You have multiple issues so first lets deal with each one. Sounds like you have some software that is running and eating up your machine's power. When this happens go into the Task Manager and see what process or app is running at a high percentage.
Overall the machine is sluggish....
First...you say that Windows Defender reports no problems. Download from
]www.ninite.com/url] Malwarebytes. Run it to make sure.
Second....go into the installed programs list and de-install anything you don't need or recognize.
Third....if you are running any additional programs like Spybot, Spyware Killer, remove them
Fourth....verify that during the last Adobe update that McAfee wasn't force installed. Also remove any install of Norton
Fifth.....clear your history and browser cache and remove any plugins that Firefox has. You can also use Chrome browser instead.
Run your timing test again. See if that makes any changes.
Now as for your mouse/keyboard and hard drive going to sleep
First....go into your power settings. Select - Change Plan Settings - Select Advanced Power Settings. Select USB Settings and then USB Select Suspend Settings. Disable both settings. This prevents your USB ports from going to sleep.
Second....go to the PCI Express setting and turn them off too.
Reboot and try your mouse/kyboard/HD over time to see if they go to sleep. See if your laptop gets sluggish after this. If this doesn't help much and you would like....you can install Teamviewer and I will remote in and help you.
You know by asking this question here you will get a slew of answers.