So, Hot picks this year seem to be the Ryzen 4500u (6core) for the $400-500 bracket. Very power efficient, decent GPU perf and usually has dual channel ram. (drawback), crummy screens.
Also seeing 1650/1650ti intel combos, for $400- 600, ~7000 passmark. The lower $400-500 models have some really steep drawbacks like bad screens and single channel memory.
We're hoping for 1660ti / 2060 to get back to the $600-700 price bracket.
In the prior years in the $600-800 bracket, 2019, we've had 1660ti+8300/9300(intel), in 2017/18 we've had 1050ti/1060.
Peeps holding out for wallywurl doing something like 10xxx(intel) + 1660ti for $800ish
There's a remote possibility we see a 4800u in this range, but unlikely.
The higher bracket laptops arn't necessarily best deals around this time, it could be around January when they go on peak-sale.
What to keep in mind:
On budget brackets, They cheap out on the screen in MANY ways.
6-bit panels. Some even 120/144hz models are now 6bit panels, and these use the GPU dithering. They don't have internal 8-bit hardware dithers. The drawback is less texture fidelity (blurriness).
Gamut, we're always worrying about this one, there are 4 general types,
-45%ntsc(60-70%srgb), the $400-500 bracket
-70%ntsc(93-98%srgb), You may hit it in the $400 bracket, but it's not guaranteed, $800 usually you get it
-93-95% Dcip3 (130-140%srgb), These are in the $1000+
-Adobe Gamut, These are specialized, not immensely popular/necessary.
Bitdepth and Gamut operate independently, 8 bit or 10bit, or 6 bit, does not guarantee the Gamut.
