Just like smartphones, laptops have become an essential accessory we can’t be without.
Whether working from home, travelling abroad or streaming the must-watch show of the moment, trusty laptops make all of this - and more - possible.
They also serve as essential backup devices for other pieces of tech, from smartphones to digital cameras and recording equipment. This means that when laptops flash that ghastly blue screen of death, we’re not just losing our daily work companion – but we’re potentially losing a whole host of precious data and memories which we didn’t get around to storing in the Cloud.
This is why it’s essential to cross-check the current charge cycle of your computer with what the model you own is supposed to run. That way, you can start shopping for sparkly new tech before your laptop decides to give up the ghost.
Not sure where to start when it comes to searching for a new laptop? We’ve got a few pointers to help.
How to shop for a new laptop online
- If you mainly watch television or videos on your laptop then you’ll want to prioritise pixel quality for a true-to-life picture. Look out for laptops which offer 4K and sharp resolution (Full HD or 1080p).
- If you’re a gamer then the GPU (graphics processing unit), will be the most important aspect to focus on. Get a laptop that explicitly states it's a gaming one as that will have a better GPU integrated than a normal laptop. For screen size, between 15 to 17 inches is about right.
- If you use your laptop predominantly to work from home you’ll want something with a long battery life. Nine hours or more is ideal, and something with a speedy response time (5ms).
- If your laptop is for the whole family or to be shared with others then you’ll want to think about how much storage the laptop offers. We’d recommend looking for laptops with storage between 512GB to 1TB and RAM of at least 8GB. Also, consider durability if it’s going to be used by small children or clumsy big kids.
- If you love being creative on your laptop then you might want to think about an Apple product as its software is easy to use, has great graphics and newer models offer 4K video editing.
- If your laptop is travelling around as much as you then look for a smaller screen and make sure it is as lightweight as possible. You may want to aim for a 12.5 to 14-inch screen and anything under 2kg for its overall weight.
Best places to shop online for laptops
Shop the best deals on laptops by brand below
Our top picks
Apple MacBook Pro 14" (2024) - M4, 512 GB SSD, Space Black
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro 14” (M3) refines professional-grade performance in a sleek, ultra-portable design. The M3 chip delivers blazing-fast speeds for creative work, coding, and multitasking, while the Liquid Retina XDR display offers exceptional contrast and colour accuracy.
With a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, HDR support, and all-day battery life, it’s built for those who demand power without compromise. The Space Black finish adds a bold, modern touch, while the improved thermal design keeps everything running smoothly under pressure.
Was: £1,599
Buy now £1499.00, Currys
ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED (2023)
Designed for professionals and creatives who need serious power, the ASUS ProArt P16 blends cutting-edge hardware with a stunning 16-inch OLED touchscreen. The ultra-sharp WQUXGA resolution ensures vivid colours and deep blacks, perfect for editing, 3D modelling, and design work.
Under the hood, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 deliver exceptional performance for demanding creative applications. With 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, multitasking and large file handling are effortless. The ergonomic design, customisable ProArt dial, and extensive connectivity options make this laptop a dream for creatives who need precision and speed.
Was: £2,499
Buy now £2149.00, Very
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13in (M3)
Best for: battery life
The king of battery life right now, though upcoming Windows laptops using Snapdragon processors could topple it, the basic M3 model of the 13in MacBook Air is all the laptop you might need if your tastes don’t run to heavy 3D work or extremely high-resolution images. It brings many of the benefits of the MacBook Pro in a slimmer shell, shaves just an inch off the screen and looks great when you’re using it even though the Apple logo on the lid no longer lights up.
Was: £1,199
Buy now £861.23, Amazon
Apple MacBook Air with M4 Processor
The MacBook Air has consistently been a beguiling laptop, matching decent power with a sleek and slim design. The latest look is just as appealing, especially in the new Sky Blue colour, and the M4 chip is extremely good.
If there’s a downside, it’ll be for Apple: some power users will feel that they don’t need the more expensive MacBook Pro after all. And now that the price has been cut, the MacBook Air is better value than ever.
The new MacBook Air has its fastest performance yet, exceptional portability and strong battery life, all in a gorgeous aluminium design that’s still outlandishly slim and light.
Was: £999
Buy now £899.00, Amazon
HP
HP Pavilion x360 14-ek1501sa 14" 2 in 1 Laptop - Intel Core™ i5, 512 GB SSD, Silver
Designed for those who need flexibility on the go, the HP Pavilion x360 combines the power of a laptop with the convenience of a tablet. Its 360-degree hinge lets you switch between laptop, tent, and tablet modes, making it perfect for work, streaming, or creative tasks.
Was: £749
Buy now £629.00, Currys
Razer
Razer Blade 15 Core i7-12800H 32GB 1TB SSD RTX 3080 Ti 360Hz 15.6 Inch Windows 11 Gaming Laptop
Refurbished to a premium degree and heavily discounted, avid gamers would be remiss not to scoop up a Razer Blade 15 from Laptops Direct. Powered by a Core i7 12800H processor and a GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 16GB graphics card, this is heavy duty gaming at its finest.
Was: £3,665.98
Buy now £2057.33, Laptops Direct
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
Available in sage, sandstone, platinum and ice blue, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers style and substance in equal measure. Equipped with Microsoft’s innovative security programming, hardware, software and AI-powered tools, this laptop offers a super-charged digital experience.
Was: £799
Buy now £773.46, Amazon
Acer
Acer Swift Go SFG14-71T-519L
Best for: Finger-prodding productivity
I’ve picked this particular Acer Swift for several solid reasons. Firstly, it packs a processing punch thanks to its 13th Gen, 12-core Intel Core i5 processor (3.5GHz/4.7GHz). Next, it has an excellent array of ports, including 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB 3.1, 1x HDMI 2.1, meaning it connects effortlessly to practically anything you need it to. That’s without mentioning the fact that its stunning WUXGA (1920 x 1200p) 14-inch display is of the touchscreen variety, making it perfect for productivity.
Running on Windows 11 Home, you get 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the former perhaps not seeming that capacious, but expandable via microSD card, while wireless connectivity speed and stability are assured due to the inclusion of Killer AX WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
For clear and crisp video calls and conferencing the Swift Go features a 5MP Quad HD webcam and an integrated microphone, while stereo speakers, complete with DTS Audio, handle what you hear with aplomb.
Fingerprint security keeps those keen on industrial espionage at bay, and then we come to the penultimate reason why I selected this particular Swift: it weighs just 1.32kg, which for a 14-inch touchscreen laptop spouting this kind of spec is lighter than a business-doing bird.
So, you’re wondering, if that was the penultimate reason, what’s my final reason for swooping on the Acer Swift Go SFG14-71T-519L? The price; at an English pound under £800, it’s an absolute bargain.
Was: £799
Buy now £599.00, Currys
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Go Wi-Fi Laptop, 14 Inch
Thanks to Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 Compute Platforms, the days of lagging Wi-Fi and patchy connection will be a thing of the past. The Samsung Galaxy Book2 delivers lightning-speed 5G connectivity for a seamless performance previously limited to your phone.
Enjoy 20 hours of video playback on one single charge with the impressive 423 Wh battery, and when you are running low you can get back to 8 hours of charge in only 30 minutes.
Was: £499
Buy now £249.99, Amazon
ASUS
ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605YA 16.0" WUXGA (1920x1200) Laptop
Featuring a full HD display and a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, the ASUS Vivobook will power you through demanding tasks. Presentations and videos look brighter than ever, there are a whopping four USB ports for all your peripherals, an HDMI port for linking-up to your monitor, and it weighs just 1.8kg - perfect for commuting.
Was: £579
Buy now £499.00, Currys
Lenovo
Lenovo Tab Plus 11.5 inch Tablet - 256 GB, Luna Grey
The Lenovo Tab Plus is a handy device for binge-watching comfort shows or movies on the move. Its 11.5" 2K screen brings every scene to life with vibrant colours and sharp detail, while the immersive sound from its 8 JBL speakers ensures everything from hushed whispers to explosive action sounds just right.
The kickstand lets you adjust the viewing angle effortlessly, so you can settle into your favourite chair and enjoy hours of entertainment in comfort.
Plus, the microSD slot provides up to 1 TB of extra space, and facial recognition makes logging in secure and fast. With a battery that lasts up to 12 hours of video playback, it’s ready for your next adventure, whether at home or on the go.
Was: £349
Buy now £249.00, Currys
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 inch Full HD Laptop
Smart, slim and military-grade, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 proves that sometimes the best things come in the smallest packages. The 16” high-definition, wide-angle display and Dolby Audio promise a cinema-grade viewing experience, while the low blue light display feature protects you against eye fatigue, meaning you can fully immerse yourself in hours of your favourite TV show without sore, bleary eyes.
Was £949.99
Buy now £749.99, Lenovo
