Laptops

The choice depends on your habits and other devices. Windows is the world's most common operating system, for which there are the most programs and games, and the selection of devices is huge in all price categories. macOS (Apple MacBook) is known for its ease of use, security, and seamless collaboration with iPhone phones, making it popular in creative work.

Affordable laptops under 500 euros are excellent for basic use: paying bills, reading news, email, and watching streaming services. In this price category, the chassis is often plastic and the processor is designed for light use. For demanding gaming or video editing, you should allocate a larger budget.

A touchscreen speeds up browsing and makes using the machine more intuitive. It is especially useful in so-called 2-in-1 computers, where the screen can be flipped around, allowing the device to work as a tablet. This is handy for drawing, taking notes, or giving presentations, for example.

The refresh rate tells you how many times per second the screen updates the image. For basic use, 60 Hz is perfectly sufficient. For gamers, a 144 Hz or faster screen is recommended, as it makes motion smoother and gives a competitive edge in fast-paced games.

The most important connections are USB-C (for charging and data transfer) and traditional USB-A (for mice and flash drives). If you want to connect the laptop to a TV or an external monitor, make sure the machine has an HDMI connection. A headphone jack (3.5mm) is also necessary if you use wired headphones.

Modern, highly portable so-called ultrabook laptops typically weigh 1.0 – 1.4 kg. Heavier machines (over 2 kg) are often either powerful gaming laptops or more affordable basic machines meant to be used mainly on a desk.

A backlit keyboard is an excellent feature if you use the computer in dim light, for example in the evening on the couch or in a lecture hall. It helps you see the keys clearly without a separate light. On many mid-range and more expensive models, this is a standard feature.

The average lifespan of a laptop is about 3–5 years in active use. The lifespan can be extended by keeping the device free of dust, avoiding battery overheating, and taking care of data security. More expensive business-grade machines are often built to withstand wear and tear longer than the cheapest consumer machines.