data processing as the CPU gets under load. Therefore, when choosing, pay attention not to the base clock frequency (which can be 1.10-2.30 GHz), but to the maximum one (3.30-4.90 GHz is possible).
table of top core i5 laptop price in Pakistan
Comparison table of core i5 laptop price in Pakistan (New Laptops)
| Best core i5 laptop | Price in Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Extensa 15 EX215-53 | Rs 97000 |
| 2 | ASUS X415JA | Rs 100000 |
| 3 | Lenovo v15 iil | Rs 82000 |
| 4 | Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 | Rs 120000 |
| 5 | Apple MacBook Pro 13 2020 | Rs 195000 |
| 6 | HONOR MagicBook X 15 | Rs 90000 |
| 7 | HONOR MagicBook Pro | Rs 95000 |
| 8 | Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED K3500PH | Rs 180000 |
| 9 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IIL05 | Rs 115000 |
Prices are based on new laptops in Pakistan while you can also buy used laptops in Pakistan with 30 to 60% less prices.
Best core i5 laptops
Acer Extensa 15 EX215-53: best i5 laptop of all
Why we liked Acer Extensa 15 EX215-53: a laptop with an Intel Core i5 and NVIDIA GeForce “stuffing” will pass for a gaming one and compared to similar i7 laptops
Acer Extensa 15 EX215-53 Characteristics:
- processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1 (4×1 GHz);
- graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce MX330 2 GB;
- memory: RAM – 12 GB, ROM – 512 GB;
- battery: 36.7 Wh;
- screen: 15.6″ (1920×1080).
The laptop has a 10th generation i5 processor that has 4 physical cores but separates tasks into 8 logical processes. The operating frequency varies from 1.00 to 3.60 GHz depending on the load. 12 GB of RAM is already installed, so you can run dozens of programs at the same time. The processor supports the expansion of RAM up to 64 GB in case the available characteristics become insufficient. The maximum frequency of the graphics system is 1.05 GHz, but there will be no delays in dynamic scenes, since a separate 2 GB video card is installed. The battery in the laptop is weak, so away from the outlet it will be possible to work only 2-4 hours, depending on the load.
Design and body
Matte body almost does not get dirty. With a screen diagonal of 15.6 ″, the external dimensions are 363x251x20 mm, and the device weighs 1.9 kg. A wired Internet connection is provided for a stable network connection. There are HDMI outputs and two USB ports. The laptop has an active cooling system, and the air outlet from the fan is placed on the backside. This reduces noise and the user is not blown into the hand by a hot stream. An SSD drive helps you quickly launch applications and write information to your hard drive faster.
Display
The screen has a good resolution of 1920×1080, and thanks to a discrete graphics card, dynamic game scenes are well displayed on it. The TN panel provides a fast response, but the colors seem a bit washed out. It is better to use the device indoors, otherwise, the image will be dim.
Must check out best laptops for graphic design in Pakistan.
ASUS X415JA: Best i5 laptop with NanoEdge display
Why we liked ASUS X415JA: The laptop has a screen with minimal side bezels, which makes it look smaller than its peers. The liquid crystal matrix and NanoEdge technology provide excellent color reproduction.
ASUS X415JA Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1 (4×1 GHz);
- graphics card: built-in, Intel UHD Graphics;
- memory: RAM – 8 GB, ROM – 512 GB;
- battery: 37 Wh;
- screen: 14″ (1920×1080).
The laptop has the same processor as the rating leader Acer Extensa 15, so the laptop is quite fast, and the operating system loads in just a few seconds. The model received second place due to the reduced RAM – 8 versus 12 GB, an integrated video card. The battery here is just as weak – the autonomy time is 2-4 hours. If you do not compare the laptop with the leader, then in general it is a productive computer machine for many hours of office work every day.
ASUS X415JA Design and body
Thanks to the widescreen and thin display with NanoEdge technology, it was possible to reduce the size of the laptop case – here they are 325x216x19.9 mm, and the model weighs 1.6 kg. Ideal if you need to carry a laptop every day to work and back home. The device is charged both from a standard adapter and any telephone wire with a USB Type-C connector. This is handy if you forget the adapter at work.
Typing on the laptop is easy in poor ambient light, as there is a built-in backlit keys. No one will use the device except you – the system is logged in using a fingerprint. Powerful speakers produce high-quality stereo sound if you want to listen to music or watch a movie. This is good, since the cooler is quite loud under load.
ASUS X415JA Display
The screen resolution of 1920×1080 at a diagonal of 14” provides a clear image and high contrast. The refresh rate of 60 Hz is suitable for studying, office tasks and watching movies. With NanoEdge technology, colors look very juicy and the overall picture is vibrant.
Lenovo v15 iil: Best i5 laptop by lid angle
Why we liked Lenovo v15 iil: The laptop’s lid can open 180⁰. This protects against breakage of the hinges, allows you to adjust the screen angle individually.
Lenovo v15 iil Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1 (4×1 GHz);
- graphics card: built-in, Intel UHD Graphics;
- memory: RAM – 8 GB, ROM – 256 GB;
- battery: 35 Wh;
- screen: 15.6″ (1920×1080).
This is another tried-and-tested i5 laptop with an SSD drive that has a processor similar to the two models above. The device took third place in the ranking due to a small 256 GB drive compared to 512 GB for the previous two. Their battery parameters are almost the same, and the laptop will work from the battery for about 4 hours. Under load, the laptop does not get very hot and never turns off by itself, which additionally protects your unsaved data while you work.
Lenovo v15 iil Design and body
In other models of laptops, the hinges often break out when the lid is opened carelessly. This won’t happen on this laptop as the screen opens to 180⁰. This allows you to conveniently adjust its position for work. When connecting a larger monitor, the display can be folded down on the table so that its work does not distract from the main screen. The body of the laptop is completely made of matte plastic, so visually it always looks clean. The included power adapter is small, which is practical for regular carrying. The laptop has 3 USB ports at once, but they are all located on one side, and this is not very convenient for inserting and removing plugs.
Lenovo v15 iil Display
A 15.6” screen with a resolution of 1920×1080 is well suited for text, tables, but because of the TN matrix, it is better to use the device indoors. There is no separate video card, so you can only play at low graphics settings.
Here is our rating of Best Laptops In Pakistan.
Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019: Best laptop with i5 and turbo cooling
Why we liked Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019: the laptop has an active cooling system with Turbo mode, launched by a separate button. Useful for those who like to keep their laptop on their lap while playing.
Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5 9300H (4×2.40 GHz);
- graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6 GB;
- memory: RAM – 8 GB, ROM – 512 GB;
- battery: 55 Wh;
- screen: 15.6″ (1920×1080).
A gaming laptop with a 6 GB NVIDIA GeForce discrete graphics card plays great graphics at high settings. The 9th generation i5 processor has 4 physical cores and processes tasks by dividing them into 8 threads. The frequency of each core is 2.40-4.10 GHz. Initially, the model is released with 8 GB of RAM, but the motherboard has a second slot, so the RAM can be easily increased by inserting a second bar. The processor itself supports up to 128 GB of RAM. With simple tasks, the device does not heat up and does not make noise, and when capacious applications are launched, you can turn on the Turbo-cooling mode with a separate button.
Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 Design and body
The laptop is slightly larger than the others (364x265x20.9 mm) and much heavier – 2.6 kg versus 1.6-1.9 kg. The keyboard layout here is different from the classic one, so it will be unusual for those who are used to touch typing. But most often a laptop is bought not for printing, but for games, so only the arrows and a few buttons are used.
The keyboard is customizable in color and backlight strength, which is convenient in low ambient light. Four USB connectors allow you to connect your laptop to multiple devices at the same time. Network card for wired connection promotes stable connection in online games. But USB Type-C, which is now available even in many budget models, is missing here.
Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 Display
15.6” screen diagonal is the best option for gaming. IPS-matrix and resolution of 1920×1080 contribute to a bright picture and a clear image. Sequential playback without frame delay provides a screen refresh rate of 144 Hz.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 2020: best i5 laptop for video editing
Why we liked Apple MacBook Pro 13 2020: The laptop has a high screen resolution and plenty of RAM. This will be appreciated by those involved in video editing.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 2020 Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5 1038NG7 (4×2 GHz);
- graphics card: built-in, Intel Iris Plus Graphics;
- memory: RAM – 16 GB, ROM – 512 GB;
- battery: 58 Wh;
- screen: 13.3″ (2560×1600).
The MacBook Pro 13 Mid uses the 10th generation i5 processor (1038NG7), which is slightly different from the i5-1035G1. In Apple technology, the minimum clock speed is 2.00 GHz, and for laptops with i5-1035G1 it is 1.00 GHz, so the MacBook Pro consumes battery faster even without load. Fortunately, its capacity is 58 Wh, so the charge lasts for 8-10 hours. When overclocked, the processor clock speed rises to 3.8 GHz, so the laptop copes with capacious applications such as Photoshop or a video editor.
16 GB of RAM holds a large amount of data, which is just right for working with gigabytes of video, when the project has not yet been saved and everything has to be kept in temporary memory. But under load, the laptop heats up significantly. The lack of a network card forces users to download and upload large files only over Wi-Fi. The 512 GB SSD hard drive is well suited for quickly accessing files stored in ROM.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 2020 Design and body
A laptop with a metal case looks stylish and better protects internal components from shock. The developers have provided in it a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 functionality. This means that through the connector it will be possible to both charge the device and transfer video to another monitor. But there are only two ports, so you need an adapter with a splitter to connect a printer, a second monitor, a power adapter, a mouse.
Apple MacBook Pro 13 2020 Display
The screen resolution of 2560×1600 with a diagonal of 13.3” gives high definition. This is another plus in favor of using a laptop for graphics work. IPS-matrix gives a colorful picture.
HONOR MagicBook X 15: best i5 laptop in size and weight
Why we liked HONOR MagicBook X 15: The laptop is smaller and lighter than most 15.6-inch laptops. This is true for those who need a large screen and have to regularly carry a laptop with them.
HONOR MagicBook X 15 Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5 10210U (4×1.60 GHz);
- graphics card: built-in, Intel UHD Graphics;
- memory: RAM – 8 GB, ROM – 512 GB;
- battery: 42 Wh;
- screen: 15.6″ (1920×1080).
The laptop is equipped with a variant of the 10th generation i5 processor – 10210U. With 4 physical cores, 8 independent virtual modules for computing processes are formed. The clock frequency varies from 1.60 to 4.20 GHz. The computer machine is quite productive and copes with all office tasks. It comes with 8GB of RAM as standard, but the processor supports up to 64GB of RAM. Batteries with a capacity of 42 Wh last for 6-7 hours. The 512 GB SSD hard drive is suitable for storing large files so as not to depend on an Internet connection.
HONOR MagicBook X 15 Design and body
The metal case of the laptop is more compact than analogues, although the screen of the device has a diagonal of 15.6”. The dimensions of the laptop are 229.9×357.8×16.9 mm, and the weight is 1.62 kg. This will appeal to those who often carry a laptop with them for work or school. The cutout at the bottom makes it easy to pry the lid off and open it with one hand. USB, USB Type-C and HDMI connectors allow you to connect a second monitor, printer, scanner or mouse at the same time. But there is no RJ45 port, so only wireless online communication is possible. Despite the 15.6” display, the keyboard layout here is like that of a netbook – there is no numpad. Along with it, the home, end buttons were also removed, and they are important for those involved in coding.
HONOR MagicBook X 15 Display
The widescreen screen has a resolution of 1920×1080, and the IPS-matrix produces bright colors. The laptop is a pleasure to work with both photos and video files. The bezel-less design visually makes the display even larger.
HONOR MagicBook Pro: Best i5 laptop with big screen
Why we liked HONOR MagicBook Pro: The laptop screen size is 16.1”. With a discrete graphics card, this is a great option for gaming on a large display as well as watching movies.
HONOR MagicBook Pro Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5 10210U (4×1.60 GHz)
- graphics card: VIDIA GeForce MX350 2 GB
- memory: RAM – 16 GB, ROM – 512 GB
- battery: 56 Wh
- screen: 16.1″ (1920×1080)
The same processor is installed here as in HONOR MagicBook X, so they are equal in terms of performance. 512 GB SSD ROM allows you to store a large amount of data, while 16 GB of RAM and a discrete graphics card with 2 GB of memory make the i5 laptop a gaming laptop. But reviews show that the laptop gets very hot under load, so spontaneous shutdowns are possible with prolonged use. The battery with a capacity of 56 Wh contributes to a battery life of up to 12 hours.
HONOR MagicBook Pro Design and body
The body dimensions are 234x369x16.9 and it weighs 1.7 kg. The laptop is metal, so it can withstand bumps and even accidental drops. There is a handy cutout at the bottom for one-handed opening, but the hinges are so tight that they may need to be adjusted. Reviews show that the touchpad is rather uncomfortable, so take care of the mouse right away. By the way, there are USB connectors for this, while USB Type-C and HDMI remain for other devices. But there is no input for a wired Internet connection, so when playing online, lags are possible due to high ping.
HONOR MagicBook Pro Display
Despite the screen diagonal of 16.1”, the laptop is quite thin (16.9 mm), although it is larger than the 15.6” versions. 1920×1080 resolution and IPS-matrix provide excellent color reproduction and detail. On the big screen, it is convenient to play arcade games in order to better see the situation, and it is also pleasant to watch movies with a company. Good stereo sound is another advantage in favor of this use.
Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED K3500PH: Best i5 laptop with OLED screen
Why we liked Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED K3500PH: Unlike most laptops with i5 and TN or IPS matrices, this one has an OLED display. This gives high color richness and deep blacks. The device will be appreciated by those working with graphics.
Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED K3500PH Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5 11300H (4×3.10 GHz);
- graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 MAX-Q 4 GB;
- memory: RAM – 16 GB, ROM – 512 GB;
- battery: 63 Wh;
- screen: 15.6″ (1920×1080).
The laptop is powerful, but has its own significant drawbacks, so it is ranked lower than others. The i5 processor belongs to the 11th generation. Four cores work for eight threads with a frequency of 3.10-4.40 GHz – this is excellent, but the laptop is very noisy, which interferes with work at night if someone is resting nearby. Initially, the model has 16 GB of RAM, and the processor itself supports interaction with RAM up to 64 GB, but the bar is soldered on the motherboard, so it is difficult to physically increase the RAM (you need to work with a soldering iron at your own risk).
Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED K3500PH Design and body
The black metal case looks beautiful and does not get dirty even with regular use. The backlight of the keyboard is adjustable in three modes. The versatile Thunderbolt 4 port is suitable for a variety of tasks, including file transfer, connecting a second monitor, charging. There is no network connector for wired internet. Another perforation for the release of warm air is made under the screen, and during prolonged use, the display heats up additionally.
Asus VivoBook Pro 15 OLED K3500PH Display
The main advantage of the laptop is the OLED screen, which produces deep blacks. The light of the pixels is not dimmed, but completely turned off. This results in high contrast. The resolution of 1920×1080 is suitable for both working with documents and graphic images. The standard speakers sound great – there is no need to connect additional speakers to watch the video on the street.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IIL05
Why we liked Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IIL05: Manufacturers often save money by releasing laptops with i5 and TN-matrix. In this budget version, the color picture is reproduced thanks to IPS, which contributes to brightness and saturation.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IIL05 Characteristics
- processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1 (4×1 GHz);
- graphics card: built-in, Intel UHD Graphics;
- memory: RAM – 4 GB, ROM – 256 GB;
- battery: 35 Wh;
- screen: 15.6″ (1920×1080).
The device runs on a 10th Gen i5 processor at 1.00 GHz with no load (when only File Explorer, Browser and Messengers are running). In this usage scenario, it almost does not heat up and is completely silent. This is handy for holding a laptop on your lap or for working from home at night when other family members are already resting. SSD storage provides fast OS boot and file playback. But its volume loses to most of the rating participants, including Acer Extensa 15 and ASUS X415JA 256 versus 512 GB. RAM is also less here – 4 versus 8-16 GB.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IIL05 Design and body
The model has dimensions of 253x362x19.9 mm and weighs 1.7 kg. The camera above the display is equipped with a retractable shutter, which will be appreciated by those who are worried about privacy and are afraid of remote hacking of the laptop. From the reviews it can be seen that the hinges of all laptops of this model are very tight, so the lid must be opened smoothly. There are several USB ports for connecting peripherals, and a second monitor can be connected via HDMI. The low keys are comfortable for long typing.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15IIL05 Display
The manufacturer did not save money and placed a screen with an IPS matrix in the laptop. This provides bright, saturated colors and good viewing angles. On the device, you can watch movies not only for one person, but also for a company – everyone will be perfectly visible. The 1920×1080 resolution clearly conveys subtle graphic details.
How to choose Core i5 laptops?
When choosing core i5 laptops you should pay attention to the following parameters.
Cache
This is ultra-fast processor memory. The bigger it is, the better. In the characteristics, the parameter is written as L3 and the number of MB is indicated. It works like this: if you need to access RAM memory to read information, the processor first checks if this data is in its own cache. If they are, processing occurs immediately (reading, playback, etc. scripts). When the cache memory is full, the processor looks for information in RAM, which slightly reduces performance.
I5 processors of modern generations have cache memory of 6-20 MB. Even the minimum value ensures fast operation of the computing node, but if you want to quickly switch between large programs (graphic and music editors, games, etc.), choose a value of 12-20 MB.
Stream doubling technology
The technology implies the creation of two independent central modules from each physical core, dividing the execution of the task into two threads. As a result, a laptop with 4 cores can work almost like an 8 core. This technology is not available in all versions of the i5 processor, so be interested in its availability if you are going to use a laptop for games or multitasking at work.
Expandable RAM
Initially, laptop RAM may be small, but this can be fixed by installing another bar (if there is a second slot on the motherboard) or replacing the RAM with a larger one. But here it is important with what maximum amount of RAM the processor can interact. This is indicated on the official website of the manufacturer. If you install a RAM bar with more than the processor supports, the devices will not be able to interact.
Maximum dynamic frequency of the graphics system
If the laptop does not have a separate discrete graphics card, then the graphics processor built into the main computing component is responsible for video playback. Then, when choosing a laptop with an i5, it is important to look at the maximum dynamic frequency of the processor’s graphics system. Desirable indicator is 1.20 GHz, and even higher is better. At a low frequency, the picture in dynamic scenes may lag behind.
The characteristics of the processor also indicate the base frequency of the graphics system. It can be quite small – 350-700 GHz. Do not be afraid, because the laptop works in such modes when playing static scenes, such as text, tables.
RAM
This is a laptop’s fast memory that stores the data of running applications. When the RAM is full, it “resets” the information that does not fit. This leads to a “freeze” of the program when accessing it. For example, open browser tabs will be updated, loading again, the player will continue playing a couple of seconds after pressing the Play button.
If you need to use 3-4 applications at the same time for work or school, 4 GB of RAM is sufficient. For high-capacity programs and games, choose a laptop with i5 and 8 GB of RAM or higher.
ROM or storage
Read-only memory is needed to boot and install the operating system, as well as other applications. It saves downloaded files and created projects. Typically, the OS and the required software package takes up about 20-30 GB. How much space is left for personal files depends on the size of the ROM. If you plan to store large video projects or movies in your laptop, choose a model with a 512 GB hard drive or more. When working with documents and the browser is a priority, the 128 GB parameter is enough.
The type of hard drive affects performance and battery life. The HDD has a larger size, moving mechanical parts, heats up more and runs slower. SSD-drive is more compact, consists of solid-state fixed modules, heats up less, silent and fast. With it, the operating system loads faster, it takes less time to open files, and writing to disk is more dynamic. But this type of storage is more expensive.
Battery
The larger the capacity, the longer the charge will last for remote use from the outlet. If you plan to often work or play without the ability to connect an adapter, choose laptops with i5 and a battery capacity of 40 Wh.
Screen Size
It is convenient to work with large tables, graphics or watch movies on laptops with a diagonal of 15.6-17.3”. But they are bigger and heavier than 13.3-14”. If you do not plan to often carry a laptop with you, choose larger models. For regular carrying in a bag and backpack, it is better to buy a lighter and more compact laptop.
Screen resolution does not affect the clarity of the picture. We recommend looking at models with a characteristic of 1920×1080 and higher. The matrix determines the brightness, color saturation and viewing angles. IPS-matrix is better and safer for the eyes, but laptops are more expensive with it. OLED displays produce an even more beautiful picture, their price is even higher, and with prolonged use, the eyes get tired faster.
Graphics card
A discrete graphics card is essential if you plan to play games at high settings. In this case, a separate video card with its own memory will not consume the RAM resource, which will eliminate “freezes” or artifacts in the frame.
If you want to choose a gaming laptop with an i5 processor, you can see the manufacturer’s recommendations for the generation of the computing crystal and the various capabilities of such modules in a separate presentation.
Conclusion
When choosing a core i5 laptop price in Pakistan, pay attention to the generation of the processor, the number of cores, the clock speed, and the presence of technology for doubling the threads. The cache of the processor, the possibility of expanding the RAM, and the type of hard disk are also important. If you plan to use a laptop for study and games, look at models with a discrete graphics card. For the perfect choice read above Best core i5 laptops with price in Pakistan reviews.
