How to choose a laptop in 2025

Choose the right laptop It is an undertaking that is anything but simple. Between technical acronyms, always new models (and old difficult to distinguish from the new) and offers apparently Irresistible, even those who mean their risk of getting lost. For this reason, in this article I will guide you step by step in the choice of the notebook most suitable for your real needs.

We will not talk about a specific model, because that changes over time. But we will see how to evaluate i Really important componentsfrom the display processor and, above all, how to do it based on Four distinct use profiles:

• The minimalistwhat you sail and little else
• The gamer
• The Content Creator / Requesting worker
• The digital nomadethat is, who always has a laptop with them.

Obviously there may also be many other needs, but these four types of user are heterogeneous enough to allow each to recognize themselves in one or the other, or even in a combination of two or more.

Everyone will then have to adapt everything to one’s needshow it is right.

If you use the laptop for Navigate online, watch videos, write documents And little else, you don’t need a powerful computer. You are what we could call a minimalist user: your needs are simple and the car you use should also be.

A mid -range processor It is fine, as long as not too old. A Intel Core i3 or i5 from the 11th generation upwardsor a AMD Ryzen 5000 or 6000cover daily activities without problems. For RAM memory, 8 GB are the minimum recommended: you don’t need 16 GB, but don’t go down this threshold.

The storage space can be contained. A 256 GB SSD It is sufficient, net of specific needs. Avoid traditional hard disk: they are slow, outdated, and would slow down everything.

The screen must be Full HDwith Decent colors and good vision corners (IPS?).

You don’t need anything else.

The doors can also be essential: USB-C, USB-A and, if you use headphones with cable, a Audio jack.

As for the operating system, everything is fine: Windows, Macos or Chromeosas long as the laptop is not too cheap a model with only 4 GB of RAM or EMMC Memories. In this case, even a Chromebook Plus can become a sensible choice.

For those who play the PC, choosing the right laptop is not just a question of taste but of technical balance. A powerful graphic card is not enough, a system capable of hold the overall load: from CPU to RAM, to cooling. And of course at the price.

Let’s start with the processor. The new ones Intel Core Ultra or the AMD Ryzen 7000/8000 they are perfect, especially in the versions HX or Hdesigned to give the best.

Next to these you need one Dedicated GPUideally one Nvidia RTX 4000 or 5000 serieswith at least 8 GB of VRAM.

Clearly the video card changes a lot of cards on the table, also in terms of price. There is no good choice in general: it all depends on the budget and the type of gamer you are.

Ideally, how do they read “the Nvidia GPUs? Regardless of the series to which they belong (4000, 5000 or ideally also the subsequent ones), the name already says much of their location:

• RTX X050 (entry, light gaming)
• RTX X060 (Excellent for Full HD at high FPS)
• RTX X070 (perfect for 1440p and high details)
• RTX X080 / X090 (top of the range, for 4K and ultra setting

Eye also to the quantity of memory dedicated to the video card: in the RTX 4000 series in particular, the same model may have different VRAM. And finally be careful to TGP of the video card: with the same model, a 140 W GPU will have higher performance compared to the same 110 W version.

And amd? Like now, a Radeon RX 8700m is valid for Full HD fluid gaming and 1440p, while the Radeon RX 8800m can go up to 4K, but it is undeniable that the AMD GPUs have lost traction.

It is not said that things cannot change in the future.

On the memory front, 16 GB of RAM DDR4 or DDR5 are essentialbut if the budget allows it, better 32. The storage should not be underestimated: they are needed At least 1 TB of SSD PCIepossibly of type 4.0 or 5.0.

The display must be fluid and reactive. A refresh rate of 120 or 144 Hz It is now the minimum union. Better still if you get to 165 Hz or beyondas long as the rest of the hardware is up to par. There Full HD resolution It is more than enough for most games, but with a 4080 or higher you can also evaluate 2K or 4K.

Finally, you need a good variety of doors: USB-C with video output, HDMI 2.1, more USB-A and maybe even Ethernet. And make sure that the cooling system is effective: performance, under stress, also depend on that.

If you deal with Video editing, photography, 3D modeling, graphicsor in general other intensive activities, you need a laptop designed to work with precision, stability and speed.

The performances are important, but the same are the same screen qualitythe heat management and the Possibility to expand ram and storage over time.

The ideal CPU is one of the most recent, with a good number of cores. Let’s talk about Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9or AMD Ryzen 8000preferably if in high performance versions.

The GPU is needed, but not to play: one is enough for you RTX 4060 or similaras long as I support the rendering and video coding well in the software you use, such as Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve. For the most demanding there are the GPUs Nvidia RTX PRObut this is precisely that area in which everyone will have their needs, therefore it is impossible to advise something universal. The only recommendation we can do is that of do not overflowunless the budget is really a problem.

There RAM must start from 16 GBbut if you work with heavy or 4k projects, it is better to aim for 32 or 64 GB DDR5even in future perspective.

Same goes for storage: 1 TB of SSD PCIe It is the minimum standard. Always check the presence of an additional slotfor any upgrade or raid configurations in which to duplicate the data.

But the display is the true heart of a Creator laptop. Forget the economic HD: at least one resolution is needed 2kone Extended color coverage (DCI-P3, Adobergb, Rec.709) and a good one factory calibration. The panels OLED they are excellent for contrast, but the most attentive could prefer a Opaco IPSmore stable over time and immune to Burn-in.

For the doors, seek A USB-C with Displayport, HDMI 2.1, SD player and at least one USB-A.

Finally, choose the operating system based on the software you use: MacOS is loved in this fieldbut Windows It often offers greater hardware flexibility. In any case, it points to a laptop that can grow with you.

The digital nomad is a user who works or studies on the move, often far from a fixed desk.

For him, above all three things count: Reduced weight, real autonomy and balanced performance. The ideal laptop must therefore be light, reliable and ready for anything, from writing to light editing.

The CPU must guarantee efficiency. The processors Intel Serie P or U Until the 13th generation, or chips Apple Silicon M1, M2 and M3are excellent for battery life and fluidity of use, and perhaps allow you to save something compared to the most modern solutions. Also i Low consumption Ryzen They do their job well. If you can choose, it points to a recent generation but you don’t need the last one: even two back versions are fine.

As for memory, 16 GB of RAM They represent the safest choice, especially if you keep many open cards or use heavy productivity tools.

The disco space should not be underestimated: 512 GB SSD NVME It is the minimum to avoid dongles and external memories always on the stock exchange.

The screen must be clear, readable also outdoorswith opaque or anti -reflective finish and/or one brightness of at least 400 nits. Full HD resolution is more than good, but those who prefer to work on images or clear texts can also evaluate the 2K (and surroundings), however avoiding 4K so as not to penalize autonomy.

Doors equipment is another key point. Many ultraportable have only USB-Cwhich requires adapters for everything else. If you can, choose a laptop with At least one USB-A and a video output (the ideal are the modular laptop framework). Also consider the overall weight: under 1.3 kg it is ideal for those who often move.

Finally, the operating system can be the one that best suits your ecosystem: macOS It’s perfect if you use an iPhone/iPad, Windows is flexible with any device, Chromeos or Linux They are valid alternatives for those with more specific habits or a workflow based on the cloud.

Once you understand what type of laptop it is for you, the most delicate phase arrives: the real purchase. This is where the most common errors nest. Many let themselves be convinced by aggressive offers or too generic descriptions, without deepening technical details. The result? A product that disappoints after a few months.

1. The first rule is simple: Do not stop at the title of the product. Written like “i5, 512 GB SSD, 16 GB RAM” say very little. You need to know which generation is the processorwhat kind of memory it mounts if the RAM is welded or expandable, and if theSSD is NVME or not. The best way to understand it is to read the Complete technical sheetbetter still if provided by the manufacturer’s official website.
2. Second advice: Don’t trust discounts at first sight. A high discount percentage can be misleading if the starting price is inflated. Use tools such as Keepa or Camelcamelcamel to check the price trend on Amazon. So you can understand if you are really in front of a deal or just an advertising scare.
3. Then there is the seller’s speech. Sometimes it is worth spending something more to buy from a reliable shop, with Serious after-sales assistance. If one tomorrow you will have problems with the product, knowing you have clear contact and a support that works can make the difference.

Finally, attention to the “advice” of the clerks or of the Generalist reviews.

Always ask yourself: Does it respond to my needs? If a model seems perfect to you only on paper, but does not correspond to what you really need, it is not the right choice. Focus on the specifications that matter for you, and forget the rest.

In closing we leave you some of our deepenings on the matter, which you can consult at will.