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Guide to choosing the best laptop in 2026: HP, Dell, MSI, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, and Apple
This guide classifies laptops into six levels based on usage (programming, video editing, gaming, etc.) and highlights the minimum required components for each level. It focuses on levels 3 to 5, offering specific recommendations for models and brands like Lenovo, ASUS, HP, and MSI, considering processor, RAM, storage, GPU, and screen quality. It also addresses the selection of MacBooks and advises against their use for gaming.
1. 💻 How to choose the right laptop: Levels and minimum requirements
- ✅ The guide classifies laptops into six levels based on usage.
- ✅ If the intended use extends by 30% to the needs of the next level in the next 2-3 years, it is recommended to opt for that higher level.
- ✅ The importance of not compromising the three key components highlighted for each level is emphasized, to avoid premature upgrades.
- ✅ The video focuses on levels 3 to 5 (programming, creative editing, and gaming).
- ⚠️ For data analysis and financial modeling with large local datasets, a dedicated GPU is recommended.
00:00 - 01:25
1. 💻 How to choose the right laptop: Levels and minimum requirements
- ✅ The guide classifies laptops into six levels based on usage.
- ✅ If the intended use extends by 30% to the needs of the next level in the next 2-3 years, it is recommended to opt for that higher level.
- ✅ The importance of not compromising the three key components highlighted for each level is emphasized, to avoid premature upgrades.
- ✅ The video focuses on levels 3 to 5 (programming, creative editing, and gaming).
- ⚠️ For data analysis and financial modeling with large local datasets, a dedicated GPU is recommended.
01:26 - 05:49
2. 👨💻 Laptops for programming, data analysis, and financial modeling (Level 3)
- ✅ Prioritize processor speed, storage, and number of ports.
- ✅ Minimum requirements: Intel or AMD series 7 or 9 processor (with P or H specialization in Intel, V in Intel Core Ultra, or HS or H in AMD, or X Plus in Snapdragon), 16-32GB RAM, 512GB-1TB SSD.
- ⚠️ Verify application compatibility with Snapdragon processors.
| Laptop | Key Features | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 | Intel Core i7 13th Gen (10 cores), H Series, 15.3" 2K display | Coding, data analysis, and financial modeling with small datasets. |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A15 | AMD Ryzen 7 (HS), RTX 3050 (4GB VRAM), 15.3" display | Data analysis and financial modeling with large datasets (indoor use). |
| HP Victus | AMD Ryzen 7 (HS), GPU with better VRAM | Coding, data analysis, and financial modeling (handling detailed graphics and high resolution). |
| ASUS Vivobook S16 | Lightweight (1.7kg), 16" display, Windows 11 and Office Home included, 70Wh battery | Coding and moderate workloads for data analysis and financial modeling (long battery life). |
05:50 - 09:49
3. 🎬 Laptops for photo and video editing, graphic design, and engineering (Level 4)
- ✅ Avoid integrated graphics cards, less than 16GB RAM, and low color accuracy (unless an external monitor is used).
- ✅ Minimum requirements: Powerful CPU (Intel or AMD 7 or 9 with high processor performance HH/HX in Intel, HSH/HX in AMD, or X Elite in Snapdragon), 24GB+ RAM, 512GB+ SSD, dedicated GPU (Nvidia RTX 4050+), 100% sRGB DCIP3.
- ✅ Good thermal management is essential.
| Laptop | Key Features | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Smart Choice LoQ | RTX 4050 (6GB VRAM, 105W TGP), AMD Ryzen 7 HS, 24GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB storage, Hyperchamber thermal design, 15.6" display (100% sRGB) | Editing, gaming, and multitasking. |
| HP Omen | Nvidia RTX 5050 (8GB DDR6 VRAM), Intel Core i7 (H Specialization, 5.2 GHz) | Smooth editing and rendering for demanding creative graphics and 4K AI work. |
| ASUS TUF Gaming A15 | AMD Ryzen 7 (HS), RTX 3050 (4GB VRAM) | Basic 4K or 1080p editing with minimal color correction (requires external monitor for better color accuracy). |
| HP Victus | Powerful CPU, RTX 3050 (6GB VRAM) | Creative suites like Adobe Suite or Davinci Resolve (requires external monitor for better color accuracy). |
09:50 - 15:50
4. 🎮 Laptops for gaming: Requirements and recommendations for AAA games
- ✅ Avoid integrated graphics cards, less than 16 GB of RAM, and screens with low refresh rates.
- ✅ Prioritize GPU (RTX 4050+ with good thermal management), powerful CPU (Intel/AMD 7 or 9 with H/HX), minimum 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB+ SSD, and high refresh rate (144 Hz+).
- ✅ Consider the TGP (Total Graphics Power) of the GPU; the higher, the better.
| Laptop | Key Features | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS Gaming V16 | Intel Core i7 14th Gen, Nvidia RTX 4050 (6GB DDR6 RAM), 16" display (144Hz), anti-glare | Gaming on a budget. |
| MSI Katana A17 | Ryzen 9 AI, RTX 4050 GPU, 1TB SSD, 17" display (144Hz), RGB keypad, thermal cooling for CPU and GPU | Heavy game storage. |
| Lenovo Smart Choice LOQ | RTX 4050 (6GB VRAM, 105W TGP), AMD Ryzen 7 HS, 24GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB storage, Hyperchamber thermal design, 15.6" display (100% sRGB) | Gaming and editing. |
| Lenovo Legion 5 | 24GB RAM, Intel Core i7, Nvidia RTX 4060 (8GB DDR6 RAM, 140W TGP), 15.6" IPS (144Hz), 100% sRGB | Gaming and advanced creative work. |
| HP Omen | Nvidia RTX 5050 (8GB DDR6 VRAM), 165Hz refresh rate, 16" 400 nits IPS display, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD | Intense gaming sessions. |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 | Intel HX Specialization CPU, Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU (8GB virtual RAM), 165Hz refresh rate, 16" anti-glare display, three fans | High-level gaming. |
15:51 - 16:52
5. 🍎 Selecting Apple MacBooks for levels 3 and 4
- ✅ For levels 3 and 4, a MacBook Pro with a minimum of 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD is recommended.
- ✅ Opt for M5 chips for better performance.
- ✅ MacBooks are not recommended for gaming (level 5) due to limited game support.