can I run sims on a cheap laptop 9th gen i5

@thelilchicken123  This isn't a great laptop for Sims 4, specifically because its graphics card is pretty low-end.  You'd be better off with a newer integrated graphics chip, for example Intel's Iris Xe (80 or 96 EUs, either would be faster; they show up in some 11th-gen processors and newer) or Radeon Vega 7 or 8 (4000-series processors or newer only).  These systems would also be newer overall and would therefore be supported for longer.

All this doesn't mean you couldn't play at all on this laptop, only that it's not an ideal option.  If you'd like me to try to find something better, please list any websites where you'd be willing to buy, and I'll take a look.  Let me know your budget (in NZD) as well.