How to choose a laptop – the specifications that really matter
What to look at when choosing a laptop – processor, memory, storage, display, ports, USB-C charging and upgradeability. No prices and no rankings, just how to read a specification sheet.
The short version
- First be clear about what you need the laptop for. The purpose decides which specifications matter and which you can do without.
- You cannot replace the processor or graphics later. Sometimes you can replace the memory and the drive – check the service manual before you buy.
- Laptops placed on the EU market from 28 April 2026 must have a USB-C charging port (if they charge by cable).
Start with the purpose, not the specifications
The same laptop can be ideal for one person and needlessly heavy or underpowered for another. Before you start comparing processors, answer these questions:
- Will you carry it every day, or will it sit on a desk?
- Will you work with photos, video, 3D or games?
- Do you need lots of ports, or is one USB-C port and a docking station enough?
Our laptop chooser helps you work through these questions and shows which specifications to focus on for your use.
What you cannot change later
The processor and graphics are soldered in laptops. Note that a processor series with the same name in a laptop and a desktop does not have the same performance. A laptop has a limited power budget and cooling, and laptop makers set power limits differently. The same processor can perform differently in two laptops.
The display can be replaced at a repair shop, but in practice you choose it once. Look at:
| Specification | What it means | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | number of pixels (e.g. 1920 × 1200) | sharpness of text, room for windows |
| Brightness (cd/m², nits) | how bright the display is | working near a window, outdoors |
| Refresh rate (Hz) | how many times per second the picture is redrawn | games, smoothness of motion |
| Colour gamut coverage | e.g. sRGB, DCI-P3 | photo and video editing |
| Finish | matte or glossy | reflections in bright light |
What you can sometimes upgrade
RAM is soldered in many thin laptops. If it is in SO-DIMM modules, you can upgrade it later. The drive is usually in the M.2 format and can often be swapped for a larger one – although smaller laptops may use the shorter 2230 or 2242 format.
You will find this information in the maker’s service manual (search for “service manual” or “maintenance manual” with the model name), not in the marketing description.
Battery
Capacity is given in watt-hours (Wh). Battery life, however, also depends on the display, the processor and what you are doing – which is why makers’ battery life figures are hard to compare. From 18 February 2027, Article 11 of the EU Batteries Regulation (2023/1542) on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries will start to apply. Exactly how it will affect laptops depends on interpretation and exceptions – the Commission has issued guidance on this.
Charging over USB-C
Directive (EU) 2022/2380 extended the USB-C charging port requirement to laptops. It applies to devices placed on the market from 28 April 2026. Laptops that charge at more than 15 W must support USB Power Delivery. Details are in the guide Charging a laptop over USB-C.
Operating system
Among other things, Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 module and UEFI with Secure Boot. That is not a problem with new laptops, but check it with an older second-hand one – support for Windows 10 ended on 14 October 2025.
Before you finish
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Notes and sources
- EUR-Lex: Directive (EU) 2022/2380 – the common charger (USB-C)
- USB-IF: USB Charger (USB Power Delivery) – up to 240 W
- Microsoft: Windows 11 – minimum system requirements
- EUR-Lex: Commission Notice C/2025/214 – replaceability of portable batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
We opened every link above and compared the figures on 12 October 2026. The pages belong to their publishers and can change after that date.
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