Country

Israel

Budget

6k shekels, in USD that would be around 2k. I rather stay under the 7k shekel mark.

Are you open to refurbs/used options?

No.

Screen size

Not picky!

Weight limit

Also not picky.

Purpose

Work, entertainment, hobbies.

Form factor

Just a regular laptop, I don't need any extra features like a touchscreen.

Intended usage

Graphic design, video editing, animations, all on Adobe programs, for gaming I intend to play games like Warframe and Baldur's Gate 3, so it needs to be powerful enough, but I don't need the best newest specs around, I don't care for 60fps or 4k+ resolutions, just good enough for the graphics to look nice and run smoothly, as for hobbies, I'll need the new laptop to run 3D modeling programs like Blender.

Desired battery life

3 to 6 hours.

Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life

Performance, Battery, Weight, Size. The size and weight could be interchangeable I do not care, when it comes to battery, I'm perfectly fine compromising on battery life if there's good cooling, so I don't fry the battery within a few months and land myself in another battery replacement loop.

Info/Requirements

IPS or OLED displays, no TN.

32GB RAM is a need.

Preferably with two SSD slots, even if it doesn't come installed with two, I want the option to be able to add a second one.

I understand maybe if my budget doesn't fit what I need, laptops are becoming pricer. For some context my current laptop is an HP pavilion cs 15, with nvidia MX 250 graphics, intel i7 processor, and 16GB RAM, and I was pretty happy with it (except the display) in general until recently, I think the RAM is dying, so I really don't need a super crazy laptop, i just need a decent upgrade from that laptop.

Thank you.

These are the options I think are moderate around my requirements, help me pick one or do suggest otherwise.

Hello, I am looking to get into animation as a hobby and am looking for a budget laptop. I know nothing about laptops or any design softwares outside of a few google searches, but it sounds fun and I would like to give it a try. Battery life is not a concern as I will use it stationary mainly. Screen size and weight do not concern me, I really just want to make sure that it would be able to run Krita and maybe Blender? Budget is around $600. Apologies for my lack of knowledge on the subject, but any direction would be helpful. Thank you in advance!

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

Country

United States

Budget

$700-$1200 (Would prefer to stay under $1000 if possible)

Are you open to refurbs/used options?

Yes!

Screen size

Ideally no smaller than 14"

Weight limit

Any

Purpose

Work/Projects and light gaming

Form factor

Standard/Clamshell (2-in-1 is fine as well, just not preferred).

Intended usage

New laptop for work (Software Tester), Personal Projects (Web Development and Machine Learning), and light gaming (Stardew Valley, Roblox, and Magic Arena).

Desired battery life

Any duration, but prefer as long lasting as possible (my current laptop dies in less than an hour)

Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life

Performance (biggest priority), battery life, size, and weight is not an issue.

Info/Requirements

My current Laptop (ROG Zephyrus M16) that I got in 2022, has started dying in less than an hour and freezes up (have to restart it constantly) while at work. My job did not give us computers, stating we should use our personal ones, so I really need something that will run well for work. I have a gaming PC at home, so I don’t need anything that can run heavy titles. Just something that can maybe run the games mentioned above when I am on the road. I don't know a ton about laptops, but I know that I want anywhere from 16-32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. I don't care much about it having the best graphics card on the market or anything like that, but I do want it to run everything programming wise just as well (if not better) than my current laptop. Game wise, it doesn’t matter much!! I tried going to Best Buy, but everytime I told them my budget, they would try to talk to me about opening up a credit card/payment plan for a 3-4k top of the line gaming laptop. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to look or leave advice!

Thank you! :D
(Also, I apologize in advance if there’s any spelling issues. I typed this very quickly on break, lol!)

I’m in Scotland, currently studying Advanced Highers and planning to study Aerospace Engineering at university. I want to buy a laptop now to replace my jotters since i’m lugging around about 10 every day, then ideally keep using it as my main computer throughout my degree and master’s.

# LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

**Budget & Country:** Purchasing in the UK. There’s no strict budget, however I’d rather spend £800 on something that genuinely meets my needs than £2,000 on something completely overkill. At anything above £1000 I’d want obvious substantial and practical benefit to justify the price. I’m hoping somebody can explain these benefits to me, if possible.

**Condition:** Preferably new to ensure it reliably lasts the full duration of my degree and master’s.

**Priorities:**
1. Form Factor & Portability (Must fold flat or detach into a nice portable ipad for taking notes, easy daily campus carry)
2. Very Long Battery Life (Crucial because I don't have access to plugs in classes right now)
3. Quiet & Cool Operation (I understand it won't be cool while running CAD, it just needs to be completely cool and silent when I'm doing notes and research in lecture halls)
4. Heavy CPU performance for CAD

**Size, Weight, & Aesthetics:** Highly prefer a smaller, highly portable footprint around 13 to 14 inches to fit comfortably on lecture theatre desks. If it’s available in silver that would be fantastic, I love the feel and look of Macs just don’t like how incompatible they are for Aero/Mech Eng.

**Software & Coursework Workloads:** Programming, CAD/3D modelling, large assemblies, CFD, FEA and general aerospace engineering coursework.

**Mandatory Hardware Requirements:**
* Windows only.
* Must fold completely flat with a 360° hinge or have a fully detachable screen so it can turn into a flat surface.
* Must come with or be compatible with a really good active stylus for comfortable writing and excellent palm rejection.
* At least 32 GB RAM is heavily prioritised.
* 512 GB storage minimum; 1 TB preferred.

**Finishing Thoughts:** I’m currently considering the ASUS ProArt PX13 and HP Spectre x360 14, but I’m more than open to other models as long as they meet the folding/detachable requirement.

I'm unsure if integrated graphics are enough or if i will need a separate non-flippable laptop with chunky graphics, as a big graphics card will make it too big unless you find one with a graphics card but also has the wanted form factor. I would love honest recommendations, a reality check if this is a wildly unachievable goal, or insight on:

1. What specs are genuinely worth prioritising for an aerospace engineering degree?
   
2. Is integrated graphics enough, or is a dedicated GPU worth the extra cost?
   
3. How demanding are large CAD assemblies, CFD and FEA in practice?

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

• Country

England

• Budget

£800 - £1200, £1500 at a push (~$1000 - $1600)

• Are you open to refurbs/used options?

Maybe

• Screen size

Ideally no smaller than 14"

• Weight limit

Any

• Purpose

Gaming and general use

• Form factor

Standard/Clamshell

• Intended usage

Ideally running the latest AAA games without much lag, and to be able to sustain this for a few years. No typical strenuous software usage comes to mind.

• Desired battery life

Nothing out of the ordinary.

• Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life

Performance is the biggest priority, then battery life, then size, and weight is not an issue.

• Info/Requirements

Nothing specific that hasn't been said above. I'm not that knowledgeable about specs and the like, my current laptop (Acer Nitro AN515-45) has been struggling for a while now, and recently had a RAM slot (port?) die - and it's not happy at 8GB haha. I've been considering waiting for Black Friday/Cyber Monday bearing in mind how much prices have risen recently, but I wanted to get people-who-know-what-they're-talking-about's advice on what to look out for, how much things will cost and whether it could even be worth just repairing my current laptop.

Thank you for reading and taking the time!

Hey everyone!

​I'm starting my first year of architecture school and need to buy a laptop that can handle the software we'll be using (Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Lumion, V-Ray, Adobe Suite, etc.). I know Macs aren't ideal for architecture because a lot of these programs have compatibility issues or don't run as well on macOS/iOS, so I'm strictly looking for a Windows machine.

​My budget is around €1,500, but I can stretch it a little bit if it's genuinely worth it for better build quality or performance. Italy

​

Country

Indonesia

Budget

Rp. 6.000.000.- /~340$

Are you open to refurbs/used options?

Yes, would also be open to buying used

Screen size

14 ideally, 16 at most

Weight limit

Around 2kgs or below

Purpose

Schoolwork (I'm an electrical engineering student), gaming.

Form factor

Clamshell preferred

Intended usage

CX-programmer, fluidsim, arduino ide, genshin impact(low to mid settings), honkai star rail(low to mid settings), roblox(mid to high settings).

Desired battery life

Around 3 would be nice

Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life

Performance, size, weight, battery life

Info/Requirements

AMD preferred, but am open to Intel if it's better or comparable. 512gb storage is a must, nvme preferred but fine with an ssd. Would like to have upgradable ram, but if it's more than 16gb I would be fine with soldered ram. Minimum 3 USB ports, rj45 would also be a nice addition. Don't care much about battery life since it's going to be plugged in most of the time anyways. Also budget is not that strict, willing to go up to about Rp. 6.300.000.- / 350$.

Already asked around in the main tech discussion sub of Indonesia (r/indotech) everyone said thinkpad or HP elitebooks, just asking for a second opinion

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

Country The Gambia

Budget 70,000 GMD (approximately 1000 USD)

Are you open to refurbs/used options? Yes

Screen size Any, preferable 14" to 16"

Weight limit Willing to accept a heavier laptop if it offers better cooling, durability, performance, and long term value.

Purpose Software development and personal learning, casual eFootball gaming and general use.

factor Standard/Clamshell (a regular laptop)

Intended usage Software development, right now I'm building application. For eFootball gaming 60fps the other settings moderate

Desired battery life 5-6 hours or more if possible

Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life Performance, weight, Battery life, size,

Info/Requirements

My maximum budget is 70,000 GMD, and I'm buying in The Gambia, where local availability and repair options matter. I'm planning to buy with cash around December 2026 or January 2027, depending on my savings and availability. I'd ideally like to keep the laptop for at least five years. Reliability, build quality, a comfortable keyboard, a good screen, responsive everyday performance, cooling, repairability, and upgradeability are important to me. I want at least 16GB RAM, preferably replaceable and upgradeable to 32GB or more, and at least a 512GB NVMe SSD. A second SSD slot would be a plus. I'm open to AMD or Intel and don't require a particular brand. I've considered Lenovo ThinkPad T14/P-series, HP ZBook, HP Victus, and Lenovo LOQ, but these are examples rather than a fixed shortlist. Please suggest alternatives if they better fit my needs. Exact generations and configurations matter because specifications can vary within the same model family. I'm not necessarily preparing for a software engineering job. I currently work in the power sector and learn software development independently because I enjoy it. I want a laptop that makes learning and building things comfortable and enjoyable, rather than one chosen only for maximum performance. I'd appreciate real-world ownership experiences, especially eFootball performance, cooling, reliability, common faults, upgrade limitations, and what to check before buying used. I'd also appreciate honest advice on whether a business laptop with integrated graphics or a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU makes more sense for my actual needs.

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

Country The Gambia

Budget 70,000 GMD maximum (approximately 1,000 USD; actual exchange rate and local prices may vary)

Are you open to refurbs/used options? Yes. I'm open to both new and used laptops, provided the condition, price, reliability, and value are good.

Screen size Any, preferably 14" to 16". I'm open to other sizes if the laptop offers a better overall experience.

Weight limit Any reasonable weight. I can accept a heavier laptop if it offers better cooling, durability, performance, and long-term value.

Purpose Software development, personal learning and projects, casual eFootball gaming, and general computer use.

Form factor Standard laptop/clamshell.

Intended usage I'm a self-taught learner currently focusing on application development. I use programming to learn, explore ideas, build projects, and understand how software works. I also use AI tools to help me learn.

I'm interested in software and hardware more broadly, including possibly exploring AI, game development, and microcontrollers such as Arduino and ESP32 in the future. These are possibilities rather than immediate professional workloads, so I don't want to overspend on hardware for things I may never need. I want a good foundation for what I'm doing now with reasonable room to grow.

I also play eFootball casually. My main priority is smooth, enjoyable gameplay without bothersome stuttering. I'm happy to lower graphics settings if necessary. I don't need maximum graphics or a competitive gaming machine. I'd like to know whether a modern integrated GPU can meet these needs or whether a dedicated GPU is worth the extra cost. Please consider real-world performance for the specific laptop configuration.

I want the laptop to feel responsive when booting, opening applications, switching tasks, and working on projects. My previous computer experiences have sometimes made me reluctant to sit down and use them, so the comfort and overall experience of daily use matter to me as much as specifications.

Desired battery life Around 5–6 hours of light everyday use would be desirable if realistic, but I understand that gaming and high-performance laptops may offer less. I can accept lower battery life if the laptop is otherwise a better fit.

Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life Performance, Size, Weight, Battery life.

Info/Requirements My maximum budget is 70,000 GMD, and I'm buying in The Gambia, where local availability and repair options matter. I'm planning to buy with cash around December 2026 or January 2027, depending on savings and availability.

I would ideally like to keep the laptop for at least five years. Reliability, build quality, comfortable keyboard, good screen, responsive everyday performance, cooling, repairability, and upgradeability are important to me.

Minimum 16GB RAM, preferably replaceable and upgradeable to 32GB or more. At least a 512GB NVMe SSD; a second SSD slot would be a plus. I'm open to AMD or Intel and don't require a particular brand.

I've considered Lenovo ThinkPad T14/P-series, HP ZBook, HP Victus, and Lenovo LOQ, but these are only examples. Please suggest better options if appropriate, and identify exact generations and configurations because specifications can vary significantly within the same laptop model.

I'm not necessarily preparing for a software engineering job. I currently work in the power sector and learn software development independently in my free time because I enjoy it. I want a laptop that makes it comfortable and enjoyable to learn and build things, rather than one chosen only for maximum performance.

Please share real-world ownership experiences where possible, including eFootball performance, cooling, reliability, common faults, upgrade limitations, and what to check before buying used. I'd appreciate honest advice about whether a business laptop with integrated graphics or a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU makes more sense for my actual needs.

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

• Country

United States (USA)

• Budget

$1,000–$1,200 USD. Willing to stretch to $1,300 for an excellent deal during Black Friday 2026.

• Are you open to refurbs/used options?

I prefer buying new, but I'm open to certified refurbished laptops with a good warranty.

• Screen size

14–16 inches. I like smaller laptops for portability, but I'm comfortable with a larger screen.

• Weight limit

Preferably under 4.5 lbs, although I'm flexible.

• Purpose

College, gaming, video editing, entertainment, and everyday use.

• Form factor

Standard/clamshell laptop. I prefer slim, premium-looking designs with good build quality.

• Intended usage

Microsoft Office, college assignments, web browsing, multitasking, gaming, and video editing.

I play a variety of games and would like to run modern games smoothly at medium-to-high settings when possible.

I'm upgrading from a laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U and integrated Radeon Vega graphics, so I'm looking for a significant performance upgrade.

• Desired battery life

Ideally 7–9 hours during light activities like browsing, studying, and completing assignments. I understand gaming will significantly reduce battery life.

• Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life

Battery life > Performance > Weight > Size.

• Info/Requirements

I've been looking at the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 because I like their slim, premium designs, portability, and build quality. However, I'm open to other brands offering similar quality for less money.

My main preferences are:

• Quiet fans during normal college activities. I understand gaming will make them louder.
• Good cooling and reliable performance.
• NVIDIA RTX 5050,5060 or better, if possible.
• Ideally 32GB RAM, but 16GB is acceptable.
• Preferably 1TB SSD.
• A good-quality display, preferably 144Hz or higher.
• OLED would be nice but isn't required.
• Good battery life, portability, and long-term durability.

Can you recommend another laptop within my budget?

I'm especially interested in real-world owner experiences regarding battery life, fan noise, temperatures, gaming performance, and reliability.

I'm planning to purchase around Black Friday 2026.

Thanks in advance!

I want a laptop with good performance, battery life, audio

Budget: Under $1k USD

Preferred specs: 16 ram, 512 gb

Uses: smooth Minecraft gameplay (60-90 fps works, no crazy lag spikes, unmodded, no shaders), Lightroom classic, social media, music listening

It doesnt have to be a gaming laptop, it can be smaller than 16 inch screen

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

• Country

Netherlands

• Budget

€ 2500,-

• Are you open to refurbs/used options?

No

• Screen size

Any from 16" to 18"

• Weight limit

Any

• Purpose

Gaming

• Form factor

N/a

• Intended usage

Games like Enshrouded, Valheim, Planet Zoo 2, RS Dragonwilds, Cyberpunk etc.

• Desired battery life

N/a

• Please list, in order of most important to least important, the priority between Size, Weight, Performance, Battery life

Performance I guess, rest doesn't really matter

• Info/Requirements

Preferred specs: NVIDIA 5070 12 GB (or is 8GB enough?), 32GB RAM, 1TB Storage

Not sure about OLED or anti-glare (currently have anti-glare, no OLED), so any advice is welcome.

TIA!

Country
US
Budget
About $1000 USD
Are you open to refurbs/used options?
Maybe
Screen size
Any
Weight limit
Any

I’m looking for a windows laptop instead of a Mac one

Intended usage

- Computer Science schoolwork such as running virtual machines, coding programs
- Video editing (30 minute videos)
- General entertainment watching shows/movies
- I do play Minecraft so something tolerable for that would be nice

Desired battery life
Switching from a 2020 MacBook Air, Google says it has 6 hours of battery life with everyday online and I usually get about 3/4 hours

Priority
Performance
Longevity (my current laptop started having issues within 2/3 years)
Battery life