What to look for in a laptop

Jared Newman

August 26, 2025

In this guide:

Start with the operating system
Pick a screen size
How much RAM do you need?
Sort through your screen options
How much storage do you need?
Clamshell or convertible?
Size up the battery life
Time to pick a processor
Do you need a GPU?
Other factors
When in doubt, try it out
Wait for a deal

One of the tech questions I get most from friends and family is also one of the trickiest to answer: Which laptop should I buy?

Unlike smartphones or streaming boxes, in which a few clear candidates exist in every budget, laptops present a seemingly endless number of choices. Even if you’re set on a specific model, you’ll still have to make some decisions around storage, RAM, and processing power.

Hold up!

This article is for Advisorator’s paying members only. Subscribe now to unlock my full website and fast-track your tech knowledge.

Already a member? Sign into your account.