This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for a UK audience.
There’s more to buying a new laptop than buying something that looks nice and shiny. A laptop is a lifestyle choice, which means you need one that fits your lifestyle and style. Indeed, your work and hobbies (like streaming Netflix) will be greatly improved with the purchase of a portable, reliable, efficient laptop.
It’s never a decision that should be made based on price or looks alone. Like everything else in life, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Laptop beginners may want something that’s easy to use and straightforward, while frequent travelers will need something that’s both lightweight and durable. Designers and gamers may want top-notch 4K graphics and fast central processors. And everyone needs something that won’t just break after a year. If you are stuck on a decision, we can help. We’ve done the research and put together a collection of some of the best models available, as well as some useful laptop information.
What are the best laptop brands?
Apple reigns supreme as a manufacturer of popular portable laptops and its flagship models – such as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air – always top lists of the best laptops money can buy. But it’s far from the only option out there.
The Microsoft Surface has been very impressive since its launch in 2012, peaking, in our opinion, with the Microsoft Surface 4 (although newer versions are available). HP offers a range of laptops that cover a wide range of price and power options. Dell is another reliable and versatile manufacturer, with a laptop range that includes 2-in-1 models and dedicated gaming options. Lenovo also deserves attention.
What are the best gaming laptops?
If you’re a serious gamer, you need a laptop built for gaming. Manufacturers like Asus, Gigabyte, Razer, and Acer produce laptops dedicated to gaming and running the latest software, featuring powerful CPU, GPU, and RAM specs for smooth, uninterrupted gaming. Family name brands like HP and Dell also have machines built for top flight gaming.
What are the most important features of a laptop?
Not all laptops will suit everyone’s needs. But there are important internal components that every laptop has and it is important to know what they are:
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CPU – Also known as the processor, this is the brain of the laptop. It controls and interacts with everything else. For general web browsing, emails, and article writing, you won’t need an all-singing, all-dancing CPU. But if you’re a serious gamer, video editor, or graphic designer — or do anything that requires you to run big-time software — look for a machine with a strong, up-to-date CPU processor.
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Show it — If you’re a gamer or designer, a good, high-resolution display is very important. We recommend HD 1080p resolution as the base level. Some laptops also have touchscreen capability, doubling as tablet combos. This is one area where size matters. Laptops designed for gaming and creative work often have 15-inch displays but top-of-the-line laptops can be 13 or 11 inches.
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The GPU – Graphics processing unit, also known as graphics card. This is responsible for your laptop’s visuals. Again, the GPU will depend on your laptop’s workload. You may not need impressive graphics to answer e-mails or writing work, but for design work or – perhaps more importantly – rendering visuals in the latest games, choose a machine with the latest, most powerful GPU.
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RAM — This represents random access memory. It is for running various applications at the same time and using them when you need to access them. (How many apps are open on your dock right now? That’s all because of RAM.) This basically controls the speed and technology of your laptop. 8GB of RAM is a good starting point if you are a multitasker or do heavy duty gaming and creative work.
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Storage — You’ll notice that laptops usually come with one of two types of storage space — hard-disc drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) storage. The HDD is actually a pile of metal inside the machine that holds all of your information. SSD stores data on flash-memory chips. HDD usually holds more but is slower than SSD. Premium and high-ticket laptops often come with an SSD as standard. There are also cloud and external storage options, depending on your storage needs.
How much should a laptop cost?
As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. Just as there is a laptop specification to suit everyone, there is a price point as well. The laptops included in this list range from around £280 to £3,060. Remember that a laptop is an investment not only in your work but also in your life. Sometimes it’s worth spending the extra money to get a laptop that will do the heavy lifting, faster, and better.
Which laptop is best for you?
It’s surprising but this is the kind of stuff we enjoy researching. We’ve put together a definitive guide to the best laptops on the market right now. We compare the top brands you probably have in mind like Apple and Dell, as well as other players you might not have considered otherwise. You are in good hands.
These are the best laptops of 2024.
