Why is my laptop slowing down/ how to avoid next time
Discussion
Hi all
Self-confessed techie-phobe here. Any help appreciated
My laptop has recently become almost unusable. It is slow to the point of waiting 5 mins to simply open Chrome or Ms Edge. Especially after a restart. A couple of restarts may sometimes kick it into life but painfulX
I cannot get the microphone to work on Teams.
All I use it for is browsing, job apps and life admin nothing fancy.
In order to try not to buy the same again I did some research into processors, RAM etc. vs price, and then looked up my own specs.
Worryingly my specs were better than I expected - I thought I had bought a bargain basement model - and they came close to my shortlist for a new laptop. So my concern is buying the same again and having the same issues
HP Pavilion Notebook
Windows 10 Home
Intel i3-5157U (2 cores)
2.5 Ghz
RAM 8 GB
Available physical memory 600MB
Available virtual memory 4GB
I think I have used quite a bit of memory having dumped all my photos and videos off my phone recently. Maybe thats not helping.l with the slowness.
I have an external hard drive but it was already slowing down badly. I could buy something new to be used just for work and admin purposes with none of that.l memory usage. But I need something fast and user friendly. Budget about 500 max.
Thank you
Self-confessed techie-phobe here. Any help appreciated
My laptop has recently become almost unusable. It is slow to the point of waiting 5 mins to simply open Chrome or Ms Edge. Especially after a restart. A couple of restarts may sometimes kick it into life but painfulX
I cannot get the microphone to work on Teams.
All I use it for is browsing, job apps and life admin nothing fancy.
In order to try not to buy the same again I did some research into processors, RAM etc. vs price, and then looked up my own specs.
Worryingly my specs were better than I expected - I thought I had bought a bargain basement model - and they came close to my shortlist for a new laptop. So my concern is buying the same again and having the same issues
HP Pavilion Notebook
Windows 10 Home
Intel i3-5157U (2 cores)
2.5 Ghz
RAM 8 GB
Available physical memory 600MB
Available virtual memory 4GB
I think I have used quite a bit of memory having dumped all my photos and videos off my phone recently. Maybe thats not helping.l with the slowness.
I have an external hard drive but it was already slowing down badly. I could buy something new to be used just for work and admin purposes with none of that.l memory usage. But I need something fast and user friendly. Budget about 500 max.
Thank you
When you say you have an external harddrive is it an SSD drive or an old fashioned hard drive? I found with my own laptop that was slowing down to the point of being useless when I swapped out the hard drive for an SSD it helped the speed massively, it was like a new computer and still runs very well even now.
Mine is a fairly basic Lenovo which I bought in 2018 and all i've done over the years is change the internal hard drive and it's still more than adequate for my needs. The lack of compatibility for Windows 11 will probably kill it in the end.
Mine is a fairly basic Lenovo which I bought in 2018 and all i've done over the years is change the internal hard drive and it's still more than adequate for my needs. The lack of compatibility for Windows 11 will probably kill it in the end.
It'll be your CPU from that spec. It's an i3 from 2015.
But likely a Windows reinstall would fix it. You've probably got years of crud accumulated on there that would be too painful to clear off manually.
A windows reinstall will probably make it feel like a new laptop.
Either that or a new laptop. I'd say £400 would get a good web and email machine these days if you wanted to go down that path.
There's no point in upgrading the old laptop with new hardware as most are not built to be upgraded, some will have the parts soldered in (incl. Hard drives).
But likely a Windows reinstall would fix it. You've probably got years of crud accumulated on there that would be too painful to clear off manually.
A windows reinstall will probably make it feel like a new laptop.
Either that or a new laptop. I'd say £400 would get a good web and email machine these days if you wanted to go down that path.
There's no point in upgrading the old laptop with new hardware as most are not built to be upgraded, some will have the parts soldered in (incl. Hard drives).
Apologies I worded that badly
Its a portable / external hard drive. Toshiba.
I intended to transfer all my photos onto that but because there are important photos there I have ended up duplicating them across both by way of a physical back up
Hence the laptop will keep the same amount of used storage. But it was already slowing badly before that
Its a portable / external hard drive. Toshiba.
I intended to transfer all my photos onto that but because there are important photos there I have ended up duplicating them across both by way of a physical back up
Hence the laptop will keep the same amount of used storage. But it was already slowing badly before that
I use the same processor in one of my laptops - albeit with 16GB RAM - but the big difference (I'm 99% sure) is that yours will have an HDD and mine has an SSD - makes an unusable laptop usable!
If you've already got an external drive, you don't need a big SSD, so 128/256 will be fine eg: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BS9WKNXV?tag=pcp0f-2...
You'd need to copy your personal files from the laptop disk to the external drive, then fit the new SSD and re-install Windows and all your software - you can do a disk copy but you'd need to make sure your existing partition will fit into the new partition -some faffing required.
Are you PC savvy or do you have a PC savvy friend?
If you've already got an external drive, you don't need a big SSD, so 128/256 will be fine eg: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BS9WKNXV?tag=pcp0f-2...
You'd need to copy your personal files from the laptop disk to the external drive, then fit the new SSD and re-install Windows and all your software - you can do a disk copy but you'd need to make sure your existing partition will fit into the new partition -some faffing required.
Are you PC savvy or do you have a PC savvy friend?
Apple is the answer! Get yourself a M chipped Macbook Air. Probably 2nd hand at your budget. They are supported for ages by Apple and I haven’t noticed my Macbook Pros slowing nearly as much as my Windows machines over time.
A 5th Gen Core i3 needs to go in the bin. Can’t believe someone is telling you to add a SSD to an antique 10yr old platform like that!
A 5th Gen Core i3 needs to go in the bin. Can’t believe someone is telling you to add a SSD to an antique 10yr old platform like that!
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 21st May 18:34
As mentioned, reinstalling Windows from scratch will make it feel like a new machine again - in your case it won't be lightening fast but more than fine for running basic Office apps and internet browsing on Windows10.
However this advice is likely all in vain - most people can't be bothered and would rather spend a few hundred quid to get something shiny and new. Rinse and repeat every 3 or 4 years to keep MS / Intel in business.
Yes an SSD will make a difference as an HDD is a big bottleneck, even on a machine of that age.
And no an Apple is not the answer unless you specifically want one and are prepared to double your budget.
However this advice is likely all in vain - most people can't be bothered and would rather spend a few hundred quid to get something shiny and new. Rinse and repeat every 3 or 4 years to keep MS / Intel in business.
Yes an SSD will make a difference as an HDD is a big bottleneck, even on a machine of that age.
And no an Apple is not the answer unless you specifically want one and are prepared to double your budget.
Thanks everyone
I cannot answer you all individually so I think I can summarise in one -
But what I can deduce is that an SSD storage is best. And an i5 must be better than an i3 as bigger numbers are better, right?
I have narrowed it down a bit to two options via the nations leading computing distributer -
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5027617
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8488617
I cannot answer you all individually so I think I can summarise in one -
S6PNJ said:
Are you PC savvy
NoS6PNJ said:
or do you have a PC savvy friend?
NoBut what I can deduce is that an SSD storage is best. And an i5 must be better than an i3 as bigger numbers are better, right?
I have narrowed it down a bit to two options via the nations leading computing distributer -
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5027617
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8488617
menousername said:
But what I can deduce is that an SSD storage is best. And an i5 must be better than an i3 as bigger numbers are better, right?
I have narrowed it down a bit to two options via the nations leading computing distributer -
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5027617
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8488617
Out of those two, I'd pick the Lenovo. I have narrowed it down a bit to two options via the nations leading computing distributer -
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5027617
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8488617
Consider an Asus as well. This one has more storage, 256 GB can fill up fast.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4709534?clickPR=pl...
8 GB I'd consider the minimum amount of RAM for a new computer, everything loves RAM these days, if you want to spend a bit extra there's a 16 GB version:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8948353?clickPR=pl...
If you want to get a bit more bang for buck, consider the AMD Ryzen processors, they're more powerful than the equivalently priced Intel but the trade off is less battery life. Depends if you're going to use it on the go or just leave it plugged in most of the time. Here's an example.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/6798062?clickPR=pl...
Also don't forget to check out Curry's, Very and other popular retailers to compare prices.
https://www.hoxtonmacs.co.uk/products/macbook-air-...
Loads of Macbook Airs like that.
Best choice by far!
Loads of Macbook Airs like that.
Best choice by far!
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8488617
You don’t want this one for your use. Has a H processor, will burn through your battery like no ones business and run hot. A M chipped Apple Silicon Mac will both be faster and use less power. Intel are very far behind the curve when it comes to chips, especially for mobile applications.
You don’t want this one for your use. Has a H processor, will burn through your battery like no ones business and run hot. A M chipped Apple Silicon Mac will both be faster and use less power. Intel are very far behind the curve when it comes to chips, especially for mobile applications.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 21st May 19:46
captain_cynic said:
wyson said:
Loads of Macbook Airs like that.
Apple fanboys are the the Jehovah s Witnesses of the internet.
The truth annoys some people. For general use like the OP, Apple is the answer!
Should say, I wouldn’t recommend an Intel chipped Mac, the advantage of Apple for laptops is mostly driven by Apple Silicon.
Also for a desktop, power efficiency is less of an issue.
But for a laptop?
Apple Silicon Macbook every time!
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 21st May 22:13
wyson said:
Both of these have TN panels. Wouldn’t wish a TN panel on my worst enemy.
The M chipped Macbook Airs have proper IPS panels with a decent colour gamut. So that colour for your internet shopping will be much more accurate.
Will smash those two Windows laptops into next week for performance and snappiness and battery life if new. Not sure about a 2nd hand example, the batteries on those will be variable depending on how they have been used.
Uh - all you're doing here is the equivalent of suggesting someone in the market for a new hatchback is doing it all wrong and that they should buy a used SUV instead.The M chipped Macbook Airs have proper IPS panels with a decent colour gamut. So that colour for your internet shopping will be much more accurate.
Will smash those two Windows laptops into next week for performance and snappiness and battery life if new. Not sure about a 2nd hand example, the batteries on those will be variable depending on how they have been used.
Aside from that, Macs are useless for an awful lot of people due to a wide range of reasons.... not sure you're getting it?
I do think that buying at this end of the market could be largely guided by a trip to Currys where you could actually get hands on and see how well you gel with them.
dan98 said:
Uh - all you're doing here is the equivalent of suggesting someone in the market for a new hatchback is doing it all wrong and that they should buy a used SUV instead.
Aside from that, Macs are useless for an awful lot of people due to a wide range of reasons.... not sure you're getting it?
I do think that buying at this end of the market could be largely guided by a trip to Currys where you could actually get hands on and see how well you gel with them.
One day, I hope you see the light ;PAside from that, Macs are useless for an awful lot of people due to a wide range of reasons.... not sure you're getting it?
I do think that buying at this end of the market could be largely guided by a trip to Currys where you could actually get hands on and see how well you gel with them.
Although I’d agree with the Currys suggestion. I always do that myself.
If looking at the budget end, I’d always fiddle with the tilt of the screen, stand off axis. You don’t want a TN panel, which is the default for budget machines. Apple never use them because they are a bit council.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 21st May 20:05
wyson said:
One day, I hope you see the light ;P
Although I’d agree with the Currys suggestion. I always do that myself.
I already have 2 Macs - I know what they're like. Great in some cases and completely useless in others.Although I’d agree with the Currys suggestion. I always do that myself.
I also recognise that people embedded in one way of getting things done are rarely happy to jump to another, especially when they have to double their budget.
wyson said:
Are they Apple Silicon Macs?
My prior Macbook Pro 2018 was a rubbish machine. It was Intel chipped, ran super hot, sounded like a jet turbine under the slightest load, kept throttling back. It always had to be plugged in because the battery would only last 3 hours.
My M1 Macbook Pro is the best laptop I have ever used. Its an unbelievable step up. Barely a whisper from the fans when under load and otherwise silent. Never throttles back. Every program (apart from MS stuff), every webpage pops open instantly. Battery lasts all day, so much so I never carry around a charger.
I also have a 45w Intel 12th Gen H chipped high power Windows laptop. Excel VBA has that going like a jet turbine. Noticeable lag when opening software and webpages, throttles back under load etc. You can see the battery bar draining in real time under load. I can get about 3 hours out of it under regular use, and its battery is a similar size to the Macbook Pro’s. Its always needs a charger to be carried around.
It’s the chip / architecture that makes the difference.
Yes one of them and it's noticeably faster than the older one but none of this is remotely relevant to the OP.My prior Macbook Pro 2018 was a rubbish machine. It was Intel chipped, ran super hot, sounded like a jet turbine under the slightest load, kept throttling back. It always had to be plugged in because the battery would only last 3 hours.
My M1 Macbook Pro is the best laptop I have ever used. Its an unbelievable step up. Barely a whisper from the fans when under load and otherwise silent. Never throttles back. Every program (apart from MS stuff), every webpage pops open instantly. Battery lasts all day, so much so I never carry around a charger.
I also have a 45w Intel 12th Gen H chipped high power Windows laptop. Excel VBA has that going like a jet turbine. Noticeable lag when opening software and webpages, throttles back under load etc. You can see the battery bar draining in real time under load. I can get about 3 hours out of it under regular use, and its battery is a similar size to the Macbook Pro’s. Its always needs a charger to be carried around.
It’s the chip / architecture that makes the difference.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 21st May 20:22
(It's not only the chip/MB that makes the difference, but the Intel Gen H is clearly a terrible choice for an ultrabook).
It is relevant to the OP.
And my H chipped windows laptop is a mobile workstation. It is supposedly designed for this sort of use, but the Intel chip holds it back.
Anyway, I give up. No skin off my nose if someone recommends a H chipped budget laptop with a TN panel for the OP and he goes off and buys one.
But before I go, I’ll say it one more time:
Apple is the answer!
And my H chipped windows laptop is a mobile workstation. It is supposedly designed for this sort of use, but the Intel chip holds it back.
Anyway, I give up. No skin off my nose if someone recommends a H chipped budget laptop with a TN panel for the OP and he goes off and buys one.
But before I go, I’ll say it one more time:
Apple is the answer!
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 21st May 20:40
I don't know quite how or why, but it does seem that buying into Apple products for some people sends them a bit loopy.
It's not the first time I've heard the phrase 'seeing the light' in relation to buying a Mac, and much like devout Christians they'll jump at the chance to spread the word to all and sundry, even when unprompted and completely out of context.
Just because Apple CPUs are currently winning the efficiency race somehow means that everyone needs to ditch their well established hardware/software/ecosystem and go out and buy one...even if it's double the price, works in a different way to what they're used to, and actually creates new compatibility barriers which they didn't have before.
I'd understand it if they were Apple Corp. shills, but I actually don't think it's even that - more like some kind of cult-like loony bin mind control stuff going on.
Anyway time for dinner
It's not the first time I've heard the phrase 'seeing the light' in relation to buying a Mac, and much like devout Christians they'll jump at the chance to spread the word to all and sundry, even when unprompted and completely out of context.
Just because Apple CPUs are currently winning the efficiency race somehow means that everyone needs to ditch their well established hardware/software/ecosystem and go out and buy one...even if it's double the price, works in a different way to what they're used to, and actually creates new compatibility barriers which they didn't have before.
I'd understand it if they were Apple Corp. shills, but I actually don't think it's even that - more like some kind of cult-like loony bin mind control stuff going on.
Anyway time for dinner
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