To choose a laptop, decide what you’ll use it for, then pick the operating system, screen size, processor, RAM, and storage that fit those tasks. Check the keyboard, battery life, and how easy the laptop is to repair. Once your laptop arrives, setting it up takes about 30 minutes to an hour: charge it, sign in, install updates, protect your account, and move your files over.
In this guide, we walk through how to choose a laptop step by step, what to look for in screens and keyboards, why battery life and repairability matter, and how to set up a new laptop. For more laptop terms, visit our laptop glossary.
How to Choose a Laptop
The easiest way to choose a laptop is to work through a few decisions in order, starting with how you’ll use it. Each choice narrows your options, so by the end you’ll have a short list of laptops that fit your needs.
Step-by-step laptop buying guide
- Decide how you’ll use it. Everyday tasks, schoolwork, business, gaming, and creative work each need different specs.
- Pick a laptop type. Choose a standard laptop, 2-in-1, gaming laptop, professional laptop, or Chromebook.
- Choose an operating system. Windows 11 runs the widest range of software; ChromeOS suits web-based work.
- Choose a screen size. 13 to 14 inches for carrying every day; 15.6 to 16 inches for desk use; see our laptop size guide.
- Pick a processor. A mid-range Intel® Core™ Ultra 5, AMD Ryzen™ AI 5, or Snapdragon® X Plus covers most people; see our laptop comparisons glossary.
- Get enough RAM and storage. 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD suit most buyers; see our memory and storage glossary.
- Check the keyboard, screen quality, and battery life. These shape how the laptop feels every day.
- Consider repairability and warranty. A laptop that’s easier to service and well supported lasts longer.
Quick picks by use
| Use | Recommended setup |
|---|---|
| Everyday home use | 15.6- or 16-inch standard laptop, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD |
| Students | 13- or 14-inch laptop or 2-in-1, 16GB RAM, long battery life |
| Work and hybrid | 14-inch business laptop, 16GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro, 1080p or better webcam |
| Gaming | 16-inch gaming laptop, dedicated GPU, 16GB to 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD |
| Creative work | 16-inch laptop, color-accurate display, 32GB RAM, dedicated GPU |
For more help comparing HP models, read the HP laptop buying guide and our guide on how to choose the best HP laptop for you.
Choosing a Laptop Screen and Keyboard
The screen and keyboard are the parts of a laptop you use every minute, so they’re worth checking closely. For most people, a good laptop screen is Full HD or sharper, at least 300 nits bright, and uses an IPS or OLED panel. A good keyboard is backlit, comfortable to type on, and has a layout that fits your work.
What to look for in a laptop screen
| Screen feature | Good choice for most people | Consider if |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080) or FHD+ (1920 x 1200) | 2.5K to 4K for photo, video, or design work |
| Brightness | 300 nits or more | 400 nits or more for bright rooms or outdoor use |
| Panel type | IPS | OLED for richer color and deeper blacks |
| Finish | Matte for less glare | Glossy for touch screens and vivid color |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz or higher for smoother scrolling and gaming |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 for more vertical space | 16:9 for movies and games |
Learn more in our laptop size guide and panel types glossary.
What to look for in a laptop keyboard
- Backlighting: Lets you type in dim rooms; browse backlit keyboard laptops or learn how to turn keyboard lighting on and off
- Key travel: Keys that press down a bit deeper feel more comfortable for long typing sessions
- Number pad: Useful for spreadsheets and data entry; usually found on 15.6-inch and larger laptops
- Layout and key size: Full-size arrow keys and well-spaced keys help reduce typos
- Spill resistance: A spill-resistant keyboard helps protect against small accidents
- Shortcut keys: Dedicated keys for the camera, microphone mute, or Copilot can save time
If you can, try typing on a laptop before you buy. If the built-in keyboard isn’t a good fit, an external keyboard is an easy add-on at your desk; see our keyboards glossary.
Battery Life and Repairability
Battery life tells you how long a laptop runs between charges, and repairability tells you how easily it can be fixed or upgraded later. Both affect how useful a laptop stays over time. For most people, aim for at least 8 hours of real-world battery life and a laptop with replaceable parts like storage and, ideally, memory.
How much battery life do you need?
| How you use your laptop | Battery life to look for |
|---|---|
| Mostly plugged in at a desk | 6 hours or more |
| School or hybrid work | 8 to 10 hours or more |
| Frequent travel | 12 hours or more |
| Gaming away from an outlet | Expect 3 to 6 hours, even on larger batteries |
Battery life on a spec sheet is measured under specific test conditions, so real-world results are usually shorter. Thin-and-light and AI laptops with efficient processors tend to last longest. Look for fast charging too, which can restore a large share of the battery in under an hour on many models. Learn more in our laptop battery guide.
What makes a laptop repairable?
| Repairability feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Replaceable SSD | Lets you add storage or replace a failed drive |
| Removable memory (SO-DIMM slots) | Lets you add RAM later instead of buying a new laptop |
| Replaceable battery | Extends the laptop’s life when the battery wears out |
| Standard screws and an easy-to-open bottom panel | Makes repairs faster and simpler |
| Available service manuals and parts | Helps technicians, and you, fix the laptop correctly |
| Long-term software and driver support | Keeps the laptop secure and working with new apps |
A more repairable laptop can last longer and create less e-waste. Learn more in our repairability glossary and laptop installations and upgrades glossary, or read about how to upgrade your laptop.
How to Set Up a New Laptop
Setting up a new Windows laptop takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Charge it, connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with a Microsoft account, and let Windows install updates. Then secure your account, set up backups, move your files, and install the apps you use. Following these steps in order helps your laptop start out fast, secure, and ready to use.
New laptop setup checklist
- Charge the laptop. Plug it in before you start so it doesn’t shut down during updates.
- Complete Windows setup. Choose your region and keyboard, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Microsoft account.
- Set up Windows Hello. Add a PIN, fingerprint, or face sign-in for quick, secure access.
- Install updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates, then restart. Repeat until no updates remain.
- Update HP drivers and BIOS. Open the HP app or HP Support Assistant to check for HP updates; see our guide on how to update an HP laptop.
- Set up backups. Turn on OneDrive backup or connect an external drive with File History.
- Move your files. Copy files from your old computer with cloud storage, an external drive, or the Windows Backup app.
- Install your apps. Download apps from the Microsoft Store or each developer’s website.
- Adjust key settings. Set your power mode, display brightness, and touchpad preferences, and register your laptop with HP for support.
Before you get rid of your old laptop
Back up everything, sign out of your accounts, then reset the old laptop to erase your data before you sell, donate, or recycle it. See our backups, troubleshooting, and resets glossary and laptop security and safety glossary for safe disposal steps.
For more on keeping your new laptop running well, see our laptop updates glossary and laptop accessories guide. Chromebook setup is simpler: sign in with a Google account and your settings sync automatically, as explained in our Chromebook glossary.
Picking and Setup FAQs
How do I choose the right laptop?
To choose the right laptop, start with what you’ll use it for, then pick a laptop type, operating system, screen size, processor, RAM, and storage that fit those tasks. Check the keyboard, screen quality, battery life, and warranty before you buy.
What should I look for when buying a laptop?
When buying a laptop, look for at least 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, a Full HD or sharper screen, 8 or more hours of battery life, and a comfortable backlit keyboard. Match the processor and graphics to the work you’ll do most.
How long does it take to set up a new laptop?
Setting up a new Windows laptop usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, including Windows updates. Moving files and installing apps can take longer, depending on how much you transfer.
What should I do first with a new laptop?
The first things to do with a new laptop are to charge it, complete Windows setup, sign in, and install all available Windows and HP updates. Then set up Windows Hello, turn on backups, and move your files over.
How much battery life should a laptop have?
Most people should look for a laptop with at least 8 hours of real-world battery life. Frequent travelers should look for 12 hours or more, while gaming laptops usually last 3 to 6 hours on battery.
Is a backlit keyboard worth it?
Yes, a backlit keyboard is worth it for anyone who types in dim rooms, on flights, or late at night. Most backlit keyboards have adjustable brightness and can be turned off to save battery.
What makes a laptop easy to repair?
A laptop is easier to repair when it has a replaceable SSD, removable memory, a replaceable battery, standard screws, and available service manuals and parts. Repairable laptops can be upgraded and kept in use longer.
How do I transfer files to a new laptop?
To transfer files to a new laptop, use cloud storage such as OneDrive, copy files to an external drive, or use the Windows Backup app to move files and settings from an older Windows PC.
