What Kind of Laptop Do You Need? 6 Things to Consider

Focus on cost, type, processor/RAM, and size

Although the tech landscape constantly changes, laptops remain the center of many digital lives. However, buying a laptop hasn’t necessarily become any easier. This buying guide will help you choose the best laptop for your needs and budget.

6 Things to Consider When Buying a Laptop

Whether it's a basic laptop, a 2-in-1, one built specifically for gaming, or one tailored to businesses, here are the top factors to consider:

  • Cost
  • Type (2-in-1, ultrabook, etc.)
  • Operating system (Mac OS, Chrome OS, or Windows)
  • Graphics and Display
  • Processor and RAM
  • Storage

How Much Should You Spend on a Laptop?

Generally, you get what you pay for, but there's no need to pay more than you need. Here's a chart to give you an idea of what to expect for your money:

Price Range What You Can Expect
Less than $200 Suitable for surfing the web, checking email, video chat, streaming video, and that's about it.
$250-$1,000 Good for surfing the web, running productivity software, and simple games.
$1,000-$2,000 Robust enough for video editing software, live streaming, and virtually all commercial software.
$2,000+ Can handle graphics-intensive gaming and data processing programs that require a lot of resources.

What Kind of Laptop Do You Need?

Before deciding on the specs and design features, you’ll want to zoom out a little and figure out the form factor of the laptop you want. There are a few different kinds of laptops, and the one you want may depend on what you want to use your computer for (are you a big gamer, a light user, or do you use it primarily for business?).

Here are the main types of laptops:

Basic Laptops

A basic laptop is essentially a laptop that doesn’t convert into a tablet, isn’t ultra-thin and powerful like an ultrabook, and doesn’t have features specifically for gaming.

Of course, just because these laptops don’t offer fancy features, that doesn’t mean they’re not worth buying. If you don’t need special features like a detachable display, buying a computer that can’t do that may save you some cash.

Because these laptops are a little less expensive than other laptops on this list, basic laptops are an excellent choice for students, those buying a laptop as a secondary computer, or those not wanting to drop much cash on a laptop.

2-In-1s

The 2-in-1 has quickly become one of the more popular laptops, mainly because it's so versatile. 2-in-1s are devices that function as laptops and tablets, meaning they can be used for watching TV in bed, working at a desk, and everything in between.

The Lenovo Flex 2-in-1 laptop in its tablet position

Amazon

By and large, there are two different kinds of 2-in-1s, each with critical differences. First is the detachable 2-in-1. With it, the display is removed from the keyboard, meaning you can use it as you would any other tablet. The downside is that space is limited for internal things like the processor and battery. As a result, detachable 2-in-1s are often lower-powered than convertible ones.

Sometimes, detachable 2-in-1s include two processors (one in the display, the other in the main body) to circumvent this shortcoming. Alternatively, a small battery is harbored in the display portion, while a larger one is available when the display and keyboard are attached.

The other kind of 2-in-1 is the convertible 2-in-1, which, while unable to split into two separate parts, can instead rotate all the way around—putting the keyboard behind the display, lending itself to a makeshift tablet design that never deviates from its unibody chassis. The resulting tablet is thicker than on a detachable 2-in-1 but often more powerful, thanks to the extra space allotted for components.

2-in-1s are an excellent choice for those who like the idea of a device they can use to watch movies in bed just as comfortably as for work at a desk. They’re also convenient for those who frequently travel, as they fit comfortably into tight spaces, perfect for those ever-shrinking economy plane seats.

Ultrabooks

Generally considered the cutting edge of laptop design, ultrabooks are often pretty powerful too. Typically slim, portable, and lightweight, this category best suits those who want a powerful device they can take on the go.

Ultrabooks must make a few trade-offs to keep a slim profile. For example, they rarely include things like DVD drives, and their low-power processors, which conserve battery life, aren't always the fastest. Intel's mobile chips are increasingly more robust and capable of handling most things people will throw at them.

Many people with over a couple hundred dollars to spend on a laptop probably want a 2-in-1 or an ultrabook. These devices are built for versatility and performance and are probably the best choice beyond the basics.

Gaming Laptops

Built for performance above all else, gaming laptops are a little thicker and bulkier than their consumer-focused counterparts, but with all that extra space, manufacturers can fit more powerful processors, larger batteries, and often even dedicated graphics processors or GPUs. Gaming laptops also often have high-resolution displays and enough ports for external displays, gaming mice, keyboards, and more.

Business Laptops

While they may double as ultrabooks or 2-in-1s, business laptops usually try to balance performance and portability. If you run from meeting to meeting, you want a laptop that’s relatively light yet still able to weather the endless spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. After all, time is money. At the same time, you probably want something durable and able to handle life on the road.

What Operating System Do You Prefer?

A computer’s operating system (OS), the software that runs on it, shapes the laptop user experience. Those in Apple’s ecosystem who use devices like the iPhone and Apple TV are probably better suited to a computer with macOS. Others, especially those who have grown up using it, will prefer to stick with Windows. And those who need something basic and easy to use may like Google’s Chrome OS.

Here’s a rundown of the different operating systems for computers and their main differences.

Windows

Microsoft Windows is the most popular computer operating system, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily the best. The reason it's so popular is not just because it's highly capable but because Microsoft licenses it out to third-party companies looking to make their computers. The most recent version is Windows 11, which Microsoft regularly updates.

There are a few advantages to using Windows over other operating systems. Windows has the widest selection of apps and games available, for starters.

While there’s a pretty good selection of apps for other operating systems, those really into gaming will choose Windows for its exclusive libraries on client-based services like Steam, Origin, and the Epic Games Store.

The user interface of Windows is generally easy to use, even if some consider it not quite as simple as Apple’s macOS. If you’ve used Windows for a while, you should be able to get around it quickly. If you haven’t, learning the operating system shouldn’t be difficult.

Last but not least is security. While Windows has long been considered the weakest operating system regarding security, it is improving, thanks mainly to the fact that Microsoft has been updating Windows frequently. Still, using an antivirus tool on your Windows computer is recommended.

macOS

Apple's macOS is also very popular, though it may never reach the heights of Windows because, as we said, Apple does not license macOS out to third parties. Because of that, you can only find the macOS operating system on Apple-built devices — barring illegal hacks people have made to get the OS working on other devices.

There are several advantages to using a macOS computer over other laptops. macOS is a little more user-friendly than Windows, plus it works very well with other Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad. The latest version, macOS Sonoma, for example, lets you use your iPad as a second (or third) screen for your Mac, giving you at least one reason to dust off the aging tablet tucked inside your nightstand drawer.

Of course, that level of usability isn't without downsides. macOS has far fewer games available than a Windows computer. On top of that, there aren't currently any Macs that support touchscreens, so if that's important to you, you'll have to go for a different operating system.

Chrome OS

Google's computer operating system, Chrome OS, has a few advantages of its own (and a few disadvantages, too). It's a little different than the other operating systems on this list, mainly because it's web-based. That's to say, to use many of the features in Chrome OS, you'll need to be connected to the internet.

These days, Chrome OS can run many Android apps, opening the operating system up to a range of extra features that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

It's likely to get better, too—Google regularly updates Chrome OS with new features and security and stability enhancements.

Still, considering its limitations, Chrome OS is perhaps the most accessible operating system, and most of the "apps" that run on Chromebooks are web launchers. That means that Chrome OS doesn't take much power to run well. It's also cheap to license and is open to third-party manufacturers, meaning that a range of Chrome OS devices is available.

Graphics and Display

Laptops generally do away with GPUs simply because most CPUs have basic built-in graphics processing capabilities and because discrete GPUs take up a lot of room. Still, the likes of Nvidia and AMD have put a lot of resources into developing mobile GPUs and you can find some laptops with dedicated graphics processing.

Most people, however, don’t need one. If you’re a hardcore gamer or work in video or image editing, then it may be worth getting a laptop with a dedicated graphics card built-in, but if you’re an average user who wants to browse the web and watch Netflix, then a GPU separate from the one built into your processor is unnecessary.

Laptop Displays

Laptop computers can have a display measuring up to 17 inches or as small as 11 inches. The sweet spot for most seems to be in the 13-inch range.

You’ll also want to consider display resolution. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image. At the lowest end, many laptops still have a resolution in the 1366x768 range, but it’s worth investing in a computer with at least a 1920x1080 resolution if you can afford it. Though Apple will tell you the ideal resolution is around 2560x1600 for a 13-inch panel, many laptop makers have ventured into 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) territory.

Touch screens are standard among 2-in-1 laptops, but some non-convertible laptops also have touch screens. If you like interacting with your content with your hands, it’s worth checking whether a laptop has a touch screen.

Of course, there are downsides to these capacitive displays. Touch screen computers are generally more expensive. On top of that, you’ll be limited to Windows or Chrome OS computers—no Apple computers currently offer touch-screen support.

Which Processor and RAM Should a Laptop Have?

The computer's brain is the processor or central processing unit (CPU). The CPU processes everything you do on a computer, or it's the job of the graphics processing unit (GPU) should the task demand heavy real-time image rendering. All this is to say buying a laptop with a decent processor is critical.

We won't dive deep into how processors work, but here are the basics.

Clock speed determines how quickly a processor runs—but a processor with a higher clock speed won't always perform faster than one with a lower clock speed. That's because some processors have more "cores." With two cores, a processor can process two tasks at a time. With four, it can process four things. And so on.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, essentially determines how much space the computer has to store files for immediate use. Apps and services on your computer are in RAM, where the processor can quickly access them if needed.

By and large, more RAM is better, but there are caveats. Faster RAM, for instance, can hog battery life and can get pricey.

The sweet spot for most people seems to be around 8GB of RAM, though opinions vary depending on your use case and profession.

Any less than 8GB makes sense for budget computers focused on web browsing and passive media consumption. More intense activities like gaming and video editing might necessitate more RAM.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

When storing files like photos and documents, there is an endless list of alternatives to the traditional hard drive (see: cloud storage). But that's not to say local storage is no longer necessary, as you can probably tell from the thriving SSD market. These flash storage devices are quieter, smaller, and more resilient than their spinning disk-based predecessors.

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Although SSDs are objectively better than hard drives, they cost significantly more. Be that as it may, their prices are getting more reasonable with time, and we still think it's worth the premium to buy a laptop with an SSD built-in (it'd be hard to find a new laptop without one). To cut costs, you can opt for a laptop with just enough local storage and purchase a cloud storage subscription to offset the deficit (iCloud, OneDrive, or Dropbox).

You'll probably want at least 1-2 TB of local storage space if you're a gamer, photographer, or video editor. If you need a laptop for browsing the web and watching YouTube, you can get away with as little as 32 GB.

What About Optical Drives?

Laptops have mostly eliminated the optical disc drive since streaming has become mainstream. Still, some might prefer to play DVDs and CDs from their laptop. If that’s you, look for a computer with an integrated disc drive or buy an external optical drive that can plug into your computer through the USB port.

We feel most people can get away without a disc drive built into their laptops, and even those who need one can still buy an external one. Laptops with built-in disc drives still exist, it's just rare.

Who Should Buy a Laptop?

Every household could benefit from a laptop.

  • Students of all ages. Students need laptops to write papers, complete assignments, and research online. Most college classes require access to a computer.
  • Office and home workers. Employers increasingly expect employees to use their personal computers for company business. Some people have a separate computer just for work.
  • Children. Kids can use laptops for playing games and streaming content. Learning to use a computer at a young age will benefit them later.
  • Retirees and older adults. A laptop can enable them to easily keep in touch with friends, family, and the outside world.

What Should I Do After I Buy a Laptop?

Once you unbox your new laptop, setup is easy.

  • Charge the battery, then set up your computer.
  • If you have a subscription for a game or program (like Minecraft or Photoshop), download the software and sign in with your account to access your subscription.
  • Connect a monitor. If you plan to use your laptop at a desk, getting a separate monitor makes sense.
  • While laptops typically include a webcam, keyboard, and touchpad, using separate accessories can be more ergonomic. A separate webcam lets you place it where it's the most flattering and adjust the angle as needed.

More Tips for Buying a Laptop

Before you go out and buy, here are some questions you should keep in mind:

  • Do you need a numeric keyboard? Many laptops lack a numeric keypad, so knowing the keyboard layout is essential.
  • Do you need to worry about weight and portability? Consider if you want a bigger screen or a lighter load. A 17-inch laptop can weigh between 4 and 10 pounds, while a 13-inch laptop might weigh 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.
  • What about battery life? Your usage habits affect battery life the most. Streaming from Netflix or YouTube takes up more battery than writing simple documents. We recommend reading reviews before buying a laptop to check how long you can expect its battery to last.
  • Which ports do you need? Most computer accessories connect through the USB port, whether classic USB Type-A or the newer USB-C. If you plan to connect a monitor, you might need an HDMI port or an adapter. Consider if you want a headphone jack or an SD card slot.
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