Buying Guide
How to Buy a Laptop
This short guide helps you pick the right laptop for work, school or light gaming by focusing on the practical factors, the main laptop categories, the must-check specs, where to buy and common pitfalls to avoid.
Key factors to consider
Screen size and portability: Decide if you need a 15 to 17 inch screen for big spreadsheets or a lighter 13 to 15 inch for travel. Larger screens are better for media and multitasking but add weight.
Performance needs: Match the processor class and RAM to your tasks. Office and web use run fine on efficient processors with 8 to 16 GB RAM. Content creation or modern games benefit from higher‑performance CPUs and discrete graphics and 16 GB or more.
Battery and mobility: Expect 5 to 8 hours in typical models. If you work away from power often, prioritise advertised battery life and a charger type that fits your routine, for example USB‑C charging.
Performance needs: Match the processor class and RAM to your tasks. Office and web use run fine on efficient processors with 8 to 16 GB RAM. Content creation or modern games benefit from higher‑performance CPUs and discrete graphics and 16 GB or more.
Battery and mobility: Expect 5 to 8 hours in typical models. If you work away from power often, prioritise advertised battery life and a charger type that fits your routine, for example USB‑C charging.
Types and categories
- Budget everyday laptops: Basic processors, 8 GB RAM and 256 to 512 GB SSD. Good for browsing, streaming and schoolwork.
- Ultraportables and business laptops: Lighter build, longer battery life, 8 to 16 GB RAM and faster NVMe storage. Often include security and collaboration features.
- Gaming and creative laptops: Discrete GPUs, faster CPUs, higher refresh rate screens (120 to 165 Hz), and better cooling. Typically 16 GB RAM or above and 512 GB to 1 TB SSD or larger.
- Large-screen home or media laptops: 17 inch or larger displays for viewing and multitasking, generally less portable but more immersive.
Important features and specifications to check
- Processor: Look for a recent generation chip that matches your workflows. Efficient low-power chips are fine for web and office. H-series or higher-performance chips are better for gaming and editing.
- Memory: 8 GB is the minimum for smooth everyday use. Aim for 16 GB if you multitask, edit media or run virtual machines.
- Storage: Prefer SSD (NVMe if possible). 512 GB is a good balance for most users; 1 TB if you store large media files.
- Graphics: Integrated graphics suffice for office tasks. A discrete midrange GPU is required for serious gaming or GPU-accelerated creative apps.
- Display: Full HD (1920x1080) is the baseline. For gaming look for 120 to 165 Hz panels. Consider IPS or equivalent for better viewing angles and colour.
- Ports and connectivity: Ensure at least one USB-C (data and charging if possible), multiple USB-A, HDMI, and a microSD or full SD slot if you work with cameras. Check Wi-Fi version and Bluetooth for peripherals.
- Keyboard, webcam and hinge: Test key travel and whether a numeric keypad matters. A front webcam with privacy shutter is helpful for video calls. A 180 degree hinge is useful for collaboration.
- Cooling and noise: Better cooling improves sustained performance. Read reviews for fan noise under load if you care about a quiet workspace.
Where to buy, mistakes to avoid and expert tips
Where to buy: Buy from reputable online marketplaces or local electronics retailers that offer clear return policies and warranty support. Check seller reputation, delivery times and return windows before buying.
Common mistakes to avoid: Do not buy on specs alone without confirming battery life and thermals in real reviews. Avoid undersized RAM or tiny SSDs unless you plan to upgrade. Do not assume high CPU name means high real world performance; check benchmarks for your use case.
Expert tips and recommendations: Prioritise an SSD and at least 8 GB RAM on day one. If you need portability focus on weight and USB-C charging. For gaming or creative work spend more on GPU and cooling rather than extra screen size. If you are price sensitive watch for seasonal discounts but confirm warranty and return policy before purchase. Consider buying an extended warranty or support plan only from authorised sellers if you expect heavy use.
Common mistakes to avoid: Do not buy on specs alone without confirming battery life and thermals in real reviews. Avoid undersized RAM or tiny SSDs unless you plan to upgrade. Do not assume high CPU name means high real world performance; check benchmarks for your use case.
Expert tips and recommendations: Prioritise an SSD and at least 8 GB RAM on day one. If you need portability focus on weight and USB-C charging. For gaming or creative work spend more on GPU and cooling rather than extra screen size. If you are price sensitive watch for seasonal discounts but confirm warranty and return policy before purchase. Consider buying an extended warranty or support plan only from authorised sellers if you expect heavy use.
Final Thoughts
Choose the laptop category that matches how and where you work, then use the checklist above to narrow options: processor class, 8 to 16 GB RAM minimum, SSD size, display quality, ports and battery life. Buy from reputable sellers with clear returns and warranty, read real reviews for thermals and battery life, and avoid models that skimp on RAM or SSD capacity.
