Best Laptop for Non Gamers In 2022

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Are you looking for the best laptop for non gamers?

Not everyone needs a big and bulky laptop with a powerful dedicated GPU. Gaming laptops are notorious for their mediocre battery lives and poor portability.

There are several laptops on the market that are designed for non-gamers and their use cases. These laptops are ideal for home, office, school, travel, or casual work thanks to their versatile and lightweight nature.

Without further ado, here are our picks for the very best laptops for non-gamers that you can buy right now.

The Best Laptops for Non Gamers – Compared

Editor's Choice 

Apple MacBook Air M2

  • Exquisite Performance

  • Superb Display

  • Excellent Battery Life

Best Premium

LG Gram

  • Very Lightweight

  • Excellent Screen

  • Long 22-Hour Battery Life

Best Budget

HP 15

  • Quite Affordable

  • Slim and Lightweight

  • Decent Performance

How We Choose the Best Laptop for Non Gamers

While selecting the best laptops for non-gamers, we prioritized several different factors that contribute to the overall usability of the laptop.

Since gaming is not in question, we selected laptops without dedicated graphics processors which can cut the price tag of the laptops by a lot. We did, however, select laptops with powerful CPUs as they are required for most work and productivity tasks.

We also laid focus on the general usability aspect of the laptops, starting with the battery life. We prioritized laptops that had a rated battery life of over 8 hours at least. Features like fast charging were also considered in this category.

Furthermore, we also considered the weight and size of the laptops in question. It is important for a non-gaming laptop to be lightweight enough to be carried around easily for school or work.

Another area of priority was the screen, which is surely one of the more important components of modern laptops. Apart from resolution, we also focused on the color reproduction, viewing angles, and panel quality of the screen.

Of course, one of the biggest factors to be considered was the price and value offered by the laptop. We prioritized laptops that offered a better value for your money since that is an important metric in non-gaming laptops.

With all these factors in mind, we have curated a list of the very best non-gaming laptops out there. Let’s jump in.

1. Apple MacBook Air M2 – Editor’s Choice

Size: 13.6 inch | CPU: Apple M2 SoC | GPU: 8-Core Apple M2 GPU | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD| Battery: 18 Hours| Resolution: 2560×1664 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Exquisite Performance
  • Superb Display
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Efficient M2 SoC
  • Solid Build Quality

Cons:

  • Relatively Expensive
  • New Notch Design

The brand new Apple MacBook Air M2 is now available as of July 2022 and it is a premium, high-end laptop for all purposes. The new M2 chip makes it even more powerful and the best MacBook Air yet. It also features the brand new Apple MacBook design language, which is a bonus.

The new MacBook Air with the M2 chip is fast, efficient, and great for work. The M2 chip makes the new laptop faster and more responsive than its predecessor, which was already one of the fastest laptops around. It also helps to save battery life as the M2 chip is more efficient than the outgoing M1 SoC.

Of course, this means that the new MacBook Air is great for video editing, word processing, general productivity, and any kind of office or school work that doesn’t require specific software. It is, therefore, a good choice for students and professionals who need a fast and reliable laptop.

Speaking of students, we also chose the MacBook Air as the best laptop for medical school in another roundup.

The M2 chip inside of this thing makes the Air hard to beat. The Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo Yoga 9i come to mind when it comes to a high-end fit and finish. But again, the M2 processor helps the MacBook Air secure an easy win over most Windows laptops in the same price range.

In the aesthetics department, the MacBook Air M2 is a significant departure from the design of the previous generation, with a new ‘notch’ display that gives it a much more modern look.

Apple has also included the same Retina display that is a hallmark of their MacBook laptops, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It is an incredibly bright, vivid, and accurate display for use by general consumers.

However, the notch design is still a controversial topic among the public. Some seem to love the new design and the improved webcam, while others hate the intrusion of the notch into the screen area.

The new Apple MacBook Air M2 has excellent battery life. It lasts up to 18 hours on a single charge as claimed by Apple, and can be fast-charged to get back to full power in just a few hours.

Even when using demanding applications, the MacBook Air M2 still gets great battery life thanks to the efficiency improvements of the M2 chip.

One of the key advantages of the Apple MacBook Air series is right in the name, and the same holds true for the MacBook Air M2. It weighs in at just around 2.7 pounds which is extremely lightweight, making it a very attractive option for students and business professionals.

All in all, the newest addition to the MacBook Air lineup is an extremely promising buy for non-gamers, and there isn’t much that can deter you from this purchase decision. The price is a bit on the high side when compared to other non-gaming laptops on the market, but that is a slightly subjective metric.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 9/10
  • Battery: 9.5/10
  • Display: 9/10
  • Value for Money: 8/10
  • Overall Rating: 9/10

2. LG Gram – Best Premium Laptop for Non Gamers

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD| Battery: 22 Hours| Resolution: 2560×1600 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Very Lightweight
  • Excellent Screen
  • Long 22-Hour Battery Life
  • Solid Performance
  • Large 15.6-inch Display

Cons:

  • High Price
  • Low Specs for the Price

The LG Gram is a premium laptop choice that is great for all-around use, whether for office work or school assignments. It has superb performance thanks to its fast processor and a large amount of RAM, making it a great choice for demanding tasks.

Of course, the LG Gram is a high-performance laptop that is perfect for productivity and video editing. It is powered by an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor and makes use of the Iris Xe Graphics. This makes it ideal for office work and moderate video editing.

While the Core i5-1135G7 and the aforementioned Iris Xe Graphics can handle some heavier 3D work if needed, this is really not the setup you want to be running if you plan to use any extensive 3D rendering or animation programs. This laptop is better suited to general productivity workloads.

The laptop also has a large screen and a high-resolution display. The resolution of the LG Gram is 2560×1600, which makes it perfect for multitasking and working on large projects. The panel itself is very well-made, with excellent viewing angles and good color accuracy.

Due to its excellent screen, the LG Gram is also one of the best laptops for watching movies.

The large screen size is also perfect for working on multiple documents at once or watching videos, and the slim design of the laptop means it’s easy to carry around with you. The lightness of the LG Gram is its defining feature, as it is right in the name as well.

The HP Elite Dragonfly and Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 9 are great alternatives if a lightweight design is what you’re looking for. Speaking of which, the Razer Book 13 also has an interesting design. Fortunately for LG, the Gram’s iconic design and superb screen make it a better laptop than those we just mentioned for watching movies.

Furthermore, the 2.5-pound LG Gram also boasts incredible battery life as well. LG claims that the Gram can last up to 22 hours on a full charge under certain conditions, which is incredible for a laptop in this performance category.

However, the Gram is certainly not perfect. The base option with the Core i5 is more expensive than the Apple MacBook Air M2, but the performance is a bit lower than the Apple competitor. The Gram also has some of the highest upgrade prices for its variants, which is something to be considered as well.

Despite the high price tag, the LG Gram is a great choice for non-gamers in the premium price category.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8.5/10
  • Battery: 9.5/10
  • Display: 9/10
  • Value for Money: 7.5/10
  • Overall Rating: 8.5/10

3. [BEST SELLER] – HP 15 – Best Budget Laptop for Non Gamers

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD| Battery: 8 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Quite Affordable
  • Slim and Lightweight
  • Decent Performance
  • Solid Integrated Graphics
  • Large Display

Cons:

  • Mediocre Battery Life
  • Average Display

With gaming out of the way, we can focus on several affordable options that can be perfect for non-gaming use without breaking the bank. Our budget pick is the HP 15, which is a very competent laptop for value-oriented consumers.

Under the hood, HP has provided the Intel Core i5-1135G7 with Intel Iris Xe Graphics for this laptop. This setup is quite modern and is capable of decent performance in most productivity and work applications. You can use this laptop for any manner of office and school work, as long as it doesn’t involve heavy 3D rendering work.

Being a moderately powered laptop, the HP 15 is also really quiet in its operation. The internal fan and heatsink combo is very efficient in cooling down the components, so you don’t have to deal with a lot of fan noise. If you do have this problem, however, we recommend our guide on how to fix a loud laptop fan.

The display of the laptop is quite average, as it is just a standard FHD 1080p panel without any kind of high-refresh-rate capability. The viewing angles and color reproduction factors are also quite mediocre.

HP claims a battery life of around 8 hours on a full charge for the HP 15. This is a below-average figure for a straightforward office/work laptop such as this one. We would have liked to see a bigger battery cell in this laptop.

Acer’s Swift 3 and Lenovo’s Ideapad 3 are quite viable alternatives to the HP 15 in the budget segment, although the HP option has better internals for the price. This is the reason we chose the HP 15 for this spot in the roundup.

The biggest positive of the HP 15 is undoubtedly its affordable price point. This price of entry puts it into the range of many students and other professional consumers who do not require the heavy processing power of a gaming laptop.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8/10
  • Battery: 7.5/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 9.5/10
  • Overall Rating: 8.5/10

4. ASUS ZenBook 14 – Best Business Laptop

Size: 14 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX450 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 14 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Premium Performance
  • Dedicated GPU
  • Long Battery Life
  • Excellent Build Quality
  • Professional Design

Cons:

  • Mediocre Display
  • Very Expensive

The ASUS ZenBook 14 offers something a little different than most laptops. The innovative Screenpad feature makes this device stand out from the rest and it’s perfect for any use case apart from gaming!

The ScreenPad is a revolutionary implementation of the trackpad which not only allows you to navigate with precision but also gives you numerous customization options. The App Switcher on this innovative device makes window switching between two windows much easier than ever before.

You can also turn the trackpad into a numeric keypad and take notes on it.

The 11th Gen Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce MX450 dedicated GPU will ensure that you can do everything from word processing and basic productivity to light creative tasks with this laptop. This laptop is ideal for students and professionals who need a lot of processing power.

One of the sore spots of the laptop is its standard 1080p screen, but other aspects of the hardware are top-notch. The build quality and materials used give it that luxurious feel that you would expect from ASUS. We would have liked to see a QHD display on this laptop, however.

ASUS claims that the ZenBook 14 offers up to 14 hours of battery life, and it also comes with some added perks like Thunderbolt 4 connectivity so you can transfer files or stream video without much hassle.

In this premium price range, however, you can also find some competitors such as the Dell XPS 15 or Apple MacBook Pro M1, but the ZenBook is a bit cheaper than these offerings. We preferred the ASUS option thanks to its better value proposition.

Still, the price tag of the ASUS ZenBook 14 can be a bit much for some consumers, especially given the general office and school target market.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8.5/10
  • Battery: 8.5/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 9/10
  • Overall Rating: 8.5/10

5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best 2-in-1 Laptop

Size: 12.3 inch | CPU: Intel Core i5 1035G4 | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD| Battery: 10.5 Hours| Resolution: 2736×1824 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Unique 2-in-1 Design
  • Remarkable Screen
  • Support for Stylus
  • Good Performance
  • Very Convenient

Cons:

  • No USB-C port
  • Average Keyboard

Our next option is the convertible Microsoft Surface Pro 7, which has something in store for everyone. Not only does it have the capability for several different use cases, but it is also ideal for those who want something that can change seamlessly between tablet and laptop modes.

The 10th Gen Core i5 processor with its Intel Iris Plus graphics is a good choice for moderate productivity work such as video manipulation, but nothing too special. However, the real advantage of the Surface Pro 7 lies in its incredible portability. Most consumers of this form factor would be fine with this level of performance.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has an impressive 2736 x 1824 resolution screen which makes it one of the best laptops in its category for viewing crisp images. The brightness and color reproduction is also decent while viewing angles aren’t bad either.

In terms of competition, the Surface Pro 7 faces off against the likes of HP Spectre X360 and the Lenovo Yoga 9i, although the Surface comes out on top against both.

The Spectre does offer a better value than the Surface Pro 7 but falls short in terms of performance. The Microsoft option also clears the Lenovo Yoga 9i when it comes to both performance and value.

Thanks to its innovative design, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is also one of the best laptops for artists.

Although the Surface Pro 7 has some drawbacks, it is still a great laptop. The backlit keyboard isn’t as good as some competitors, and there is no USB-C port. Moreover, the price is rather high for a laptop in this performance category.

This is certainly a unique laptop, but the relatively hefty price tag is something to be considered before you finalize your purchase decision. All in all, the Surface Pro 7 brings something unique to the table and is quite well-rounded.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 7.5/10
  • Battery: 8/10
  • Display: 8.5/10
  • Value for Money: 8/10
  • Overall Rating: 8/10

6. Lenovo Flex 14 – Best Travel Laptop

Size: 14 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U | GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 256GB SSD| Battery: 10 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Decent Performance
  • Convertible Form Factor
  • Great for Travelling
  • Integrated Vega Graphics
  • Touch Screen Capability

Cons:

  • Mediocre Battery Life
  • Average Display

Lenovo’s Flex 14 is a convertible laptop that can switch from being used on your desk, to a completely flat screen in your hands with ease thanks to its 360-degree hinge. It also has impressive ergonomics making it easy for anyone who wants to keep working while on the go.

The performance of this laptop is on par with other competing mid-range laptops, and it should be able to handle most regular tasks without issue. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor sits at the heart while paired up nicely with integrated graphics from AMD’s Radeon series for those who want more power in the graphics department.

Even though this laptop has a standard 1920x1080p screen, it’s more than capable of fulfilling the needs for work and play thanks to its flexibility. It can be used as either an all-inclusive work device or operated on your own personal time with ease thanks to its convertible design.

The lightweight nature of the Flex 14 helps in this department a lot, as you won’t even notice when carrying this laptop around with you. The ease of use and lightweight nature of the laptop combine to make it the best laptop for non gamers in terms of traveling.

These days, we have a lot of convertible laptops to pick from. If you want to splurge, the Thinkpad X1 Yoga and Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable are great choices. Still, not everyone is willing to spend that much on a convertible laptop. That’s what makes the price of the Flex 14 so appealing.

The Flex 14 offers some unique features that make it stand out in this category. For one, there is its touchscreen display and pen input which can be helpful when you need to do office work on your laptop during any given day or even take notes at school.

On a related note, we also have a comprehensive guide on how to clean a touch screen laptop.

Lenovo rates the battery life of the Flex 14 at around 10 hours on a full charge. This number is a little underwhelming for a laptop in this performance category, but it is certainly not a deal breaker.

Overall, the Flex 14 is certainly a very viable buy for non-gamers thanks to its unique convertible design and versatile feature set. It is also a rather affordable laptop, which is a nice touch.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8/10
  • Battery: 8.5/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 8/10
  • Overall Rating: 8/10

7. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Bang for the Buck Laptop

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 8.5 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Great Performance
  • Inclusion of 512GB SSD
  • Large Display

Cons:

  • Heavy
  • Mediocre Battery
  • Average Display

The Acer Aspire 5 is an excellent choice for those who want excellent performance without having to spend too much money. It may be priced lower than some other laptops, but it still offers great internal specs and has many features that you typically find only on higher-end models.

The 11th Gen Core i5 processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics is a great choice for those who need power without the expense. This affordable, yet productive computer has enough processing capacity to handle your work programs easily and efficiently- it’s not going anywhere. You can use the Aspire 5 for most productivity tasks without a hitch.

A variant of the Acer Aspire 5 was also chosen as one of the best gaming laptops under $1500.

The Acer Aspire 5 is equipped with a standard 1080p display, which may be disappointing for most users in 2022. The viewing angles and color reproduction are also mediocre at best, although the 15.6-inch size can be beneficial for several applications.

Lenovo’s Ideapad 5 gets fairly close in terms of performance, but the Aspire takes the lead when it comes to value. The ASUS VivoBook 15 has a variant that is quite similar to the Acer Aspire 5 in terms of price but the specs are a bit worse, therefore we prefer the latter in this comparison.

If you’re looking for a lightweight laptop with an affordable price tag, then this is not the one for you. The Aspire 5 is a bit on the heavier side at 5 pounds and has a rather mediocre battery that lasts up to 8 hours while on a full charge. These are some of the more significant drawbacks of the Aspire 5.

Conclusively, the Aspire 5 shines in the department of value while cutting some corners in other areas. It is expected of budget laptops to cut some corners here and there, however, so we can’t be too strict with Acer here.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8/10
  • Battery: 7.5/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 8.5/10
  • Overall Rating: 8/10

8. Dell Inspiron 13 5310 – Best Display

Size: 13.3 inch | CPU: Intel Core i7-11370H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX450 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 12 Hours| Resolution: 2560×1600 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Superb Display
  • High-Resolution Panel
  • Good Battery Life
  • Great Internal Components

Cons:

  • Only a 13-inch Screen
  • High Price
  • Reported Overheating

The Dell Inspiron 13 5310 is a laptop with the perfect mix of power and portability. It has top-of-the-line specs for productivity but still fits comfortably in your bag if you’re on the go.

When it comes to the positive side, the Inspiron 13 5310 is a laptop that offers great performance. It comes with an 11th Gen Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce MX450 GPU for people who want to leverage the dedicated GPU for 3D animation or rendering work.

If you do want a laptop for complex video editing, be sure to check out our selection of the best laptops for video editing under $1000.

You can get 16GB RAM as well as 512 GB SSD – both premium options in this category of laptops but they’re not always available for this laptop. In addition, there were some reported issues regarding overheating during prolonged use, which is also something to note.

The Inspiron 13 has always been more of a business laptop. With that said, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, and the HP Elitebook X360 are viable alternatives. Unfortunately, the MacBook Pro is quite expensive, and the Elitebook might not be for everyone with its convertible design.

Dell’s Inspiron 5310 laptop offers an incredible 2560X1600 resolution screen that will allow you to watch your favorite movies on the go. The 13-inch panel can be a bit small but offers vibrant colors with high peak brightness and viewing angles for all members of our family.

Moreover, the Inspiron 5310 is one of the best laptops for people who need to use their computer away from home. It has an expected battery life of 12 hours that can last you through most days on moderate use, which will be much better than what other models offer in this price range.

The price of this laptop is fairly high, and it does not make sense if you just want a school or home machine for basic word processing. However, this laptop is perfect for those who need its performance for work or productivity tasks.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8.5/10
  • Battery: 8/10
  • Display: 8/10
  • Value for Money: 7/10
  • Overall Rating: 8/10

9. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best Thin & Light Laptop

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700U | GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 10 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 5 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Decent Performance
  • Inclusion of 512GB SSD
  • Large 15-inch Display
  • Lightweight Chassis

Cons:

  • Bad Battery Life
  • Only an FHD display
  • Poor Value

Packing a Ryzen 7 3700U with AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphics, the ASUS VivoBook 15 is one of the top performers in this price category. It is a great option for non-gamers who need a powerful CPU but not necessarily dedicated graphics.

With this setup, the VivoBook 15 is an ideal choice for those who want to perform moderate productivity tasks that don’t involve 3D rendering or animation. It is a really good laptop for school or office use as well, although it will struggle a bit with complex video editing.

The laptop’s 15.6″ FHD panel is sharp, colorful, and has 178 degrees of viewing angle – all features that make it desirable to have on your list! The thin bezels also add extra points to this great-looking product, although we do wish it had a higher resolution screen.

Dell’s XPS 15 series and the HP Pavilion 15 are viable alternatives to the ASUS VivoBook 15, especially when it comes to performance. However, we picked the ASUS option as it can be found a bit cheaper and offers better value.

The laptop is a bit of an oddball when it comes to battery life. It only has a rated battery life of 5 hours on a full charge, which is quite peculiar for a 1080p laptop in this performance category. Thankfully though you can charge faster than normal which helps things out quite nicely.

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a lightweight laptop, perfect for taking with you on the go. It weighs less than 3.5 pounds so it won’t be too heavy to carry around all day if needed.

Although the price range of the ASUS VivoBook 15 is not that high, it still does not offer the best value when compared with its peers on the market. The overall package, on the other hand, is rather impressive and worth consideration for non-gamers.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8/10
  • Battery: 7/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 7/10
  • Overall Rating: 7.5/10

10. HP Envy X360 – Most Versatile Laptop

Size: 15.6 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 512GB SSD| Battery: 8 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Folding Design
  • Modern Ryzen 5000 series CPU
  • Lots of RAM
  • Professional Design

Cons:

  • Only an FHD display
  • Heavy
  • Mediocre Battery Life

With its sleek, stylish looks and snappy performance, the HP Envy X360 is a great option for those looking to get their work done without completely breaking the bank. With this laptop’s affordable price tag, you can be sure to maximize the bang for your buck.

The versatility of this laptop is unparalleled. Whether you’re in tent mode or tablet form, it can handle anything that comes its way with ease thanks to an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U and integrated AMD Radeon Graphics. It can handle the Adobe suite, general word processing, productivity tasks, as well as moderate video editing.

The screen of this laptop comes in either a 13” or 15.6” size. Our selected variant is the 15.6” model since it provides a bit more real estate for those movie-watching sessions.

Speaking of the display, it is a standard FHD display but the color reproduction and viewing angles are actually top-notch. It would have been even better with a QHD display, however.

Convertible laptops are few and far between on the market, so the Envy X360 doesn’t have any direct alternatives. We have already mentioned the Lenovo Flex 14, but HP’s own EliteBook X360 can also be a viable choice.

The downside to making a 15.6″ convertible is that it weighs about 4 pounds, which makes the laptop feel heavier than other laptops in its class – but still not too bad considering the convertible design.

HP claims the battery lasts around 8 hours on a full charge, which is squarely average for a laptop in this performance class. For a convertible laptop, we would have liked to see a larger cell.

The affordable price tag of the Envy X360 is also one of its biggest strengths. This laptop fits several use cases, therefore it can be a perfect buy for many non-gamers who do not need the extra graphical horsepower.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 8/10
  • Battery: 7.5/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 7/10
  • Overall Rating: 7.5/10

11. Lenovo Ideapad 3 – Best Laptop for Home Use

Size: 14.0 inch | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U | GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD| Battery: 8 Hours| Resolution: 1920×1080 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Simple and Affordable
  • Decent Performance
  • Lightweight Body
  • Integrated Vega 8 Graphics

Cons:

  • Unremarkable Performance
  • Only an FHD screen
  • Mediocre Battery Life

For non-gamers who just want a basic machine to work from home, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 checks all the boxes. It is powerful enough that you can get your work done, while also being affordable so you don’t have to worry about your pocket.

With a fast Ryzen 5 3500U processor and plenty of memory, the Ideapad 3 is perfect for those looking to perform their basic productivity and word processing tasks from home. The Radeon Vega 8 graphics can also come in handy for some video and photo manipulation should you need it.

Still, the performance is nothing extraordinary and it cannot handle more intensive applications that may involve 3D rendering or animation work. This laptop is ideal for basic tasks at home or school.

On a related note, you can also check out our selection of the best laptops for law school to get more recommendations for students.

The 1080p FHD screen is a treat to the eyes, despite the resolution being a little outdated. The 1080p resolution panel is packed in a 14” screen, which means you get more detail with radiant colors and good viewing angles.

A couple of viable alternatives to the Ideapad 3 can be the Dell Latitude 5520 and Acer Swift 3, both of which are competitive in terms of pricing. However, the Lenovo option offers slightly better internal specs and a better value overall.

The unit weighs around 3.1 pounds, making it quite an excellent option for users who prefer portability. However, the battery life is only rated at around 8 hours on a full charge by Lenovo. We would have liked to see a bigger battery cell in this economical laptop.

At the end of the day, it is all about the value proposition and this is where the Lenovo Ideapad 3 makes a name for itself. Its affordable price tag is sure to attract potential buyers with a variety of use cases.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 7/10
  • Battery: 7.5/10
  • Display: 7.5/10
  • Value for Money: 8/10
  • Overall Rating: 7.5/10

12. Acer Chromebook 314 – Best Chromebook

Size: 14 inch | CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 | GPU: Intel Integrated Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB SSD| Battery: 9 Hours| Resolution: 1366×768 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Very Affordable
  • Large Display for a ChromeBook
  • Relatively Large Storage

Cons:

  • Basic Specs
  • Relatively Heavy
  • Low Resolution
  • Mediocre Battery Life

Chromebooks are very convenient and affordable laptops that are ideal for some specific use cases. If gaming is not in the scenario, however, then the option of Chromebook makes a lot of sense. The pick for the best Chromebook goes to the Acer Chromebook 314.

It is not a very powerful laptop in terms of specs, but that much is to be expected. You can expect the basics with this hardware. Word processing, browsing, emailing, and other basic productivity tasks are the bread and butter of Chromebooks.

Although the display is quite large at 14 inches, it is just a 1366×768 resolution panel. This resolution is quite outdated at this point, especially on a large screen like this. It is a touch screen though, which is a nice addition.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 is an alternative worth checking out, but we prefer the Acer option due to the slightly better internal specs on offer here.

In terms of battery life, the Chromebook 314 also falls in the average category. Acer claims a battery timing of around 9 hours on a full charge, which isn’t extraordinary. The laptop weighs around 5 pounds, so it is also a bit heavier than competing Chromebooks.

The extremely low price tag is what matters in Chromebooks, and the same holds true for the Acer Chromebook 314. This category of the laptop is ideal for those non-gamers who just want basic web functionality for their day-to-day operations.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 6.5/10
  • Battery: 7.5/10
  • Display: 7/10
  • Value for Money: 8/10
  • Overall Rating: 7/10

13. ASUS Chromebook C202 – Best Laptop for Kids

Size: 11.6 inch | CPU: Intel Celeron N3000 | GPU: Intel Integrated Graphics| RAM: 4GB | Storage: 16GB eMMC| Battery: 9 Hours| Resolution: 1366×768 | Refresh Rate: 60

Pros:

  • Rugged Design
  • Very Affordable
  • Ideal for Kids

Cons:

  • Entry Level Hardware
  • Average Battery Life
  • No Touch Screen
  • Only 16GB Storage

This ASUS Chromebook C202 has all the basic features you need in a laptop, without any unnecessary frills. Its lightweight and durable design make it perfect for non-gamers who are on the go or just prefer minimalist hardware.

This is the perfect laptop for those who love to get a little rough with their electronics. It has an exterior made from ruggedized materials and comes equipped with spill-resistant keys, so you can drop it into any liquid without worrying about damaging anything. Therefore, it is ideal for kids.

ChromeOS is a great operating system for beginners and those who don’t need all of the advanced features found in a windows laptop. It provides you with everything necessary to get your work done, without any extra clutter or confusion.

The HP Stream 14 is a viable alternative for the Chromebook C202 since it uses entry-level hardware as well, but runs Windows 10. We prefer the Chromebook to the Stream in this use case, however.

The Chromebook C202 is not one for heavy multitasking. It has entry-level specs (4GB RAM and 32 GB eMMC storage), so you may find yourself wishing that there was an upgrade available when using this device heavily or running multiple apps at once.

A Chromebook is also an excellent choice for the elderly, as we noted in our roundup of the best laptops for seniors.

ASUS claims that the battery can last around 9 hours on a full charge which is rather average. Moreover, the laptop does not include a touch screen which forces you to use the trackpad instead which can be quite tedious on a Chromebook.

The Chromebook is quite lightweight at just 2.6 pounds, which makes it a very attractive product for home and school use. All in all, the Chromebook C202 does not reinvent the wheel, but it is a very affordable laptop that can get the job done.

RATINGS:

  • Performance: 6.5/10
  • Battery: 7.5/10
  • Display: 7/10
  • Value for Money: 8.5/10
  • Overall Rating: 7/10

Best Laptop for Non Gamers – Buyer’s Guide

If you are a non-gamer looking to purchase the ideal laptop for yourself, or you are someone who wants to buy one for your relative or friend who does not play games, there are certain factors you need to consider. Keep in mind the following points before finalizing your purchase decision.

Display

The display is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a laptop for non-gamers. It’s the screen where you’ll be spending most of your time looking at, so you want to make sure it’s the right size, resolution, and color for you.

In this use case, you do not need a high-refresh-rate display as gaming is out of the picture, but other factors are still worth considering.

The resolution is the number of pixels that make up the display, and the higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the image will be. Look for QHD or FHD+ displays at least depending on your budget.

Color reproduction is important for two reasons: first, you want the colors on your screen to be accurate so that what you see is what you get; second, you want a laptop with a display that’s easy on your eyes.

The viewing angles are also important; you want a laptop with a display that you can easily view from different angles without getting glare or reflections. Keep these things in mind when choosing a laptop, and you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.

Operating System

The operating system or “OS” is the software that tells a computer how to do basic tasks. The three most common operating systems for laptops are Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Each operating system has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs.

Windows is the most popular operating system for laptops, and for good reason. It’s easy to use and comes with a wide variety of software options. However, Windows can be susceptible to viruses and other malware, so it’s important to have good antivirus protection.

The macOS is the operating system used on Apple’s MacBooks. It’s known for being stable and user-friendly. One downside of macOS is that it doesn’t have as many customization options as Windows does. Another is that MacBooks can be more expensive than laptops with other operating systems.

ChromeOS is the operating system found on Chromebooks. Chromebooks are usually less expensive than MacBooks or laptops with Windows, and they’re known for being fast and lightweight.

One downside of ChromeOS is that it relies heavily on cloud-based storage and apps, so you’ll need an Internet connection to get the most out of it.

Size and Weight

When choosing a non-gaming laptop, size and weight are important considerations. A larger laptop may have a more powerful processor and a larger screen size, but it will also be heavier and less portable. A smaller laptop may be more lightweight and portable, but it may have a weaker processor and a smaller screen size.

As a result, it is important to consider size and weight when making a decision about which laptop to purchase. If portability is a key concern, then a smaller, lighter laptop may be the best option. However, if power and screen size is more important, then a larger laptop may be the better choice.

Ultimately, the right decision depends on the individual needs of the buyer, but a thin & light laptop is often the better choice for non-gamers.

Performance

It’s easy to get drowned in a sea of technical jargon while looking for a laptop as a non-gamer. However, understanding a few key terms can help you make an informed decision about which laptop is right for you.

To start, the CPU or the Central Processing Unit is, in other words, the brain of your computer. A powerful CPU is essential for ensuring smooth performance, whether you’re watching videos, browsing the web, or working on demanding creative projects.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is another important factor to consider. RAM helps your computer to run seamlessly and smoothly by storing temporary data that can be accessed quickly. The more RAM your computer has, generally the more responsive it will be.

Lastly, storage is important to think about if you plan on keeping a lot of files on your laptop. Most laptops come with either an SSD or HDD drive. SSDs are faster and more energy-efficient than HDDs, but they also tend to be more expensive.

When it comes to choosing a new laptop for non-gamers, performance should be one of your top priorities. You do not need a lot of graphical horsepower in the form of a dedicated GPU since you don’t want a gaming-focused laptop, but the other specs are still very important.

Battery Life

No matter how good a laptop is, if it has a bad battery, it’s not worth buying. A laptop battery is like a human heart. It needs to be strong and efficient to keep the laptop going. The battery life is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a laptop for non-gamers.

It is important to choose a laptop with a battery that will last long enough to get the job done. A laptop with a battery that only lasts for an hour is not worth buying. Therefore, we recommend that you look for a laptop that has a rated battery life of at least 8 hours.

Moreover, a laptop with a battery that takes too long to charge is not worth buying. Nowadays, manufacturers are providing several features like fast charging which can be important for your day-to-day experience, so keep those in mind as well.

FAQs:

Are gaming laptops good for non-gamers?

Gaming laptops are not good for non-gamers because typically they are very bulky and heavy due to their cooling systems. They also have very poor battery lives and are much more expensive than similar non-gaming laptops.

Should I get a gaming laptop for video editing?

You should get a gaming laptop for video editing if you plan to edit complex projects with lots of animations and high-resolution footage. You will certainly need a dedicated GPU for that, and gaming laptops can provide that. However, you can also do video editing on a non-gaming laptop if your project is relatively simple and has low resolution.

Can I game on a non-gaming laptop?

You can game on a non-gaming laptop, but don’t expect to play any modern AAA titles on these machines. They usually only have integrated graphics or very basic dedicated GPUs which cannot handle the graphical stress of larger AAA titles. You can play older titles or simpler multiplayer games by turning down the graphical settings or the resolution of the display.

Why should I buy a non-gaming laptop?

You should buy a non-gaming laptop if you plan to use your laptop for either work or school activities, or if you just want to use it as a daily driver at home or on the go. Non-gaming laptops have the advantage of being lightweight, and convenient, and they typically have long battery lives so they can be perfect for a whole range of use cases.

Should I buy a desktop PC or a non-gaming laptop?

You should buy a non-gaming laptop over a desktop PC if you prioritize the portability of a laptop. In many scenarios, most of the work of a non-gaming laptop can be done on a simple desktop PC. However, the laptop offers the advantage of portability which is crucial if you want to use the laptop for school or office work.

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