Laptops are a commodity item in the technology world; the ‘bread and milk’ standard device that you can buy from any technology store, online or in the real world.
However, just like bread or milk, there’s plenty of competition for your money. It doesn’t always boil down to which laptop is the most affordable. There are confusing layers of jargon, comparisons between everything from screen size to processors to storage and more to contend with.
RELATED: Best laptop deals of the week
RELATED: Top budget laptops
That’s where this buyer’s guide will make it easier for you, letting you know what you need to know to make the right laptop buying choice when you’re shopping.
We’ll break it down by category, so you can decide which features are important for you and how to decipher the language of laptops to get the best bargain for your notebook-buying dollar.
In this article
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Any laptop you buy will come with an operating system (OS) – the software that tells the laptop what it is and how to run other applications, web browsers and so on.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 remains the most common OS you’ll find on a laptop. It’s also the OS that you’ll find on a wider range of systems, from the most affordable to the fully decked out premium models.
You’ll only find Apple’s macOS running on its MacBook laptop range. Like other Apple products, the focus is on style and luxury – with price points to match. Historically there was a large gulf in terms of applications for macOS versus Windows, but that’s much less relevant now outside of gaming, especially with so many applications running via web browsers anyway.
Google’s ChromeOS is the operating system that runs on Chromebooks. ChromeOS only really runs web applications and a smattering of Android apps, but can be good if you want a more locked-down experience, and especially if you use a lot of Google’s web services such as Google Drive.
Linux is a genuine rarity on laptops sold in Australia; while it’s the operating environment of choice for many of the world’s internet servers, there’s very few available laptop models sold with Linux as an out-of-the-box OS.
CPU/PROCESSING POWER
The processor is the effective “brain” of your laptop, but it can be tricky working out just how much you need to spend to get the right system for you. That’s especially true as performance can vary by processor generation; not surprisingly newer systems can be more efficient than older ones, so (for example) a 13th generation Intel Core i7 processor will be substantially faster than, say, a 10th generation Core i7.
If you only need a laptop for basic usage – web browsing, maybe a little email – then an entry level model running an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 5000 chip would be more than enough. If you do need to run a little heavier, be it for business or pleasure needs, you’ll need to step up those estimations towards something like an Intel Core i7 13th Gen or AMD Ryzen 6000/7000 chip.
At the top end – for tasks like video editing/production and especially gaming – look to an Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 7000 system, but be prepared to pay a little extra in return.
For Intel’s chips, you’ll probably see something like “Core i7-11390H” listed (this is just an example), but you can discern the generation easily, because it’s the first two numbers after the “Core i7” bit; that example is an 11th generation chip. AMD works in a somewhat similar way; an “AMD Ryzen 5 7600X” is a Ryzen 5 chip of the 7th generation, for example.
On the Apple side of the fence selection is a lot simpler, as all of Apple’s MacBooks run on Apple’s own “M” silicon processors; the M1 is Apple’s first generation while M2 systems are a little newer and faster. M series processors with suffixes – Max, Pro, Ultra – are more professional grade CPUs built for the professional creative crowd with price tags to match.
RAM
The CPU is the brains, but the RAM (Random Access Memory) is the short-term memory of your computer – it’s where the ones and zeros that make up all of its calculations go pinging around as needed.
For the entry level, a system with just 4GB is only just sufficient; anything lower than that will run perceptibly very slowly indeed for Windows users. 8GB is a sweet spot that will give your system a little bit more pep for everyday tasks, while those who need to shift serious data – whether that’s spreadsheets or video or games – should look for 16GB as a baseline.
It’s a different story for ChromeOS and macOS. For Google’s OS you’ll often find quite low RAM levels, but then these systems are really built around doing much of their work in the cloud. Apple’s macOS integrates its RAM with the CPU these days and you’ll generally be fine for everyday work with just 8GB, but video editors and the like should look to 16GB.
For many laptops, especially thin and light models (and all MacBooks), the RAM may be fused to the system. What this means is that you can’t upgrade the RAM after you’ve bought it in any way at all.
GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles all the visual information your laptop has to deal with. It’s responsible for putting everything you see on screen, whether that’s a webpage, a document, a video or just a simple icon.
Laptop GPUs tend to come in two distinct varieties depending on budget and needs. Both Intel and AMD based laptops will offer integrated GPUs on the motherboard; these are fine for everyday tasks and even some low-end gaming or video work.
More high-end units will come with dedicated video cards with their own distinct RAM. If you’re buying a gaming laptop, a separate GPU is a must, but if you’re after an everyday laptop, it’s a cost you can avoid.
BATTERY LIFE
When you’re buying a new laptop, you’ll often be met with confusing figures and claims of very high battery life. Be wary of these claims; while they’re not outright fibs they’re often like the fuel efficiency standards of cars in that they’re theoretically possible, but not regularly achievable.
If you need portability, look for a model claiming 12+ hours of battery life, but for more modest budget units, you can expect a typical 4 to 6 hour battery life.
For most laptop batteries you’ll typically see a rating in Watt-Hours (Wh); the higher the better. But this massively varies depending on what you’re using the laptop for; simple web browsing might only drain the battery by 10 per cent per hour, but gaming or video editing could slurp away at that same battery by 50 per cent or more of its power in the same time frame.
DATA STORAGE
If RAM is your short term memory, then storage – sometimes referred to as the hard drive capacity of a laptop – is where you jot down the actual notes that you want to remember over time. Laptop storage these days is typically referred to in either GB (Gigabytes, or 1024MB) or TB (Terabytes, 1024GB) for the most part.
To give you some context, a typical smartphone photo saved to your laptop can run from 2-4MB in size, so you might think that any laptop size storage is going to be more than you’d ever need. A laptop’s hard drive has to store everything it can do, including the operating system – somewhere around 27GB or so for a Windows 11 install – applications and other files.
Also consider what kind of hard drive you want. At the budget end you’ll still find mechanical hard drives clicking away inside the plastic frames of cheaper notebooks, but there’s been a solid shift towards solid state drives, or SSDs.
Traditional mechanical hard drives have typically been cheaper for higher storage capacities, while SSDs are usually faster for data access and less failure prone as they don’t have moving parts.
DISPLAY AND TOUCH SCREEN
Screen sizes are easy enough to understand, with measurements traditionally in inches along the diagonal of the full screen. Smaller laptops will have 12 to 14 inch displays, while larger models can stretch up from 15-17 inches, or sometimes beyond.
Resolution is the other factor to consider; this is the number of individual pixel dots on a screen. Like your TV, it’s expressed as a number of horizontal and vertical pixels, and you’ll often see the exact same terminology used as with flat panel TVs. Cheaper laptops may opt for HD (1366x768) pixel displays, while you’ll pay a little more for a Full HD/1080p screen (1920x1080) and especially for 4K (3840x2160) displays.
So what do you need? It depends on your usage. If you just need basic document and web work, then HD is fine. Those working with photos, video or gaming may find 1080p more palatable, or 4K if the budget can stretch to it. For gamers, there’s a balance between resolution and screen refresh rate to consider as well.
In the Windows world – but not for any MacBook to date – there’s also the question of touchscreen compatibility. Those who need a digital stylus for artwork, and in some cases to deal with disability issues where keyboards and trackpads don’t work well can do well here, but this isn’t a core feature for many everyday uses.
PORTS
On the sides or back of every laptop you’ll find ports for attaching peripherals such as mice, external storage, monitors and more. For some very portable users you might not need much more than just the power plug, while those working from a desk might find being able to add a range of peripherals very handy.
The vast majority of laptops will have at least one or two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports. USB allows for a range of peripherals to attach, and you’ll typically find it as either USB-A or USB-C. USB-A plugs are the older standard with a flat rectangular plug, where USB-C is a smaller, more rounded edge type plug. HDMI is also a common plug standard, and like your TV’s HDMI port this allows for easy connection to a monitor or TV screen.
Depending on your working environment it may be advisable to seek out a laptop with an ethernet port. This allows you to connect to Ethernet cables for internet access, which may be needed for some workplaces. Every single laptop you can buy right now will have Wi-Fi on-board for wireless access, however, so this isn’t a must-have factor outside some very specific business needs.
DO I NEED A HIGH-QUALITY WEBCAM?
Most laptops have webcams, and the reality is that most of them are simple 720p-capable devices. They’re fine for basic video calls and meetings and the like, but if you do have a need for more professional presentation – or need to record video for streaming or other purposes – then it’s worth tracking down either a laptop with a 1080p webcam or 4K if your budget can stretch to that (though they’re rare). Alternatively consider investing in a stand-alone webcam to plug into your laptop, though that’s less portable.
OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Keyboards are often overlooked when comparing laptops. This is a big mistake, because you’re going to be typing on that laptop for years to come. Ideally, go hands-on with the keyboard of the laptop of your choice to make sure you like the key response and layout.
Size is rather obvious, but weight is also worth considering. If your laptop’s just going to live on your work or home study desk it’s not a big issue, but if you’re forever shuffling from meeting to meeting or want a unit you can travel with, thin and light models are a better bet.
Many tablets also sell themselves as laptop alternatives once you add a keyboard; while that can work (especially if you’re using web-based apps like Google Docs) well enough, it’s often at a price premium over a standard laptop – and you’re limited to just the apps that a specific tablet OS supports.
WHAT ARE THE BEST LAPTOP BRANDS TO CONSIDER?
Every laptop maker (excluding Apple) makes laptops for everything from budget needs to premium high-end rigs, so there’s no one “best” answer here. The differences can also be quite subtle, and that’s also because while there are numerous brands, the not-so-hidden secret of the laptop world is that most of them come out of just a handful of factories.
The brands supply designs and specify tolerances – so there are differences – but it also means that many features that come to one brand can and are quickly replicated by others.
Where this does make a bigger difference is in customer service and warranty coverage. It can be highly worthwhile checking precisely what each brand says about its customer service, as well as checking online complaints to see where they work well – and in what ways they might fall short.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON A LAPTOP?
It’s tempting to pay more on the assumption that this will mean “better”, but this is highly variable depending on your budget, needs and how long it is you think you’ll want to run that laptop before you replace it.
Buying premium will typically get you a faster machine, and often a nicer one in terms of screen quality, GPU options, extra storage and so on. The longer term upside here is that a fast machine now will, over the years, still be reasonably nippy by the standards of that time, better able to deal with newer apps or needs.
However, budget options can be more sensible if you’re only a light laptop user, and especially if it’s mostly online work you’re doing. There a lot of the “speed” of the laptop comes from the speed of your network connection, not the internals of the laptop itself.
HOW TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION
The rules aren’t hard and fast, but here’s some common scenarios, and what you should prioritise – or not worry about.
I want to be able to use it for work and gaming
Prioritise: GPU, Screen quality
Less vital: Battery life
A gaming-specific laptop would cover this with plentiful RAM, powerful CPU and higher-tier GPU, but they’re not the most portable of machines. They also often have styles that suit the gaming world but not the boardroom, though a number of smaller 15-inch models now have more subtle styles.
I’m a student and need something portable
Prioritise: Weight, Battery life
Less vital: GPU, Larger Screen sizes
Budget constraints kick in here; if you just want a system for basic document creation go budget – maybe even a Chromebook with your files stored in the cloud – but if you’re going to be shuffling from class to class, then battery life is going to be your key concern above processor performance or screen size.
I’m an artist and I need something for video and photo editing
Prioritise: GPU, CPU, Screen quality
Less vital: Battery life
Photo and video editing laptops need some very specific requirements, especially if you’re working with video where a good CPU/GPU mix can save you serious rendering time. You’ll also want to look for a laptop with a good high resolution screen to ensure that what you’re editing into your stills or film frames will be accurately reproduced elsewhere.
I dabble in a bit of everything and I need an all-rounder
Prioritise: Battery life, CPU
Less vital: GPU, Screen quality
For the all-round user, you’ll get the most bang for your buck looking for a laptop with a good fast CPU, because it’ll be decent for your needs over a longer span of time. Likewise, you may as well make the most of your portable laptop by making sure the battery capacity is good to ensure you can take it with you when needed. All-rounder laptops can generally get by with the in-built graphics capabilities of their processors, so separate GPUs are a bit of a luxury here, as are higher resolution or faster displays.
Our laptop expert: Alex Kidman
Alex Kidman
Alex Kidman is an award-winning veteran Australian freelance technology journalist, podcaster and YouTuber, as well as being a former editor at CNET, Gizmodo, PC Mag Australia, APC and Finder. He’s keen not just on the latest gadgets but how they can positively affect our lives and offer the best value to consumers, always looking out for any hidden issues or extra benefits from a wide range of technology gadgets.
WHERE TO BUY LAPTOPS IN AUSTRALIA
Now that you have all the information you need to make a great purchasing decision, the news.com.au Shopping team has curated a list of top laptop stockists below.
What is the most reliable laptop brand 2023?
The four most popular 2-in-1 brands among survey respondents are Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft. Of these, HP comes out on top this year in overall satisfaction with a rating of 8.8, earning it our Readers' Choice Award. It also has the highest likelihood-to-recommend rating—but so did every other brand.
What is the No 1 laptop in 2023?
List of Best Laptops in India 2023.
What are the specifications of a good laptop 2023?
It must be a laptop computer. Intel Core i5 or i7 Quad-core processor (Intel 11th Generation or newer, minimum 1.9 gigahertz) or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 Quad-core (AMD 5000 or 6000 series Ryzen or newer, minimum 1.9 gigahertz) • 24 GB RAM (DDR4 SDRAM or newer). 500 GB SSD. Integrated Graphics card or Dedicated Graphics card.
How to check a 2nd hand laptop before buying?
Inspect the laptop physically: Check for damage like cracks, scratches, or broken parts. Check the battery health: Ask about battery life and use tools to assess its current health. Test the laptop: Boot it up and verify performance, connectivity, and port functionality.