There are some things you should consider first before buying a core i5 laptop model so that you will enjoy using it for a long time.
Processor Type
Did you know that there are actually 2 types of Core i5 processors? We have the 1st generation i5 which is present in most laptops and the 2nd generation i5 which is making its way right now in stores. The first generation i5 belongs to the Nehalem microarchitecture using 45 nm technologies. The 2nd generation i5 belongs to the Sandy Bridge architecture based on 32 nm technology. The difference between the two is that the second generation uses lesser power than the 1st generation with the same performance level thus allowing you to enjoy a longer battery life.
It’s best to choose an i5 laptop based on the Sandy Bridge technology if you are about to buy one since this is the latest line coming out from laptop manufacturers.
Graphical Processing Unit
All Core i5 laptop models have an integrated Intel HD GPU. This might be enough to process 1080p videos so you can view them smoothly however if you want to play 3D intensive games then choose a model with a discrete GPU. Popular discrete GPU choices include Nvidia GeForce or ATI Radeon which provides fast frame rate results in gaming.
Connectivity Options
Standard Internet connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Ethernet however if you want to stay fully connected try to look for a model with an added 3G connectivity option. It’s also best to choose models with Bluetooth 3.0 since it is 8x faster than Bluetooth 2.1. On USB ports, the type we’re used to is USB 2.0 however USB 3.0 is already available that is 10x faster than USB 2.0 in transferring data.
Storage Space
The higher the disk capacity the better it is for you. One other thing to consider in hard disks is to look at their speed. You might find some rated at 5400 rpm while others at 7200 rpm. It’s better to choose the 7200 rpm type since it can access your data much faster.
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