Buying a Laptop in 2025: A Beginner’s Guide
Buying a new laptop in 2025 can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. With dozens of models, flashy spec sheets, and tech jargon flying around, how do you know what you actually need?
Whether it’s for work, study, staying in touch with family, or simply browsing the internet, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying a laptop this year, in plain English. I’ll cover recommended specifications, pitfalls to avoid, new hardware changes, and real examples of laptops worth your money.
Let’s dive in.
💻 What Will You Use It For?
Let’s Start here, it’s the most important question.
Laptops come in all shapes and sizes, and the right one depends on what you’ll use it for most:
- Everyday use (web browsing, email, watching Netflix)
- Work or study (Microsoft Office, video calls, documents)
- Creative work (photo/video editing, design, music production)
- Gaming (more on this later — it’s not as simple as you’d think)
Understanding your main use case helps avoid overspending on power you’ll never use, or worse, buying something too slow for your needs.
🧠 What Do the Specs Mean?
Laptop listings are full of tech terms, so let’s simplify the key ones.
Processor (CPU)
This is your laptop’s brain.
- Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 – Good for everyday use and work
- Intel Core i7 / Ryzen 7 – Great for multitasking and creative work
- Intel Core i3 / Ryzen 3 – OK for basic browsing, but may struggle with multitasking
- Intel Core Ultra / Ryzen AI – Newer chips with built-in AI processing (good for futureproofing)
💡 Don’t go lower than an i5 or Ryzen 5 if you want decent performance that lasts.
Memory (RAM)
RAM helps your laptop run multiple apps at once.
- 8GB – The minimum for 2025. Good for basic use.
- 16GB – The sweet spot for most users
- 32GB+ – Needed only for video editing, heavy multitasking, or gaming
Storage (SSD vs HDD)
Forget old-school spinning hard drives (HDD).
- Go for an SSD (Solid State Drive) — it’s much faster.
- 256GB SSD – Enough for most people
- 512GB or 1TB – Ideal for storing lots of files, videos, or games
Graphics Card (GPU)
If you plan to play games, do 3D modelling or edit video, this matters.
There are two main types:
- Integrated graphics – Built into the CPU (fine for web, Office, Netflix)
- Dedicated graphics (e.g. NVIDIA GeForce RTX) – Required for gaming, video editing, and rendering
⚠️ Many people buy a laptop thinking it will run games, only to find it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU. Always check this before buying.
Ports and Connectivity
This is something people often forget — and regret later.
Modern laptops are getting thinner — and often have fewer ports.
Check for:
- ✅ USB-A ports (standard older-style USB)
- ✅ USB-C (newer, smaller reversible USB)
- ✅ HDMI (for connecting to a TV or monitor)
- ✅ Headphone jack
- ✅ SD card reader (useful for photographers)
💡 If your laptop doesn’t have the ports you need, you’ll need a USB-C hub — extra cost and clutter.
🛍️ Online vs In-Store: Where Should You Buy?
Both have pros and cons.
Buying Online
✅ Often cheaper
✅ More choice and models
✅ Can compare specs and reviews easily
⛔ Can’t physically see or feel the laptop
⛔ Returns can take time
Buying In-Store
✅ Can try before you buy
✅ Immediate help and advice (depending on staff knowledge)
✅ Walk away with it the same day
⛔ Stock is often limited
⛔ You may pay more than online
🛒 Pro tip: Visit a shop to try different screen sizes and keyboards, then buy online if it’s cheaper.
💸 Second-Hand & Refurbished Laptops: Are They Worth It?
Yes, but be careful.
✅ Pros:
- Lower cost
- Good for basic tasks or backup use
- Ideal for kids or occasional users
⛔ Cons:
- Shorter warranty (if any)
- May have outdated hardware
- Battery life can be poor
- No guarantee on how it was treated
If buying second-hand, stick to trusted sellers (refurbished from Dell, Apple, Currys, or System Plus 😉) and avoid private sales unless you know what you’re looking for.
🪟 Windows 10 or 11? What Should I Get?
Windows 11 is the current version, and Windows 12 is around the corner. Most new laptops come with Windows 11 pre-installed.
📌 Important: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025 — after that, it won’t get updates unless you pay.
✔️ Our advice: Go for Windows 11. It’s faster, more secure, and more futureproof.
🛒 Recommended Laptops in 2025
Here are some solid choices at various price points:
💼 Acer Aspire 3 – Budget Pick (~£399)
- Intel Core i3 / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD
- Good for students, browsing, email
🔗 View on Currys
💻 Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch – Mid-Range (~£799)
- Intel Core i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD / OLED display
- Great for work, creativity, and multitasking
🔗 View on Amazon
🍏 MacBook Air M4 13” – Premium Option (~£1,099)
- Apple M4 chip / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD
- Excellent battery life and build quality
🔗 View on Apple
🖥️ Dell Inspiron 14 Plus – All-Rounder (~£899)
- Intel Core i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD
- Bright display and long battery life
🔗 View on Dell
🎮 Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 9) – Gaming Beast (~£1,799+)
- Intel Core i9 / RTX 4070 / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD
- Ideal for gamers or video editors
🔗 View on eBuyer.com
✅ Final Thoughts from System Plus
Buying a laptop doesn’t need to be stressful, but it’s worth getting right the first time. If you’re unsure about specs, compatibility, or whether a certain model is right for what you do, don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
At System Plus, we help individuals and businesses every day find the right laptop for their needs, not just the most expensive or popular one. Whether you need something for emails and Zoom calls, or you’re editing 4K video, managing large datasets, or running your business remotely, we’ll guide you toward the right choice.
📦 We can also supply and configure new laptops directly, with tailored setups for both home and business use — no jargon, just honest recommendations.
📩 Need help choosing the perfect laptop? Get in touch — we’re always happy to help.
✅ Subscribe for More
📤 External Sources:
- PCMag – Best Budget Laptops
- TechRadar – Best MacBooks
- LaptopMag – Best Gaming Laptops
- PCWorld – Top Windows Laptops
#LaptopBuyingGuide #BuyingALaptop2025 #SystemPlusuk #TechHelp #EastYorkshireBusiness #Windows11 #MacBook #BestLaptops2025 #systemplusblog
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