I recently bought a new computer for school and general internet browsing, but it's incredibly slow. I'm not sure if it's a problem with the system or if it's just a low-quality HP model. I can't even run games properly; even though my FPS looks good, I keep experiencing lag spikes. I've deleted almost all my apps and files, but it's still sluggish. I'm using Windows 11 with an Intel N200 processor, only 4 GB of memory, and UHD graphics. I have no idea what that means really, but I'm concerned that it might not last me through college. Is there anything I can do to speed it up?
4 Answers
It looks like you got a basic laptop that isn’t meant for intensive use. Your CPU and RAM just don’t cut it for modern tasks, and you might even consider switching to a lightweight OS like Linux if you're comfortable with that. But, I totally get it; you might just need to save for a better laptop when you can.
Your specs are really underwhelming, especially trying to run Windows 11. A computer like yours needs at least 8 GB of RAM to function decently. The processor with an 'N' in its name is also designed for low power, meaning it won’t handle much beyond basic tasks. I'd recommend looking into upgrading your RAM or, if possible, buying a better system down the line.
Honestly, it sounds like you’ve got a pretty low-spec computer for today’s standards. With only 4 GB of RAM, it’s likely maxed out, which leads to lag since it has to rely on your hard drive to read data. This is called paging. For school and light browsing, it might work, but for anything demanding, you’ll struggle. Maybe consider offloading some unnecessary apps and checking for any bloatware that can be uninstalled.
Sounds like you went for a budget model, which is why it’s performing poorly. You can try resetting Windows to clear out any issues, but be aware that it may still be slow. Limiting the number of startup programs and background tasks can also help. In the end, saving up for a model with better specs would be the best solution.

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