How to choose the best laptop for you: what to check before you buy

Why the adverts and the shop are not enough

Laptop adverts and shop labels show the best result a laptop can reach. The detailed specifications often say something different. For example:

• The battery figure was often measured doing light tasks at a low screen brightness.
• The memory cannot be added to later, so a laptop that is fine today may feel slow in a few years.
• A program you rely on may not run on that type of laptop at all.

The same laptop name is often sold in many versions, with different memory, storage and screens. So check the exact version you would buy, using the maker's own specifications, and check the same things for every laptop.

Before you look at any laptop

Write down your answers to these four points. They decide which checks in the list matter most to you.

• The programs you must use. For example a program for work or school, a video editor, or games. Some programs only run on one operating system (the main software that runs everything else) or one type of processor.
• Where you will use it. At a desk, carried every day, on long trips without a charger, or outdoors.
• What you will plug in. A monitor, a mouse, USB drives, a memory card from a camera, a wired network.
• How long you want it to last. Two years, or five or more. A longer life needs enough memory and years of software updates, and is easier if the battery can be replaced.

The checklist

The checks are in three groups. Must have means a problem here can make it hard to use or costly to fix. Nice to have means it makes a real difference for many people. Optional means it only matters to some people. When you open the checklist in NeutralPick, you can move any check to a different group to match your answers above.

• Must have
• Runs every program you needDoes every program I need run on this laptop's operating system and type of processor, including any older programs and devices I use?Some processor types can't run every program or connect to every printer or device. Check each program's and device maker's website.
• Enough memory (RAM), now and laterHow much memory (RAM, used to run programs at the same time) does this exact version have, and can more be added later?Memory is often built in and cannot be added later. Too little memory is a common reason a laptop feels slow after a few years.
• Enough storage spaceHow much storage does this exact version have, how much is free after setup, and can it be upgraded?The operating system and updates use part of the storage. Photos and videos fill the rest faster than people expect.
• Battery life the way you will use itHow long does the battery last doing what I usually do, such as video calls or browsing with the screen at normal brightness?Advertised figures usually come from light tasks at a set, fairly low screen brightness. Look for independent tests of tasks like yours.
• Software and security updates for yearsHow many more years will this laptop get operating system and security updates? Look for a published end date, or how long older models got them.Updates may come from the laptop maker and the operating system maker; check both. Without security updates, going online gets riskier. Some publish an end date.
• A warranty that applies where you liveHow long is the warranty in my country, does it cover a laptop bought from another country or a foreign seller, and is repair done locally?Laptops bought abroad are often not covered locally. Your country's consumer law may give you more than the maker's warranty.
• Nice to have
• A screen you can use all dayHow bright is the screen, is it matte (non-shiny) or glossy (shiny), and is it sharp enough at this size?A dim screen is hard to read near a window or outdoors. A glossy screen reflects more light than a matte one. Check independent brightness tests.
• The connections you needWhich connections does it have, and can I plug in everything I use without buying adapters?Many thin laptops have only a few connections, which means buying and carrying adapters.
• Charges with a standard chargerCan it charge from a standard USB-C charger (the small, oval plug), or only from its own charger?USB-C charging lets you use many standard chargers, and new laptops sold in the EU must have it. A small phone charger may charge a laptop slowly or not at all.
• Weight with the chargerHow much does it weigh, and how much do it and its charger weigh together?Matters if you carry it every day. A large charger can add a lot to a light laptop.
• A keyboard in your language, comfortable to type onIs it sold with a keyboard layout for my language, and is the keyboard comfortable for long typing?Laptops bought abroad may have a different layout. Try typing on it in a shop if you can.
• A camera and microphone good enough for callsAre the built-in camera and microphone clear enough for video calls, and does the camera have a privacy cover or switch?Built-in cameras vary a lot. Matters if you have video calls for work or school.
• Battery and parts can be replacedCan the battery be replaced, and are spare parts and repair guides available for this model?All batteries wear out. A replaceable battery can add years to a laptop's life.
• Optional
• Quiet and cool when busyDo owners say the fan is loud or the case gets hot during the tasks I do?Thin laptops can get loud or hot under heavy work. Owner reviews and independent tests describe it.
• No unwanted softwareWhat software comes pre-installed, and can trial programs I don't want be removed?Trial programs can keep asking you to pay, and can slow the laptop down.

Claims to look at carefully

Adverts and product pages often describe the points below in vague terms. When you see one, look for the specific information shown here. If you cannot find it, assume the answer is "no" or "only partly".

• Battery life "up to" a number of hours. Look for an independent test, using the same method for every laptop, that matches how you will use it.
• "Fast" or "powerful". Look for independent tests of the programs you use, not general speed scores (benchmarks).
• "Upgradeable". Look for exactly what can be upgraded: memory, storage or the battery. Often only one of them can.
• The price. Add the adapters you would need, a case, and any software you would have to buy, such as an office suite.

What to do with what you found

1. Put all the laptops side by side.
2. Look at the Must have checks first. If a laptop gets a No on one of your must-haves, remove it, however good the rest looks. Look closely at any Partial.
3. If two laptops are close, read reviews from owners who have used them for several months, especially about battery life and reliability.
4. If you can, try the keyboard and screen in a shop. Before you buy, check the shop's return policy.

Why use NeutralPick to compare laptops

• The same checks for every laptop. You fill in the same checklist for each laptop you are considering, so you compare them in the same way.
• Everything in one table. You see every laptop side by side, check by check, instead of switching between shop pages and notes.
• Nobody can pay to influence it. There are no adverts, no paid placements and no "featured" products. No maker or shop can pay to be shown to you or placed higher.
• Free, with no account. You don't need to sign up or pay anything.

Start with this checklist See an example comparison