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When buying a laptop, you want it to do everything you need, and last for years, too. That means, buying from a laptop brand you can trust. There are several key factors to consider, including your budget, what you actually want to use the laptop for, and of course the brand's reputation. We take a look at some of the best laptop brands on the market and explain what they offer.

If you're after a laptop for business, you'll find that your needs will be vastly different to one you might need at home, for example. Whereas one might reside mainly on your desk and have several peripherals attached to it at any time, the other might reside more in your bag, making the need for a better battery and light body all the more important.

Do consider your needs when buying a laptop, and make sure that the one you pick is best suited to your tasks.
Looking for a laptop today? Check our list of the Best Laptops to Buy
Which are the Best Laptop Brands?

1. Apple - Expensive, yes, but powerful, user-friendly, high quality and reliable

2. Dell - A huge range of models for every budget, and offers the superb XPS range

3. Lenovo - A wide array of models, some with unique features

4. Asus - Excellent line up with some great value models available

5. Acer - Offers some well-priced and compelling ChromeBooks, as well as standard models.

6. Microsoft - Just one laptop (to date), but a superb option for Windows fans

7. HP - The everyman of the laptop world, unexciting but solid

8. Samsung - Not a huge laptop player, but has some decent options

9. Google - Just one laptop, but it's a head-turner

10. Toshiba - Mainly business focused laptops

Check the laptop section of any store, and you'll see many brands vying for your dollar. Each makes similar claims - the fastest, the lightest, the most powerful. So, which deserves your buck? We've pulled out the ones below that we think you should be prioritising, and will offer years of excellent service.

Best Laptop Brands Compared

Each laptop brand has its own vices and virtues. Where Apple may have a reputation for brilliant screens and slim designs, it's also well-known as the priciest brand to buy into. Meanwhile, Acer may stand out as a great budget brand, but it has some fancier high-end models, too. Let's take a closer look at the ranges available from each brand:

Apple Laptops

Walk into any coffee shop in the country, and you'll find someone tapping away on an Apple laptop. The company's ability to merge style and performance in its laptops has seen them become highly desirable to everyone from students to office workers.

The MacBook style has been aped by pretty much every other laptop manufacturer out there, from 'chiclet' keyboards to super slim designs that slot neatly into the thinnest of bags.

Key ranges include:
MacBook Air
This is the cheapest MacBook, and one that in years past had been slightly ignored by Apple. However, the MacBook Air was revived in 2018 with a more powerful processor and Retina screen making it a real contender.

Then an even bigger update happened in November 2020: The Air got the new M1 Chip, Apple's dedicated processor. The new Air is three times faster than the last, with a GPU capable of powering graphics five times faster and up to 18 hours of battery life.

It's not the cheapest laptop, but it's likely the best combo of price and raw power out there, even if we haven't seen a 2022 model released just yet.

MacBook Pro 13
The headline MacBook is the Pro, which seamlessly combines power and style, making it a must-have for designers. There are a number of Pro models: The 13-inch 2020 option is fairly powerful, with a great screen and a workable keyboard.

The entry model comes with an Intel Core i5 that's perfectly decent for most needs even if it's not the i7 processor. But the biggest change is the Magic Keyboard, replacing the maligned Butterfly Keyboard.

Designers might like this option, as a (relatively) inexpensive machine for video or image editing work.

MacBook Pro 16
The 2021 16-inch model is the best MacBook out there, with everything a demanding user could need. But starting at $2,499, it remains a tough sell for the cost-conscious consumer.

A Liquid Retina XDR display has 3456-by-2234 resolution at 254 pixels per inch and up to 1000 nits sustained brightness. The entry model has an impressive M1 Pro processor and 512GB SSD, and it's expandable to an M1 Max chip and up to a whopping 8TB of storage.

Topping it off are the Magic Keyboard, though the Touch Bar has been dropped from the 2021 model. Design pros will love it, but everyone else might not need the top of the line specs.

Dell Laptops

Dell has been a stalwart of the home computer space for years, with over three decades of experience in manufacturing and selling PCs and laptops. If you've been eyeing up its models with a view to picking up a new laptop, you'll note that its range is exhaustive - there's Inspiron, XPS, and the G Series, not to mention Chromebooks and its gaming-devoted Alienware models.

Dell has received a lot of praise for its line up, not least for its XPS range, which many point to as the company's answer to the Apple MacBook. It's not hard to see why - the XPS merges style and power, producing a fast, desirable laptop.

Criticism of Dell's lineup tends to be aimed at its Inspiron range. These are functional, if rather dull and uninspiring. The company does a great job of producing business laptops with its Latitude range - these will breeze through your spreadsheets and accounts, but won't turn heads in the room.

Of the laptop brands, some complain that Dell's battery life struggles to compete with other brands. The exception is Dell's XPS range. Super slim, with great screens and long batteries, these are among the best Windows laptops you can choose.

Dell Inspiron 3000 - 9000 series - Dell's standard consumer range. There's nothing too fancy within this series, though it does include 2-in-1 models with touchscreens. These are dependable workhorse laptops, but nothing you'd show off about.

Dell Latitude series - Business focused laptops that put function above form.

Dell XPS series - These are Dell's MacBook competitors, and they're fabulous Windows laptops. You'll get high performance from the XPS machines, but they also have a stylish, light and slim profile.

Dell G Series - These are gaming laptops with dedicated graphics card and high end processors.

Read our guide to Dell's lineup of laptops

Asus Laptops

Asus aren't quite ready to topple the likes of Apple or Dell yet, with a market share of around 6%, but its moments of innovation make for some interesting and different laptops that remain solidly built, and have a reputation for being reliable. There's no denying that its wide range of models means that it caters for almost everyone.

Asus ZenBook - Asus' premium laptop range, slim, light and portable but still packing plenty of power.

Asus VivoBook - Everyday laptops for aimed at users of all levels, available as entry-level models, or with the latest generation i7 processors.

Asus Chromebook - A range of inexpensive Google Chrome OS-based laptops that are light, portable, and cheaper than most options in this guide.

Here are deeper looks at what models to expect from each range:

Asus Chromebook Series

If you want a break from Windows, or are simply after a laptop on a budget, then the Acer Chromebook series could be a suitable alternative. Most brands offer these cut-price models, which run on the Chrome operating system. This depends heavily on the cloud for storage and applications, and as such, they tend to come with very little storage.

Chromebooks are typically inexpensive and have excellent battery life, especially if you compare Chromebooks to tablets. Models like the Asus C202SA, which comes in at around $200, are no exception, and boast 10 hour battery life. The C202SA is also solidly built, with a robust chassis and rubber wrapped edges.

If that doesn't cut it, Asus also makes some more premium Chromebooks. These include the Asus C302CA, which retails for around $500, but offers a flip back touchscreen as well as a more powerful Intel Core m3 processor.

Not sure if a Chromebook is for you? See our guide, Chromebook vs Laptop - Which Should You Get?
Key models:
Asus Chromebook C202SA - At around $200, this Chromebook is great value, and has a toughened chassis as well as being water resistant.

Asus Chromebook C302CA - A pricier alternative, this model's Intel Core processor means it can do more heavy lifting than its cheaper brother.

Google Laptops

Google may not instantly spring to mind when you're thinking of laptop brands, and there's a good reason for that - they've only got one. Its PixelBook somewhat flipped the script on the meaning of a Chromebook, taking a traditionally low powered, budget device, and turning it into a high end, premium product.

A bold move perhaps, but one that has worked for Google, with the PixelBook gaining rave reviews. It also produces the Pixel Slate, which is technically a tablet, but can be a decent laptop alternative if purchased with the dedicated keyboard.

Google may not have the marketshare in the laptop world that HP, Dell or Lenovo can boast, but it certainly has the technical expertise and funding to throw behind its hardware business, meaning it could be one to watch in the future.

Google PixelBook Go - A high end, lightweight Chromebook with as much as 12 hours of battery life

Toshiba Laptops

Despite its long history, Toshiba's last few years have been somewhat turbulent. Just last year, it sold 80% of its PC business to Sharp, and retains just 20%.

Struggling to compete in the global market, Toshiba halted sales of its consumers laptops in Europe and the US in 2016, and now focuses purely on business laptops.

The laptops themselves are functional and fulfil their purpose, but lack the interesting design and more original features of their competitors.

Tecra - Large screen laptops aimed at business customers

Portege - Compact business laptops, available in A series, a mid-range line up, and Z series, the more premium models

Best Cheap Laptop Brands

A laptop needn't cost you a huge chunk of cash, and the competition between brands means great prices for the consumer.

Despite this, don't be tempted by brands you don't recognise, as these are likely to offer poor after-sales support and could let you down. Stick with the brands mentioned on this page and you'll be set.

In terms of value, most brands offer entry-level laptops, but we think that Acer and Asus offer the best low-cost models with their Aspire and VivoBook ranges. The cheaper laptops won't be powerhouses, but will get the bulk of daily tasks done.

Another option is a Chromebook. These are notably cheaper than a traditional Windows laptop, though they function a little differently. Think of them as the Chrome web browser, with a keyboard! They're great for web browsing, emailing, and streaming video.

They may not be as flexible and offer the range of abilities of a Windows machine, but the average web user and social media fanatic won't mind, and the Google office suite offers everything that Microsoft Office does, and is fully compatible with those programs.

If you're spending under $300

If your budget is under $300, then your options are limited. At this price, you'll mainly be looking at Chromebooks. Pick one of these up and you could even have change to spare, although be aware that it won't offer the full range of features that you'd expect from a Windows or Apple laptop. For those looking to browser the web, stream video and send emails, a Chromebook will more than do the job.

Check out the Chromebooks offered by Asus and Acer for a good option.

If you're spending under $500

$500 won't net you the laptop of your dreams, but it will get you a decent starter. You should be aiming for an i3 Intel processor at this price, which will prove powerful enough for the casual user and should be future-proof for a few years.

Consider something from the Acer Aspire or Lenovo ThinkPad ranges. Not head-turners by any means, but they will get the job done.

If you're spending up to $750

With a budget of $750, you'll be able to grab a laptop that will serve you well and be able to complete most of the tasks you throw at it. Serious gaming and heavy duty video editing will be out, but it'll cope with anything else. Aim for an i5 processor from at least the 9th generation of chips, and go for a model with a solid state drive so that it's speedy to boot and start programs. At this price range you can bag yourself a great laptop for work or pleasure.

Consider something from the Acer Swift or Spin ranges, or a Lenovo Yoga if you find the the idea of a laptop/tablet hybrid appealing.

If you're spending up and over $1,000

If you have a budget of $1,000 and up, people will tell you to get a MacBook, and honestly, they're not wrong. The Air, Apple's entry level laptop, starts at $849, and is an excellent all-rounder that can still pack a punch despite not being the top-end Apple model.

If you're looking for something that can run more demanding software, such as an graphics intense programs, consider the MacBook Pro instead.

If you're after a Windows machine, Dell's XPS range is an excellent alternative to the MacBook, and can be purchased with a dedicated graphics card at the high end. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is another serious contender, and one of the best Windows laptops you can buy if you're spending around the $1,000 mark.

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Best Laptop Brands for 2023 | Expert Buying Guide

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Our content is funded in part by commercial partnerships, at no extra cost to you and without impact to our editorial impartiality. Click to Learn More When buying a laptop, you want it to do everything you need, and last for years, too. That means, buying from a laptop brand you can trust.

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What to Look for When Buying a Laptop: A Complete Guide - The Plug - HelloTech

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If you’ve been looking for a new laptop, you have probably come across a lot of confusing terms like CPU, GPU, RAM, and more. In order to make an informed

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From budget-friendly options to thin-and-light ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops, we’ve spent hundreds of hours finding the best laptops for most people.

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The perfect college laptop may not exist. But somewhere between performance, size, weight, and price, there's a machine that will make you (and your parents) happy. We test dozens of laptops and tablets every year. The choices below are our favorite picks for students headed back to school this year. Whether you're attending classes in person or online-or doing some of both-there's something here for every student and every budget.

Be sure to check out our other back-to-school guides, including the Best Laptops, Best Tablets, Best Laptop Bags, Best Student Email Discounts, and Best Dorm and College Gear.
Updated August 2022: We've revamped all our picks to include the latest models with the most up-to-date specs. We've added some general laptop buying advice too.

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The Best Laptops and Tablets for College Students

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The perfect college laptop may not exist. But somewhere between performance, size, weight, and price, there's a machine that will make you (and your parents) happy. We test dozens of laptops and tablets every year. The choices below are our favorite picks for students headed back to school this year.

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The best laptops for college students are powerful enough to let you tackle all your school projects, with enough portability and power capacity to get you through a full day of classes. Whether you're going back to school in person or attending classes remotely, having the right laptop is key.

Our best college laptop picks all share a few common traits. They have excellent battery life, which is crucial when running between classes on campus all day. These laptops are also affordable, with many models under $1000 - though we've also listed some higher-priced laptops that are great investments.

If you're worried about spending over $1,000, know that our picks are made with your future in mind. The MacBook Pro isn't cheap, for example, but mine has lasted for 8 years, which is enough time for undergrad and graduate school (or for applying to your first jobs out of college). Read on for our picks of the best college laptops you can buy right now.

The best laptops for college students

College students learning to make a dollar stretch can learn a lesson from the Acer Swift 3. That lesson? You don't need to pay a premium for great performance. Its AMD Ryzen 7 4700U CPU is snappy and it's got exceptional battery life (11:09) - all packed into a lightweight design. Plus, its USB Type-C, HDMI and USB-A ports mean you're able to do more with any adapters or dongles.

On top of that, its keyboard is great for typing out term papers, with quiet, clicky keys that won't irritate your roommate. Just don't expect it to replace your Bluetooth speaker: we wish its audio had a bit more kick. Its slightly dim display isn't great for Netflix either, but its mix of performance and price is so strong that you'll be able to look past that minor concern.

If you're looking to spend between $500-$1,000 the AMD-equipped Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is an excellent value, offering an eye-catching 1080p OLED display and exceptional battery life in a slim, lightweight package for less than a thousand bucks.

Sure, the speakers aren't amazing, the webcam leaves something to be desired, and there's no headphone jack (though it does ship with an adapter), but these are stumbling blocks you can work around. If you need a zippy little ultraportable with a great screen that will last you through a full day of classes and then some, you can't do better than the OLED-equipped Asus Zenbook 13 at this price.

If your schoolwork can be handled with a Chromebook, the Lenovo Duet 3 (or Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3, depending on where you buy it) is a great Chrome tablet that can be yours for as low as $359. This is effectively a bigger, more expensive follow-up to the Chromebook Duet Lenovo released in 2020, a surprisingly capable and inexpensive Chrome tablet.

We loved the original Duet for its great battery life, solid performance and decent packed-in keyboard cover, all of which could be had for roughly $250. Lenovo's new Duet 3 costs a bit more, but it also delivers a bigger, brighter display, more ports, and the added power of a beefier Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip. It's one of the best Chrome tablets you can buy, and the fact that Lenovo includes the keyboard cover at no extra cost helps it double as a surprisingly effective 2-in-1 Chromebook.

Judging by the name, you might think that the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a bigger version of Dell's iconic laptop. But it's actually quite the opposite. This is as minimalist a design as we've ever seen from Dell.

There's just two ports. There's no headphone jack. And Dell even took away physical function keys, replacing them with a capacitive row. There's not even lines to denmark the touchpad; the entire area beneath the keyboard is one smooth piece of glass.

But the XPS 13 Plus isn't just a design statement. Dell managed to pack a 28W 12th gen Core i7 processor into this sleek 2.7-pound machine. And the result is a system that can outperform even the mighty MacBook Pro M2 on some tests. However, the short battery life and capacitive function row will give some pause. We also found the bottom gets a bit toasty when running at full power, so keep that in mind to avoid a scorched lap!

The 2020 MacBook Air will keep its charge through multiple classes, breaks and all-nighters. We mean that, as it survived on the Tom's Guide battery test for 14 hours and 41 minutes, the longest-lasting MacBook Air ever. Its performance is also seriously faster: the M1 chip makes the MacBook Air a shockingly decent system in multiple ways. Not only did it run Rise of the Tomb Raider smoothly, but that was a Rosetta 2 conversion of that Intel app.

Plus, you can run iOS and iPadOS apps on the MacBook Air, as its M1 processor is similar to the A-series iPhone and iPad processors. Living the remote learning life? You'll look clearer and more accurate than ever, as signal processing in the M1 makes the MacBook Air webcam better than ever. Also, its Magic Keyboard is really great for typing comfortably for hours on end.

The Surface Laptop 5 isn't a bad device. The spacious keyboard and tall screen are great for getting work done, and the fact that Microsoft improved the brightness this time around makes the Surface Laptop 5 more usable outdoors than its predecessor. The newly-added Thunderbolt 4 support is also welcome, especially if you like to use external displays, and the upgrade to a 12th Gen Intel CPU delivers clear improvements in performance benchmarks.

But those are the only meaningful upgrades Microsoft appears to have delivered over last year's model, and they don't do enough to keep the Surface Laptop 5 competitive with some other laptops on the market. You can generally get better performance and more useful features for your money from competitors like the Acer Swift 5 and Dell XPS 15 OLED.

So while the Surface Laptop 5 is still a very serviceable laptop, it's a disappointing step forward from Microsoft. This is the company that Windows built, and it would be great to see it take a leading role in designing the ideal Windows 11 laptop. It's a decent enough productivity laptop, but it could have been better.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 review.

The original Samsung Galaxy Chromebook's biggest perk was actually creating its achilles heel. Yes, that 4K OLED display was sharp, but a move to a 1080p QLED panel was a fantastic decision that should make this Chromebook a hit. Now it's way more affordable, and also has better battery life- 7:50 vs the previous model's 5:55. Of course, that's still not nearly as good as the other laptops on this list, most of which lasted 10-16 hours on a single charge.

Plus, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 pumps out a ton of volume for such a small laptop. Admittedly, we weren't as happy with the vertical travel in its keyboard, which creates a typing experience you may have to adapt to - unless you're coming from a MacBook from 2016 to 2019. But college students will find a lot of value in a Chromebook that looks this good - its Fiesta Red color option will stand out in your lecture halls - and works this well.

College students looking for a portable 2-in-1 that can last a while should give the Surface Go 2 a close look. Yes, the original Surface Go was not a hit, but this model fixed practically everything wrong with the original. Its thinner bezels mean more screen space for your assignments (and a more modern looking tablet). We would have ranked the Surface Go 2 a bit higher, but its 10.5-inch screen and keyboard may be small for some college students.

And its battery life, just as importantly, is great: it lasted 11 hours and 39 minutes in our battery test, which is over 5 hours longer than the original Surface Go lasted. College students will love the Surface Go 2's Zoom-ready webcam, a 5-megapixel 1080p front camera that is perfect for this era of online learning. Plus, you get Windows Hello biometric login for unlocking the Surface Go 2 when you sit down to it, and if you get the 8th Gen Intel Core i3 version, you'll get the moderate multitasking capability you need to catch up with your coursework (while you stream Spotify).

If you're going off to college to learn about making movies or master other visual media, you'll want to turn to the M1-powered MacBook Pro. Its display is better than the Air's and its battery lasts longer as well - it ran for 16 hours and 25 minutes in our battery test, which is absolutely epic. And once your favorite applications update to support Apple silicon, you'll wonder what took Apple so long to ditch Intel.

And just like with the aforementioned Air, the MacBook Pro comes with the new Magic Keyboard, as Apple finally ditched the shallow and unreliable Butterfly keyboards. This combination of endurance and performance, mixed with a display that's great for seeing your creations come to life makes for one of the best college laptops for Apple users, provided their budget allows for it.

If you prefer bigger screens, Apple just announced two new MacBook Pro models - one with a 14-inch screen and one with a 16-inch display. They're not cheap, as the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 model starts at $1,999 and the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 goes for $2,499. But they do let you choose between very powerful M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets, and that power figures to keep your MacBook humming for a very long time. Stay tuned for our full reviews of those new models.

If you absolutely, positively need the lightest laptop possible for going back to school, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano is a great choice. This svelte 2-pound laptop will be easy to carry and should last you through a full day at school; it lasted 12 hours on our battery test, which puts it up there against some of the very best laptops on the market today. And that's quite impressive when you remember that the 2.9-pound XPS 13 is almost a whole pound heavier.

Lenovo didn't sacrifice on performance or usability either. The Nano's Intel 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors provide the speed you need for tackling your school projects, and its keyboard provides a snappy and comfortable typing experience that lives up to the ThinkPad brand. You just might need to pack a USB-C hub, though, as it's a little light on ports.

How to choose the best college laptop for you

Portability and battery life are often more important than performance, screen quality, or any other attribute when you're shopping for a laptop that's great for school. Luckily we put every laptop we review through our Tom's Guide battery test, which involves continuously browsing the web over Wi-Fi with the screen brightness set to 150 nits.

Based on those results, we recommend budget shoppers consider purchasing the Acer Aspire 5, Asus Chromebook Flip C434 and Microsoft Surface Go 2, as all come in at less than $600 - and that's with the Surface Go 2's Type Cover Keyboard (sold separately). Picking between these three is simple. If you prioritize performance, get the Aspire 5. Need a Chromebook? The Flip C434's your next laptop. Want a tablet? Go get a Surface Go 2.

The next price tier of laptops, both under $700, has the Acer Swift 3 and the Google Pixelbook Go, which brings up an interesting choice. The Swift 3 is fast for its price tag, but its screen is not that bright. If you can do all your school work via Chrome and Android, the Pixelbook Go's premium build and excellent screen are a solid combination.

Lastly, we get to the folks who can spend $1,000 or more. iPhone-using college students can get the MacBook Air if their majors don't require demanding programs, or spend the extra $300 for the remarkably long-lasting MacBook Pro if they're going to be living within Adobe's applications. (The latest MacBook Pro models with updated Apple silicon really push the price skyward, but they promise the best performance from an Apple laptop.) The rest of the student body, who think the best college laptop has to be a PC, will decide based around performance and audio quality. The Dell XPS 13 has modern 11th Gen CPUs and Thunderbolt 4 (great for connecting an external monitor) but unimpressive sound, while Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 has great sound and a powerful 11th Gen Intel CPU, but no Thunderbolt 4 ports -- just two USB ports, one USB-C and one USB-A.

How we test the best college laptops

College students, no matter the season (or year, for that matter) live in a highly mobile situation, where they're going to want a laptop that can last a while on a single charge. That's why we test laptops with our afore-mentioned web-surfing-based battery test, which involves setting each laptop's display to 150 nits of brightness and measuring how long it can last while loading an endless stream of web pages.

On top of that, we test each laptop's performance with a mix of every day usage, (opening tons of web browser tabs, streaming YouTube and move) and performance-measuring benchmarks such as Geekbench for the CPU and our own storage speed tests to see how fast these laptops can clone big blocks of data.

We measure each laptop's display via the readings recorded by our light gun, one of two pieces of hardware (the other being our colorimeter) that we use to measure how bright a screen can get and how much of the sRGB color spectrum it can produce.

You can also read our guide to choosing what size of TV you should buy for your dorm room as you head off to college and you can read about how one of our editors thinks you should get a gaming laptop as your next work or college laptop.

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Best laptops for college students in 2023

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The best laptops for college students are powerful enough to let you tackle all your school projects, with enough portability and power capacity to get you through a full day of classes. Whether you're going back to school in person or attending classes remotely, having the right laptop is key.

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Whether you're loyal to Windows, a Mac fan, or willing to try something new, you should know what to look for in a laptop before making an investment. There's more to consider than just the operating system. Does it have the screen you want? Are there ports that support your peripherals? Can it play games in 1080p? These are considerations you need to weigh.

In this guide, we explain what you should look for in 2021, and what you need to avoid. There are many options available to you for both Windows 10 and Chrome OS, whereas Apple limits its MacBooks to a limited number of configurations. Continue on to find out which laptop is right for you.

Mac, Windows, or something else?

The operating system should be your first major consideration. While traditionally that debate was dominated by Apple's MacOS and Microsoft's Windows, Google's Chrome OS is now a very popular alternative typically offered on much more affordable laptops.

While there are certainly comparable hardware and features offered with these platforms, there are some stark differences between them that are important to consider.

Windows

Windows-based PCs are an incredibly diverse category. Dozens of manufacturers make them, and the quality and pricing can vary greatly depending on which model and brand you choose. The fastest models will surpass Macs in terms of performance, and many companies tailor their Windows PCs to a specific purpose, such as gaming or business.

Windows PCs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A standard laptop with a clamshell design and a keyboard-mouse interface is easy to find. Touchscreen Windows laptops can be found even in the lower price brackets, which is not something you'll see on any Apple MacBook - unless you count the Touch Bar.

More elaborate designs include fold-back screens or even detachable tablet-keyboard combos, such as Microsoft's Surface Book range. Meanwhile, Apple reserves the 2-in-1 design for its iPad Pro family, as you won't see a convertible or detachable MacBook.

On the software side, Windows is far more open-ended than MacOS. It's the standard for game development and many business-related programs, empowering a larger software library. Windows enjoys major updates with new features more frequently too: Biannually versus annually with Apple's MacOS.

Unlike Apple's more limited lineup of hardware, there is plenty of choice in the Windows laptop space. Whether you opt for a major manufacturer like Lenovo, Dell, or one of Microsoft's own devices, you have a ton of options.

MacOS

Apple has always been protective of its brand, releasing products in very deliberate iterations. Any Apple product will follow its standards, whereas any manufacturer can make a Windows or Chrome OS-based PC with unique specs. As a result, Macs are very user-friendly and stable. And because they come from the same ecosystem, Apple's resourceful support network can easily help with any problems that arise.

Quality design is one of the hallmarks of a Mac. They are built to look and feel elegant, which translates to a much higher price tag than their Windows and Chrome OS counterparts, especially when configured with lots of storage. Apple computers aren't known for being cheap.

Macs use fast hardware, but they don't tend to sport the most powerful graphics chips as seen in Windows-based PCs. Still, those who want a solid computer but do not know a lot about hardware can rest easy knowing their Mac will perform well during everyday use.

Apple's strict design standards extend to the operating system, MacOS, which is straightforward and intuitive. Unlike Windows, the platform includes a suite of proprietary office and media-editing software, and each application is well-suited for its targeted task.

In many ways, all of this translates to products that are easy for anyone to pick up and use, regardless of a person's skill level or familiarity with computers. On the other hand, the rigid design of the Mac means less freedom to customize the device. The installed hardware is the hardware you get - there's no swapping out the memory or storage.

Finally, while there are no touchscreens on Macs, you can use Apple's Sidecar mode to essentially add an iPad as a second wireless screen with touch support.

Chrome OS

Google's Chrome OS is different than Windows and MacOS. Based on the Chrome browser, this platform initially focused on web-based apps and affordability. While the latter still holds true, Chrome OS has evolved over the years to support more traditional desktop software and mobile apps, similar to its rivals.

Chrome OS powers Chromebooks. These devices are typically more affordable than Windows-based PCs and MacBooks due to their lower hardware requirements. They're ideal for schools and other institutions, and customers who just need a laptop to browse social media and make online purchases.

However, hardware choices are also much more varied today than in the past, with powerful offerings, like Google's own Pixelbook, which perform and look very much like premium Windows and MacOS laptops. There are even 2-in-1 options like the Pixel Slate or HP Chromebook x2.

Overall, Chrome OS is quick and more versatile today than it's ever been. Its foundation is still web-centric, but the platform now supports Google Play and Android apps, making it the ideal notebook companion if you have an Android phone. It even mimics Apple's iMessages, allowing Chromebook owners to text from their laptops without picking up the phone.

Moreover, Chrome OS supports Linux, opening up the platform to traditional desktop software, like GIMP and Steam. The drawback is that the library isn't as diverse as Windows or even MacOS, and Linux support is still in beta. Still, the maturity of Chrome OS has proven to be a strong contender in a market mostly dominated by Windows.

Overall, if Chrome OS fits the bill for what you need in a laptop, you can save a lot of money by going with a Chromebook.

The types of laptops

There are several laptop categories, manufactured with a certain use or audience in mind. When shopping for a laptop, decide what you primarily intend to use the laptop for and seek out a category that aligns with those interests. Here are some broad categories and a couple of our favorites for each.

Entry-level ($600 or less)

Laptops can be expensive, but manufacturers know that not everyone can afford a $2,000 machine. Buyers who need a laptop for the most basic purposes and want to save money can find great laptops that cost $600 or less.

In general, budget laptops are ideal for people who may not know a lot about computers and simply want a device that can carry out standard tasks. They're built to last despite the low price, with competent construction and ergonomically sensible keyboards and touchpads.

These laptops are typically light on hardware, meaning you won't find loads of RAM or high-performance graphics, making them less ideal for AAA games or keeping hundreds of browser tabs open. They're not incapable of decent performance, just limited as to what you can do compared to higher-priced models.

This is a category where Chromebooks excel, as they ditch some of the fancier features of Windows and MacOS laptops, but there are options from those two camps. For example, the Acer Chromebook 15 Spin and the Lenovo IdeaPad 330S are fantastic. If portability is more important, the Microsoft Surface Go 2-in-1 has a great design and an exceedingly affordable price.

Mainstream ($600-$1,000)

This price range is arguably the best in terms of bang for your buck. These laptops are truly excellent. You get much better internal hardware than the entry-level offerings, but at the cost of premium features, high-powered graphics chips, and fancy materials.

The fact that this section is such a sweet spot for the industry means that you have plenty to choose from. There are laptops with great displays, laptops with powerful processors, beautiful laptops, and ones that are light and portable with great battery life. You may not find a system that ticks every one of those boxes, but the best laptops under $1,000 are some of our favorites.

If you want a great gaming laptop in this price bracket, the Dell Gaming G3 is a powerful option, while the ZenBook 13 UX333 remains one of the best laptops under $1,000.

Premium ($1,000+)

This bracket contains some of the best laptops you can buy today. For a little extra money, you gain longer battery life, improved performance from more powerful internal hardware, larger and higher-resolution displays, and overall better build quality. If you're a bit more of a power-user and can afford it, this is the class of laptop you should consider most.

Despite the inflated cost of the premium laptop category, there are still plenty of choices. You can pick up stellar laptops in the 13-inch form with plenty of general computing power and connectivity options. If you're interested in gaming on the side or content creation, you'll want to jump up to a 15-inch laptop with a six-core processor and a dedicated graphics card.

This category even contains our favorite laptop of the past few years, the Dell XPS 13. If you want something a little heftier and more capable of content creation, the Dell XPS 15 is worth considering too. For gamers, the Razer Blade is the best laptop we've ever come across (and there's a new 2020 version out), while the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme offers real power in a supremely rugged chassis.

If you're an Apple fan, we'd recommend the MacBook Air. The MacBook Pro is an option too, but that's more for power users and offers less bang for your buck.

2-in-1

The 2-in-1 laptop combines the convenience and ease of a tablet with the utility of a keyboard. This category includes two specific designs: Convertible and detachable. The convertible can serve as a tablet by flipping the keyboard under the screen. The detachable is essentially a tablet with a removable keyboard but looks and feels like an ultra-thin laptop when combined.

Two-in-ones can provide a lot of versatility but are not necessarily the best devices available. The uniqueness of their design can come with some notable drawbacks, such as weight (especially from the metal hinges on the keyboard) and price. These 2-in-1 laptops are often more expensive than clamshell laptops with comparable hardware.

When it comes to buying a 2-in-1, some are better laptops than they are tablets, and some are better tablets than they are laptops. Think hard about which "mode" you're likely to use more before buying and do so accordingly.

Our favorite 2-in-1 laptops for 2020 are the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 and the HP Spectre x360 13.

Ultrabooks

The term "ultrabook" is technically a specification that Intel used for extra-light, portable laptops designed to be easy to carry while still providing great battery life. They use SSDs, power-efficient Intel Core processors, and carefully designed clamshell bodies. This became a very popular type of computer, and many people began applying the name "ultrabook" to any compact, lightweight laptop that was designed for easy transport.

Today, any lightweight laptop with an SSD and Intel processor may be called an ultrabook, although that isn't quite accurate (some are now referred to as ultraportables instead). You can find some good examples in our list of the best 13-inch laptops.

Business laptops

Business laptops offer some intriguing features for the average buyer despite targeting professionals. Sure, they might not always offer the looks of more mainstream systems, but they tend to pack exceptional battery life and have more rugged and tough shells.

The biggest downside to business laptops is that they're usually on the expensive side. They typically offer slightly larger displays paired with great color accuracy, especially if they're aimed more at video editors and photographers. They are also much more likely to offer better protective systems like biometric validation and professionally oriented software packages due to their greater emphasis on security and privacy.

One of the most iconic laptop lines in the business category is the Lenovo Thinkpad, and the recent X1 Carbon is a fantastic entry in that range. We also love the flagship X1 Extreme - it's our favorite business laptop for 2020.

Gaming laptops

Gaming laptops must be built to keep up with the unceasing march of progress. The best tout high-end processors and graphics chips, as well as enough RAM to run modern games. Anything less can render the hottest titles unplayable.

High-tier gaming laptops tend to be bulky, typically to accommodate better desktop-like hardware and larger screens. Their power-gulping components mean that battery life isn't great - especially on systems with 4K displays. But this isn't always the case, as our favorite gaming laptops tend to offer a good middle ground or offer more stealth gaming ability.

Alienware's Area-51m is more of a traditional gaming laptop with super-powerful hardware and a bulky frame, but the Razer Blade is a much more modern take on a gaming laptop design.

What you need to know about hardware

As with any computer, hardware determines what a laptop can do. Better components will naturally be more expensive, so it is important to consider the laptop's primary role and choose hardware suitable for that purpose. A laptop purchased to browse the internet or write documents, for example, doesn't need a high-end processor or video card.

CPU/Processor

As with any computer, the CPU is the brains of the notebook and does most of the general work. When the computer needs to access or change data, the CPU executes that task. Better CPUs will be able to process more data at quicker speeds. However, keep in mind that a CPU's pure clock speed doesn't necessarily paint the whole picture. If you're unsure about your options, copy its model number (such as "Core i5-9400H") into a web search to compare your choices.

The latest offerings from Intel are its Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 series in 10th- and 11th-generation models. You can see the generation in the chip's part number, shown immediately after the dash. For instance, the i5-9400H is a 9th-generation CPU. Meanwhile, AMD's latest notebook chips are its third-generation mobile Ryzen 4000 Series CPUs, though they are a bit more difficult to find in laptop offerings.

When it comes to picking a laptop based on its CPU, newer is almost always better. Try to avoid buying a laptop with a CPU that's a few generations old. Unless you're doing something intensive like video editing, don't worry about buying a chip outside of the midrange. The four cores available in the Core i5-1135G7, for example, offer enough performance for almost anyone.

Graphics

A Graphics Processing Unit, or GPU, is a chip that generates all images you see on the screen. Most lower-end laptops ship with integrated graphics, which means the component is mounted inside the main processor. For instance, nearly all Intel laptop chips include integrated graphics. AMD produces Accelerated Processing Units, or APUs, that combine CPU and GPU cores on the same chip (die) in a similar fashion.

Other laptops have an additional graphics chip/module soldered into the motherboard. These chips are referred to as "discrete GPUs," and typically can't be removed by the typical laptop owner. Nvidia and AMD are the primary vendors of these chips.

Nvidia's latest laptop GPU family is the RTX 20 Series, including the RTX 2060, 2070, and 2080 - with some Max-Q versions which are cooler and quieter. These will be in the most expensive, most powerful gaming and business-class laptops, though some recent models may be using the GTX 16 Series or the older GTX 10 Series. Laptops based on the RTX 30 Series could make an appearance in Q1 2021.

There's also a growing number of options out there with an Intel CPU combined with AMD Vega graphics core and dedicated video memory on a single module. They can be impressively powerful and are worth considering if you find a laptop sporting that hardware at the right price.

AMD discrete laptop graphics like the RX 5500M and 5600M offer vastly improved performance over integrated solutions, though they are far less common than Nvidia's solutions.

Audio

Although some laptops offer adequate sound right out of the box, such as the MacBook Pro, most laptops don't have the room to fit decent speakers inside the casing. Most laptops provide ports to connect headphones or external speakers if you want a more immersive listening experience.

Memory

RAM, often referred to as system memory, refers to dedicated hardware for temporarily storing and accessing information for immediate use. All current tasks store data in RAM, like the web browser currently displaying this guide.

Essentially, the more RAM, the more information a computer can call up at any given time, and thus the more things it can do at any time. However, unlike storage (see below), RAM does not store data indefinitely. Once RAM loses power, all held data is lost.

How much RAM do you need? 8GB is the sweet spot for most. You'll want to jump up to 16GB or more, though, if you're running intensive applications or doing any kind of content creation.

Storage

The amount of storage space on a laptop's internal drive(s) is how much data it can hold in total indefinitely. All data, from installed programs to downloaded music, reside on an internal storage device. These devices either rely on traditional platter-based hard drive technology or NAND Flash technology. Chromebooks tend to use the latter in small amounts.

In contrast to RAM, data in storage does not necessarily need to be in use. An installed program that is currently not active takes up storage space but not memory. Many modern laptops now use solid-state drives (SSDs) which are faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives, but more expensive when comparing identical capacities.

An SSD uses NAND Flash to store data, which doesn't have moving parts. It offers a dramatic performance boost over a conventional hard drive - which does have moving parts - and can provide the most dramatic improvement in laptop usage when buying a new system.

Make sure your next purchase has an SSD as the primary drive. If you need more space, grab a big external drive too.

Ports

Ports can quickly become confusing on a laptop due to a complex labyrinth of terminology. Make sure to focus on the USB ports that you need.

Most laptops tend to offer USB-A ports to support legacy devices, like peripherals and external drives. They're rectangular with squared corners and only works with a one-side-up connector. This interface supports USB 2.0 (480Mbps), USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), or USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), depending on the laptop manufacturer.

Thinner laptops like Ultrabooks and MacBooks generally do not offer USB-A ports due to their size. Instead, you'll see one or more USB-C ports. This interface is smaller, narrower, and more rounded than USB-A. It's generally used with several technologies including Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and DisplayPort, depending on the laptop manufacturer. USB-C requires a different, thinner either-side-up connecter.

If you plan to connect a second external monitor for more large-screen work, make sure that the laptop has the right connections for that monitor, such as USB-C, DisplayPort, or HDMI. You may find VGA on old models, and video output is possible through USB-A using DisplayLink drivers and the appropriate adapter.

Touchscreen support

Touchscreens were once exclusive to high-end laptops mostly because the hardware was expensive and touch-based screens didn't seem practical. What helped merge the two technologies was the tablet craze and the PC market's need to regain its footing. Enter the touch-centric 2-in-1 PCs and the overall reduction in manufacturing costs. Touchscreens are now more common - even on some budget designs - unless you own a MacBook.

Windows 10 has gone a long way towards making these touchscreen and combination designs more viable. The interface and software are designed with touch in mind, including conventional programs like Office and the Edge browser. Third-party software, like Google's popular Chrome browser, also offers great touch support.

While touch may seem to be an interesting feature given that you smudge up a smartphone every day, consider if it's important on a laptop. Touch makes sense on a 2-in-1 device, and even on laptops that can lean back in Stand Mode. If you don't think a touch screen on a clamshell design will be practical, however, don't dump extra bucks into a feature you'll never use.

Best time to buy your laptop

One of the most common questions about buying a new laptop is to shop to get the best deals. There's no strict rule for securing a cheap but good laptop. But there are a few different ways you can time your purchase window to find a good deal. Consider these timelines if you're in the market for a new laptop.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: These two dates in November are probably the most obvious ones for finding amazing deals. However, act fast, as laptop supplies tend to run out quickly. If you wait for the post-Thanksgiving rush, it may be hard to get the laptop you want, so you may not want to wait too long.

You can get ahead by heading online beforehand to see where the best deals - and shortest lines - will be. Doing your research in advance is a smart strategy.

Back-to-school season: Many retailers offer lower prices to help accommodate students who need new laptops for school. The fall is a great time to shop if you want to get a more affordable device with a steep discount, even if you aren't a student heading back to class.

A couple of months after a big release: Generally, companies will lower the price of older laptop generations when they are all set to release a new model to the world. This is the manufacturers' and retailers' attempt to eliminate the outdated models and open up space for the new ones.

In reality, there are minimal differences between laptop generations. This is why the pre-release months offer another excellent opportunity to snag a good deal on a laptop you like.

Another tip is to search manufacturer websites to stay up-to-date on what's in the queue and when these new devices will be released to the public. Signing up for their newsletter could be beneficial, ensuring that you never miss a deal. You can always unsubscribe after you find the perfect laptop.

Editors' Recommendations

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Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For in 2021 and What to Avoid | Digital Trends

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Whether you're loyal to Windows, a Mac fan, or willing to try something new, you should know what to look for in a laptop before making an investment. There's more to consider than just the operating system. Does it have the screen you want? Are there ports that support your peripherals?

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Shopee PH Blog | Shop Online at Best Prices, Promo Codes, Online Reviews, & More

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As we give virtual classrooms another whirl this year, students and parents alike are on the search for the best laptops for online classes at home. The search for a good laptop for students that can offer the best performance and can handle all the video calls, hours of schoolwork, and numerous files and software needed can be a little overwhelming for one to bear. If you're looking to buy a laptop for school, we put together a list of student laptops for you to consider with varying price ranges! From the best budget laptops for students to those on the pricier end, we've got you covered. These are the best laptops for students this 2022 in the Philippines that have been the talk of the town. Put your techie hats on because we will talk about all the details and specs!

Best Laptops for High School Students 2022

Lenovo D330-10IGL_82H0000JPH

You won't have to worry about the laptop overheating during the long hours of schoolwork. The Acer Nitro 5 has dual-fan cooling together with Acer's CoolBoost technology, making the fan speed faster to cool your laptop quicker. This laptop also has NVIDIA GeForce RTX Technology, probably making it the best laptop for gaming and school. Feel free to unwind with a seamless gaming experience after a long school day!

As a powerful mid-ranger, the HUAWEI Matebook D16 is one of the students' top picks on high-performance laptops. Equipped with a 12th Gen Intel Core H-series processor, you can work on photo-editing and other heavier school projects with ease. Plus, it has a stylish and lightweight build so it's great to carry around in and out of your home. If you're using a HUAWEI smartphone , you'll get to enjoy its cool feature called Share. This function displays your phone screen on your laptop, so you'll be able to drag and drop files from your phone! You won't even need to have an Internet connection for it. Not only is it convenient for students who usually work with multiple devices, but it's also a cool feature to have around for all users!

Dell Vostro Notebook 5510

The best laptops for high school students should be great in the area of multitasking, and this laptop certainly makes the cut! Having many tabs open and doing multiple things all at once won't be a problem because of its powerful processor. It also has great internal memory and an enormous hard drive memory. So you can save as many project drafts as you want without worrying about storage space!

Best Laptops for Senior High School and University/College Students 2022

With a step closer to entering university, senior high school students are starting to get a glimpse of university life and the schoolwork that comes along with it. Laptops for senior high school students and college students must be able to keep up with all the schoolwork. Pro-tip for senior high school students: maximize the usage of the laptop you use in your two years of senior high school, and bring it with you when you enter university! Below are laptops with long life spans and strong performance thanks to the exceptional processors they're powered by.

If you're looking for a laptop that is ideal for work and play, the is right up your alley! As a famed gaming laptop brand, you can bet ASUS included a few of their signature gaming specs in this laptop to handle heavy tasks. This laptop is well-suited for any student because of its powerful performance and immersive visuals. Students can save all the files they want and need with its dual-storage design of up to 1 TB. Another highlight not to be missed from this ASUS laptop is its Windows 11 OS, the latest version there is! Plus, it won't drill a hole in your wallet since it's one of the best affordable laptops for students in the market.

The cherry on top would be its immersive HD display combined with an anti-glare coating. If most of your schoolwork includes watching multiple videos, play those videos in HD display without distracting reflections on this laptop! All things considered, this ASUS laptop is an incredible all-rounder and one of the best entry-level laptops for college students.

has just expanded their award-winning line of tech products with their first-ever laptop, and we can say they're off to a great start! The Realme Book quickly rose as one of the best laptops for online classes due to its notable specs combined with a light and thin design. Are you the designated visual designer in your group projects? This laptop can effortlessly handle photoshop and other heavy creative tasks. Its screen brightness is around 30% brighter than most laptops, ideal for those who like studying outdoors.

Another good news: they brought the fast-charging technology from their smartphones to the Realme Book! Charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes and there's no stopping you from finishing your schoolwork. Do you have a lot of online presentations coming up? You'll surely be heard loud and clear with its built-in dual microphone that supports AI noise cancellation algorithms and Vocplus pre-processing technology. Relish in its 2K Full Vision display, the newest 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor, and a lot more features that are every student's dream!

HP Gaming Laptop Victus 16

is a well-known brand that has some of the best laptops for students. If you're willing to shell out a little bit more money, the HP Gaming Laptop Victus 16 is a smart choice. Wouldn't it be so great to have a laptop that you can use for online classes gaming? This HP Victus 16 has got you covered!

Additionally, this HP laptop packs a powerful AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor that makes for a lag-free multitasking experience. This makes HP Victus 16 one of the best laptops for college students taking up courses that involve heavy coding, photoshop, and video editing. Lastly, its NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics chipset is easily every gamer's dream!

have always been taking the world by storm, no matter how many models Apple has released. Their latest model, the Macbook Pro, is available in 13 inches. Now housing the new M2 chip, this laptop has set the bar higher than ever when it comes to speed and performance! It boasts up to 1.4x faster than the M1 model, 6x faster than laptops that are Intel-based, and up to 20 hours of battery life - a giant leap from their previous models. If you don't mind spending a little bit more money, the Macbook Pro 13-inch is definitely worth it!

Despite having a shorter battery life of up to 18 hours, the Macbook Air is still a great option. Equipped with the M2 chip like the Pro, it's 1.4x faster than the M1 model and 15x better than Intel-based Macbook Air. This laptop is perfect for video and image editing and even gaming! These are certainly considered one of the best laptops for college students!

Good news is that you can buy your Apple products on Shopee through Apple Authorized Resellers like Beyond the Box and The Loop by Power Mac Center !

Nail Your Online Classes With The Best Laptops For Students in the Philippines 2022!

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Best Laptops For Students At Different Price Ranges

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As we give virtual classrooms another whirl this year, students and parents alike are on the search for the best laptops for online classes at home. The search for a good laptop for students that can offer the best performance and can handle all the video calls, hours of schoolwork, and numerous files and software needed can be a little overwhelming for one to bear.

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A step-by-step guide on how to build your own PC for gaming

Building your own computer may seem like a daunting project, especially for a first timer. You might be worried it's too complex, too expensive, or too time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be.

In this guide, we'll explain how to build a PC step by step, starting with clarifying your PC needs, understanding the different parts of a computer, and finally guiding you through the PC build process.

For visual instructions, click on the videos below as our Crucial team members walk you through the process.

What to know before building a PC

Step 1 - What do you want to build?

As with anything you build, understanding what you want to create is usually the best place to start. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the variables and options in a PC build - knowing what you want helps to streamline these choices.

Your PC can be built for different needs. Whether you're a die-hard gamer looking for a custom gaming PC, a student doing research and editing, or someone who uses their computer for day-to-day tasks, building a PC can help personalize your computer to suit your needs. Once you know what kind of PC you want, you will understand what kind of hardware you need - these are the components that make up your computer and determine its performance.

You can get the most out of your computer's performance for less overall cost by investing in the right components from the start.

Step 2 - What parts you'll need

Once you've decided what kind of PC you want to build, you can begin to research and purchase the hardware.

The essential components for your PC are:

the motherboard

a processor (CPU)

storage (hard drive or SSD)

memory (RAM)

These are the "guts" of the computer and they have the most impact on your system's overall performance. In comparison, the other components - such as the case, operating system (OS), monitor, mouse, power supply, and keyboard - have less of an impact on performance.

The motherboard is the circuit board that connects everything together - your hardware, the power supply and the graphics cards - so it's the first component you'll want to choose.

The motherboard dictates the physical form factor and size of your PC build, but it also determines what other pieces of hardware the computer can use. For example, the motherboard establishes the power of the processor your PC can handle, the memory technology ( DDR5, DDR4, DDR3, etc), the storage form factor (2.5-inch, mSATA, or m.2) and the storage interface (SATA or PCIe). (If these terms all sound confusing to you, check out our explainers on memory technology generations and storage form factors).

Even though you'll want to choose your motherboard based on other compatible components - like which RAM it's compatible with - the motherboard should be your starting point.

Processor/Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the engine of your computer and sets the performance expectations for the entire build. The CPU provides the processing power and instructions behind all your computer's operations.

When determining which CPU to install, pay attention to the gigahertz (GHz) - the higher the GHz, the faster the processor. However, more GHz also means the CPU consumes more energy, leading to higher system temperatures that require better airflow or heat dissipation with the computer. This will likely mean you need to add a cooling system to your build as well.

Adding memory (RAM) is one of the fastest, easiest, and most affordable ways to amplify the performance of the computer you're building. RAM gives your system more available space to temporarily store data that's being used, so it helps you carry out simultaneous tasks, such as having several tabs open while surfing the web without long load times.

Even background services and processes, like system updates, can draw from your RAM, and that's why it's crucial to have as much memory as possible. The more things your computer needs to think about, the more memory it'll need.

Choosing the best RAM for your system involves two things: compatibility and how much RAM your system can support. First, identify the kind of module your system uses by the form factor (the physical form of the module - generally, desktops use UDIMMs, laptops use SODIMMs), then figure out the memory technology ( DDR5, DDR4, DDR3, etc.) your system supports.

Second, your system can only handle so many GBs of memory. If you buy 64GB of RAM and your computer can only handle 16GB, that's 48GB of wasted memory you can't take advantage of. And not everyone needs the same amount of RAM - think realistically about how much RAM you need for your computer usage.

There's an easy way to find compatible upgrades: download the Crucial® System Scanner and let it do the work for you. It displays how much memory you currently have, the maximum memory capacity of your computer, and available upgrades for your specific system. Using the System Scanner is safe, doesn't cost a thing, and guarantees product compatibility when you order on Crucial.com.

Your files and data are saved on your storage drive - either a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). Although hard drives have traditionally given you more storage for a higher value, SSDs have essentially made them outdated - performing 6x faster on average and 90x more energy-efficient than hard drives. The speed discrepancy comes from how the different types of storage devices load data (read) and save or transfer data (write). Hard drives use small mechanical moving parts and spinning platters;, SSDs use NAND flash technology. The difference results in better speed, efficiency, and durability because small mechanical parts and spinning platters are much more susceptible to physical damage than NAND.

Case, fans, and power supply

The kind of PC you're building will also influence the kind of case, fan, and power supply you'll need to use. If you're creating a high-powered performance workhorse, you'll need a robust power supply to make it all run. You'll also require a case with optimal internal airflow and fans to expel hot air that could potentially damage the system. Zip ties are a massive help with managing all the cables inside your rig, and consolidating the cables helps improve airflow.

Step 3 - PC building on your budget

The amount of money you spend on computer parts can vary greatly, so it's a good idea to have a realistic budget in mind ahead of time. Most builders want to get better (or at least match) the performance of pre-built PCs, but all those customized upgrades can lead to a slightly more expensive final cost. Expect to pay more if you're going for the best possible performance in all of your PC components. Faster processors cost more than slower ones, and memory and SSDs with more GB cost more than those with fewer GB.

Since memory and storage take a large chunk of the cost of a new computer, building your own PC gives you the flexibility to save on these components if you wish. While RAM and SSD costs rise with the amount of GB they offer, they are less expensive than buying pre-installed components that are often inadequate and need to be upgraded quickly.

Step 4 - How to build your PC

The build is where it really starts to get exciting! Before we get into the build process, we've pulled together our three top tips.

Top Tips for building a PC:

Prepare a large workspace to keep your build organized - nothing gets more frustrating than when you can't find what you're looking for.

Wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap or ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface to prevent static electricity, and work on solid floors rather than carpeting, if possible. Static energy is one of the few ways the hardware can be damaged.

Keep a can of compressed air handy to remove any dust or fine debris from the interface, especially while you install the processor, memory and SSD.

1. Adding the hardware

It's a little difficult to provide clear written step-by-step instructions on installing the processor and power supply on the motherboard, and then putting the motherboard in the case. Installation and assembly of parts isn't complicated, but there is potential for errors to occur. We recommend you consult each component's manual for precise instructions.

2. Installing the memory

RAM is the most straightforward hardware to install when building a PC. We've broken it down into four stages:

Locate the memory slots on the motherboard.

Hold your memory modules on the side to avoid touching the chips and gold pins.

Align the notches on the module with the ridge in the slot, then firmly press the module in place until it clicks.

As you're pressing, note that it takes about 30 pounds of pressure to install a module fully.

For more details on installing RAM, explore how to install memory on a laptop or on a desktop.

3. Installing the HDD or SSD

Depending on the form factor of the SSD you've purchased (2.5-inch, mSATA, or M.2), installation requires attaching the drive to the storage interface, then fitting it into the drive bay (if it's a 2.5-inch SSD). If you're looking for the largest capacity possible and have an extremely tight budget, a hard drive may be an attractive option.

For instructions on installing your hard drive, consult its owner's manual. Find out more about SSD installation with our guides and videos.

Time to boot up your new computer!

Once your system is assembled, it's time for the big moment - hit the power button!

Make sure your monitor and keyboard are connected to the PC, and if everything works correctly, a screen will appear where you can enter the system BIOS.

If you have a disc or flash drive with an OS, put it into the appropriate drive, boot up, and you can install the OS. At this point, the assembly is over - congratulations, you've now built your own PC!

The price of building a PC depends on the specification of the components you're buying. Generally speaking, building a PC will initially be more expensive. In the long run, however, you'll save money because it's less likely you'll need to replace components, and, if you do need to, they're easier to fix.

You'll need various components to build your own PC. The main parts that you'll need are:

With a little guidance, anyone can build their own PC. Building your own PC allows you to create a perfect PC for your needs.

Building a computer is surprisingly easy. You'll only need a few tools, a good level of understanding of the parts, and the ability to follow some simple instructions. If you can build ready-to-assemble furniture, you'll be able to build your own PC!

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How To Build Your Own PC | Parts, Budget, Step-by-Step | Crucial

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A step-by-step guide on how to build your own PC for gaming Building your own computer may seem like a daunting project, especially for a first timer. You might be worried it's too complex, too expensive, or too time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be.

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10 best laptops available at Best Buy 2022

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(Image credit: Windows Central) Buying a new laptop can be a tough process, especially when it comes to weeding out the not-so-great devices that are displayed alongside truly stellar hardware. If you're shopping for a new device and can appreciate the extra protection options, support, and convenience of buying from Best Buy, you have the option of many of the best Windows laptops for sale.

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Amazon.com: Laptops - Computers & Tablets: Electronics: Traditional Laptops, 2 in 1 Laptops & More

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Shop a wide selection of Laptops including 2 in 1 and traditional laptops at Amazon.com. Free shipping and free returns on eligible items.

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My Honest Opinion