I recently started working remotely, but my current laptop becomes very laggy when I use my company's video-conferencing software. I've already tried restarting it and clearing the browser cache. Regular streaming video from services like YouTube and Netflix works reasonably well. The laptop has Intel UHD Graphics 600 and 8 GB of RAM. I'm planning to replace it rather than modify the existing hardware—what specifications, especially graphics hardware, should I look for in a new laptop?
4 Answers
The lag may be caused by the network, an overloaded browser, outdated drivers, or the old processor rather than the graphics chip. Try updating the system and graphics drivers, testing the call over wired Ethernet or another network, and toggling hardware acceleration in the browser or conferencing app.
That makes sense. I’ll check the drivers and connection first, but I’m leaning toward replacing the laptop if the processor is the real bottleneck.
The graphics chip in most laptops isn’t replaceable. External GPU enclosures require a compatible high-speed port, such as Thunderbolt, and usually aren’t worth buying for video calls. A newer laptop is the more practical upgrade.
Eight gigabytes can still run Windows, but it leaves less room for a browser, video calls, and other work applications at the same time. For a replacement, 16 GB of RAM and a modern processor should provide a much smoother experience. Focus on overall system age and CPU performance rather than buying a powerful graphics card.
Video conferencing normally shouldn’t require a dedicated graphics card. Even integrated graphics in a modern Core i3, Core i5, Ryzen 3, or Ryzen 5 laptop should handle calls easily. Look for a recent processor, 16 GB of RAM if possible, an SSD, and a reliable Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 connection. A dedicated GPU is unnecessary unless you also plan to game or use demanding creative software.
The UHD 600 was paired with very low-end processors, so the whole laptop may simply be struggling with multitasking, even though the graphics chip isn’t the only issue.