Laptop Purchase Guide (2025): How to Choose the Right PC (Step by Step Guide)
However, for some people, it might be helpful to think about the software you need to run and the best operating system to run, which will help you determine the hardware you need. Don’t forget: Chromeos and Linux are still alternatives. So, this is the way four available operating systems break down.
Windows: Windows is the firm default operating system. Windows is the most widely used operating system, with the most support for applications and hardware. Your workplace may need it, or because you need to run a specific application. But the most important thing is to buy a laptop, using Windows 11 gives you the widest range of devices. Due to its openness, new laptops are released year-round, from cheap laptops to circulating gaming laptops. Adventurous design and integrated touch screen, and even a wide variety of 2-in-1 laptops. No matter your budget, you can easily find something for you in the Windows ecosystem.
macos: Apple’s MacOS is easier to be a beginner than Windows, but it is closely integrated with the company’s hardware. Your purchase options are limited to MacBooks only. Since Apple is another beast with its own chips and MacBooks, we have separate guides to choose the best MacBooks. If you have purchased the Apple ecosystem with your iPhone or iPad, the MacBook has several very handy software features (such as Airdrop and Universal Control).
Chromeos: Chromeos is a good choice if you can perform most laptop tasks in a web browser and try to save some cash. Chrome laptops (called Chromebooks) are also one of the cheapest (and least powerful) you’ll find, so if you’re on a tight budget, the OS is worth considering too. While Chromebooks are often associated with dirt school laptops that lend to high school students, they have grown into more than just something. The name “Chromebook Plus” was launched in late 2023, a way to emphasize high-end Chromebooks that use faster processors, more memory, more storage and better cameras, such as on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. However, the same limitations remain. You cannot run Adobe’s Creative Suite or Microsoft Office. Some apps, especially offices, do have an Android phone/tablet version possible Ability to install on a Chromebook (or web version), but I found that Android apps usually work well. Read our best Chromebooks guide for more information.
Linux: If you don’t need MS Office and don’t mind the learning curve, you can install Linux on almost any laptop hardware you created. Like Chromeos, the takeaway here is that popular applications like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite do not support Linux. However, there are free open source alternatives such as Libreoffice, Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement) and GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement). For some of our favorites, see our guide to the best Linux laptops. And, if you’re wondering about Linux support on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X CPU…this is going on. You can now install the experimental version of Debian, but the edges are still rough. Qualcomm’s roadmap shows that all support may be at least six months.
Understand the processor name (CPU)
Intel
Once you know the operating system you want and have some understanding of the software you want to run, you can find out the minimum hardware specifications you need. The first thing we recommend looking at is the processor, also called a chip or CPU. Today, there are four competitors in the laptop space you need to know.
For decades, few things in the technology have been as iconic as Intel’s “Core I” brand. The CPU is complex (usually involving a string of numbers), but you can at least always know that the core i7 is faster than the core i5. Intel launched a new brand in 2023, but swapped the “Core i5” for “Core Ultra 5”.
For example, the latest generation of chips from Intel is its 15th generation processor, also known as the Intel Core Ultra Series 2. You will know that you will get these latest chips in SKU. For example, the most common laptop chip in this line is the core Ultra 7 258V. Once you get into the right generation, the letters at the end of the SKU are also very important, especially in the current chips. Here is a simpler breakdown:
