If you’re looking for a new laptop, you’ve got a few things to think about. And the type of processor you’ll need is a great place to start.

For example, if you’ll be doing lots of advanced design work and editing, you’ll want a high-end laptop with a powerful processor.

But if you just want a good all-round computer for work and play, an Intel® Pentium® Gold processor could be just what you need. So, let us tell you what you can expect from this budget-friendly processor, and show you the kind of laptops that have it under their hood…

Is an Intel® Pentium® Gold processor right for you?

If you’re on a budget and just want a computer for normal day-to-day use, the Intel® Pentium® Gold® processor gives you all the power you need.

It’s a processor designed for everyday multitaskers - anyone who wants to browse the web, manage documents, stream videos, or do some light photo editing. If you’re after something that can handle basic work and studies during the day, and can keep you entertained in the evening, it’s a solid choice.

What tasks are Intel® Pentium® Gold processors best at?

Intel® Pentium® Gold processors are budget-friendly, but that doesn’t mean they skimp on speed. In fact, they perform better than lots of other competitors in the same price range – especially when it comes to the following:

• Multitasking: Intel® Pentium® Gold processors can handle lots of everyday tasks running at the same time, without lagging or freezing. Thanks to Hyper-Threading technology, the processor can manage multiple apps, and you can seamlessly switch from one thing to another without any noticeable drops in speed.

• Smooth web Browsing: Web browsing might seem like a light task, but with the number of tabs and resource-heavy sites we visit daily, it takes a fair amount of processing power to handle them smoothly. The Intel® Pentium® Gold processors are optimised for these tasks, giving you smoother and quicker browsing.

• Power efficiency: The Intel® Pentium® Gold processor is also designed with energy efficiency in mind. This means longer battery life, which is a big plus if you take your laptop out and about a lot.

How good are Intel® Pentium® Gold processors at multitasking?

As previously mentioned, Intel® Pentium® Gold processors do a great job at multitasking. They smoothly juggle tasks like web browsing, streaming videos, word processing, and handling spreadsheets – so they’re perfect for students, casual users, and even remote workers.

Want to listen to music, check email, and manage documents all at once? Yep, you can do all that at once. Just keep in mind, though, that the processor isn’t built for super-intensive tasks like high-end gaming, 3D rendering or heavy-duty video editing. It’s fine for normal daily tasks, but if you need serious power you might want to explore more powerful options, such as Intel Core™ i3, i5, i7 and i9 processors.

What about gaming and streaming?

Though the Intel® Pentium® Gold isn’t a gaming-specific processor, it does pack enough power to handle casual gaming and streaming. Thanks to Intel® UHD Graphics, you can enjoy sharp graphics and smooth action even when things are zipping about across the screen.

Intel® Pentium® Gold vs. other Intel® processors

Intel®’s premium processors are real powerhouses, designed for doing much more than browsing or casual streaming.

Intel® Pentium® Core™ i3 processors have serious amounts of power, and the latest 13th Gen are more than capable of handling heavier tasks.

Intel® Pentium® Core™ i5 and i7 processors are even more powerful options, suited for gaming, high-resolution editing, and demanding software.

However, the Intel® Pentium® Gold processors can match the above when it comes to day-to-day tasks like web browsing, email, and casual entertainment. If you don’t need to use power-intensive apps, they’re great value for money.

Laptops with Intel® Pentium® Gold on board

The Lenovo Ideapad 3i is a great laptop powered by an Intel® Pentium® Gold processor. With its lightweight design and reliable battery life, it’s perfect for students and other on-the-go users. The processor lets you switch between tasks without a hitch, so you can work, study and entertain yourself all day long. The large display is perfect for spreadsheets and streaming movies. And you'll look and sound you’re best in video calls with the HD webcam and smart noise cancellation.

Some final things to consider…

It’s important to remember that the performance of different laptops powered by the same Intel® Pentium® Gold processor can vary quite a bit, depending on your device’s specifications. Factors like RAM, storage type, hardware and software features all play a role in the laptop’s efficiency. So to get the most out of the processor, make sure your laptop comes with all the specs and components you need to get through your day-to-day tasks.

Need more help?

We’ve got a huge range of big name laptops from the likes of Lenovo and Asus. If you need more advice before you buy, our laptop buying guide is packed with useful info. If you’d like to chat to an expert, pop into one of our stores and speak with one of our colleagues. They’ll happily answer all your tech questions.