Laptop Buying Guide (2025): How to Choose the Right PC (Step-by-Step Guide)

However, for some people, considering the software they need to run and which operating system is best, it can help you decide which hardware you need. Don’t forget: Chromeos and Linux are still alternative options. So here’s how the four available operating systems collapse:

Windows: Windows is the Stalwart default OS. Windows is the most widely used operating system and supports the largest number of applications and hardware. At work, it may be necessary as it is necessary to run a particular app. But most importantly, to buy a laptop, Windows 11 allows you to choose from the widest range of devices. Because of its open nature, new laptops are coming out all year round. Cheap laptop It sparkles Game Laptop. There are also a variety 2-in-1 Laptop Consider the adventurous design and integrated touchscreen. No matter your budget, it’s easy time to find something in the Windows ecosystem.

macs: Apple’s MacOS is a little more beginner-friendly than Windows, but is closely tied to the company’s hardware. Purchase options are limited to MacBooks. Apple uses its own chips and MacBooks are completely different beasts, so there is another one A guide to choosing the best MacBook. If you have already purchased it on your iPhone or iPad to the Apple ecosystem, your MacBook has several software features that are legally useful (such as Airdrop and Universal Control).

Chromeos: If you can do most of your laptop tasks in a web browser and are trying to save cash, Chromeos is a good choice. Chrome laptops (called Chromebooks) are also the cheapest (and least powerful), so if you’re on a tight budget, the OS is also worth considering. Chromebooks are most often associated with dirty school laptops that are loaned to high school students, but have grown even more. “Chromebook Plus” specified It was unfolded in the second half of 2023How to highlight a high-end Chromebook with faster processors, more memory, more storage, and better camcorders Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. However, there are still the same restrictions. You cannot run Adobe’s creative suite or Microsoft Office. Do some apps, especially the office, have Android phone/tablet versions? Maybe can Please install it on your Chromebook (or the web version) I found that Android apps often don’t work well. Please read us The best Chromebook For more information, please guide.

Linux:If you need an MS office and don’t mind the learning curve, you can install Linux on almost any laptop hardware you’ve created so far. Like Chromeos, the catch here is that popular apps like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite do not support Linux. However, there are free open source alternatives Libreoffice, Dark Table (Adobe Lightroom replacement), and gimp (Replacing Adobe Photoshop). See us The best linux laptop We’ll guide you through some of our favorites. And if you’re wondering about Linux support on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X CPU, it’s in the works. there is Debian experimental version You can install it now, but it’s still rough around the edges. Qualcomm’s Roadmap It shows that full support is probably at least six months later.

Understanding Processor Names (CPU)

Intel

Once you know what operating system you need and get some idea of ​​the software you want to run, you can figure out the minimum hardware specifications you need. The first thing to consider is a processor, also known as a chip or CPU. These days, laptop spaces have four competitors to know.

For decades, few have had such an iconic technology as Intel’s “Core I” branding. The CPU is complex (usually includes a set of numbers), but you can always know that at least the Core i7 is faster than the Core i5. Intel introduced it New branding in 2023However, I replaced the “Core Ultra 5” and the “Core i5”.

For example, Intel’s latest generation chip is a 15th generation processor, also known as the Intel Core Ultra Series 2. You will see that you get these latest chips in the first number of SKUs. For example, the most common laptop chip on this line is the Core Ultra 7 258V. Once you enter the right generation, the letter at the end of SKU is also very important, especially with the chips of the current generation. Here’s a simpler breakdown: