Why You Need an Everyday Laptop

We love our gaming PCs, but is there a place for everyday laptops in our set-ups?

It’s been long established that gaming laptops do have their benefits. They’re portable, packed with the same premium gaming hardware, and offer a convenient all-in-one solution. But if you’re not specifically gaming on the go, would you be better off with an everyday laptop? We’re taking a closer look at these slimline laptops and what benefits they provide.

What is an Everyday Laptop?

An everyday laptop is a device designed for, well, everyday usage. Internet browsing, streaming content, word processing – the common uses. As such, these laptops are likely to have a lower spec than their gaming counterparts, opting for integrated graphics over a dedicated card, more mid-range CPUs, and even only 8GB RAM. Naturally, there will be variation in the specifications, with some models being more suited to creative work and sporting higher RAM or AI integration to boost workflows.

Without the dedicated GPU, everyday laptops are slimmer and create far less heat. They still feature integrated cooling solutions designed to efficiently dissipate heat, they’re just far less bulky. Everything is contained within a sleek, modern chassis and some even have subtle keyboard backlighting!

What are the Benefits of an Everyday Laptop?

While everyday laptops are not as powerful as gaming laptops, and certainly not gaming PCs either, they do still have their uses. The cornerstone of any laptop’s benefit is portability. Whether you’re moving from room to room within your own home or taking your laptop on the commute, everyday laptops are especially portable due to their slimmer, less bulky frame.

But what else is there?

We’re going to outline a few uses where an everyday laptop is a boon and a functional addition to your set-up.

School Work

If you’re in school or on your academic journey still, then an everyday laptop is going to be much easier to fit into your backpack. Plus, their specification is designed to support the kind of workloads academics and studying require. The exception to this is some of the more technical courses, but for the most part an Intel Core i5-1235U CPU and 8GB DDR4 RAM will suffice. The other upside to this is cost, you won’t need to sink a big chunk of money on an everyday laptop because of their modest specifications.

As an all-in-one solution, you don’t need to worry about carting around a monitor, mouse, and keyboard every time you want to use your laptop. Of course, you can integrate these peripherals in your home set-up, but if you’re making camp in the library, you can just stick to bringing your headset. No multi-socket extension cables required.

What’s more, by using integrated graphics, you have one less distraction while revising for that big test. Sure, a lot of games can be run on integrated graphics, but not on the settings or resolution they deserve. It all helps to keep the temptation to boot up Steam and download your favourite game at bay! Stick to playing on your perfectly engineered gaming PC instead.

Work Laptop

For those who have left school behind and are living their best 9-5 life, everyday laptops are a great solution. For many of the same reasons, too. Portability is the big one – you can use the same machine in the office and when you work from home. Lack of distractions – let’s face it, the boss won’t appreciate you taking a brain break on Starfield or Frostpunk 2. Hardware tailored for the job at hand – an RTX 4090 isn’t going to help with that spreadsheet!

To help keep you productive, everyday laptops are optimised for efficiency. From the latest WiFi standards to ultra-fast SSDs and USB 3.2 technology, you can crack on with your work without delay. (Brain-disconnect notwithstanding, these laptops can’t do it all.)

What’s more, many everyday laptops have features designed for the workplace. This could be a 180-degree lay flat hinge, so you can effortlessly collaborate with your team or even just switch things up. Webcams often come with protective shields while microphones feature innovative AI-noise cancelling. No one needs to hear your pup demanding dinner on that 4:30pm Teams meeting. (I’m not talking about my own dog, nooooo.)

Home Usage

Everyday laptops even have a place in the home. You may not be able to tackle the latest AAA titles on one, but they will support some light gaming. Additionally, they include HDMI ports, so they can easily be integrated with your media set-up. Stream the latest blockbuster from Netflix or Disney+ on your laptop, taking advantage of their high-speed internet connectivity, but hook it up to your TV via HDMI. Alternatively, you can use the vibrant, high-resolution built-in screen and watch your favourite shows somewhere more comfortable than your desk if you’re watching alone. I am guilty of binge-watching Community in bed! Just be sure to have a tray or stand for your laptop and don’t put it directly on your bedding. That’s how vents get clogged.

Overall Pros and Cons

It’s all well and good that I sing the praises of an everyday laptop, but there will naturally be some drawbacks. Such is life. So, we’ve put together a cheeky little pro/con list for a handy side-by-side comparison.

Pros:

Portable
Accessibly priced
Can support light gaming
Optimised for school and work
All-in-one solution
Excellent connectivity options

Cons:

Not as powerful
Cannot be upgraded like gaming PCs or select gaming laptops
Not ideal for AAA gaming

Everyday Laptops Available at Overclockers UK

At Overclockers UK, we have a growing range of everyday laptops ready to boost your set-up. We’ve selected a few of our favourites here, but you can explore the full range with just the click of a button!

Shop Everyday Laptops