Most laptop regret comes from a handful of predictable mistakes. Avoid these and you’ll end up with a laptop you’re happy with for years, often for less money.
In this article
1. Buying too little RAM
An 8GB Windows laptop feels fine in the store and sluggish six months later. With RAM usually soldered and memory prices sharply up in 2026, upgrading later is expensive or impossible. Buy 16GB. More on RAM.
2. Paying for specs you’ll never use
A Core Ultra 9, RTX GPU or 4K screen won’t make email faster. They’ll just cost more and drain the battery quicker. Unless you game, edit video or do 3D work, a mid-range processor with 16GB of RAM and a good screen is the better buy. Spend the difference on a better display or more storage instead.
3. Falling for “upgraded” third-party listings
Online listings like “2026 Newest Laptop, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Office Lifetime, Win 11 Pro” are usually a reseller who opened a budget laptop and added parts. The processor is still slow, the manufacturer’s warranty may not cover the added parts, and the bundled Office license may be grey-market. Buy from the manufacturer or Amazon.com directly, and judge a laptop by its processor first.
4. Ignoring the screen
You look at the screen every minute you use the laptop. Dim 250-nit panels and 1366×768 resolution look washed out and fuzzy. Look for at least 1080p, 300+ nits and an IPS or OLED panel. Specs explained.
5. Trusting manufacturer battery claims
“Up to 15 hours” is measured with the screen dimmed and Wi-Fi idle. Independent reviews with standardised battery tests are far more reliable. Expect 50–70% of the claim in real use on most Windows laptops.
6. Choosing the wrong operating system for your software
Check your must-have apps before you buy. Engineering software (SolidWorks, Revit), some games and anti-cheat systems need Windows on Intel/AMD. Some apps don’t run on Windows on ARM (Snapdragon), and Chromebooks can’t run desktop Office or Adobe apps.
7. Buying based on brand alone
Every brand makes great and terrible laptops. A Lenovo ThinkPad and a Lenovo IdeaPad 1 are completely different machines. Compare the specific model, not the logo. See which brands are most reliable.
8. Forgetting about weight and charger size
A 5.5 lb gaming laptop with a brick-sized charger is not a laptop you’ll want to carry every day. If you commute or travel, stay under about 3.5 lb with a USB-C charger.
9. Skipping the warranty question
Accidents (drops, spills) are the top reason laptops die early, and they’re not covered by standard warranties. For students and frequent travellers, an accidental damage plan from the manufacturer is often worth it. Third-party “extended warranties” at checkout often aren’t. Read the exclusions.
10. Buying at the wrong time
Buying a laptop a few weeks before its replacement launches, or just before Black Friday, can cost you hundreds. See the best time to buy a laptop.
11. Not checking ports
If you use a wired mouse, USB drives, an HDMI monitor or an SD card, count the ports. Two USB-C ports alone means living with a hub, which is fine, but factor it in.
12. Paying for bloat and add-ons
Skip paid antivirus bundles (Windows Security is enough for most people; see do you need antivirus?), “PC tune-up” software, and in-store setup fees. Uninstall trial software on day one.
Ready to shop? See our picks: students · budget · gaming · creators · MacBooks
