Every laptop on this site is rated on six parts, each from 0 to 100. Those six numbers are then combined in different ways, because the best laptop for gaming is not the best laptop for a student.
The six part scores
| Part | What it looks at |
|---|---|
| Processor performance | Processor results in published benchmarks, memory and storage speed, and how the laptop holds up under sustained load. |
| Graphics and gaming | Graphics chip results in published benchmarks and frame rates reported in current games. |
| Display | Panel type, resolution, brightness, colour coverage and refresh rate. |
| Battery life | Battery capacity and the runtimes reported in independent battery tests. |
| Build quality | Materials, weight, keyboard and touchpad quality, and recurring reliability complaints from owners. |
| Ports and upgrades | The selection of ports, wireless standards, and whether memory and storage can be upgraded. |
How the parts are weighted
The Laptop1 Score is the overall number. Processor performance and graphics together count for 40% of it. The gaming, work and student scores use the same six parts with weights that match each use.
| Part | Laptop1 Score | Gaming | Work | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor performance | 30% | 20% | 25% | 20% |
| Graphics and gaming | 10% | 40% | 0% | 5% |
| Display | 15% | 20% | 15% | 15% |
| Battery life | 15% | 5% | 25% | 30% |
| Build quality | 15% | 10% | 20% | 20% |
| Ports and upgrades | 15% | 5% | 15% | 10% |
Value for money
The value score answers one question: how much laptop do you get for the price? It starts from the Laptop1 Score and adjusts it for price. At $1,000 the value score equals the Laptop1 Score. Each time the price halves, 20 points are added; each time it doubles, 20 points are taken away. The result is kept between 0 and 100.
We use a typical US street price and show the date it was checked. Prices move, so the value score is the number most likely to change between updates.
Where the data comes from
We work from manufacturer specification sheets, published benchmark databases, hands-on reviews from established publications and feedback from owners. Each review lists its sources.
What the scores are not
The scores are not the result of our own lab testing. They are a structured summary of the best available evidence, meant to make laptops easy to compare.
Rankings and the #1 pick
Each top 10 list is built for one need and shows the score that matches it: the gaming score on gaming lists, the value score on budget lists. Scores guide the order, and our reviewers make the final call where two laptops are close. The #1 pick is the laptop we would recommend first to most people with that need.
Updates
Scores are revised when a laptop is refreshed, when new test data appears or when a widespread problem comes to light. The date at the top of each page shows the last revision.