Buying Guide
How to Buy a Laptop
This short guide helps you choose a laptop quickly and confidently. It covers the main things to check, the common types you will find, the specs that matter in daily use, and where to buy so you avoid costly mistakes.
Key factors to consider
Decide your primary use first: light web and email, study, office work, photo editing, or heavy multitasking.
Price ranges seen here span entry-level to mid to high performance, so match budget to need.
Price ranges seen here span entry-level to mid to high performance, so match budget to need.
- Performance needs: number of cores and memory determine responsiveness when multitasking.
- Storage type: SSDs are much faster than mechanical drives and make the biggest real-world difference.
- Screen: size and resolution affect portability and workspace. 15 to 16 inch is a good balance; 17 inch gives more room but is less portable.
- Battery and charging: look for fast-charge support and realistic battery life for your day.
- Ports and connectivity: check for USB-C with power delivery, HDMI and an SD slot if you use peripherals.
- Keyboard and security: backlit keys and a fingerprint reader are useful extras for daily use.
Types available and who each suits
- Budget basics: low cost, suitable for browsing and documents. Choose these only for light tasks.
- Mainstream laptops: balanced CPU, 8 to 16 GB RAM and SSD storage. Best for students and general office work.
- Productivity screens: larger 16 to 17 inch models often use a 16:10 aspect ratio and higher vertical resolution for spreadsheets and editing.
- Performance-focused: higher RAM (16+ GB) and larger SSDs for intensive multitasking, media editing or software development.
Important features and specs to prioritise
Focus on a few concrete numbers to simplify choice.
- Memory: 8 GB is minimum for general use; 16 GB is recommended for smooth multitasking; choose 32 GB only if you run heavy editing or virtual machines.
- Storage: prefer NVMe SSDs. Aim for at least 256 GB; 512 GB or 1 TB is more practical if you keep large files locally.
- Processor: modern multicore chips give good everyday speed. For basic tasks, low-power chips suffice; for heavy workloads choose faster multicore options.
- Display: Full HD (1920x1080) is standard. Consider 1920x1200 or higher for extra vertical space and better productivity.
- Graphics: integrated graphics are fine for office work and streaming. Dedicated graphics are required for gaming or serious video editing.
- Connectivity and extras: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C Power Delivery, HDMI and a tactile keyboard improve daily experience. Look for fingerprint login if you value quick secure access.
Where to buy, common mistakes and quick expert tips
Online retailers often show a wider range and better prices, but check seller rating and returns. High-street shops let you try keyboard and screen in person.
- Check the returns window and warranty before purchase.
- Avoid buying systems with mechanical drives if you can afford an SSD upgrade.
- Watch for low RAM advertised as expandable when in fact it is soldered. Check upgradeability if you plan to extend memory or storage later.
- Don’t be swayed only by clock speeds or model numbers. Look at real RAM, storage type and display resolution for practical performance.
- Compare port lists if you need specific connections; adapters add cost and bulk.
Final Thoughts
Match your budget to your real daily needs: choose an SSD and enough RAM first, then pick screen size and connectivity. Try a shop visit if keyboard or screen comfort matters, and always verify returns and warranty before buying. Small checks now save time and money later.
