The minimum to look for
| Part | Good | Better |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | 16 GB | 32 GB for heavy work |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Processor | Current mid-range chip from Intel, AMD, Apple or Qualcomm | A higher tier if you edit video or compile code |
| Screen | 1920 x 1200, IPS, 300 nits | Higher resolution, OLED, 400 nits or more, 120 Hz |
| Battery | 8 hours of real use | 12 hours or more |
| Weight | Under 1.8 kg for a 15 or 16-inch model | Under 1.4 kg for a 13 or 14-inch model |
| Ports | Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack | Plus HDMI and USB-A |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
What to avoid
- 4 GB of memory, or 8 GB on a Windows laptop you plan to keep.
- A hard disk or a small eMMC drive in place of an SSD.
- Screens with a resolution of 1366 x 768.
- “TN” panels, which look washed out from any angle but straight on.
It depends on what you do
A gaming laptop needs a dedicated graphics chip, and a student needs battery life more than speed. That is why our reviews give separate gaming, work and student scores. The scoring method shows how each part counts, and how much RAM you need goes deeper on memory.