Laptops

Laptops can cost a pretty penny. Before you drop $5000 on a MacBook Pro, think about how often you’ll use your laptop and for which tasks.

If you’re a light user, only browsing the web and using simple apps like word processors, you don’t need to spend more than $1200.

A computer that will get sustained use, or run games or other intensive apps, is worth spending up to $2000.

Think carefully about spending more than $2500. It might be worth it if you’re interested in editing video or playing the newest games, for instance.

Once you’ve worked out the basics and how much to spend, you want to maximise the speed and power of your notebook. Performance is important because computers slow as they age – so if you opt for the bare minimum, your laptop will soon be unbearably slow.

That means it’s time to dive into technical specifications, but don’t panic – there are only three main things to keep track of.

CPU (central processing unit)

The CPU, often called the “processor”, is fundamental to any computer. It’s the part that actually performs the tasks that make up programs, so CPU speed has a very close relationship with overall computer speed.

Intel and AMD are the two major brands of CPU. Understanding their naming conventions takes some practice, but it goes a long way to choosing a good laptop. The best rule of thumb is that, within the same brand, higher numbers are better.

Intel

• Intel Core is the most popular family of CPU. It features, from slowest to fastest, the lines i3, i5, i7 and i9.

  • Next comes the generation number. The current generation is 12th, but laptops with CPUs as old as 8th gen are still on the market.
  • After that are 2-3 SKU digits which can be ignored, and sometimes a letter suffix. You don’t need to learn what they mean, but they can be helpful – for example, “U” stands for ultra-low power, indicating better energy efficiency.
    

• Sitting below the Core family is the Pentium series, followed by Celeron. Both are associated with budget laptops, but Pentium processors are also found in mid-level hybrids.

AMD

• Ryzen is AMD’s most popular CPU family. It competes closely with Intel Core and follows near-identical naming patterns. Ryzen 5/7/9 are directly comparable to Core i5/i7/i9. The exception is the Ryzen 3 series, which tends to be slightly cheaper and slower than Core i3.

  • Ryzen debuted in 2017, so we’re only up to the 5th generation.
    
  • The three SKU digits after the generation number are more important than for Intel – again, higher is better.

• Other AMD series include Athlon, which tend to appear in lightweight laptops, and A-Series, which are mostly used in Chromebooks.

Recently, MacBook laptops switched to using Apple’s own proprietary processors, bringing them in line with iPhones and iPads. The chips are equivalent to the fastest Intel Core and AMD Ryzen processors.

RAM (random access memory)

Data stored in this kind of memory is lost when the computer shuts down, so it’s useless for storing files. Instead, RAM usually works in tandem with the CPU to store instructions between tasks. All you need to know is that more RAM lets you get more out of your CPU, especially when running multiple programs at once.

For light users, 4GB of RAM is enough. A chronic multi-tasker with lots of open browser tabs might be better off with 8GB. If you do processor-intensive work, such as graphic design or playing the latest games, you could consider 16GB of RAM.

Storage

You can get by with a hard drive as small as 32GB if you use cloud storage, such as iCloud or Google Drive, or run a lightweight operating system like ChromeOS or Ubuntu. Otherwise, we’d advise investing in 128GB or more, to avoid future regret.

There are 2 common types of internal storage drive.

HDD (hard disk drive)

• Slow read and write speeds – better for storing files you don’t use very often, such as photos or music
  
• Cheaper to manufacture, so often appear in budget laptops
  
• Usually have larger capacities than SSD
  
• More susceptible to damage if you knock your laptop, as they have physical moving parts
  

SSD (solid state drive)

• Better speeds, resulting in quicker loading – especially good for intensive tasks such as gaming or watching movies
  
• More expensive than HDD per GB, often resulting in a smaller storage capacity
• Quieter when performing demanding tasks
• Fully electronic, so less likely to suffer damage if the laptop is knocked or dropped
• Slightly lower power consumption (which also makes overheating less likely)

Cloud storage

The safest way to store your files, cloud storage services house your data online. They’re only accessible via the internet, but mean your data is automatically backed up. However, you can’t totally replace your laptop’s internal storage, as its operating system still needs to be housed on-board.

While any laptop can use cloud storage, Chromebooks are designed for it. Because their ChromeOS operating system is lightweight, they need very little internal storage. If you’re on a tight budget, a Chromebook is a good choice – prices start at just $300.

While our test results can steer you in the right direction, and this guide gets you closer to a decision, minor design details can change your new laptop from a proud purchase to a big regret.

Before buying, try out a few in-store.

• Feel how easy it is to pick up and carry, open and close (and fold/detach, if it’s a hybrid).

• Consider its size and weight. Is it easy to carry? Would it fit in your backpack?

• Test if it’s comfortable to use. How well does it balance on your lap?