If you’re looking for a laptop that’s fast, efficient, and reliable, you’ve likely come across devices powered by Intel’s Core i5 processors. And for good reason. These laptops strike that sweet spot between affordability and performance, making them ideal for a wide range of users, from business professionals and students to content creators and casual gamers.
This guide is for anyone who needs dependable processing power without stepping into premium-tier pricing. Maybe you’re managing spreadsheets, editing high-res photos, handling multi-tab browsing, or streaming 4K video. You don’t need top-tier hardware—but you also can’t afford lag. We wrote this for you.
The Core i5 tier is where real productivity starts. But here’s the challenge—you’ll find hundreds of Core i5 laptops on the market. Some run hot, some cheap out on storage, and others pair a great CPU with a lackluster screen or weak battery. That’s where most buyers get stuck: plenty of options, but few solid choices.
We’ve taken the time to evaluate what actually matters in this crowded category. Because a strong processor is only part of the equation. You need a well-rounded machine that complements the Core i5’s capabilities.
Here’s how we assess the best Core i5 laptops:
- Processor generation and efficiency (Is it 11th, 12th, 13th, or 14th gen?)
- Thermal design and sustained performance under load
- RAM capacity and upgrade potential
- SSD speed, capacity, and system responsiveness
- Display quality—color accuracy, brightness, refresh rate
- Port selection and connectivity (Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB-C)
- Battery life during practical, real-world use
- Build quality, keyboard feel, and portability
To even be considered for this guide, each laptop must feature at least 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and an Intel Core i5 processor from the 11th generation or newer. These minimums ensure snappy multitasking, fast boots, and smooth day-to-day operation.
We’ve grouped our recommendations around usage scenarios, so you can find the best fit for how you actually use your laptop:
- For remote workers and students, we spotlight ultraportables with all-day battery life and crisp displays.
- If you’re into light content creation, we cover devices with IPS panels and color-accurate screens, backed by strong integrated or entry-level discrete GPUs.
- Business professionals will appreciate models with durable chassis, TPM security features, and enterprise support tools.
- Budget-conscious buyers get options that stretch value without cutting essential corners.
Best Intel Core i5 Processor Laptops:
Contents
- Asus VivoBook
- ASUS VivoBook S
- 2018 Dell G3 15
- Acer Aspire 5
- Dell Inspiron 15 5000
- Acer Aspire E 15
- Apple MacBook Air MJVE2LLA 13-inch
- Acer Aspire R 15 Convertible
- Acer Nitro 5
- ASUS ZenBook 13
- ASUS 2-in-1 13.3 Touchscreen
- Dell Inspiron 13 5000
- ASUS VivoBook F510UA
- HP Spectre Touch x360
- MSI GV62 8RD-200
- Lenovo Ideapad 330S
- Lenovo ThinkPad E580
- ASUS ZenBook UX303UA
- Dell Inspiron 15.6 FHD
- Dell XPS 9350-1340SLV
- HP - 17.3 Laptop
- HP Jaguar 15-bs070wm
- Lenovo IdeaPad G50
Asus VivoBook |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, Up to 3.1GHz 3MB Cache turbo |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1360x768 HD |
| RAM | 8 GB SDRAM DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 1 TB HDD 5400 rpm |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB, HDMI, Headphone Jack, Ethernet |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.2 x 9.6 x 1.1 inches |
| Weight | 4.41 pounds |
| Pros | Performance, Battery Life |
| Cons | Display Quality |
ASUS VivoBook S |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor 1.8 GHz (Turbo up to 4.0 GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | FHD (1920 x 1080) pixels |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 256 GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen 1), USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and HDMI |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.2 x 9.6 x 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 3.7 pounds |
| Pros | Lightweight and Thin, Good performance, Quality display |
| Cons | NA |
2018 Dell G3 15 |
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| CPU | Intel Core i5-8300H 8MB cache, 2.30 GHz up to 4.00 GHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB GDDR5 |
| Display Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage Space | 1 TB HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A with PowerShare, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 2, 1 HDMI 2.0 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.96 x 10.16 x 0.89 inches |
| Weight | 5.57 pounds |
| Pros | Price, Performance, Display Quality |
| Cons | NA |
Acer Aspire 5 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 7th Gen Intel Dual Core i5-7200U processor (2.5GHz, up to 3.1GHz) |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 1TB SATA 5400RPM Hard Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, Network (RJ-45), HDMI Output, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 15.02 x 10.35 x 0.85 inches |
| Weight | 4.63 pounds |
| Pros | Price, Display Quality, Build Quality |
| Cons | NA |
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 |
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| CPU | Intel 8th Quad Core i5-8250U 6MB cache with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.4GHz |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 1 TB HDD 5400 rpm |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 1 USB 3.1 Type-C,2 USB 3.1, 1 USB 2.0,1 HDMI v1.4b,Headphone |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 21 x 12 x 2 inches |
| Weight | 2.65 pounds |
| Pros | Display, Performance, Weight, Battery life, Storage capacity |
| Cons | None |
Acer Aspire E 15 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor (Up to 3.4GHz) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2 GB |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage Space | 256 GB Flash Memory Solid State |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 4 USB Ports |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 15.02 x 10.2 x 1.19 inches |
| Weight | 5.27 pounds |
| Pros | Long battery life, Good Design, Quality Display |
| Cons | NA |
Apple MacBook Air MJVE2LLA 13-inch |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1440 x 900 pixels |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage Space | 128GB SSD |
| Operating System | Mac OS |
| Ports | USB |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 8.9 x 12.8 x 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 4.32 pounds |
| Pros | Reliability, Performance, Price |
| Cons | NA |
Acer Aspire R 15 Convertible |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U Processor (Up to 3.1GHz) |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 1TB HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.59 x 10.09 x 0.79 inches |
| Weight | 5.29 pounds |
| Pros | Display Quality, Performance, Price |
| Cons | NA |
Acer Nitro 5 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7300HQ Processor (Up to 2.5 GHz) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage Space | 1 TB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.0; 2x USB 2.0; Network (RJ-45); HDMI Output; 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 10.5 x 15.9 x 1.1 inches |
| Weight | 5.95 pounds |
| Pros | Display, Performance, Price, Value for Money |
| Cons | NA |
ASUS ZenBook 13 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Gen Intel i5-8250U 1.6 GHz Processor (6M Cache, Turbo up to 3.4GHz) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce MX150 |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | FHD 1920 x 1080 |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage Space | 256 GB Flash Memory Solid State |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | HDMI/USB 3.1 Type C, 802.11ac WiFi, and SD Card Reader |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 12.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 2.6 pounds |
| Pros | Price, Performance, Display, Lightweight |
| Cons | NA |
ASUS 2-in-1 13.3 Touchscreen |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U Dual-Core Processor (2.3 GHz Turbo up to 3.1GHz), 3MB Cache |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | Full HD 1920 x 1080 |
| RAM | 6 GB DDR4 SDRAM 2133MHz Memory (Expandable to 12GB) |
| Storage Space | 1TB 5400rpm Serial ATA Hard Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 1 USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI, 1x Microphone/headphone combo jack |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 12.7 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 4.19 pounds |
| Pros | Design, Build Quality, Performance, Long Battery life |
| Cons | None |
Dell Inspiron 13 5000 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.4 GHz) |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8GB 2400MHz DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 256GB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB, Headphone Jack, HDMI, Ethernet |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 8.85 x 12.76 x 0.79 inches |
| Weight | 3.56 pounds |
| Pros | Display Quality, Performance |
| Cons | NA |
ASUS VivoBook F510UA |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U 1.6GHz (Turbo up to 3.4GHz) processor |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920x1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage Space | 1000 GB Mechanical Hard Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen1), USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and HDMI |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.2 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 3.7 pounds |
| Pros | Display, Performance, Ports, Lightweight, Battery life |
| Cons | NA |
HP Spectre Touch x360 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U (1.6 GHz, up to 3.4 GHz, 6 MB cache, 4 cores) |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage Space | 256 GB flash_memory_solid_state |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB, Headphone Jack, HDMI |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 12.1 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 2.84 pounds |
| Pros | Price, Weight, Display Quality |
| Cons | NA |
MSI GV62 8RD-200 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | Intel 8th Gen Core i5-8300H 2.3 - 4.0GHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050Ti 4G GDDR5 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 2400MHz |
| Storage Space | Intel Optane 16GB + 1TB (5400RPM) |
| Operating System | Winows 10 |
| Ports | USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 15.07 x 10.23 x 1.16 inches |
| Weight | 4.8 pounds |
| Pros | Good performance, Quality display, Good build quality, Long battery life |
| Cons | NA |
Lenovo Ideapad 330S |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U Quad Core processor |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1366 x 768 HD |
| RAM | 4GB/8GB |
| Storage Space | 1TB/2TB HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 1 x USB Type-C 3.1, 2 x USB 3.0 (One Always On Charging),1 x HDMI 2.0, |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4.1 x 9.6 x 0.76 inches |
| Weight | 4.1 pounds |
| Pros | Performance, Price, Design |
| Cons | Display Quality |
Lenovo ThinkPad E580 |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | Intel Core i5-7200U - 2.5 GHz up to 3.10 GHz |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage Space | 1 TB SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4b, Ethernet (RJ-45), 1x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 14.53 x 9.92 x 0.78 inches |
| Weight | 4.7 pounds |
| Pros | Price, Performance, Size |
| Cons | Display |
ASUS ZenBook UX303UA |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 6th-generation Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz (Turbo up to 2.8GHz). Skylake |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920*1080 pixels |
| RAM | 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 |
| Storage Space | 256 GB Solid State Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI and 1 x mini display ports |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 8.8 x 12.7 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 3.2 pounds |
| Pros | Price, Performance, Display |
| Cons | NA |
Dell Inspiron 15.6 FHD |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | Intel Core i5-7300HQ Quad-Core processor, 2.5 GHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB GDDR5 graphics |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920 x 1080 display |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 256 GB flash_memory_solid_state |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 3 x USB 3.0 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 15.2 x 10.8 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 8.73 pounds |
| Pros | Performance, Display Quality, Price, Build Quality |
| Cons | None |
Dell XPS 9350-1340SLV |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | Intel Core i5-6200u 2.5 GHz Processor |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| Display Size | 13.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1920x1080 pixels |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3L SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 128 GB Solid State Drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB, HDMI, Headphone |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 12 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds |
| Pros | Performance, Design, Price |
| Cons | NA |
HP - 17.3 Laptop |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U Processor (2.5 GHz, turbo boost up to 3.1 GHz, 3 MB cache) |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Display Size | 17.3 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1600 x 900 pixels |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4-2133 SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 1TB 5400RPM Serial ATA HDD |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | 1 x USB 3.1, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45 (LAN), 1 x Headphone-out/microphone-in combo jack |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 16.5 x 11 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 5.84 pounds |
| Pros | Price. Large screen |
| Cons | Weight |
HP Jaguar 15-bs070wm |
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|---|---|
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| CPU | Intel Core i5-7200U 2.50 GHz up to 3.10 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology with 3MB cache. |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 1 TB 5400 |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | Multi-format SD media card reader, 2 USB 3.1, 1 USB 2.0, 1HDMI, 1 RJ-45, 1 headphone/microphone combo |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 10 x 14.9 x 0.9 inches |
| Weight | 4.5 pounds |
| Pros | Battery life, performance, Price |
| Cons | Display |
Lenovo IdeaPad G50 |
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| CPU | 5th Gen Intel Core i5-5200U (3M Cache, 2.2GHz), Turbo Boost 2.0 (2.7GHz) |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 5500 |
| Display Size | 15.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | HD (1366x768) |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM |
| Storage Space | 500 GB mechanical_hard_drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Ports | USB, HDMI, Ethernet, Audio Jack |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 20.5 x 12.6 x 2.5 inches |
| Weight | 7.1 pounds |
| Pros | Performance, Price, Battery life |
| Cons | Display resolution |
You should also take a look at the best Intel Core i3 laptops.
