What to look for when buying a new computer

Computer specifications are written to confuse. Two laptops at the same price can differ enormously, and the numbers printed largest are rarely the ones that matter.

Here's what to check, in order of how much difference it makes day to day.

The three that actually matter

Get these right and the rest is detail.

Storage type: it must be an SSD. Not a hard drive, not "hybrid". This affects how fast the machine feels more than anything else
Memory: 16GB is the sensible target in 2026. 8GB is workable for light use; avoid 4GB entirely
Screen: for a laptop, insist on Full HD (1920x1080) or better. Cheap 1366x768 screens are still sold and are miserable to work on

Processor, without the confusion

The brand and the tier (i3/i5/i7, Ryzen 3/5/7) tell you less than the generation. A three-year-old i7 can be slower than a current i5, and the last few digits of the model number are what reveal its age.

For everyday use — web, email, documents, video calls — a current i3 or Ryzen 3 is genuinely enough when paired with an SSD and 16GB of memory. Spend the money on memory before the processor.

What you can usually ignore

Plenty of the spec sheet doesn't affect how the machine feels.

A dedicated graphics card, unless you're gaming, editing video or doing CAD
Touchscreens on a laptop you'll use at a desk — they add cost and drain battery
Huge storage numbers on a machine with a slow drive; 512GB of SSD beats 2TB of hard disk
Bundled antivirus trials and "optimisation" software, which you'll want to remove anyway

The things people forget until later

These are the regrets we hear about six months on.

Ports — how many USB, and is there an HDMI? Some thin laptops have two ports and you'll live with adapters
Weight, if it travels; anything over 1.8kg gets old quickly
Battery life as reviewed, not as advertised
Whether the memory and drive can be upgraded later, or are soldered in
Keyboard feel — if you can, type on one in a shop before buying

Roughly what to spend

Broad UK guidance rather than exact prices.

Under £350: expect compromises — fine as a second machine or for a child, but check the memory and screen carefully
£450–£700: the sweet spot for most households. SSD, 16GB, decent screen, several good years
£800+: worth it for business use, all-day battery, a better build, or serious work
Business buyers: look at the business ranges (Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, Lenovo ThinkPad) — sturdier, more repairable and better supported than consumer models

A refurbished business machine is often the best value

An ex-corporate laptop three years old, with an SSD and fresh memory, frequently beats a new budget machine at the same price — better screen, better keyboard, better build. It's what we'd suggest for many people, and we'll tell you when it isn't right for you.