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Laptop Comparison Tool

Pick up to five laptops to compare. Every model lists the configurations we track, so you can see what changes between versions.

    Pick 2 to 5 laptops.

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    Popular:
    • 193 laptops, 12 brands
    • Specs from maker pages and listings
    • No paid placements

    A laptop comparison tool built around configurations

    Most laptops are sold in half a dozen versions under one name, and the version decides most of what you get. LaptopRadar gives every model one page with the configurations we track, then lets you compare up to five models on the same spec sheet before you buy.

    • Compare laptops side by side

      Pick two to five models in the search above. Processor, graphics, memory, display, battery, weight and ports line up row by row, and the stronger value in each row is marked.

    • A laptop finder that filters configurations

      The Laptop Finder checks every configuration of every model, so a filter like "16 GB memory" or "under 3.5 lb" finds the model even when only one version of it qualifies.

    • Published specs, kept consistent

      We collected and analyzed the published specs for each configuration, from the maker where it publishes them and otherwise from the store listing, and put them in one format. When nobody publishes a figure, the row stays empty rather than holding a guess.

    • Laptops sold in the US

      Every model listed is sold in the US. Where the maker publishes a part number for a configuration, we show it, so you can match it to the listing you order.

    Find the right type of laptop

    All 39 categories
    Best Laptops for Students 43 models Best Laptops for Creators 9 models Best Gaming Laptops 34 models Best Business Laptops 24 models Best Laptops for College Students 12 models Best Cheap Laptops for College Students 27 models Best Laptops for High School 38 models Best Laptops for Engineering Students 17 models Best Laptops for Computer Science Students 76 models Best Laptops for Nursing Students 9 models Best Laptops for Architecture Students 40 models Best Laptops for Video Editing 35 models

    Popular models, refreshed as our catalog updates.

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    Popular comparisons

    Spec-by-spec breakdowns of models shoppers weigh against each other.

    All matchups
    Apple Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M6) Apple Apple MacBook Neo vs Apple Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) Apple Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) Apple Apple MacBook Neo vs Apple Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M6) Apple Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Pro or M5 Max) vs Apple Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro or M5 Max) Apple Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) vs Apple Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M6)

    How to choose a laptop

    Ten decisions, in the order that saves you the most money and the most regret.

    1 of 10

    Write down what you'll actually do on it

    A laptop is only "good" for a job. Before you look at a single spec, list the three things you'll do most often. That list rules out more laptops than any filter, and it stops you paying for a graphics card you'll never use or buying a thin laptop that chokes on video editing.

    Open the Laptop Finder
    • Web, email, documents and streaming run well on almost anything sold today.
    • Video calls with dozens of tabs open want a mid-range processor and 16 GB of memory.
    • Games, 3D work and serious video editing need a dedicated graphics card.
    • If it travels with you daily, weight and battery come before speed.

    2 of 10

    Pick the model, then the configuration

    The same model name can cover a laptop with 8 GB and a slow chip and one with 32 GB and a fast one. Decide on the model first (size, build, keyboard, battery), then choose the configuration that fits your list. Each model page shows every configuration with its maker part number, so you can match it to the listing you're about to buy.

    • Check the part number on the listing against the configuration table.
    • Spend on memory and storage first; they're often impossible to upgrade later.
    • A faster processor in the same model usually costs battery life.

    3 of 10

    Compare processor tiers, not brands

    The processor sets how fast the laptop feels. Intel, AMD, Apple and Qualcomm all make good chips now, so compare the tier and the generation instead. A current mid-range chip beats a top chip from four years ago, and "Everyday speed" on each spec sheet puts them all on one plain scale.

    • Intel N-series, Celeron and Core 3, or AMD Ryzen 3, are for light use.
    • Core 5, Core Ultra 5 and Ryzen 5 handle what most people do.
    • Core Ultra 7, Ryzen 7 and Apple Pro or Max chips earn their keep in editing and big projects.
    • Snapdragon X chips run long on battery; check that your must-have apps run well on them.

    4 of 10

    Buy 16 GB of memory if you can

    Memory (RAM) decides how many apps and tabs stay open before everything slows down. On most thin laptops it's soldered to the board, so the amount you buy is the amount you keep. Aim for what you'll need in year three, not month one.

    • 8 GB is the floor for Windows and comfortable on a Chromebook.
    • 16 GB is the sweet spot, and the minimum for Copilot+ PCs.
    • 32 GB or more is for video editing, virtual machines, big datasets and local AI.
    • The "Memory upgrades" row on the spec sheet tells you whether you can add more later.

    5 of 10

    Get more SSD space than you think

    Windows and its updates alone fill a good chunk of a small drive, and running out of space is a daily annoyance. Every model here uses SSD or flash storage, so capacity is the number to compare.

    • 64–128 GB only makes sense on a Chromebook.
    • 256 GB works if your files live in the cloud.
    • 512 GB suits most people.
    • 1 TB or more for games, video projects and photo libraries.

    6 of 10

    Look past the screen size

    Size decides how portable the laptop is; the panel decides how pleasant it is to look at for hours. Resolution, brightness and panel type matter as much as inches.

    Compare OLED laptops
    • 13–14 inches for carrying, 15–16 for working, 17 for the desk.
    • Full HD (1920 x 1080) is the minimum worth buying at 14 inches and up.
    • 300 nits is fine indoors; 400 or more helps near windows and outdoors.
    • OLED panels give deep blacks and rich color; 120 Hz and up makes scrolling smoother.

    7 of 10

    Treat battery and weight as one decision

    A laptop you carry is judged by how heavy it is and how long it lasts away from a socket. Makers' battery figures come from light tests, so use them to compare laptops with each other rather than as a promise.

    Compare lightweight laptops
    • Under 3 lb (1.4 kg) is easy to carry all day.
    • 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) is the normal range for 14 and 15-inch laptops.
    • Gaming laptops often weigh 5 lb (2.3 kg) or more, plus a heavy charger.
    • Apple and Snapdragon laptops lead on battery life.

    8 of 10

    Only pay for a graphics card you'll use

    Built-in graphics handle video, photos, office work and older or lighter games. A dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card is for modern games, 3D, CAD and heavy video work, and it adds weight, heat and cost.

    Compare gaming laptops
    • RTX 4050 and 5050 cards play current games at 1080p on medium to high settings.
    • RTX 5060 and 5070 cards are the sweet spot for gaming and creative apps.
    • The card's power limit (TGP, in watts) matters as much as its name.

    9 of 10

    Check the ports you plug in every day

    Thin laptops keep cutting ports, and a bag of adapters gets old fast. List what you connect most often and check it against the spec sheet.

    Compare laptops with an Ethernet port
    • USB-C with charging and display output is now the most useful port.
    • Thunderbolt or USB4 is worth having for docks and fast external drives.
    • HDMI saves an adapter for TVs and projectors.
    • An Ethernet port is rare on thin laptops but common on business and gaming ones.

    10 of 10

    Choose Windows, macOS or ChromeOS for your apps

    The operating system decides which software you can run, so let your must-have apps choose it. School and work requirements count here too.

    Compare Chromebooks
    • Windows runs the widest range of software and games.
    • macOS suits iPhone owners and creative work, but not most games.
    • ChromeOS is simple, cheap and secure, but runs web and Android apps only.
    • Check how long the maker promises updates, especially on Chromebooks.

    Shop laptops by brand

    All brands
    Lenovo 54 models HP 29 models Acer 26 models Dell 24 models ASUS 23 models Apple 10 models Microsoft 9 models Samsung 7 models

    Latest laptops

    The most recently released models we cover.

    See newest

    How we compare: specs you can check, not scores you can't

    Sourced field by field

    Each value comes from the maker's spec page where one exists, otherwise from the store listing of that exact configuration, and we keep a note of the source.

    Same yardstick for all

    Every model uses the same spec sheet, so a budget Chromebook and a gaming laptop read row for row.

    Independent

    We earn from Amazon purchases, never from brands. Read the disclosure.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I compare two laptops?

    Type the first model into the search box at the top of this page and pick it, then add a second (up to five). The comparison lines up every spec row by row and marks the stronger value, so the real differences stand out.

    Why does one laptop page list several configurations?

    Makers sell most models in several versions with a different processor, memory, storage or display. LaptopRadar gives each model one page and lists every configuration we cover on it, with the maker part number where one is published, so you can see exactly which version you're looking at.

    Where do the specs come from?

    From the makers' own product pages and spec sheets where they publish them, and otherwise from the store listing of that exact configuration. We collected and analyzed those specs and put them in one consistent format. If no source publishes a figure, we leave it blank.

    What's the difference between the comparison tool and the Laptop Finder?

    The comparison tool is for when you already have a few models in mind. The Laptop Finder is for when you don't: filter by price range, size, memory, weight, ports and more, then send the best matches to the comparison.

    Are the price ranges exact?

    No. Price ranges are approximate and only used to group laptops. Prices change often, so check the price with the seller before you buy.

    Does LaptopRadar sell laptops?

    No. We don't sell anything. Some links go to stores, and if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.