What features should I look for in a new laptop?

Laptops are hugely powerful devices, combining the versatility of desktop computers with the lightweight portability more commonly associated with tablets.

As we’ve previously discussed, laptops can serve as quasi-desktop computers simply by plugging them into a docking station, yet retain portability when you’re out and about.

They come with a huge variety of styles (slimline, 2-in-1), software configurations (Windows, Linux) and prices – from cheap Chromebooks to high-end Windows devices.

However, this diversity makes choosing a new device fraught with complexity, especially if you’re not the sort of person who knows their CPUs from their GPUs.

This guide is intended for anyone bamboozled by the sheer variety of new laptop features, operating systems and specifications, helping you choose the right device for any budget…

£150-£300

At the budget end of the spectrum, new laptop features are understandably limited. Be careful you don’t end up looking at refurbished (i.e. second-hand) devices by mistake.

New laptops will be either Google ChromeOS-powered Chromebooks, or basic Windows machines with limited specifications.

You’ll be looking at Chinese or Taiwanese brands like Lenovo or Asus, with 4GB of RAM – in layman’s terms that means they’ll run quite slowly – and 128GB hard drives (easily filled).

You can still expect Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 on Windows laptops, while Chromebooks are fast but geared around web and cloud usage rather than third-party software.

£300-£600

Upping your budget brings more of everything. Screens expand to 15 inches across with full HD, while touchscreens and facial recognition or fingerprint ID technology start to appear.

Processors tend to be Intel Pentium or Core, bringing more efficient processing and smoother operation than cheaper Celeron devices. Arch-rival AMD also makes some great processors at this price point.

Expect double the amount of RAM (256GB), meaning more tasks can run simultaneously without bogging down, though battery life may dwindle on these more powerful machines.

Brand snobs will be able to take their pick from HP and Samsung devices, amid an ocean of Acers and Avitas.

£600-£1,000

By this point, you’re moving beyond starter laptops or budget-conscious machines incapable of serious gaming into business machines from the likes of Samsung, Dell and Microsoft.

The latter market a range of stunning Surface laptops, which pack features like 16GB of RAM and generous battery life into tactile and lightweight chassis.

They’re Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s MacBook Air range, featuring modest screen sizes (13 inches) but stunning Retina displays powered by sophisticated M1 CPU chips.

Expect 1TB hard drives which will never fill, enough battery life to get you through a full day of processor-intensive tasks without a top-up, and the ability to play the latest online games.

£1,000 and above

You might question the need to spend a four-figure sum on a laptop, but the technology needed to condense high-end hardware into such lightweight form commands a premium.

That’s especially true of high-end devices like HP Spectres or LG grams – the latter offering 24 hours of battery life despite a quad HD screen and 16GB of RAM.

Do bear in mind that an Apple MacBook with a 15-inch screen will have specifications significantly inferior to equivalently-priced Windows hardware.

Nonetheless, any device costing more than £1,000 should be blisteringly fast and silky smooth, even while running multiple applications and browser tabs.