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 manufacturers’ websites 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 laptop that’s the right fit.
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 the 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 is what will help point you in the right direction and ensure that you don’t overspend on features or performance that 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 budget: $1,000 is an important price. There are lots of really 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 cost of the starting MacBook Air, as well as a number of Windows laptops.
Speaking of Windows laptops, you’ll have to be patient to find something under $700 that’s still worth buying. I usually recommend that if your budget is $500 or less, you’re better off opting for a Chromebook. They’ll feel faster and lighter, and usually get longer battery life too, at least compared to similarly priced Windows laptops.
I won’t waste your time repeating the same arguments you’ve probably already heard about why macOS is better than Windows, or vice versa. Both have strengths and weaknesses, and you likely already have opinions about them. The truth is that these operating systems are more similar today than they ever have been, not unlike Android and iOS. So if you’re on the fence, I recommend opting for a laptop that runs whichever is most familiar.
For some people, however, it might be helpful to think through what software you need to run and which operating systems it runs best on will help you determine the hardware you need. And let’s not forget: ChromeOS and Linux are still alternative options. So, here’s how the four available operating systems break down.
Windows: Windows is the stalwart default OS. Windows is the broadest and most widely used operating system, supporting the largest number of applications and hardware. It may be required by your workplace or because you need it to run a specific app. But most importantly for buying a laptop, going with Windows 11 gives you the widest range of devices to choose from. Due to its open nature, new laptops are coming out throughout the year, ranging from cheap laptops to blinged-out gaming laptops. There is even a variety of 2-in-1 laptops to consider, with adventurous designs and integrated touchscreens. Regardless of your budget, you’ll have an easier time finding something in the Windows ecosystem that works for you.
macOS: Apple’s macOS is a bit more beginner-friendly than Windows, but it’s tightly coupled with the company’s hardware. Your buying options are limited to MacBooks. Since Apple uses its own chips and MacBooks are a different beast altogether, we have a separate guide to picking the best MacBook. If you’re already bought into the Apple ecosystem with iPhones or iPads, MacBooks have several software features (such as AirDrop and Universal Control) that are legitimately convenient.
ChromeOS: If you can do most of your laptop tasks in a web browser and are trying to save some cash, ChromeOS is a good choice. Chrome laptops (called Chromebooks) are also among the cheapest (and least powerful) you’ll find, so the OS is also worth considering if you’re on a tight budget. Although Chromebooks are most often associated with the dirt-cheap school laptops that are loaned out to high schoolers, they’ve grown into something more than that. The “Chromebook Plus” designation rolled out in late 2023, a way of emphasizing higher-end Chromebooks that use faster processors, more memory, more storage, and better video cameras, such as on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. The same limitations are still there, though. You can’t run Adobe’s Creative Suite or Microsoft Office. Some apps, notably Office, do have an Android phone/tablet version you might be able to install on your Chromebook (or a web version), but I have found Android apps often don’t run well. Read our Best Chromebooks guide for more.
Linux: If you don’t need MS Office and don’t mind a learning curve, you can install Linux on just about any piece of laptop hardware ever created. Like with ChromeOS, the catch here is that popular apps like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite don’t support Linux. However, there are free, open source alternatives like LibreOffice, Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement), and GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement). See our Best Linux Laptops guide for some of our favorites. And if you’re wondering about Linux support on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X CPUs … it’s in the works. There’s an experimental version of Debian you can install now, but it’s still rough around the edges. Qualcomm’s road map indicates full support is probably at least six months out.
This guide is incredibly helpful for anyone looking to buy the perfect laptop! I love how you’ve broken down the key factors like performance, battery life, and screen quality in an easy-to-understand way. Including recommendations for specific user types, like gamers, students, or professionals, could make this guide even more tailored. Great work on simplifying such a complex topic!+
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