Guide to Choosing the Right Laptop

Finding the right laptop can quickly become complicated due to the sheer number of models available. Between budget, usage, performance, and battery life, it's easy to get lost. We recommend first determining your budget and needs to avoid unpleasant surprises. In this article, we'll guide you through asking the right questions and making the best choice.

Determine your budget for your future laptop

Budget is often the most important factor when purchasing a laptop or IT equipment. It's an investment that requires careful consideration beforehand. Before diving into technical comparisons, determine and set a maximum budget. This will help you quickly find laptop models that fit your financial capabilities.

Choose a laptop based on your usage

Your future laptop should primarily suit your daily needs. Ask yourself: "What will I primarily use my new laptop for?" You probably fall into one of the following categories:

• Student: Primarily office applications and internet use. An Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3, 8 GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD are sufficient. Professional series such as ThinkPad, Latitude, ProBook, or EliteBook offer durability and reliability for everyday use.
  

• Multimedia enthusiast: Want to watch and save videos and/or use apps? Choose 16 GB of RAM and at least 512 GB of SSD storage.
  

• Gamer or content creator: Requires a powerful machine: i7 or Ryzen 7, dedicated graphics card (Nvidia Quadro or AMD FirePro), 16 GB of RAM or more. Dell Precision, HP ZBook, and Lenovo ThinkPad P series meet these requirements.
  

• Professional useFor work on the go, with good battery life. Look for durability and professional series for reliability.
  

• Casual useFor surfing, chatting, and staying up-to-date. No powerful processor required; ease of use is more important.
  

It is important to clearly define your needs.

Evaluate the most important components of a good laptop

Once your budget and needs are clear, you can evaluate the laptop components. Some technical terms or unfamiliar features can be confusing. Therefore, expert advice at the store can be very helpful.

Key components to consider: processor, RAM, storage, graphics card, battery life, connectivity, and portability.

Examples:

Processor (CPU)

• i3 / Ryzen 3: light use
  

• i5 / Ryzen 5: daily use
  

• i7 / Ryzen 7: gaming or video editing
  

• i9 / Ryzen 9: intensive professional use
  

RAM

• 8 GB: standard
  

• 16 GB: multitasking of gamen
  

• 32 GB or more: content creation (video, 3D)
  

Bulletin

• SSD: 256 GB recommended for standard use
  

• More storage is possible, but backup solutions are essential (cloud or external storage)
  

Graphics card

• Integrated: office, streaming
  

• Dedicated (Nvidia / AMD): gaming, design, creatie
  

Battery life and portability

• At least 6 hours when traveling a lot
  

• 13–14 inches: ideal for portability
  

• 15.6 inches or larger: comfortable for desk work
  

Compare laptop models and test them in the store

Now that you know your budget, needs, and key components, go to a store: compare, test, and ask for advice. Not all laptops are created equal. Compare specifications, but also pay attention to ease of use: keyboard comfort, screen quality, build quality—these are factors you can only judge in practice.

Our experts with more than 10 years of experience are happy to guide you, based on experience from thousands of customers in the store.

Find the right match

By asking the right questions about budget, usage, and components, you'll be ready to find the laptop that meets your expectations. Go to the store, compare, analyze, and ask for advice: you'll be happy with the results and get a laptop that fits your budget and needs.

Think of reconditioned laptops

Whether you're on a budget or need specific performance, a reconditioned PC could be THE solution.

A good PC suits YOUR use.
A bad choice is money poorly spent.