Nearly all notebooks in the Hardware.Info price comparison engine display four Notebook Performance Index scores. The Notebook Performance Index is a Microsoft idea, realised and initiated by Hardware.Info and Microsoft. During the construction of the NPI, Hardware.Info ensured the method of scoring is completely independent from Microsoft or any other brand or manufacturer. The purpose of the index is to aid you as a consumer in making a better purchasing decision, when you are on the lookout for a new notebook. Comparing different models becomes a lot easier thanks to the clear and simple scoring system.
The NPI score values indicate how suitable a notebook is for four useage models: gaming, entertainment, internet and work & study. The scores are based on the models' specifications.
For all useage models, the best possible scores is 100. The scores of all other notebooks are calculated in relation to this highest score. All scores are recalculated every day. This means it is possible notebook scores lower over time, when a new top model enters the market.
The Notebook Performance Index is a joint Microsoft and Hardware.Info initiative. The scores are supported by the majority of notebook manufacturers and offered to both online and offline stores to display on product pages and/or in store markers.
Profiles
Below, you can read more about the four useage profiles displayed in the Notebook Performance Index.
Internet, email and social media
You use your notebook to communicate, read the latest news and stay in touch with friends and family? Then this is your score category to keep an eye on. Sufficient memory and a decent screen are particularly important. Of course you do not want to wait while reading your favourite sites and the performance has to at least be sufficient to watch internet video. If you choose a model with a relatively lower score, you will have less room to keep track of your windows or your notebook will be slower when used intensively.
Entertainment
Are films and music in the highest possible quality your cup of tea? Do you want to edit your own films, music and pictures? In that case you need an above average screen, a powerful processor, graphics card and perhaps even a Blu-ray drive. A notebook that scores well in this category you could regard as a portable home cinema or film studio. If you go for a model with a lower score, HD video playback may not always be entirely smooth, while editing photos, video or music will be more time consuming.
Work & Study
Doing more in less time? If you want that, choose a notebook that does well in the Work & Study category. Doing complex calculation in Excel or creating an impressive presentation are done quickly with a notebook scoring high in this discipline. You will have a better overview of your windows thanks to the higher resolution display. Fast and more importantly highly responsive performance are offered by models scoring high, while down the scale you may need a bit more patience, particularly during intensive use.
Gaming
Amazing visuals, with you at the center. With a notebook with a powerful processor and a fast graphics card, you can make the most of modern games. Be immersed in realistic effects, so games look as good as they can and you enjoy the game the way it was intended by the creators. A notebook with a lower score will deliver a somewhat less realistic experience. If the score is very low, the notebook will not be suitable for modern, demanding games. Of course you can still play simple weg games or go for a bout of Solitaire.
Additional information regarding the Notebook Peformance Index / Disclaimer
- The scores displayed are generated automatically based on an algorithm which estimates the performance of a notebook using the specifications known to Hardware.Info.
- The weighting factors used in determining the scores have been independently set by Hardware.Info experts.
- In order to include the performance of the processor and the graphics card, a performance index is used based on average scores that the CPU and video card achieve in benchmarks such as Cinebench and 3DMark.
- All scores are recalculated on a daily basis. The scores are normalised which means that the best notebook in a scenario receives a perfect score of 100. The rest of the notebooks receive a lower score, relative to the top model.
- Scores can be interpreted as report card grades. A notebook scoring 72 in a particular scenario will be better suited to that scenario than a notebook scoring 53.
- Battery performance and other characteristics not quantifiable through specifications (such as construction quality or design) are not included in the scores.
- The notebook specifications are derived from a variety of sources. Although Hardware.Info strives to do everything within its power to prevent incorrect specifications in the database, it is always a possibility that a notebook (temporarily) is listed with incorrect specifications. That can result in a wrongly calculated score. Hardware.Info cannot be held responsible for problems caused by scores calculated based on incorrect information.
- Unless (online) shops use an automated system to update scores, it is mandatory to display the date next to NPI scores.