Looking for a Core i5 laptop? Here are our favorites.
Best
Core i5 laptop: Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and more
Windows Central
2022
Intel Core i5 processors are ideal for folks who want solid performance for a great price, as they’re less expensive than more premium options like i7 or i9 processors but are also significantly more performant than Intel’s budget-class i3 CPUs. This balance has made the processors very desirable, and thus, there are tons of great mid-range laptops on the market that are equipped with Core i5 chips. Our favorite is the HP Pavilion 15 since it has quality specs, a premium design, and a good price, but there are plenty of other excellent options for best Core i5 laptop available as well.
Best overall: HP Pavilion 15
Source: HP
Design-wise, the HP Pavilion 15 is as sleek and slim as many pricier premium Ultrabooks. The keyboard and trackpad are both durable and comfortable to use, and the inclusion of a USB-C port as well as dual USB-A ports means that you’ll have no difficulty hooking up peripherals. The 720p webcam is good, too, making the HP Pavilion 15 a good choice if you often find yourself in video meetings. Overall, this is one of the best mid-range Core i5 laptops that money can buy, even if the battery life could be a little better.
Pros:
- Quality specs
- Strong display
- Premium design
- Solid ports
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
Best premium: Dell XPS 13 (9310)
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
In terms of design, the Dell XPS 13 is arguably the best laptop on the market. Its keyboard is incredibly comfortable to use and features bright backlights, while its excellent trackpad is incredibly well built and never feels wobbly or loose to use. Dell includes dual Thunderbolt 4 ports as well as a standard USB-C slot for connecting accessories such as the best laptop docking stations, and Dell even includes a USB-C to USB-A converter in the box that you can use to hook up USB-A peripherals if needed. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is expensive, and the webcam could be better, but there’s no doubt in our minds that this is the best premium Core i5-equipped laptop available.
Pros:
- Top-notch specs
- Incredible display
- Superb battery life
- Stellar design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Webcam is just OK
Best convertible: Lenovo Yoga 7i
Source: Lenovo
The laptop also features a sleek design with full 360-degree rotation on the display and rounded edges that are both comfortable and stylish. You also get dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-A port, which is great for a convertible device in this price range. The keyboard is excellent, but the trackpad can be a little unresponsive at times. Despite this and the device’s reflective display, though, the Lenovo Yoga 7i is nevertheless a great convertible we wholeheartedly recommend.
Pros:
- Strong specs
- Solid display
- All-day battery life
- Quality design
Cons:
- Display could be less reflective
- Trackpad can be a bit unresponsive at times
Best portable: Acer Swift 3X
Source: Windows Central
The design of the Acer Swift 3X is mostly notable because of how thin and light the device is, but the keyboard is nice too, and the port selection of one Thunderbolt 4 and dual USB-A is solid. The trackpad’s resistance to clicks is a bit too strong for our liking, but overall, the design is great, and the Acer Swift 3X is perfect for people who need something performant in a thin and light package.
Pros:
- Strong specs
- Great display
- Good battery life
- Portability focused design
Cons:
- Trackpad is too resistant to clicks
Best for gaming: Acer Nitro 5
Source: Windows Central
The design of the laptop is unique in that it’s aggressively angular with lots of sharp edges, and it also has its trackpad placed on the left of the keyboard surface instead of the center. The keyboard and trackpad themselves are quality, and there are three USB-A ports as well as a single USB-C one included as well. The device is a little bulky and has a blurry webcam, but ultimately, the Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best Core i5-equipped gaming laptops out there.
Pros:
- Great gaming performance
- Quality FHD 144Hz display
- Solid battery life
- Strong port selection
Cons:
- Design is a little bulky
- Webcam looks blurry
Best budget: Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Source: Windows Central
In terms of its design, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 has a relatively slim design that isn’t as snazzy as what you’ll get with more premium devices, but it’s still compact and easy to carry. The keyboard is comfortable to use, though it doesn’t have backlighting. Aside from some loose corners, the trackpad is nice as well. The device also features three USB-A ports, which is great. We’d have liked to see a USB-C slot, too, but its absence isn’t a huge deal. Overall, despite the compromises that come with choosing a laptop like this, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is nevertheless a fantastic Core i5 budget laptop.
Pros:
- Good specs
- Solid display
- Plenty of USB-A
- Affordable
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi 6
- Various small drawbacks
Bottom line
Devices that feature Intel’s Core i5 processors are some of the best mid-range laptops available, and while we have plenty of favorites, we feel the best overall Core i5 device on the market right now is the HP Pavilion 15. With that said, you shouldn’t overlook any of the alternatives we highlighted here, as all of them are excellent in their own way.
If none of the options in this list appeals to you, make sure you check out our roundup of the best Windows laptops. If you’d prefer devices that have more power under the hood and don’t mind paying extra, you should also review our list of the best Core i7 Windows laptops.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. You’ll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
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