The ultimate guide to the best laptops to buy in 2023

The laptop industry can be a minefield of technical jargon which often seems like mumbo jumbo, but we’ve created a handy buyer’s guide that sheds some light on the situation. Read on for our roundup of the best laptops on the market!

Best laptop buying guide

Size

Laptops range in size between around 11 and 17 inches. It’s pretty simple: if you want a bigger screen, go for larger size, if you’re not bothered about screen size but want a more portable machine, go for a smaller size. The most popular laptop size is 15 inches, and they usually weigh around 1.5kg-2.5kg.

The size of the laptop also affects its processing power, battery life, and memory, and the most powerful machines will always be bigger.

Speed

The speed of any given laptop is dictated by its CPU.

Memory

Ideally, you want over 8GB of RAM for an enjoyable laptop experience. For the majority of users, 32GB is more than enough, but if you’re an avid gamer or professional power user you should aim for 64GB.

You should also aim to find a laptop with Solid State Drive (SSD) rather than Hard Disk Drive (HDD), as it will make your laptop notably faster. Although it will impact the price of the laptop, and the internal storage capacity, it’s definitely worthy of consideration.

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Display

There are many aspects that make up the quality of any laptop display.

The number of pixels it has will affect the resolution and the battery life. Lower-end laptops have 1,366 x 768 displays, but these will display low-res graphics, which is important to consider if you often stream using your laptop.

We recommend 1,920 x 1,080, also known as 1080p, although laptops range in quality up to 3,840 x 2,160 (4K). But it’s worth noting that this can negatively impact battery life.

Ports

Ports, ports, ports. It may not be the be-all and end-all of laptop dealbreakers, but it can certainly be frustrating to have your heart set on a model with a decidedly insufficient number of ports. Historically, laptops have offered USB and HDMI ports, an Audio Jack, and SD card readers, but increasingly new laptops are reducing this to only USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 4.

What is a CPU?

CPU stands for central processing unit, and every computer has one. Inside the CPU there are tiny transistors that control the flow of electricity according to computer programs, which allow you to do everything from open a web browser, type on the keyboard, or click the mouse.

What is GPU?

GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a computer chip that focuses specifically on rendering graphics and images. It’s similar in many ways to the CPU, but rather than reading instructions to do with the functionality of the computer, it is specifically designed for graphics. They are specifically crucial in gaming and video editing processes, which require high-quality images at high speeds.

Best laptops to buy in 2023

Apple 2022 MacBook Air M2

The Apple Macbook Air M2 absolutely crushes the competition and is easily the best laptop in our list. The M2 chip commences the newest generation of Apple Silicon, with 1.4x the speed of M1. The chip is so efficient, the laptop doesn’t even require a fan, so you can enjoy luxuriously silent working.

The Liquid Retina display offers 2,560 x 1,664 pixel resolution, 4K and 8K ProRes definition, 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide colour, and True Tone technology. The 1080p camera and three-mic array allow for high-quality video calls, and the four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio provides a streaming experience like no other.

The Magic keyboard has a full-height function row for quick and ergonomic access to controls and shortcuts, and with the larger Force Touch touchpad, you have more freedom for precise exploration. And one of the most preferable features, Touch ID allows you to unlock your Mac, use Apple Pay for payments, open password-protected documents, and make purchases on the Apple TV app, all at the touch of a finger.

In terms of ports, the quick-release MagSafe charging cable easily attaches and detaches using magnets, and there are two Thunderbolt ports, for high-speed connectivity, and an audio jack. It weighs in at just 1.24kg and is only 1.13cm thin, perfect for slipping into your bag and using on the go.

Spec

• CPU: Apple M2
• Graphics: Integrated 8-core /10-core GPU
• RAM: 8GB – 24GB
• Screen: 13.6-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,664 LED-backlit display with IPS technology, P3 wide Colour
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13cm; W x D x H)