How to choose a laptop without paying for power you will not use
Most people buy more laptop than they need. Here is how to match the screen, chip, memory and battery to what you actually do.
Walk into any store and the conversation usually starts with the chip. It should start with you: what you open every day, where you work, and how long you want the laptop to last.
Start with what you do every day
Browsing, email, documents and video calls run comfortably on almost any current laptop. Photo editing, large spreadsheets and dozens of browser tabs benefit from more memory. Video editing, 3D work and gaming are where a faster processor and graphics really pay off.
Memory matters more than the chip
For most people, 16GB of memory is the sweet spot. It keeps a busy day of apps open without slowdowns and gives the laptop room to stay useful for years. 8GB is fine for light use, but it is the first thing you will outgrow.
Pick the size for where you work
- 13 to 14 inches for commuting, campus and travel. Light enough to forget it is in your bag.
- 15 to 16 inches if the laptop rarely leaves your desk and you want more screen for side-by-side work.
Battery life claims are best-case figures
Manufacturers measure battery life with light tasks at modest brightness. Expect real-world numbers to land a few hours lower, and lower still if you edit video or play games unplugged.
A quick way to decide
| If you mostly | Look for |
|---|---|
| Browse, write and stream | Any current chip, 8GB to 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage |
| Study or work with many apps open | 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage |
| Edit photos and video | A pro-level chip, 16GB to 32GB of memory, a bright display |
| Play new games | Dedicated graphics and a 120Hz or faster screen |
Still torn between two models? Send us what you do in a typical week and a specialist will reply with an honest recommendation, even if it is the cheaper one.