Mid-range 12th Gen Intel Core i5 Laptops that delivers a balance between efficiency & performance

Samuel TanBest Laptops, Best Of... 0

While the H-series and P-series Intel Core i5 mobile processors offer the best in performance in the mid-range segment, the U-series offer portability and efficiency. It may not be as fast as the P-series but everyone from Acer, HP, Lenovo Samsung even Dell and Microsoft offer their take of the laptop.

Intel’s 12th generation processors brings with it multi-core and multi-tier architecture to the masses. It’s not something new. The idea was used on the ARM chip for a long time now but a first for Intel processors. Essentially, you have a combination of efficient cores and performance cores on the die. For Intel Core i5 mobile processors, this can be 12-core with 4 performance and 8 efficient cores OR 10-core with 2 performance and 8 efficient cores.

Natuarally, the more cores you get, the faster the processor but it also means they are more power hungry. For this article, we focus on the U-series, those with only 10 cores to delivery an unprecedented level of efficiency and performance. The most efficient of the processors has a typical Thermal Design Power of only 9W, a fifth the power consumed for 12th Gen H-series processor.

Table of Contents

Intel Core i5 U-series

The Intel Core i5 U-series are ultra efficient processors compared to the P or H-series processor. The two U-series 12th generation Intel Core i5 processors currently powering laptops are the Intel Core i5-1230U and Core i5-1235U. Both processors have 10 cores with 2 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores for a total of 12 processing threads. Of the two the Intel Core i5-1235U is most common but for the rare Intel Core i5-1230U, it has the advantage of being the most efficient Core i5 part sipping as low as 9W typical TDP (Thermal Design Power). Even when at a push it maxes out at 29W. Compare this to 15W typical TDP and 55W TDP Up on the Intel Core i5-1235U. The only laptop featuring the Intel Core i5-1230U in our list is Dell XPS 13. For a quick breakdown of the specifications, see table of comparison below.

	Cores	Thread	Typ TDP	TDP Down	TDP Up	AVE CPU Mark	Single Thread
Intel® Core™ i5-1230U Processor	10C(2P/8E)	12	9W	–	29W	10826	2639
Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor	10C(2P/8E)	12	15W	12W	55W	13583	3313
Intel® Core™ i5-1240P Processor	12C(4P/8E)	16	28W	20W	64W	17377	3259
Intel® Core™ i5-12500H Processor	12C(4P/8E)	16	45W	35W	95W	21837	3562

If efficiency is not a priority but rather performance, pick the Core i5 from the P-series or the H-series featured in the table above. Otherwise, look to Intel Core i5-1235U from the U series. It is 25.5% faster than the Intel Core i5-1230U in the average CPU Mark score and again in the single thread rating. It has to be said however, the performance oriented Intel Core i5-1240P is 27.9% faster than the efficient Intel Core i5-1235U in the same benchmark.

12th Gen Intel Core i5 Processors Benchmark

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Budget & Efficient Intel Core i5 Laptops between 400-500

To make selection easier, we have spilt the list into three according to price range starting with this one.

1. SAMSUNG Galaxy Book2 15.6-inch Laptop

This is one of those rare occasion where you find a great deal from a reputable manufacturer. It is not from the high-line in Samsung’s Galaxy Laptop portfolio. That title belongs to Galaxy Book2 Pro. This however, is the standard version without the Super AMOLED panel. The Pro version comes with a more powerful Intel Core i5-1240P. This one however comes with a more efficient Intel Core i5-1235U processor.

Even though it is a full size laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD LED display, it still only weighs 1.58kg and measures 15.4mm slim. It also has with all the right ports; two USB Type-C ports, two full type USB 3.2 Type A, one HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD slot and even an extra SSD slot to expand the storage with up 1TB of extra. That’s not all. If you are already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem, such as compatible Galaxy Tab tablets or Galaxy S smartphones, you can take advantage of Quick Share, Private Share and Samsung Multi Control.

SAMSUNG Galaxy Book2 156 — SAMSUNG Galaxy Book2 15.6

Windows 11
Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD
15.6-inch Full HD screen LED
1.58kg, 15.4 x 356.6 x 229.1 mm (H x W x D)

2. HP Pavilion 14-dv2504sa 14-inch Laptop – Touchscreen

Next, for something more portable, the HP Pavilion 14 is not a top end laptop but the 14-inch Full HD display comes with enough features to qualify as such. There is the Bang & Olufsen tuned speakers, the metal chassis, the double storage at storage 512GB and best of all, the touchscreen display. Yes, not only can you drive this this via the spacious touchpad, it supports touch direct on the screen.The only problem is the display is a little dim at 250 nits. However, it makes up for that quickly with a high speed Type-C port that supports PD, DisplayPort 1.4, HP Sleep and Charge. Then there are two Type A ports, a single HDMI 2.1 and a 3.5 combo jack. And, while the Type-C port supports charging, there is a dedicated AC smart pin.

Intel Core i5-1235U Processor
14-inch Full HD Touchscreen
8GB RAM and 512GB SSD Storage
Battery life: up to 7.5 hours
1.41kg, 17 x 325 x 216.6 mm (H x W x D)

3. ACER Aspire 3 15.6-inch Laptop

This list would not be complete without at least one Acer laptop. In fact, there are three in all, one under each category. This affordable Acer Aspire 3 leads the way. It may not have the longest battery life or any stand out features but if you need a laptop at the right price, the Acer Aspire 3 is for you.

Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 512 GB SSD
15.6-inch Full HD screen
Battery life: Up to 5.5 hours
1.78kg, 17.9 x 362.9 x 241.3 mm (H x W x D)

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Mid-range & Efficient Intel Core i5 Laptops between 500-700

For devices that are more than 500 but under 700, here are three laptops within the price range.

4. LENOVO IdeaPad 3i 15.6-inch Laptop

Another full size laptop with 15.6-inch display, this time from Lenovo. Kicking off the second category is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i. Like the Acer Aspire 3 it is plague with low battery life, and bland design. Even so, it is powered by a decent Intel Core i5 processor but only half the storage at 256GB when compared to Acer Aspire 3.

Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD
15.6-inch Full HD screen
Battery life: Up to 5 hours
1.63kg, 19.9 x 359.2 x 236.5 mm (H x W x D)

5. DELL Inspiron 15 3520 15.6-inch Laptop

Dell’s answer to Acer Aspire and Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is Dell Inspiron 15 3520. Again, this full size 15.6-inch laptop is your all-rounder laptop, backed by a powerful Intel Core i5. But, it doesn’t stop there. The Inspiron 15 also has a better display with 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and lag free video. It is also a system that offers better battery life with up to 7 hours per charge and comes with fast charging support. The design didn’t disappoint either. With a sleek lid that rolls down near the rear edge, it turns into a stand with the hinge to lift the base, tilting it for a better typing angle.

Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD
15.6-inch Full HD screen 120Hz
Battery Life: up to 7 hours
1.9kg, 21.07 x 358.5 x 235.56 mm (H x W x D)

6. ACER Aspire 5 14-inch Laptop

This second Acer laptop comes from a higher range, the Aspire 5. It also has a smaller footprint and thanks to its smaller 14-inch display. Compared to the Acer Aspire 3 15.6-inch laptop above, this laptop also has better battery life up to 7 hours per charge. It also goes one up in the connectivity department with a Thunderbolt 4 port to connect super fast external SSD storage or to a 4K external display. Are these extra feature work the money? For those looking for a compact 14-inch laptop, at the right price, this is definitely a no brainer.

Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 512 GB SSD
14-inch Full HD screen
Battery life: Up to 7 hours
1.49kg, 17.9 x 328.1 x 221.1 mm (H x W x D)

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Upper Mid-range & Efficient Intel Core i5 Laptops between 700-1000

Now for our final segment, efficient U-series laptops that costs between 700 to 1000.

7. ACER Aspire 5 15.6-inch Laptop – Discrete GPU, Double Memory & Storage

This next offering is also from the Acer Aspire 5 range but with a bigger 15.6-inch display and an entry level graphics card, the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 with dedicated 2GB graphics memory. It is definitely a step up from the 14-inch model especially when it also comes with double memory at 16GB and double the storage at all 512GB SSD. If you value these features including Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, this Acer Aspire 5 15.6-inch laptop is one to pick.

Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
RAM: 16 GB / Storage: 512 GB SSD
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX550 2 GB
15.6-inch Full HD screen
Battery life: Up to 7.5 hours
1.8kg, 17.9 x 362.9 x 237.8 mm (H x W x D)

8. DELL XPS 13 9315 13.4-inch Laptop – Lightest & Thinnest

The lightest and slimmest laptop in our line-up, the Dell XPS 13 already made a name for its striking design, is powered by the ultra efficient, the Intel Core i5-1230U. Its modern and minimalist design combines functionality, durability and portability in a CNC machined aluminium chassis. Even at 1.17kg, it packs a reasonably big 13.4-inch display with Full HD+ resolution or 1920 x 1200pixels for 16:10 aspect ratio.

The panel is super bright too at 500nits peak even though it is based on IPS LCD. Wrapped in one of the tiniest bezels around, it allows the laptop to have the smallest footprint of all. There are compromises like there are only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and not even a 3.5mm jack. But, who cares when it is this small, light and fast, perfect for those who take their laptop on the road.

Intel® Evo™ platform
Intel® Core™ i5-1230U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD
13.4-inch Full HD+ screen
Battery life: Up to 11 hours
1.17kg, 13.99 x 295.4 x 199.4 mm (H x W x D)

9. MICROSOFT 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 – Quad HD Touchscreen

The smaller Surface Laptop 5, the other being a 15-inch device, this is an up to date laptop from Microsoft with a 13.5-inch Quad HD touchscreen with Dolby Vision. That’s 2256 x 1504 pixels for a 3:2 aspect ratio making images appear sharp and offer plenty of details. Apart from the HP Pavilion 14 above, this is the only other laptop with a touchscreen. You definitely have to try it out with the onboard Dolby Atmos speakers.

Apart from the updated wireless connectivity such as WiFi6 and Bluetooth 5.1 it also comes with a Type-C Thunderbolt 4 port, a full size USB 3.1 port, 3.5mm jack and proprietary Surface Connect port. The onboard HD 720p webcam is a little disappointing but it is capable of facial recognition for handsfree sign in’s and that lush alcantara body and full metal lid more than makes up for this.