Buying a laptop: what matters

Start with what you will use the laptop for and how often you will carry it. That settles the operating system, the size and the weight. After that, three things matter most: enough memory, a large enough SSD and a bright, readable display. On current machines the processor is rarely the bottleneck for office work, school and streaming, as long as it comes from a recent generation.

Windows, macOS or ChromeOS: which system suits me?

The operating system decides which programs you can run and how long the machine gets updates. Settle this before anything else.

• Windows 11 runs on most laptops. Microsoft's minimum is 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage and TPM 2.0. That is a floor, not a comfortable setup. Windows 10 lost regular support on 14 October 2025, so a second-hand laptop should officially support Windows 11.
• macOS only runs on Apple hardware. Apple uses its own M-series chips; the MacBook Air with M5 went on sale in March 2026.
• ChromeOS runs on Chromebooks and is built around the browser, web apps and Android apps. Google promises ten years of automatic updates, counted from the release of the hardware platform, not from the day you buy. A Chromebook on an older platform therefore has fewer years left. Google lists the end date for every model on its update policy page.

If you depend on particular software, for work, for your tax return or for games, check with the software maker that it runs on the system you choose.

Which processor is enough for me?

Processor names are confusing, but they follow a pattern: maker, generation, performance tier.

• Intel calls its current laptop generation "Core Ultra Series 3", introduced in January 2026. Within a generation, performance usually rises with the tier (such as 5, 7, 9).
• AMD sells its laptop processors as "Ryzen AI", also with tiers such as 5, 7 and 9.
• Qualcomm makes the "Snapdragon X" processors, which use an Arm architecture, as Apple's chips do.
• Apple numbers its chips in sequence (M4, M5).

Compare processors within the same generation where you can. An older top model can be slower and less efficient than a current mid-range one. The chip maker's product page gives the launch year.

Windows on Arm: laptops with a Snapdragon processor run most Windows programs, older ones through emulation. Microsoft points out, however, that drivers must be built for Arm. That affects some printers, scanners and specialist devices, and games with anti-cheat software may not run. If you rely on such hardware or games, check for Arm drivers first.

AI features: Microsoft only uses the "Copilot+ PC" label for machines with an NPU (a processor for AI tasks) rated at 40 TOPS or more, 16 GB of memory and a 256 GB SSD. The label matters only if you want Windows' on-device AI features. You do not need it for office work, browsing or video.

How much memory (RAM) do I need?

Memory decides how many programs and browser tabs run smoothly at once. On many thin laptops it is soldered to the board and cannot be upgraded later; the spec sheet says so. Buy for the whole life of the laptop.

• 8 GB is fine for a Chromebook or for very light use.
• 16 GB is a sensible baseline for a Windows laptop you want to keep for several years. It is also Microsoft's minimum for Copilot+ PCs.
• 32 GB or more pays off for video editing, large photo libraries, software development or virtual machines.

How large should the SSD be?

The SSD holds your files, and the system and its updates already take part of it. Microsoft requires at least 256 GB for Copilot+ PCs; Apple ships the MacBook Air with M5 with 512 GB as standard.

• 256 GB is enough if most of your files live in the cloud.
• 512 GB suits most people, including photos and a range of programs.
• 1 TB or more is for games, video and large archives.

Check whether the SSD is socketed or soldered. A socketed SSD can be replaced later.

Which display is right?

You look at the display every day. Four things to check:

• Size and weight: 13 to 14 inches is easy to carry, 15 to 16 inches suits a desk. A larger display nearly always means more weight.
• Resolution: at 14 inches, Full HD (1920 × 1080) already looks decent; higher resolutions render text more sharply.
• Brightness: given in nits (cd/m²). A brighter display helps noticeably near a window or outdoors. If the spec sheet says "DisplayHDR" with a number, that is a VESA certification: the number is the tested minimum peak brightness, so DisplayHDR 400 means 400 cd/m².
• Finish and panel: matte screens reflect less, glossy ones look more contrasty. OLED shows deep black; IPS panels are common and usually cheaper.

A high refresh rate (such as 120 Hz) makes scrolling smoother and helps in games, but can use a little more power.

Which ports do I need?

List what you plug in: monitor, mouse, USB stick, card reader, network cable. Then check the exact name of each port, because a USB-C socket says nothing about its capabilities.

• USB4 carries up to 40 or 80 Gbit/s depending on version and cable, and can also carry a video signal to a monitor.
• Thunderbolt 4 offers 40 Gbit/s, Thunderbolt 5 80 Gbit/s, and up to 120 Gbit/s in one direction for displays. That helps with docks and multiple monitors.
• Charging over USB-C: since 28 April 2026, new laptops sold in the EU with a charging power of up to 100 watts must be chargeable over USB-C, and sellers must also offer them without a charger. A USB-C charger you already own with enough wattage will then do.

If you present often, you need HDMI or a suitable adapter.

How long will the battery last?

The runtime in hours that makers quote comes from their own test conditions. Apple, for example, quotes "up to 18 hours" for the MacBook Air with M5. High brightness, many tabs or video calls shorten that. The capacity in watt-hours (Wh), read together with the processor and display, is easier to compare.

Batteries age. Apple states that the battery in current MacBooks is designed to retain up to 80 percent of its original capacity at 1,000 charge cycles. Before buying, ask whether the maker sells replacement batteries and whether they can be swapped without special tools.

How much does repairability matter?

A laptop lasts longer when the battery, SSD and keyboard can be replaced. Look in the spec sheet and manual for:

• a screwed rather than glued case,
• a socketed rather than soldered SSD and, where possible, memory,
• a service manual and spare parts published by the maker,
• how long driver and firmware updates are provided.

This information is rarely in one place, so check the maker's support pages before you buy.

Statutory warranty and guarantee: what applies?

When you buy from a retailer in Germany, you have a two-year statutory warranty (Gewährleistung). The claim is against the retailer, not the manufacturer. If a defect appears within the first year after delivery, it is presumed to have existed at the time of sale, and the retailer must prove otherwise. For used goods the retailer may shorten the period to one year.

A guarantee (Garantie) is a voluntary promise from the manufacturer, on the terms in the guarantee document. It comes on top of the statutory warranty and does not replace it.

Common mistakes

• Looking only at the processor. Too little memory or a full SSD slows you down more in daily use.
• Buying a non-upgradeable laptop too small. Soldered memory stays as it is.
• Missing the generation. A high model number from an older generation is not automatically faster.
• Skipping the Arm check. Printers, specialist software and some games need matching drivers.
• Ignoring a Chromebook's update end date. The ten years count from the platform's release.
• Underestimating weight. If you commute daily, you will feel every extra gram, charger included.

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