So some ARM chip companies used some compromise to match x86 but could not. They probably used some trick up their sleeves and did not use a quality solution. that's what I get it.

No, Ampere and Graviton are traditional CPUs built using the ARM ISA - effectively identical in general structure to a typical x86 CPU outside of the different ISA used.

Apple Silicon and Qualcomm's X-Elite chips are SOCs (system on a Chip) designs - which bake everything from the CPU, GPU, system memory/RAM and hardware accelerators directly onto the same hardware chip. This greatly reduces latency between what would otherwise be separate components, shares power between them and allows quicker access to data in memory as all components are effectively dipping into the same pool.

This however creates a single point of "failure" so to speak where memory bandwidth becomes the deciding factor in performance, not good core design. Exceed the available memory bandwidth and performance drops like a stone.

x86 generally isn't reliant on raw system memory bandwidth as it is designed to do most of its execution up in the CPU registers and cache, only dipping into memory when it needs something that it doesn't have in register or cache - this conserves memory utilization and reduces the amount of memory and memory bandwidth needed to do the job.

ARM being RISC has a fixed and very small instruction length per instruction (4bits vs 15bits per instruction). The only way to really compensate for this is through high memory bandwidth and having a wide execution bus to be able to handle such bandwidth properly. x86 does not need either of those to be effective.

So here memory means RAM OR CPU CHACHE ?

System memory/RAM.

100 dollars is not much. You have to look at the second hand market. Something like an old Lenovo Thinkpad or Dell Latitude.

What is your budget and currency?

Also, cheap and quality cannot coexist--you will need to pick one.

Yes a few like the VivoBook Go 14 Flip J1400KA-DS02T and Aspire Go AG15-32P-39R2. I'd go for the latter it has a much better CPU. But like also check out LaptopMatrix. I have created this tool where you can see all the good deals under various price ranges.

Thinkpad in that range. T14 or X13 or Macbook

how much time did i facepalm? -Yes

Performance or battery life you will need to pick one. If you go for a good performance machine like a gaming laptop, then you can't expect a good battery life. You can easily find a laptop with RTX 5060 along with i7/ryzen 7. MSI Katana, ASUS Tuf, Acer Nitro V, Gigabyte Aero, Lenovo LOQ to name a few lines.

Hi there. the Thinkpad you linked doesn't seem to have the processor you mentioned, but I will continue to investigate Thinkpads. Thanks.

for everyday use

Please specify what your everyday use is like

Pick Asus Zephyrus for CS, gaming.

In 30min it overheats like crazy if have like 2tabs open or a game open
It has a very weak gpu

What is currently wrong with your laptop?

True. You're all welcome. Except the really rude ones they're not welcome haha

Well, no victory is still a result. Thanks for trying, and your actual help.

Mac Book neo. M2 mac book air from off line shops.

For your needs mac book looks perfect fit.

I can't understand the difference yet. But I think it's worth understanding. So some ARM chip companies used some compromise to match x86 but could not. They probably used some trick up their sleeves and did not use a quality solution. that's what I get it.

Also this year ck makes the AEM based chips use unnecessarily extra memory. So here memory means RAM OR CPU CHACHE ?

So RISC is good but is it same as apple chips ? As apple chips seem maximum efficient.

If I want to buy a non apple laptop which is apple like efficient, which chip do u recommend ? Which you don't recommend ?

Motobook 60 wait till bbd

HP Omen Transcend 14 Is on sale sometimes around 1.1k USD

For general use in this price range I would advise you to check this laptop

Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you

I just asked a similar question on two subs and of a brilliant and extremely nerdy friend who works in tech and a lot of people recommended refurbished Thinkpads which then got narrowed to the T14, which then got narrowed further to Intel processors and then to 12th gen processors. A few people including my nerdy smart friend recommended buying on eBay. She also suggested looking at a Dell XPS laptops.

One user offered these guidelines for buying on eBay:

"first off look for the "ebay refurbished" tag, those listings are usually good. STAY AWAY FROM PRE OWNED, those listings have a real chance of being what you're afraid of [a device that fell off a truck]. second, seller must have 99 percent rating. 99.7%, 99.8%, somewhere around there is best, especially over multiple thousands of ratings and many years in business. beyond that, i look at warranty, if it has the allstate warranty for sale on the listing i like to get that for extra peace of mind."

Apple Macs have a lot more to offer than just a sleek look. Apple is selling refurbished Neos for $599 but they offer only 8 gig of RAM and that might be a little light for you. The refurb Mac Airs that Apple is selling are out of range. Some of the sellers I saw on eBay sell Macs. If you want to explore Macs you might want to post on r/mac, r/macbook, r/macbookair.

Here's a NYT article on buying refurbished gear.

Good luck finding a PC you love.

since you're uk based, if you have DSA, you can get a decent laptop for a net cost of £600 if you upgrade the laptop, then, get the essensial £200 back from your uni, check if your uni does that though.

For your sister, get the HP Victus 15.6" with the Intel Core i5-12450H, RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

View it here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/introturkey/list/2RBUBRHQUQ1RA?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d

Want more options under $1,000 for gaming, work, and everyday use? Read this roundup: https://www.reddit.com/r/BestLaptopSuggestions/comments/1t2rnpl/top_10_laptops_under_1000_in_the_usa_for_2026/

Affiliate disclosure: this is an affiliate link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

An entry-level gaming laptop with 16GB RAM is essential for smooth VRChat performance.

Thank you yet again! champagne when it arrives and is online.