What to Look for When Buying a Laptop

On this page (8 sections)

1. What should you check first when buying a laptop?
2. Which laptop processor should you choose?
3. How much RAM should you look for?
4. How much storage do you need on a laptop?
5. What screen size and resolution should you choose?
6. Should you choose Windows, ChromeOS or macOS?
7. How important are battery life, keyboard and ports?
8. What should you compare before you buy?

Start with the tasks and apps you need the laptop to handle, then compare its processor, RAM, storage and operating system. Check the screen, battery, keyboard and ports against how and where you’ll use it.

Write down your regular tasks before comparing models. Web browsing, video calls and documents place different demands on a laptop than large spreadsheets, photo editing or games.

If you're still choosing a general direction, see what laptop should I buy for home or school. This guide breaks down the parts to compare once you know what you need.

What should you check first when buying a laptop?

Check software compatibility and daily workload first. These decide which operating system and level of performance will make sense.

List the apps you need, including any required by school or work. Check their system requirements and confirm whether they run on Windows, macOS, ChromeOS or more than one of them.

Consider how you use the laptop during a normal day. If you often keep many tabs and apps open, RAM matters; if you edit large files, processing power and storage matter too.

Use these as starting points, not strict rules. App requirements and your own habits should guide the final choice.

Which laptop processor should you choose?

Choose a processor that meets the demands of your regular apps, with room for the multitasking you do. A processor name alone does not tell you exactly how fast every laptop will feel.

Compare the processor model and generation, then look for independent benchmarks if you need to judge performance across different chips. For everyday documents and browsing, you may not need the most powerful option; demanding apps can benefit from a stronger processor.

Don't assume that a higher number in a processor name always means a better fit. Check your required software and the rest of the laptop's configuration together.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.3-inch 2K Touchscreen (Ryzen 7 170) pairs an AMD Ryzen 7 170 processor with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB PCIe SSD.

How much RAM should you look for?

Choose enough RAM for the apps and tabs you keep open together. If your laptop runs out of memory during your normal work, switching between tasks can feel less responsive.

For light use, consider how many browser tabs and common apps you leave open. For heavier multitasking, large spreadsheets or creative apps, check their memory requirements and compare models with more RAM.

Also check whether the memory is upgradeable. Some laptops have memory fixed in place, which can limit your options later.

Our guide to how much RAM you need in a laptop explains how to match memory to common workloads.

How much storage do you need on a laptop?

Choose storage based on the files and apps you plan to keep on the laptop. A larger drive gives you more local room, but your actual need depends on your library and use of cloud storage.

Check the drive type and capacity. An SSD helps with quick startup and file access; capacity determines how much you can store locally.

Think about large downloads, photos, videos, games and work files. Leave room for apps and updates, and remember that the operating system uses some of the drive.

The Acer Aspire 14 AI Touch (Core Ultra 5) has a 1TB Gen 4 SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5X memory for local files and apps.

For a more detailed estimate, use our laptop storage guide.

What screen size and resolution should you choose?

Choose a screen that fits your work and the way you carry the laptop. A larger display can make documents easier to view, while a smaller laptop may be easier to carry.

Compare the diagonal size, resolution, aspect ratio and display finish. Resolution affects how much detail you can see, while glare and brightness can matter if you work near windows or under bright lights.

Touch input is useful if you want to tap or scroll directly on the screen. It is optional if you mainly type and use a mouse or trackpad.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Touch has a 14-inch WUXGA touchscreen with an anti-glare coating. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 has a 15.3-inch 2K touchscreen for buyers who prefer a larger screen.

For help comparing dimensions, read what size laptop do I need?.

Should you choose Windows, ChromeOS or macOS?

Choose an operating system that runs your essential apps and works with the devices you already use. Each platform has a different app ecosystem and setup.

Windows is a broad fit for many school, work and personal apps. ChromeOS centers on Google's apps and web services; confirm that your required software works on it before buying. macOS may suit you if your apps and other devices fit Apple's system.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Touch runs ChromeOS, with Google apps such as Gmail, Docs and Photos. The Apple MacBook Neo 13-inch runs macOS and has features for working with an iPhone.

Before choosing a Chromebook, check our guide to whether Chromebooks can run Microsoft Office.

How important are battery life, keyboard and ports?

Check battery, keyboard and ports against your real routine. These features shape daily comfort and can determine whether you need extra accessories.

Battery life varies with brightness, apps, network use and settings. Compare stated battery figures with your expected use, but plan to recharge when you can.

If possible, try the keyboard layout and key spacing before you buy. Check the webcam and microphone if you make frequent calls, and review the ports for your charger, monitor, storage drives and other accessories.

Make a short port list before shopping. A USB-C port may handle charging or displays on some laptops, but check the model's stated capabilities rather than assuming all ports work the same way.

What should you compare before you buy?

Compare the full configuration and the features you will use, not just one headline specification. A balanced laptop is a better fit when its screen, memory, storage and operating system all match your routine.

Use this checklist when narrowing your options:

• Confirm that your essential apps run on the operating system.
• Compare processor models and generations for demanding tasks.
• Match RAM to your multitasking habits and check whether it can be upgraded.
• Estimate local file needs and compare SSD capacity.
• Choose a screen size and resolution that work for your eyes and routine.
• Check the battery, keyboard, webcam and ports against your day.
• Consider weight if you carry the laptop often.
• Check the return policy and support terms before ordering.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 combines a 15.3-inch touchscreen, Ryzen 7 170 processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB PCIe SSD. The Acer Aspire 14 AI Touch pairs a 14-inch touchscreen with a Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB RAM and 1TB Gen 4 SSD.

Pick the operating system that supports your required apps, then narrow the options by screen size and memory. If you're choosing for a particular person or task, explore our laptop guides for different needs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important thing to look for when buying a laptop?

Start with the software and tasks you need to run, then check that the processor, memory and operating system suit them. After that, compare screen size, storage, battery, keyboard and ports against how and where you'll use the laptop.

A strong spec in one area cannot fix a mismatch elsewhere.

How much RAM should a laptop have?

Choose RAM based on your apps and multitasking habits. Basic browsing and documents need less memory than large spreadsheets, creative work or running many apps at once.

Check the laptop's memory amount and whether it can be upgraded, then use our RAM guide to compare common needs.

Is 256GB of storage enough for a laptop?

A 256GB drive may suit mostly online work and a small collection of local files, while larger photo, video or game libraries can need more room. Remember that the operating system and apps use some capacity.

Estimate what you keep on the laptop and compare it with your storage needs.

Should I buy a touchscreen laptop?

A touchscreen can help if you like tapping, scrolling or drawing directly on the display, but it is optional for typing and mouse-based work. Compare the screen and hinge you want with the keyboard, ports and price tier.

A 2 in 1 may suit you if you also want tablet-style use.