Laptop buying guide

Laptops have been outselling desktop PCs for over a decade, and it’s easy to see why. They’re portable, versatile, and powerful, making them ideal for students, professionals, creators, and gamers alike. But with so many models, features, and specs on the market, knowing how to choose a laptop can feel overwhelming. That’s why this laptop buying guide is here to help.

We break down everything you need to consider, from screen sizes and processors to operating systems and the latest AI features, so you can confidently find the right laptop for your lifestyle and budget.

Table of contents

1. Choosing your platform: Windows, Mac, or Chrome?
2. Types of laptops
3. Key components explained
4. Smart features to look for
5. Battery life and upgradability
6. Pick the right laptop for you

When we talk about laptops, we’re using an umbrella term that covers a range of portable computers, each suited for a different purpose. While the general clamshell form factor is the common thread, each can vary significantly when it comes to capabilities, intended use, and price.

Choosing your platform: Windows, Mac, or Chrome?

Choosing the right operating system is the most important first decision when picking a laptop. Generally, it makes sense to stick with the platform you know and prefer. But understanding the differences can help guide your decision based on your ecosystem, app needs, and long-term plans.

Is a MacBook right for you?

Apple’s MacBook lineup has expanded significantly in 2026, and now spans three distinct tiers, making it more accessible than ever before.

• MacBook Neo: The newest addition and the most affordable Mac Apple has ever made. It runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 16 Pro, rather than an M-series chip. That distinction matters: the MacBook Neo is designed for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, writing, and light photo editing, and it handles all of those well. Apple rates battery life at up to 16 hours, and early real-world reviews confirm it delivers genuinely all-day performance. It’s fanless and completely silent, built from recycled aluminium, and notably designed to be Apple’s most repairable laptop in years. For students, first-time Mac buyers, and casual users, it’s a compelling entry point into macOS that genuinely competes with mid-range Windows laptops on price.
• MacBook Air with M5: The sweet spot for most buyers who want a full-powered Mac. Apple’s M5 chip brings a meaningful performance upgrade over the previous M4 generation, faster AI processing, improved multi-core throughput, and double the base storage, now starting at 512GB. Battery life is rated at up to 18 hours.
• MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max: Built for professionals who push their machines hard, such as video editors, 3D artists, developers, and creators working with large files and demanding software. The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips include a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core, delivering significantly faster AI performance than the previous generation. Thunderbolt 5 is standard on both models.

Across all three tiers, MacBooks share the same core strengths: tight hardware-software integration, long battery life, silent or near-silent operation, and reliable macOS support that Apple typically maintains for six to eight years after release. The tradeoffs apply equally across the lineup: no touchscreens, limited gaming capability compared to dedicated Windows gaming laptops, and higher prices relative to Windows machines at similar spec levels. If you rely on Windows-only software or want a machine built specifically for serious gaming, a MacBook isn’t the right fit, but for casual gaming through Steam and Apple Arcade, modern Macs are considerably more capable than they used to be.

Is a Windows laptop the better choice?

Windows laptops are the most versatile category on the market. They come in every size, price range, and configuration imaginable, from budget machines to high-end gaming rigs and ultra-thin professional ultrabooks. Most new Windows laptops ship with Windows 11 and are built around one of three processor platforms:

• Intel Core Ultra 200 series: Intel’s current generation, now carrying the “Core Ultra” branding rather than the older Core i5/i7 naming. These chips focus on power efficiency, AI acceleration, and strong everyday performance. You’ll find them across premium ultrabooks and professional laptops.
• AMD Ryzen AI 300 series: AMD’s current laptop lineup, designed for strong multi-core performance and solid integrated graphics. A competitive choice for creative work, multitasking, and productivity, often at a lower price than equivalent Intel options.
• Snapdragon X series: Qualcomm’s laptop chips, designed specifically for thin, light Windows machines with long battery life and capable AI features. The Snapdragon X Elite covers higher-end performance needs; the Snapdragon X Plus is found in more accessible mid-range models.

One important category to understand is Copilot+ PCs. These are Windows laptops that meet a specific hardware threshold set by Microsoft, primarily a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 TOPS (a measure of AI processing speed). Copilot+ machines unlock exclusive Windows features, including Recall, live real-time caption translation, AI image generation with Cocreator, and smarter search. If you’re buying a new Windows laptop, many current mid-range and premium models already qualify. It’s worth confirming whether the laptop you’re considering is a Copilot+ device, as these features will become increasingly useful over time.

When does a Chromebook make sense?

Chromebooks run on Google’s ChromeOS, which is built around the browser and cloud-based apps. They’re not the right choice for heavy local software or offline-heavy workflows, but for students, families, and casual users who primarily browse the web, use Google Workspace, and stream content, they offer excellent value at a price that’s hard to beat. Most Chromebooks also support Android apps through the Google Play Store, and many include stylus input, making them especially practical for students. If you’re buying for a child or looking for a simple, affordable secondary device, a Chromebook is a practical and easy-to-manage option.

Platform comparison

Choosing between Windows, Mac, and Chrome doesn’t have to be complicated. Each platform has a clear strength and a clear limitation. If you’re still weighing your options, this quick comparison cuts through the noise so you can move forward with confidence.

Category	MacBook	Windows laptop	Chromebook
Operating system	macOS	Windows 11	ChromeOS
Best for	Creatives, Apple ecosystem users, students, professionals	Students, professionals, gamers, power users	Students, casual users, families
Key strength	Battery life, build quality, hardware-software integration	Widest range of choice, software compatibility, gaming	Affordable, simple, secure
Main limitation	No touchscreen, limited gaming, higher cost	Quality varies widely by brand and price	Limited offline use, no heavy software
Starting price (CAD)	From $799 (MacBook Neo)	From ~$399	From ~$299
Touchscreen available?	No	Yes (on many models)	Yes (on many models)
Gaming capable?	Limited (casual and indie games via Steam and Apple Arcade)	Yes, with a dedicated GPU, entry-level models with integrated graphics are not suited for gaming	Android and cloud gaming only

Types of laptops

Laptops come in several categories based on how you use them. Understanding which type fits your life is just as important as understanding the specs inside.

Traditional or everyday laptops

Most laptops, including the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, many Windows devices, and Chromebooks, fall into the everyday laptop category. They’re designed to handle a wide range of tasks: web browsing, word processing, streaming, video calls, and light photo editing. These laptops come in various sizes, with 13- to 15-inch displays being the most popular, and strike a reasonable balance between performance, portability, and price.

When evaluating an everyday laptop, go beyond the spec sheet. Ask yourself: how long will the battery realistically last? Is the keyboard comfortable for long typing sessions? Does the display look good at normal indoor brightness? Does it have enough ports for the devices you regularly connect? A 14- or 15-inch display is the sweet spot for most people, large enough for comfortable work, but still light enough to carry. If you’re buying for school, prioritise battery life and weight. If you’re buying for a home office, display quality and keyboard comfort matter more.

A rapidly growing subcategory here is AI-powered laptops, including Copilot+ PCs. These devices feature built-in NPUs that handle real-time AI tasks, such as transcription, noise removal, smart search, and image enhancement more efficiently than standard chips. They’re especially useful for multitaskers, creators, and professionals who want a laptop built for smarter performance right out of the box. Since most current mid-range Windows laptops already meet the Copilot+ threshold, it’s a useful specification to look for without significantly limiting your options.

2-in-1 laptops

2-in-1 laptops combine the functionality of a laptop and a tablet, offering a flexible solution for those who want both in one device. Most are Windows-based, though you’ll find Chromebook options too. Their versatile designs allow multiple modes: tent mode for watching videos, stand mode for presentations, or full tablet mode for touchscreen use, thanks to hinges that fold 360 degrees. This makes them ideal for stylus use, whether you’re taking notes, sketching, or annotating documents.

Some models go further with fully detachable screens that work as standalone tablets. The honest tradeoff: a 2-in-1 typically doesn’t perform as well as a dedicated laptop or a dedicated tablet at the same price. You’re paying for mechanical flexibility, not raw capability. If you genuinely use both modes regularly, it’s a worthwhile investment. If you’d mostly use it as a laptop, a standard model will serve you better.

Gaming laptops

Gaming laptops are engineered to handle one of the most demanding computing tasks, playing modern video games, within a portable form factor. These Windows-based machines are built around a dedicated GPU (graphics processing unit), which handles the heavy visual workload that standard integrated graphics simply can’t manage at high settings. The current generation from NVIDIA is the RTX 50-series, which brings improved performance and AI-accelerated rendering through DLSS 4 technology.

Here’s a practical breakdown of what each GPU tier gets you:

GPU tier	Best for	Expected gaming performance	Typical price range (CAD)
RTX 5060	Casual to mid-level gaming	1080p–1440p at high settings	~$1,499 – $1,999
RTX 5070	Serious gaming, content creation	1440p ultra settings, 4K capable	~$1,999 – $2,799
RTX 5080	Enthusiast gaming, professional GPU workloads	4K gaming, heavy creative software	~$2,999 – $4,199
RTX 5090	Maximum performance	Top-tier 4K and beyond	$4,500+
RTX 40-series (previous gen)	Budget gaming, still capable	1080p–1440p depending on tier	~$1,099 – $1,999

RTX 40-series laptops remain available and represent solid value at lower price points. RTX 50-series is where the newest performance improvements live, worth targeting if your budget allows.

Gaming laptops have also become more practical as everyday machines. Modern designs are considerably slimmer and lighter than they used to be, and battery life during non-gaming use has improved noticeably. That makes them a legitimate dual-purpose option for anyone who also runs demanding software like video editing tools, 3D design programs, or engineering applications, not just players. The tradeoffs remain: they’re heavier than ultrabooks at 2 to 2.5 kg, and you’ll still want to plug in during serious gaming sessions to get full GPU performance.

Key Laptop components explained

There are many components that go into every laptop, but there are four that have the biggest impact on a laptop’s performance and capabilities, and cost: the CPU, RAM, storage, and display. Gaming laptops add a fifth of a dedicated GPU, which becomes the critical component for anything graphics intensive. When searching for a laptop at Best Buy, you’ll find the main specs listed right at the top of each product page.

CPU: what processor do you need?

The processor is the engine behind your laptop’s speed and responsiveness. Whether you’re multitasking with spreadsheets, editing photos, or joining video calls, a capable processor ensures everything runs smoothly. Here’s a practical guide to what you’ll find:

Use case	Windows chip options	Mac option
Budget and basic everyday use	Intel Core Ultra 5, AMD Ryzen AI 5, Snapdragon X Plus	MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)
Students and home office users	Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7, AMD Ryzen AI 5 or 7	MacBook Air M5
Creative work and multitasking	Intel Core Ultra 7, AMD Ryzen AI 7	MacBook Air M5 or MacBook Pro M5
Professional and heavy workloads	Intel Core Ultra 9, AMD Ryzen AI 9	MacBook Pro M5 Pro
Studio-level and intensive workloads	Intel Core Ultra 9 (top config)	MacBook Pro M5 Max
Gaming	Paired with dedicated RTX 50-series GPU	Not applicable

A key addition to many modern processors is the Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a dedicated chip that handles real-time AI features like background blur on video calls, live caption translation, and smart file indexing, without taxing the main CPU. For Copilot+ certification on Windows, the NPU needs to reach 40+ TOPS. Most current mid-range and premium chips meet this threshold, but it’s worth confirming on the specific model you’re considering.

RAM: what is it and how much do you need?

RAM (random access memory) is your laptop’s short-term working space. It holds everything currently active so your laptop can switch between tasks quickly. The more RAM you have, the more your device can handle at once before things start to slow down:

• 8GB: Fine for a Chromebook, a MacBook Neo used for basic tasks, or a simple secondary device. For a primary Windows laptop in 2026, it’s increasingly limiting.
• 16GB: The practical minimum for a Windows or Mac laptop today. Handles everyday multitasking, browsing, streaming, and light creative work comfortably.
• 32GB: The right choice for content creators, video editors, photographers, developers, and anyone regularly working with large files or multiple demanding applications at once.
• 64GB+: Professional workstations, heavy 3D rendering, machine learning workflows, and advanced video production.

One critical thing to know: most modern laptops have RAM soldered directly to the motherboard, meaning it cannot be upgraded after purchase. What you buy is what you have for the life of the device. Buy more than you think you need today, especially if you plan to keep the laptop for several years.

Storage: SSD capacity and what to look for

Your laptop’s storage determines how much room you have for files, photos, apps, and games, and how quickly you can access them. SSDs (solid-state drives) are now standard across virtually all new laptops, replacing the slower-spinning hard drives of older machines.

• 256GB: Workable for a Chromebook or a secondary device, but tight for a primary laptop.
• 512GB: A practical starting point for most users, covers everyday documents, apps, and a moderate media library. Now the base configuration on the MacBook Air M5.
• 1TB: Recommended for anyone storing photos, video projects, or games locally. Gives you breathing room without constantly managing your drive.
• 2TB+: For gamers with large libraries, video editors working with high-resolution footage, or anyone who prefers to keep everything stored locally.

Cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, and iCloud can supplement your local storage, but they require a reliable internet connection and a paid subscription for meaningful capacity. They’re a useful addition, not a substitute for adequate local storage on a primary device.

The display: what to look for

Your laptop’s screen shapes your entire experience, and yet it’s one of the most underrated considerations when shopping. Here’s what actually matters:

Panel type	Best for	Key strength	Tradeoff
IPS	Everyday use, students, general productivity	Good colour accuracy, wide viewing angles, reliable	Less contrast than OLED or mini-LED
OLED	Media consumption, photo/video editing, creative work	Deep blacks, vivid colour, excellent contrast	Higher energy use; minor long-term burn-in risk
Mini-LED	Everyday use, students, and general productivity	High brightness and contrast without burn-in risk	Found mostly in higher-priced models

• Resolution: A 13- to 14-inch display at 1920×1200 or higher is sharp and portable. A 15- to 16-inch screen at 2560×1600 gives you noticeably more working space and is better suited for creative and professional use.
• Refresh rate: 60Hz is standard and sufficient for everyday tasks. 120Hz or higher makes scrolling and on-screen motion noticeably smoother, strongly recommended for gaming laptops, and a genuine quality-of-life improvement for any laptop used during long daily sessions.
• Aspect ratio: Most current premium laptops have moved to 16:10, which gives you more vertical screen space. This is a real practical improvement for reading, writing, and working with documents compared to the older 16:9 widescreen standard still common on budget and gaming laptops.
• Touchscreen: Useful and essentially required on 2-in-1s. Less critical on a standard laptop, though convenient for quick navigation. Note that no MacBook currently supports a touchscreen.

Not sure what size is right for you? Visit our Laptop size guide for help choosing the perfect fit.

Smart features worth considering when buying a laptop

Today’s laptops go far beyond the basics, offering connectivity and quality-of-life features that can meaningfully elevate your daily experience, whether you’re working, creating, or streaming:

• Wi-Fi 7 is the latest wireless standard, delivering significantly faster and more stable connections than Wi-Fi 6, particularly in homes or offices with many connected devices. The MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max now include Wi-Fi 7 as standard, and it’s increasingly common across premium Windows laptops. Worth having if you’re buying a laptop you plan to keep for several years, even if you don’t yet have a Wi-Fi 7 router.
• USB4 and Thunderbolt 4/5 are high-speed port standards that look identical to regular USB-C but do far more. A single USB4 or Thunderbolt port can transfer large files in seconds, drive an external display, and charge the laptop, all simultaneously through one cable. Not all USB-C ports offer this. A port labelled simply “USB-C” without USB4 or Thunderbolt certification will be significantly more limited. If your setup involves an external monitor, docking station, or fast external storage, make sure the laptop has at least one of these ports. The MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max include Thunderbolt 5, which offers more than double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4.
• AI-enhanced webcams and microphones are now common in premium models. Features like auto-framing, noise cancellation, and low-light enhancement make video calls feel noticeably more polished. The MacBook Air M5 includes a 12MP Center Stage camera. Look for 1080p as the practical minimum on any mid-range or premium laptop.
• Build quality and weight matter more than they look on a spec sheet if you carry your laptop regularly. Most ultrabooks fall between 1.2 and 1.5 kg; the MacBook Neo weighs just 1.2 kg, making it one of the most portable options currently available. Gaming laptops typically run 2 to 2.5 kg. Premium builds from brands like Apple, Dell XPS, LG Gram, and Lenovo ThinkPad use aluminium or carbon fibre chassis that hold up well over years of daily use.

Which features matter most for your lifestyle?

Beyond the individual features, it helps to think about which ones matter most for your specific situation. A student carrying a laptop across campus every day has different priorities than a video editor working from a home studio, or a gamer who wants performance and portability in one machine. Here’s a quick reference to help you match the right features to the way you actually use your laptop:

User type	Features to prioritise
Student	Battery life, weight, build durability, USB-C charging
Home office professional	Webcam quality, USB4/Thunderbolt, display quality, Wi-Fi 7
Creative (photo/video)	Display panel type and colour accuracy, RAM, M5 or dedicated GPU
Gamer	GPU tier, display refresh rate, cooling, RAM
Frequent traveller	Weight, battery life, compact size
Casual everyday user	Battery life, display quality, price-to-value

Curious about how all these pieces come together? Check out our full Laptop specifications: what you need to know for a deeper look at what each spec means in practice.

Battery life and upgradability

Two of the most practical and most overlooked questions in laptop shopping are how long the battery will actually last in real use and whether you can upgrade anything inside the laptop after you buy it. Getting both of these right from the start can make the difference between a laptop that serves you well for years and one you’ll want to replace sooner than expected.

What to expect from battery life

Battery life is one of the most common sources of post-purchase frustration, and one of the most misleading numbers on a spec sheet. A laptop that claims 18 hours but delivers nine in real-world conditions is something you’ll notice every single day. Here’s what to realistically expect by platform:

Platform / model	Real-world estimate	Notes
MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)	~14 – 16 hours	Fanless and efficient; strong all-day performance
MacBook Air M5	~15 – 18 hours	Best-in-class for a thin-and-light laptop
MacBook Pro M5 Pro / M5 Max	~12 – 18 hours	Varies with workload intensity
Snapdragon X laptops	~12 – 18 hours	Closest Windows rival to MacBook battery life
Intel Core Ultra / AMD Ryzen AI ultrabooks	~8 – 14 hours	Varies significantly by model
Gaming laptops (everyday tasks)	~4 – 8 hours	Significantly less during active gaming

Manufacturer claims are measured under ideal conditions, low screen brightness and minimal background activity. In real-world use with Wi-Fi on and normal brightness, expect roughly 70 to 80% of the advertised figure. When reading reviews, look for independent battery tests under realistic conditions rather than spec sheet numbers alone.

One practical tip most buyers overlook: check the battery capacity listed in watt-hours (Wh) in the spec sheet. This is a more reliable comparison point between laptops than the manufacturer’s hour estimate, which can vary significantly depending on how the test was conducted.

How upgradable is a laptop?

Unlike desktops, many modern laptops come with soldered RAM and storage, meaning you can’t upgrade them later. That makes it important to choose the right specs from the start.

Component	Thin/light laptops	Gaming laptops	MacBooks (all models)
RAM	No (soldered)	Sometimes	No (soldered)
Storage (SSD)	Sometimes (M.2 slot)	Often (M.2 slot)	No (soldered)
Battery	Service centre only	Service centre only	Service centre only
GPU	No	No	No

To check before you buy: look for “LPDDR5” or “unified memory” in the RAM spec. This almost always indicates soldered memory. For storage, look for “M.2 slot” in the spec sheet, or check independent teardown reviews on sites like iFixit or Notebookcheck.

For buyers who want long-term hardware flexibility, Framework laptops are the most practical modular option available. Framework designs machines where RAM, storage, ports, and even the main board can be swapped out over time, reducing both upgrade costs and electronic waste. If upgradeability matters but Framework isn’t your preference, gaming laptops from brands like ASUS ROG, MSI, and Lenovo Legion often offer more accessible storage upgrade options than standard ultrabooks.

Want a better sense of how different laptop types compare overall? Our notebook vs. Chromebook vs. laptop guide can help you sort it out.

Ready to buy a laptop?

Whether you’re gearing up for school, upgrading your home office, or searching for a high-performance creative machine, the right laptop is out there, and now you know exactly what to look for.

Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

• For school or everyday use on a budget: The MacBook Neo is the most compelling new entry at this price from Apple. For Windows, a mid-range laptop with Intel Core Ultra 5 or AMD Ryzen AI 5, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD covers most students well.
• For everyday home and professional use: The MacBook Air M5, sets the benchmark for thin-and-light performance and battery life. Windows users should target a Core Ultra 7 or Ryzen AI 7 machine with 16GB RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage.
• For creative and professional work: The MacBook Pro M5 Pro is purpose-built for demanding creative workflows. On Windows, look for a Core Ultra 7 or Ryzen AI 7 machine with 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and optionally a mid-range dedicated GPU for faster rendering.
• For gaming: An RTX 5060 or RTX 5070-based gaming laptop covers most players well. Step up to RTX 5080 for maximum performance or if you also run GPU-intensive creative software.
• For portability and battery life above all else: The MacBook Neo and MacBook Air M5 lead the pack. On Windows, a Snapdragon X-powered ultrabook is the closest rival.
• For budget shoppers: A Chromebook handles light tasks reliably at the lowest price. A mid-range Windows laptop covers most everyday users without the premium price tag.

Explore our latest laptop deals and back-to-school specials. And don’t forget the extras, boost your setup with laptop accessories like ergonomic gear, laptop bags, external drives, and docking stations. The right laptop can genuinely transform how you work, learn, and create. Take the next step, confidently explore all laptops at Best Buy Canada.