Guide for purchasing a laptop: Crucial advice on eight key factors to consider prior to your purchase

Guide for purchasing a laptop: Crucial advice on eight key factors to consider prior to your purchase

Laptop Buying Guide: 2025 Edition

Sure, check it out. Here's a no-holds-barred, unfiltered laptop buying guide to snag the best freakin' laptop out there in 2025!

We've been the go-to source for laptop enthusiasts since the Stone Age of 1991. We're the ones who first gave you the lowdown on the best laptops, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and floppy disks were a thing. Our mission? To help you find the perfect laptop for your lifestyle.

Every year, we test and review more than 100 laptops, and I, along with the crack team here at our website, have a hand in every single one of them. Over the past five years alone, I've been immersed in the world of laptops, spending thousands of hours each year piecing together what makes a laptop great and what to look for when buying one.

In 2025, it's a herculean task, with gazillions of laptops catering to countless needs and wants. Whether you're browsing the web, crunching numbers in spreadsheets, coding like a maniac, editing video, or playing some of the best PC games, there's a laptop out there tailor-made for you. So, how do you find that sweet, sweet piece of tech? Well, strap in, partner, and let me hold your hand through this laptop buying guide.

Laptops come in varying sizes, with a plethora of features and at a range of prices. Use this guide to create your own checklist of laptop must-haves, and let me steer you towards your dream laptop.

Sean Riley, a seasoned tech journalist and product reviewer with over 15 years under his belt, is your ideal guide for this laptop-buying journey. With his five-year stint at our website (yes, he's that dedicated), reviewing over 75 laptops, phones, and tablets, Sean knows his stuff. And as the managing editor of our website, he's an integral part of every review they publish.

Quick Tips

If you're wondering why you should trust our website, let me fill you in. Our expert reviewers spend countless hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Check out the How We Test section for more details.

• 13 to 14-inch screens deliver a an ideal balance between usability and portability. If you're planning to use your laptop mostly at a desk, larger screens are cool, and for kiddos, smaller models work great.
• If you're spending over $700, these are the recommended minimum specs:
  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5, AMD Ryzen 5, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus, Apple M3
  • Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 128GB SSD
• If you're shelling out over $1,000, these are the minimum recommended specs:
  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7, AMD Ryzen 7, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Apple M4
  • Screen resolution: 1920 x 1200
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
• 11+ hours of battery life is ideal for those who'll often be working away from a power outlet.
• Consider a 2-in-1 laptop (either a convertible or detachable) if you want to use your laptop like a tablet. If not, a regular clamshell notebook will serve you better.
• Chromebooks are fantastic options for kids, students, or secondary laptops; their functionality continues to evolve, so if web browsing, content consumption, and light productivity are your needs, don't dismiss Chromebooks. If you need access to more complicated software and hardware, Windows or MacBooks offer plenty of functionality. Your pick depends on your personal taste.

1. Choose an Operating System: Windows vs. macOS vs. ChromeOS

Depending on your needs, this might be a breeze, but if you don't have a soft spot for any specific platform or software, you might find this decision a challenge. If you're in that camp, here's a rundown of each platform's highlights and lowlights to help you decide.

Most laptops come equipped with one of three operating systems: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (for Windows), ChromeOS, or macOS (for MacBooks).

Windows 11 (or Windows 10)

The most versatile operating system, Windows 11 (or Windows 10), runs on more laptop models than ChromeOS or macOS. Windows laptops range in price from under $150 to multiple thousands of dollars and offer a wide array of features from touch screens to fingerprint readers to dual graphics chips. Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft's flagship operating system, provides several improvements over Windows 10, including a revised interface, the new Microsoft Store, and handy features like Snap View.

Since its launch in October 2021, Windows 11 has also added various improvements like Focus Sessions and a Do Not Disturb mode. The 22H2 update also brought significant performance and battery optimization enhancements. If you're a student, researcher, business user, or even a gamer, Windows 11 laptops are your jam.

Remember, if you own or buy a laptop with Windows 10, keep in mind that Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025, so make the free upgrade to Windows 11 before the end date.

macOS

All MacBooks come with Apple's latest desktop operating system, macOS. Overall, the operating system provides similar functionality as Windows 11 but with a different take on the interface, substituting an apps dock at the bottom of the screen for Microsoft's Start menu and taskbar. They can handle transactions with Apple Pay, take calls or texts from their phones, and unlock their laptops with an Apple Watch. AI is a developing feature across all platforms – on macOS, that's Apple Intelligence.

However, macOS isn't touch-friendly because no MacBook comes with a touch screen. While Apple did bring iPad apps to its laptops starting with macOS Big Sur (iPad and iPadOS apps can run natively on Macs with Apple M-series chips), navigation still relies on a touchpad or mouse. macOS Ventura introduced Apple's Stage Manager for handling multitasking, an upgrade, but it's much harder to master than Windows' solution.

ChromeOS

Google's ChromeOS is simple and secure but more limited than Windows or macOS. The user interface is similar to Windows, with an app menu, a desktop, and the ability to drag windows around, but the primary focus remains on the Chrome browser. All modern Chromebooks, like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 Gen 9, can run Android apps. However, Android apps aren't optimized for laptop usage.

• Read more: Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops

The expanding functionality of ChromeOS and solid performance of even budget Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 have increased the use cases for ChromeOS laptops in recent years. Unless you've got specific software only available on Windows or macOS, a Chromebook is a great option for many users.

They're also incredibly popular with schools, parents, and, increasingly, businesses due to their resistance to malware. For educational use, they offer something closer to a full laptop experience and are more functional than most tablets. If you need a Chromebook, look for one with at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage if this is a secondary laptop; if it's a primary laptop, opt for 8GB of RAM and a 128GB or larger SSD instead of eMMC flash memory. A screen with at least 1920 x 1080 resolution is preferred, and you can now find 4K and OLED models if you plan to watch a lot of content on the Chromebook.

2. Do You Want a 2-in-1?

Many PC laptops belong to the category of 2-in-1 laptops, hybrid devices that can switch between traditional clamshell mode, tablet mode, and other positions in between, such as tent or stand modes. 2-in-1s generally come in two styles: detachables with screens that come off the keyboard entirely and convertible laptops with hinges that bend back 360 degrees to change modes.

Most of these touchscreen laptops are much better suited for one purpose than the other, with convertibles providing better laptop performance and detachables offering a superior tablet experience. However, if you don't see the need to use your notebook as a tablet, a traditional clamshell laptop will usually offer better value for money.

3. Choose the Right Size

Before you focus on specs or prices, figure out how portable you need your laptop to be by considering its display size:

• 11 to 12 inches: Maximum portability, but, outside of cheap laptops and detachables, such sizes are rare.
• 13 to 14 inches: This is the sweet spot for many users. It provides enough screen real estate while typically weighing 3 pounds or less and easily fitting in most laptop bags. If you're looking for the best of both worlds, in terms of screen size and portability, opt for one of the best 14-inch laptops.
• 15 to 16 inches: If you want a larger screen and don't plan to carry your notebook around much, consider these sizes.
• 17 to 18 inches: If your laptop is essentially a desktop that you occasionally pick up and go, these sizes could offer the power you need for high-end gaming or demanding tasks.

4. Keyboard and Touchpad

Notebook components like the processor, hard drive, RAM, and graphics chip might confuse even notebook aficionados, so don't worry if spec sheets look like alphabet soup. Here's what to focus on:

• CPU: The "brains" of your computer. The processor has a huge impact on performance, but depending on what you want to do, even the least-expensive model may be sufficient. Check out the rundown below:
  • Apple M1, M2, M3, and M4: Apple's custom silicon sets a new standard for a balance of raw performance and battery life, improved in the latest M4 chips. Opt for the Pro or Max variants if you need even more power for tasks like content creation or programming.
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon X, X Plus, and X Elite: Qualcomm's ARM-based chip is bringing attention for its productivity performance and strong battery life, found in the Copilot+ PCs. However, it's not ideal for gaming.
  • Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs: Intel's second generation of Core Ultra CPUs is boosting performance with more powerful multithreaded capabilities, excellent AI performance, and battery life.
  • Intel 14th Gen CPUs: Intel's latest 14th Gen Meteor Lake processors are performing well across the board in the laptops we've reviewed so far. If you're in the market for a Windows laptop, the AI technology built into the new Intel Core Ultra chips, combined with impressive performance and battery life, delivers a strong value.
  • Intel 13th Gen CPUs: Intel's 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors are a few generations old but still power some new laptops. Unless you're getting a fantastic deal or a budget laptop, it's best to avoid laptops with these chips in 2025.
  • AMD Ryzen AI CPUs: AMD enhances performance for general computing tasks and AI with its Ryzen AI 300 series chips. If you want strong Windows performance, these chips are tough to beat in 2025.
  • AMD Ryzen 8000: AMD's answer to Intel's Core Ultra chipset, the Ryzen 8000 series, focuses on AI enhancements. We're yet to test laptops with these chips, but we'll update once we do.
  • AMD Ryzen 7000: The Ryzen 7000 chips from AMD are just starting to roll out, and we anticipate a roughly 78% boost to CPU performance at the top end. If it can maintain its excellent battery life along with it, that will be a compelling offering.
• RAM: Some budget laptops come with as little as 4GB of RAM, but aim for at least 8GB even in a budget system, and ideally 16GB if this is your primary laptop in 2025. Unless you're a power user, 32GB is more than enough. For professional power users or high-end gamers, 64GB and above might be necessary.
• Storage (SSD): The speed of your storage drive is vital, and actual hard drives don't belong in a laptop in 2025. Stick to a solid-state drive (SSD).
• Display: More pixels mean a sharper, clearer image, so aim for Full HD (1920 x 1080) displays, even on budget laptops. Higher-end laptops offer 2560 x 1600, 3200 x 1800, or even 3840 x 2160 (4K) displays, which look stunning but consume more power and impact battery life. Display quality is about much more than resolution – look for a DCI-P3 color rating of more than 85% and a brightness of at least 300 nits. If you want the best picture quality, consider an OLED display or miniLED.
• Touch Screen: If you buy a regular clamshell laptop, touch screens may not provide much benefit, and you'll lose 1 to 2 hours of battery life. If you still want a touch screen, check out our best touch screen laptops page.
• Graphics Chip: If you're not playing PC games, creating 3D objects, or doing high-resolution video editing, an integrated graphics chip (one that shares system memory) will suffice. If you've got any of those needs, however, a discrete graphics processor from Nvidia or AMD is essential.

As with CPUs, there are both high-end and low-end graphics chips. Low-end gaming or workstation systems today usually have Nvidia GTX RTX A1000 or RTX 4050 GPUs, while mid-range laptops have RTX 4060, and high-end laptops have RTX 4070 or above chips.

Nvidia maintains a list of its graphics chips from low to high end.

• Ports: While the absence of ports may not be a dealbreaker when choosing a laptop, it's helpful to have connections you need built-in. However, many mainstream laptops now offer USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, or USB4 ports that are USB Type-C compatible. Legacy USB 3.0 ports, an audio jack, an SD card reader, and HDMI may be useful, but depending on the type of laptop, these features might be hard to find.

With that said, USB Type-C is a definite plus because you can use it to connect to USB Type-C hubs or docking stations that can provide any combination of ports you might need.

If you're looking to future-proof your laptop, there are now options with Thunderbolt 5, but the options remain limited. Check out our Thunderbolt 5 vs. Thunderbolt 4 article to see what you're missing.

• Connectivity: If you want to use your laptop on the go, consider buying a 4G LTE laptop or 5G laptop. You'll need a data subscription plan, but this will let you access the internet anywhere. If you want a laptop with the latest and greatest connectivity options, Wi-Fi 7 is it. However, Wi-Fi 6e is still excellent and more common. Keep in mind that you'll need a Wi-Fi 6e or Wi-Fi 7 router to fully enjoy the benefits of that performance boost.

We also suggest looking for a laptop with Bluetooth 5.3, which offers improved connectivity with Bluetooth-enabled devices like mice and headphones.

• DVD/Blu-ray Drives: Physical media lovers, times are rough in the laptop world for you. All software and movies are downloadable now, and we're still hunting for the best laptops with DVD drives, but it's a challenge. If you need to read/write discs, we strongly recommend leaving this off your laptop wish list and investigating the best external DVD drives instead.

6. Don't Skimp on Battery Life

If you're buying a large, bulky notebook or a gaming rig that you'll use only at a desk near an outlet, battery life ain't a concern. But if you want to use the laptop on the go, Aim for at least 8 hours of endurance, with 10+ hours being the ideal target. To find out a laptop's expected battery life, don't take the manufacturer's word for it – check third-party test results from objective sources like our reviews instead.

• MORE: Laptops with the Longest Battery Life

7. What's Your Budget

You can buy a usable laptop for under $500, but if you can afford more, you'll get a system with better build quality, stronger performance, and a better display. Here's what you can get for each price range.

• $150 to $250: Affordable laptops are either Chromebooks, which run on Google's browser-centric OS, or low-end Windows systems with minimal storage and slower processors. These laptops might be suitable as secondary computers or for younger kids, but don't expect much beyond basic web browsing and video consumption. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 Gen 9 is a solid option in this price range.
• $350 to $600: For under $600, you can snag a notebook with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5000 CPU, 4 to 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. However, trade-offs are inevitable at this price point. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a decent choice in this range.
• $600 to $900: As you get above $600, you'll start to see slimmer designs, premium materials, and additional features, climbing the price ladder. Manufacturers add Improved displays, faster processors, and larger SSDs. The Apple MacBook Air M3 is typically in this price range, along with the Acer Swift Go 14.
• Above $900: At this price range, expect laptops to be more portable, more powerful, or both. Expect high-resolution screens, faster processors, and possibly discrete graphics. The lightest, longest-lasting ultraportables, such as the MacBook Air M4 or Asus Zenbook S14 OLED, often cost more than $1,000. High-end gaming systems and mobile workstations typically cost over $2,000 and can soar to over $4,000, depending on components.
• MORE: Best Laptops Under $500

8. Mind the Brand

Your laptop is only as good as the company that stands behind it. Timely and accurate technical support is essential; that's why our website evaluates every major brand in the annual Tech Support Showdown. In the most recent report, Apple took the top spot, followed by Razer in second and Lenovo in third.

Support is only one part of what makes a laptop manufacturer worth your money. You also have to consider how the manufacturer measures up to the competition in terms of design, value, selection, review performance, and other criteria.

Find Your Perfect Laptop

Hopefully, you've made yourself a checklist of laptop requirements by now. Armed with that knowledge, here are some popular guides covering the biggest laptop categories. Your perfect laptop is waiting in one of these guides.

• Best Laptops
• Best Touchscreen Laptops
• Best 2-in-1 Laptops
• Best AMD Ryzen Laptops
• Best 14-inch Laptops
• Best 16-inch Laptops
• Best AI PCs
• Best Business Laptops
• Best MacBook
• Best Student Laptops
• Best Gaming Laptops
• Best Chromebooks
• Best Laptops for Photoshop
• Best Video Editing Laptops
• Best Dell Laptops
• Best Asus Laptops
• Best HP Laptops
• Best Lenovo Laptops

Why Trust our website

Our website reviews more than 100 laptops every year, from lightweight ultraportables to heavy-duty gaming rigs. We've got decades of experience in our back pocket to help you buy with confidence. In fact, we've been testing and reviewing products for over three decades.

Our dedicated team of writers and editors dig into available data about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which one's the best for you. But before they even get started, they subject each system to a rigorous battery of synthetic and real-world tests to see how it handles the tasks and games you're likely to throw at it.

We're part of Future Publishing, a massive technology publisher with a long history in every tech sector. Our team is their in-house specialist for all mobile tech. Trust us to lead you to your dream laptop like a seasoned pro!

1. In 2025, laptops cater to a wide range of needs and budgets, making it crucial to know what to look for when buying one.
2. For those spending over $700, recommended laptop hardware specs include an Intel Core Ultra 5, AMD Ryzen 5, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus, Apple M3 processor, a 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, 16GB RAM, and 128GB SSD storage.
3. For laptops over $1,000, recommended specifications increase to include an Intel Core Ultra 7, AMD Ryzen 7, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Apple M4 processor, a 1920 x 1200 screen resolution, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage.
4. Aim for at least 11 hours of battery life on laptops for extended use outside of power outlets.
5. If you're considering a 2-in-1 laptop, choose between a convertible or detachable model, depending on your preference for tablet usage.
6. Regular clamshell laptops may offer better value for money compared to 2-in-1s if a tablet experience is not required.
7. Chromebooks are a suitable choice for students, kids, or secondary laptops, providing web browsing, content consumption, and light productivity.
8. When choosing an operating system, Windows 11 or Windows 10 offers versatility and compatibility with a wide array of laptop models, while macOS is best suited for those who prefer Apple's unique interface and ecosystem.
9. ChromeOS is simple, secure, and a viable option for users with limited software needs, but it may not offer the same functionality as Windows or macOS.
10. When purchasing a laptop, pay attention to its display size to determine its portability, with 13 to 14 inches being an ideal balance between usability and portability.
11. Assess a laptop's keyboard and touchpad for better usability. Focus on the CPU, RAM, storage (SSD), display quality, touch screen, graphics chip, ports, connectivity, and DVD/Blu-ray drives when scrutinizing laptop components.

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