Processor and RAM selection

SiliconChip

I'm starting to look for a new laptop to replace one that has failed (I'm currently using an even older one which still works most of the time but occasionally blue screens unexpectedly). 

Is there any significant benefit in using (for example) an Intel Core Ultra 5 over a Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5? And the same for DDR-5 over DDR-4 RAM? Would it be better to spend money on features such as a touch screen, bigger SSD, fingerprint reader, etc. instead?

I am by no means a power user, most of my use is browsing, streaming, email and office tasks, no gaming, occasional picture and small scale video editing.

DullGreyGuy

SiliconChip said:

Is there any significant benefit in using (for example) an Intel Core Ultra 5 over a Core i5

These are families of processors, you need the full model name. i5 started in 2009 and a processor from then is very different from from an i5 14th gen released this year.

A high end i5 from this year can be 50% or more powerful than a low end Ultra 5 from last year but if your not a power user then you may decide a lower power more efficient CPU is better as it won't slow what your doing but can add a notable amount of running time to the battery. (if you ever run on battery rather than mains)

I dont like touch screens and whilst I have fingerprint reader I wouldn't pay a premium for one. SSD depends on your needs. I've never managed to fill a 0.5TB so wouldn't see the value in buying a bigger one but if you're always running out of room then it may be a sensible purchase. 

SiliconChip

Thanks for the information, certainly sounds like newer is likely to be better for the processor. And I'm with you on SSD size, I've never filled a 250GB (I tend to keep big files such as video on removable storage) so I doubt whether there's any point in buying anything more than 0.5TB.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the relative merits of AMD and Intel, does it depend on what use the processor will be put to?

Vitor

I've always bought refurbished HP Elitebooks and have found these business-class devices very reliable.

Right now I wouldn't buy anything less than 12th Gen i7 processor (min 4 cores), 16GB DDR5, 250GB SSD, Win 11 Pro, fingerprint reader for Windows Hello (biometric ID) and avoid gloss and touch screens.

jshm2

Yes. In most cases just go for the Ryzen 5 as it will be better on price than equivalent Intel. As for RAM, ensure its 8GB or more. RAM speed doesn't matter if you're not gaming or using it as a power workstation. Touchscreen on laptops is usually a chocolate teapot, unless you're planning on using it as graphics pad. SSD size again is one of those that if it's making a big difference to price then just get a smaller one as you'll usually just be able to stick your extra stuff onto an external HDD for a far smaller cost - else Cloud. 

But ensure you're getting one with a dedicated graphics card. Doesn't need to be RTX 4060, but it will help a lot with your video editing.

But all that aside, you'll usually find a desktop, for the same cost, will give you far more power.... 

Ergates

SiliconChip said:

Thanks for the information, certainly sounds like newer is likely to be better for the processor.

Yes/No/Maybe.  It depends on what the processor is and what your needs are.

Newer doesn't necessarily mean better performance.  More performance doesn't necessarily mean better.   E.g. if you're intending to use your laptop disconnected from power (i.e. on battery) regularly, then power consumption is an important factor, which you then need to balance with the performance you need and your budget.

Google "CPU Comparison chart" and you'll get an idea of the relative power of the different models you're looking at, as you can't really get an indication from the names as there are just so many options these days.

TMSG

I buy (and maintain ) laptops for the (extended) family, about one every six months or so. I ALWAYS buy good grade refurb from trustworthy eBay companies and I have for the last year stuck to Ryzen 5 5600U based laptops, mostly Lenovo and HP. IMO, these CPUs are in a sweet spot re cost, energy consumption and performance.

I'm also firmly believe that most people think too much about raw CPU power and not enough about RAM. I would never, even for a low-key office/browsing PC, go below 16 GB. Also many lappies these days have 8GB RAM soldered onto the mainboard and can't (easily) be extended... beware if you think you might want to expand the RAM later.

SiliconChip

Thanks for all the comments, I think that's helped to refine what I will look for.

@Vitor and @TMSG do you have a recommendation for places to look for refurbs?

@jshm2 I probably don't need a dedicated graphics card, my video editing is very limited, but I suppose it couldn't hurt if a suitable option came up. I actually do have a desktop but as implied by the name it sits on a desk in my home office, which I rarely use since retiring, at least 95% of my computing is done on a laptop for convenience.

Grumpy_chap

I was hoping that this thread would give some more complete responses.  I was (am) looking at a more budget - mid-range laptop and found the branding of the processors very difficult.

Even within just Intel, there is:

• Celeron
• Pentium
• Core i3, i5, i7, i9
• Core Ultra 5, 7, 9

I understand that Celeron and Pentium are the less capable processors.
It seems simple that the Core and Core Ultra families get more powerful the higher the number.
Not so clear how the comparative numbers of the two families map against each other.  I don't think it is as simple as Core Ultra family being above Core family.

Then you have AMD and Snapdragon processor families that also have marketing names but no clarity on how their processor families are sequenced, let alone how they map against the comparable Intel families.  It makes it difficult to assess one device against another.  I'm actually surprised that the mass-market retailers don't have a relatively simple lay-person graphic to explain all this.

Another query I have is about the need for HDMI port.  I was looking at a Dell at Black Friday, and the £400 laptop had i5 processor and 16GB RAM, so would have been fine, but I held back because the device only had a couple of USB ports and no form of visual output.
I found it was possible to buy an external (and powered) USB to HDMI adaptor at around £150.  That is a lot of extra spend and takes up another plug socket so a bit of a faff, especially for a laptop where I want to be able to easily take it to a workplace and easily plug into monitors at destination.
The alternative for another £100 or so was the next model up, with i7 processor and the extra ports as standard.  They had one on Dell Outlet reduced to the £400 but I was out and about and not really able to place the order on my mobile.  By the time I got home, that one was gone.
No offers now, so I will wait until as and when a good offer resurfaces.

It is not easy, given the number of options, and I suspect the majority of customers do not look into the detail of ports fitted and such like, but then end up with a disappointing outcome.

Vitor

'Ultra' is Intel's 14th generation CPUs, you'll only find them in top-end laptops. As mentioned, I wouldn't buy anything less than a 12th Gen i7 processor (min 4 cores) for a laptop.

Snapdragon processors are aimed at laptops with very long run times on battery power and Copilot+ PCs, a new category of AI-enhanced laptops which are likely above your price point.

Core i7 are comparable to Ryzen 7 in laptops, same with i9 and Ryzen 9.

Grumpy_chap

Vitor said:

likely above your price point.

Thanks - you are likely correct about the price point.  This purchase would be to replace my secondary device and replacing a US$120 netbook made as a distress purchase as I smashed the screen on another device while travelling.