Buying a laptop shouldn't require a computer science degree. But manufacturers make it confusing on purpose, because confused people spend more money. Here's what you actually need to know.
Start with what you use it for
This is the only question that matters. If you browse the web, do emails, watch Netflix, and write the occasional document — you do not need a £1,000 laptop. A £300–£500 machine (or a £150–£250 refurbished one) will do everything you need.
If you work from home with Office, Teams, and a dozen browser tabs — aim for 16GB RAM and an SSD. That's the sweet spot. £400–£700 new, or £200–£400 refurbished.
If you do video editing, CAD, or gaming — that's when you start needing a bigger budget. But most people don't.
What actually matters
Storage type: Make sure it has an SSD (solid state drive), not an HDD (hard drive). This is the single biggest factor in how fast a laptop feels day-to-day.
RAM: 8GB is the minimum for anything modern. 16GB is better and increasingly standard. You don't need 32GB unless you know why you need it.
Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 are more than enough for most people. Ignore the i7/i9 marketing unless you're doing heavy work.
Screen: 14-inch is a good all-rounder. Make sure it's Full HD (1920x1080) at minimum.
What to ignore: Touchscreens (unless you specifically want one), fancy speaker systems, marketing terms like 'AI-powered'.
Consider refurbished
A 2–3 year old business laptop (like a Lenovo ThinkPad or Dell Latitude) with a fresh SSD and Windows install is one of the best-value purchases you can make. These machines were built to last, designed to be repaired, and they cost a fraction of new retail.
Our buying advice service
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