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
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
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 £699.00, Argos
Apple
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 Envy 16
The HP Envy 16 is ideal for anyone who wants a laptop with a large display that also happens to be touch sensitive. Its touchscreen measures 16 inches and offers a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Other features include an Intel Core i7 or i9 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, up to 2TB of storage, a microSD card slot, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, four speakers, more than nine hours of battery life, a variety of ports, a five-megapixel front-facing camera and more. It’s slightly on the heavy side, but this is understandable due to the sheer size of the laptop. The silver version looks classy, too.
Was: £1,299
Buy now £699.00, HP
Razer
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 £749.00, Argos
Acer
Acer Swift Go 14 OLED 14" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7, 1 TB SSD, Grey
Featuring AI-powered optics at the touch of a button thanks to the integrated Microsoft Copilot Key, this fantastic 14” laptop from Acer’s Swift range features 16 GB of DDR5 RAM for endless multitasking, an eye-watering 1 TB SSD storage capacity for all your work needs, as well as HDMI and USB-C connectivity for connecting to additional screens and easy-charging. Oh, and it’s got a whopping nine hours of battery life.
Was: £999
Buy now £694.97, Amazon
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 £393.79, 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 £361.72, Amazon
ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED X1505ZA 15.6" Full HD OLED Laptop
If picking a laptop is a task worthy of a full-blown meltdown, the ASUS Vivobook is here to put all your tech-related fears to bed.
Germaphobe? Find comfort in the innovative ASUS antimicrobial guard protecting you from any nasties. Cyber-security stressor? You’ll be glad to see the physical webcam shield your laptop arrives equipped with. Prone to trips and tumbles? Luckily this laptop has been tested to US-Military grade durability standards, meaning even the clumsiest of users can consider their laptop to be in safe hands.
Was: £749.99
Buy now £538.00, AO
