Don't Buy a Laptop Before Considering These Important Features

Buying a laptop is an exercise in confusion. Even if you know what everything means and exactly what you want, finding it can be difficult. Heck, just navigating the manufacturer's website to locate the model you want is frustrating. We hope this guide will help you traverse the morass of modern laptops. Below is a section on every major component you'll want to know about when you browse for the best laptop for you. We break down the jargon and explain things on a practical level, so you end up with a machine that's the right fit. Updated December 2025: We've added the latest chip news from Intel, AMD, Apple, and Qualcomm. We also have details about the incoming memory shortage and the future of ChromeOS. Understanding Use Cases and Budget Which Operating System Is Best? Understanding Processor Names (CPUs) How Much Processing Power Do You Need? What About a Graphics Card? How Much RAM Do You Need? How Much Storage Do You Need? What Kind of Screen Should You Get? Check for Ports! Webcams, Hinges, and More Make Your Choice Where to Buy Understanding Use Cases and Budget Before getting into the nitty-gritty, I always recommend starting with the biggest question first: What will you do with your new laptop? Is this a business machine meant primarily for office work and other simple tasks that can be done in a browser? Or perhaps you have a burgeoning interest in a hobby like PC gaming, video editing, coding, or design. Maybe one of those hobbies is more of a job for you, meaning you'll want something that is designed from the ground up to accelerate work in those applications. On the other side of the spectrum, maybe you plan to primarily use your laptop on the go, whether that's on a plane or in coffee shops. In that case, portability and battery life may be the most important factors to consider. The answer to those questions will help point you in the right direction and ensure that you don't overspend on features or performance you don't need. For example, buying a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook Air just because you have extra money to spend isn't a good idea. That brings us to the budget: $1,000 is an important price. There are many good options below that price, but it's the level at which you can expect laptops to feel premium and lack any significant compromises. It's the starting retail price of the starting MacBook Air , as well as several Windows laptops . Thanks to solid discounts, it's not uncommon to see these laptops dip in price to $700. Speaking of Windows laptops, you'll have to be patient to find something under $600 that's still worth buying. If your budget is $500 or less, you're better off buying a Chromebook . They'll feel faster and lighter, and usually get longer battery life too, at least compared to similarly priced Windows laptops. Which Operating System Is Best? I won't...

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