Compare Laptops

The smart rating takes into account technical specifications as well as a weighted average of review scores from the following expert sources: CNET, PC Magazine, PC World, and Laptopmag.com.

Hard drive capacity measures how much data can be stored on the laptop or notebook. Unless you have a considerable media library, most laptops will contain more than enough internal storage. If you are unsure of the storage you will require, there are several ways you can estimate your future storage requirements. If you already have a computer, start by checking the amount of storage you are currently using.

For those who are purchasing their first computer, Consider these guidelines to help you estimate your future storage requirements:

• 1,000 Megabytes (MB) is equal to 1 Gigabyte (GB) and 1,000 GB is equal to 1 Terabyte (TB).
• Large high-resolution photos will typically use between 2-3 MB of storage each, while smaller thumbnails can typically be compressed to about .2-.5 MB.
• A two-hour Standard Definition movie will typically use between 2-3 GB of storage, while its High Definition counterpart would use between 3-5 GB.
• Advanced video games can use up to 5-7 GB of storage each.

Don't worry if you are still unsure how much internal storage you will need. Should you find that you did not purchase a laptop with enough internal storage, you will always have the option of purchasing an external hard drive or using an online back up and storage service at a later date.

The battery life is the length of time (in hours) that the laptop can function after a full battery charge. The battery life of your laptop or netbook is an important consideration if you value portability.

Laptops and notebooks are classified into categories, each tailored to meet the needs of a certain type of user.

• All-Purpose Laptops are ideal for the average computer user. These laptops will usually have a processor speed between 2-3 GHz and a display size between 12-16 inches. Additionally, all-purpose laptops will typically offer 250-500 GB of internal storage and include 2-4GB of RAM installed. Consider these if you seek to balance portability and performance.
• Desktop-Replacement Laptops are best for the user who wishes to replace a desktop computer with a laptop. These laptops offer processor speeds similar to the all-purpose laptops, typically falling between 2-3GHz, but the display size is normally larger, ranging from 16-19 inches. Desktop-replacement laptops will normally offer between 500-1500 GB of internal storage and come with 4-8GB of RAM preinstalled. These laptops tend to be a bit larger and heavier, and also have a shorter battery life than their all-purpose counterparts, but compensate with a lower price tag and larger display.
• Gaming Laptops are intended for users who plan to use their laptop to play computationally demanding video games. These laptops will offer processor speeds between 1-3GHz, with display sizes ranging between 12-18 inches. Gaming laptops typically offer between 250-1500GB of internal storage, with 2-4GB of ram preinstalled. What truly distinguishes these laptops is their upgraded video and sound cards, standard on most models. These machines will always run a version of Windows OS.
• Rugged Laptops are made for the user who will be exposing the laptop to harsh environments. These laptops will typically come with shock-mounted hard-drives and spill resistant keyboards. Rugged laptops should only be purchased if there is a specific need for such, as they are much heavier and more expensive than any of the other laptops.
• Budget Laptops are a good option for the user who is looking to get the most value out of the purchase. These laptops will fall between $450-850 and offer a wide variety of features, but you have to be willing to accept some trade-offs. For instance, you may be able to get a faster processor speed if you are willing to sacrifice internal storage, or vice versa. Try sorting the results based on the feature that is most important and you will certainly find a budget laptop that will work for you.

If you plan to use your laptop almost exclusively for browsing the Internet, you may want to consider a netbook or tablet computer instead, as they offer many of the same features in a much more compact and portable design.

The display size is the laptop’s screen size, measured diagonally in inches.