Single/Multi-Thread benchmarks are PassMark. GPU benchmark is 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Only covering the most common <30W CPUs since 2018, no low/high-end or discrete GPUs. I may do a low-end chart in future.

I've been "out" of the laptop game for the last couple years, but after I graduate in May, I'll be looking for a new laptop for general use. I've spent the last couple hours catching up to date on all of what Intel, AMD (& Qualcomm?!) have been doing in laptops over the last few months, and where that leaves the current state of things. Here's my understanding, please chime in if I'm wrong or you have something to add! (I'm intentionally ignoring Apple's offerings here).

Intel:

• 13th gen laptops were fine (U, P and H SKUs). Then Core Ultra 100-series (Meteor Lake) and increased efficiency across the board, up and down the SKUs. Seems like that's Intel's current flagship chip for most laptops, great! Loses to AMD's new AI 300-series in many cases though...

• Core Ultra 200V series (Lunar Lake) gives us stellar single-core performance, incredible battery life/efficiency, etc. BUT, multi-core performance is pretty bad because it's only 8 cores (4P/4E) and running at very low wattages across the SKU. Lunar Lake (with integrated memory) is aimed at very low power devices, and at stealing the crown back from Qualcomm.

• Core Ultra 200 series (Arrow Lake) is rumored to be coming out Q1 '25 with all the benefits of Lunar Lake but in H & above SKUs.

AMD:

• In 2020, 4000 was killer. Then 6000 was great again. 7000 and 8000 are uber confusing, but were reasonable upgrades for people with multi-year-old machines. 8000 was basically 7040 but with AI sprinkles on top.

• Ryzen AI 300 series came in and increased performance and efficiency by a lot. Definitely better performance wise than Core Ultra 100-series. Trades blows with Qualcomm. Is a great all-rounder and definitely a powerhouse.

Qualcomm:

• Windows on ARM? Maybe so... When everyone else wasn't looking, they swooped in and gave incredible battery life/efficiency & incredible multi-core performance (middle of the road for single-core). BUT, it's ARM, so no x86-native apps.

• It seems with AMD's present (& coming) 200-series, and AMD's 300-series, that Qualcomm's time on top was very limited.

Here's what I would recommend to people right now:

• If you need a low- or mid-power, low-cost laptop, go for Intel Core Ultra 100-series.

• If you need a high-power laptop, go for AMD Ryzen AI 300-series.

• If you need single- (not multi-core) performance, and can afford higher-cost, go for Intel Core Ultra 200V-series.

• Present day, I don't think I'd recommend a Qualcomm-powered device.

• If you can wait (which I am), it seems like there's a lot that could happen over the next year. Maybe Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite 2? Maybe Ryzen AI 400? Definitely Core Ultra 200H & similar.

Are all of these interpretations good, accurate? Is there something big I'm missing? A misinterpretation? Please let me know your feedback!

Sources: Just Josh's Lunar Lake video, LTT's Ryzen AI 300 video, Max Tech's Lunar Lake vs X Elite video, and Tech Chap's Core Ultra Series 2 video

I'm wondering what is the bare minimum gen i should target buying on a budget ($200)

I'm thinking gen5+, was heavily attempting to get a gen8 but maybe if I don't succeed I'll have to dip lower.

for fun, I'd like to hear what gen you guys are using, if anything it'd make me feel better to know there are people out there enjoying their laptops with ancient generations.