Collection: Laptops & Notebooks

Which laptop or notebook tier do you actually need?

Most PC builders approach laptops & notebooks the same way they approach a desktop, by chasing the CPU and GPU model name. That misses where the real differences sit. Two laptops with the same chip can perform 30 percent apart because of power limits, cooling and memory configuration.

Entry-level notebooks (think Lenovo IdeaPad, ASUS Vivobook, Acer Aspire) usually run efficient CPUs at 15 to 28W, a single memory channel or soldered LPDDR5X, and a 1080p IPS panel around 250 to 300 nits. They're perfect for study, office work and browsing. The compromise is a thin heatsink with one small fan, so sustained loads throttle quickly, and the panels often have weak colour coverage.

The sweet spot is where most people should look. You get 16GB or 32GB of dual-channel memory, a 512GB to 1TB NVMe drive, a brighter 400-nit panel with 100% sRGB, and either a strong integrated GPU or an entry dedicated GPU like an RTX xx50 or xx60 class part. Series like ASUS Zenbook and TUF, Lenovo ThinkPad T and Legion 5, and HP Pavilion Plus live here. Dual fans and heat pipes let the CPU hold boost clocks for longer.

Enthusiast machines (ASUS ROG Strix and Scar, Lenovo Legion Pro, MSI Raider, Alienware) add vapour chambers, liquid metal, 140W-plus total graphics power, and 240Hz-plus OLED or mini-LED panels. Diminishing returns hit hard here. A 175W GPU is typically only 10 to 15 percent faster than a well-cooled 115W one, yet it costs far more, weighs 2.5kg-plus and needs a massive brick charger.

Upgrading and technical nuances

The biggest trap is assuming a laptop is upgradeable. Many thin-and-light models solder LPDDR5X straight to the board, which gives excellent bandwidth and efficiency but locks your capacity forever. Buy 32GB up front if you edit video, run virtual machines or keep fifty browser tabs open. Performance models usually use two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots. These are physically different from Desktop Memory, so you can't swap desktop sticks across. Always run two matched modules for dual-channel, because a single stick can cost you a noticeable chunk of integrated graphics performance.

Storage is the easy upgrade. Most laptops take an M.2 2280 NVMe drive, though some compact models use 2242 or have a second slot. Check the PCIe generation supported, then look at the Samsung 990 series, Crucial T500 or WD_BLACK SN850X families in our Solid State Drives (SSD) range. A PCIe 5.0 drive in a PCIe 4.0 slot just runs slower, and runs hotter than it needs to inside a cramped chassis, so a efficient PCIe 4.0 drive is usually the smarter pick.

Understand the GPU naming game. The same RTX model name can mean very different performance depending on TGP, and manufacturers don't always put it on the front of the box. A 140W version of a mid-range GPU can beat a 80W version of the tier above it. If you want a desktop-class GPU without the heat, a desktop with Graphics Cards / GPU or a ready-made system from Computers may offer more performance per dollar, at the cost of portability.

Platform differences matter too. Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen mobile chips both include NPUs, but only some software uses them. Arm-based Snapdragon X notebooks deliver great battery life, though some niche software and older peripherals still have compatibility quirks. Wi-Fi 7 helps if your router supports it, such as a TP-Link model from our Networking range.

Practical things to check before buying

Start with the screen. Contrast and response time pull in opposite directions. IPS offers good colour and reasonable speed, OLED delivers near-infinite contrast and sub-millisecond response but can flicker at low brightness and risks burn-in, and mini-LED gets very bright but can bloom around small bright objects. If you'll dock at a desk, a proper external display from Monitors takes pressure off the internal panel choice.

Check ports. A laptop that charges over USB-C is handy, but not all USB-C ports are equal. Look for Thunderbolt or USB4 if you want external GPUs, fast storage or dual 4K displays. HDMI 2.1 on the board is useful, though some are wired through the integrated GPU while others go straight to the dedicated GPU, which affects latency and variable refresh rate. Keep a couple of quality Cables & Connectors on hand, since a cheap USB-C cable can limit charging or video output.

Battery capacity is quoted in Wh. Anything above 100Wh can't be carried on a plane, so most big gaming laptops sit right at 99Wh. Real battery life drops dramatically under load, and many gaming notebooks run slower on battery to protect the cell.

Thermals deserve a proper look. Check reviews for sustained load tests rather than short benchmark bursts, and see if surface temperatures around the keyboard stay reasonable. Raising the rear on a stand or using a cooling pad can drop temps a few degrees. You can't swap the internal fan, but for cooling-pad ideas, browse Fans, Heatsinks & Cooling.

If you're deciding between a desktop and a laptop, consider the price gap for equal performance. A desktop built around a quality CPUs & Processors pairing, Motherboards, Computer Cases and a solid Power Supplies unit will usually outpace a laptop at the same price, but you lose portability.

Brands and local warranty

The reliable names in notebooks are ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer, MSI, Microsoft Surface and Apple. ThinkPad and Dell Latitude are great for business durability, ROG and Legion for performance, and Zenbook and Swift for lightweight daily use.

In Australia, buy through authorised local channels. Grey imports might save a bit, but they can have the wrong keyboard layout, a US-spec charger, or a warranty the manufacturer won't honour here. Under Australian Consumer Law, you're entitled to a remedy when a product has a major fault, regardless of the brand's own warranty terms. Local stock also means repairs happen on this continent, so you aren't waiting weeks for a part from overseas. Check whether the warranty is carry-in, on-site or pickup, and whether accidental damage or battery cover is included.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM do I need in a laptop?

16GB is the practical minimum for most users today. Choose 32GB for creative work, heavy multitasking or gaming with background apps. If the memory is soldered, you can't add more later, so buy what you'll need for the life of the machine.

Can I upgrade the graphics in a laptop?

Almost never. Laptop GPUs are soldered to the board. Choose the GPU tier you need at purchase, or consider an external GPU enclosure if the notebook has Thunderbolt or USB4.

Is a higher refresh rate screen worth it?

For gaming, yes, going from 60Hz to 120Hz or more is very noticeable. For office work, colour accuracy and brightness matter more than speed.

Will desktop RAM fit in my laptop?

No. Laptops use SO-DIMM modules, which are shorter than the full-size DIMMs found in desktops, so the two aren't interchangeable.

Do I need a gaming laptop for video editing?

Not necessarily. Many creator notebooks with strong integrated graphics or a mid-range GPU handle editing well. Prioritise RAM, a colour-accurate display and good cooling over gaming-style styling.