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

    A laptop comparison tool built around configurations

    Many laptops are sold in several versions under one name, and the version you pick decides most of what you get. LaptopRadar gives each model one page with the configurations we track, and you can put 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 so the differences are easy to spot.

    • 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" still finds a model 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. If nobody publishes a figure, we leave the row empty instead of guessing.

    • Laptops sold in the US

      We list laptops 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 from.

    Find the right type of laptop

    All 27 categories
    Best Laptops for Students 37 models Best Laptops for Creators 9 models Best Gaming Laptops 35 models Best Business Laptops 17 models Best Laptops for College Students 10 models Best Cheap Laptops for College Students 22 models Best Laptops for High School 34 models Best Laptops for Engineering Students 16 models Best Laptops for Nursing Students 7 models Best Laptops for Video Editing 34 models Best Laptops for Photo Editing 70 models Best Laptops for Music Production 97 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 we would make them.

    1 of 10

    Write down what you'll actually do on it

    A laptop is only good or bad for a particular job. Before you look at a single spec, write down the three things you'll do most often. That list rules out more laptops than any filter, and it keeps you from paying for a graphics card you'll never use or buying a thin laptop that struggles with video editing.

    Open the Laptop Finder
    • Web, email, documents and streaming run well on almost any laptop sold today.
    • Video calls with dozens of tabs open call for a mid-range processor and 16 GB of memory.
    • Games, 3D work and serious video editing need a dedicated graphics card on Windows; Apple's Pro and Max chips handle 3D and editing with built-in graphics.
    • If it travels with you every day, weight and battery come before speed.

    2 of 10

    Pick the model, then the configuration

    One model name can cover a laptop with 8 GB and a slow chip and another with 32 GB and a fast one. Settle 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, because you often can't upgrade them later.
    • A faster processor in the same model usually costs some 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 of the logo. A current mid-range chip can match an older top chip in everyday use, and the "Everyday speed" row 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 pay off in editing and big projects.
    • Snapdragon X chips are built for long battery life, so check that the apps you rely on run well on them.

    4 of 10

    Buy 16 GB of memory if you can

    Memory (RAM) decides how many apps and tabs you can keep 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. Buy enough up front.

    • 8 GB is the floor for Windows and comfortable on a Chromebook.
    • 16 GB suits most people, and it's the minimum for Copilot+ PCs.
    • 32 GB or more is for video editing, virtual machines, big datasets and running AI models on the laptop.
    • 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 fill a good chunk of a small drive on their own, and running out of space gets annoying fast. Every laptop we list uses flash storage, so capacity is the number to compare.

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

    6 of 10

    Look past the screen size

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

    Compare OLED laptops
    • 13 or 14 inches for carrying, 15 or 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, and 400 or more helps near windows and outdoors.
    • OLED panels give deep blacks and rich color, and 120Hz or higher makes scrolling smoother.

    7 of 10

    Treat battery and weight as one decision

    If you carry a laptop, you'll judge it by how heavy it is and how long it lasts away from an outlet. Makers' battery figures come from light use tests, so use them to compare laptops with each other, not as a promise.

    Compare lightweight laptops
    • Under 3 lb (1.4 kg) is easy to carry all day.
    • Most 14 and 15-inch laptops weigh 3 to 4 lb (1.4 to 1.8 kg).
    • Gaming laptops often weigh 5 lb (2.3 kg) or more, plus a heavy charger.
    • Battery claims vary widely, and MacBooks and Snapdragon X laptops often sit near the top.

    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 in Full HD, and the newest titles at medium settings.
    • RTX 4060 and 5060 cards handle high settings at 1080p in most games.
    • RTX 5070 and up suit heavy creative work as well as games.
    • The card's power limit (TGP, in watts) matters as much as its name, because the same card runs slower on less power.

    9 of 10

    Check the ports you plug in every day

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

    Compare laptops with an Ethernet port
    • USB-C that charges the laptop and drives a monitor is now the most useful port.
    • Thunderbolt or USB4 is worth having for docks and fast external drives.
    • HDMI saves you an adapter for TVs and projectors.
    • Ethernet is rare on thin laptops but common on business and gaming models.

    10 of 10

    Choose Windows, macOS or ChromeOS for your apps

    The operating system decides which software you can run, so let the apps you can't do without 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 most games skip it.
    • ChromeOS is simple and secure, though it only runs web and Android apps.
    • 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 ASUS 26 models Dell 16 models Apple 10 models Microsoft 9 models Samsung 6 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, or up to five. The comparison lines up every spec row by row and marks the stronger value, so you can see straight away where they differ.

    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 know 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 for 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?

    Use the comparison tool 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. The ranges are approximate and only group laptops by budget. 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.