How to buy the best laptop computer?
Whether you like Windows, Macs, Linux or Chrome OS, family size or ultraportable, there's a suitable notebook computer  for everybody.

When you're shopping for a laptop, it's important to remember that it's more than just the size that counts.
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But finding the right model to suit your needs and price range isn't easy, which is where we come in.

The terms laptop and notebook tend to be used interchangeably as a general description.

But you can break these down into smaller sub-categories, though they're not always mutually exclusive – for example, an ultraportable can also be convertible, or 2-in-1 which works as both a laptop and a tablet. Many devices that are designed as tablets can also work as laptops, with the addition of a keyboard. Some are specifically designed or this, such as Microsoft's Surface range.
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If you want a cheap laptop for basic tasks and occasional or lighter use and aren't overly concerned about performance, weight or battery life, you can find sub-$500 "budget" models that will do the job.

These low-cost laptops are relatively low-powered, but capable of most general computing tasks such as web browsing, email and general word processing. They can handle most basic multimedia tasks (e.g standard definition video streaming) and are best suited to casual users and younger students.

If you want to take your laptop with you on-the-go a lot, you'll want something thin, light and easy to carry. Choose an ultraportable (including Ultrabooks).

Aimed at regular computer users, families, students and business people. Mid-range laptops can run most software and games, but may struggle a bit with high-end functions such as video editing and games that require fast graphics processing.

If you want something to give you all the power of a desktop computer while being transportable with relative ease, go for a multimedia powerhouse, including models marketed as gaming machines, which have a powerful graphics card.

High-end laptops are for serious computer types that like to push their systems with intensive computing tasks including editing video and audio, 3D rendering and high-end games.

Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or Chrome OS?
Ask a room of techies whether you should go with a Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or Chrome OS laptop or tablet and you'll start a heated debate that will go for a long time but nobody will win.

All systems have their good and bad points, but it's important for you to choose a side before you start, because it affects your software choices and possibly your hardware decisions too. This is definitely the case with Apple products and Chrome OS in particular.

Apple's macOS (formerly called OS X), only runs on Apple's family of computers, while iPadOS only runs on iPads, but they're designed to work seamlessly with Apple's other operating systems: iOS (iPhones), tvOS (Apple TV) and watchOS (Apple Watch).

Chrome OS runs on laptops, mini PC desktops and PC sticks that are specifically designed for it, usually of a relatively lightweight configuration that is meant to be internet-connected most of the time.

These days Windows and Chrome OS have a much greater degree of interoperability with Android, though not to the same degree as Apple's tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystems.
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The same goes for the sub-families of each brand – for example, Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and i9 are increasingly high performance, even at the same quoted frequency figure in GHz; likewise with the M series processors designed for highly mobile computers.

Each new generation of processors is usually faster than the previous generation, even at the same chip frequency. Thus, you can expect a 2.4GHz 10th-generation CPU to be faster (and likely more energy efficient) than a 2.4GHz 9th-generation CPU, or earlier generation.

RAM (random access memory)
A lack of RAM will slow your computer when running multiple programs, using a lot of web browser tabs or performing labour-intensive tasks, such as image processing.

Expect a minimum of 4GB (gigabytes) even in a budget Windows system, but ideally aim for at least 8GB for most general-use laptops and 16GB or more for high-end models. Don't skimp on RAM at purchase time as it's likely you may not be able to upgrade/increase it later.

Screen quality
A small screen means a smaller laptop that's generally going to be lighter, but larger (and and particularly higher resolution) screens are better for graphics, gaming or watching movies. Regardless of physical size, many lower-cost laptops only have relatively low-resolution screens of 1366 x 768 pixels. Check before buying.

More laptops aimed at the mid-range market have a screen with at least full-HD specification (1080p - 1920 x 1080 pixels), but higher resolution screens are available in high-end laptops.

CHOICE tip: Choose a larger screen if you're planning on regularly watching TV or movies on your laptop.

Storage space
Don't underestimate how much space you'll need. Unless you intend to make extensive use of Cloud-only storage, make sure you have enough room for all your current programs and files, as well as the fast-growing collection of videos and music that most people now tend to accumulate.

Laptops can be difficult to upgrade, so choose a model with as much RAM and SSD storage capacity as you can afford

These days the solid-state drive (SSD) has replaced hard drives as the preferred storage medium in most laptops, due to falling SSD prices which have made this super-fast storage medium more affordable. Laptops with a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) are still available in cheaper models, usually a 1TB (terabyte) drive.

However, an SSD is much faster than a hard drive and having one can lift the overall performance of a laptop considerably, and thus extend its useful working life. For a general-use laptop 128GB is the starting point for an SSD, but we recommend 256GB or more for most users. Also, check if the laptop or tablet can be expanded via a microSD card, which can add up to an additional 1TB of solid-state storage.

CHOICE tip: If you need extra storage, you can always plug in a portable hard drive or a high-capacity external hard drive. Many laptops, especially slimline ultraportable models, come with either a 128GB or 256GB SSD, though we consider 256GB the better starting point for a laptop these days.

Many laptops, especially slim-and-light ultraportables, may not allow you to upgrade internal components later, which means it's best not to skimp on RAM (memory) or storage capacity upfront. Look for upgrade options at time of ordering and spend a bit extra upfront on RAM to give the laptop a longer useful lifetime.


Check for hot spots under the laptop after it's been on for a while, as these can get annoying if you're using your laptop where the name would suggest. Also check for vents under the laptop and make sure you don't block them if using it on your lap, as this could cause it to overheat.

Graphics card


Power supply
Often called "the brick", this is the block and cord that you use to plug your laptop into a standard wall socket. If your laptop battery won't last long enough for you to leave the brick at home, you'll have to take it with you for recharging, and this can add considerably to the overall weight you have to carry around.

Battery life
Having a long working time between charges is particularly important for an ultraportable. After all, they lose portability points if you have to also carry the power supply unit and cable with you to charge them.

Ideally you want to have a full day of working on-the-go without having to plug it in, but this will depend on what else you have plugged into the laptop drawing power from it.

If you intend to be on the move much of the time, don't get weighed down by having to lug your laptop's power supply unit and cable with you. Look for a model with a long battery life and quick recharge time

You really don't want to have to to carry the external power supply unit and cable with you. Our battery life tests look at a heavy-usage scenario, to give you an idea of the worst results you are likely to get, though for most people the average daily use will give better life.

If you intend to be mobile much of the time, then a long battery life and quick recharge time is important. We also record two charging times for each laptop, with the laptop switched on – up to 80% capacity and to 100% capacity. It's useful to note that charging speed usually drops considerably once you get past 80%. In some cases it can take as long or longer to get the extra 20% top-up as it does to get to 80%.