The best laptops of 2026

What you want to do with your laptop and your budget determine which device suits you best. To make the best possible choice, pay particular attention to the points below:

• Usage: first decide what you’ll use your laptop for. Will you mainly browse, email and stream, or do you want to run demanding software and multitask? Or are you perhaps looking for the best gaming laptop?
• Processor: for everyday use, an Intel Core i5, Intel Core Ultra 5 or AMD Ryzen 5 will serve you well. For heavier workloads and gaming, it’s best to look at a Core i7, Core Ultra 7 or Ryzen 7 or higher.
• Memory (RAM): 8 GB is the minimum for basic use. 16 GB is a safe choice if you want smooth multitasking and to use your laptop for longer. For demanding tasks such as 3D modelling, graphic design or gaming, 32 GB is more suitable.

• Storage: if you work with large files, choose an SSD. Programmes and start-up times are also faster with an SSD. 256 GB may be enough if you mainly work in the cloud, but as a standard starting point, 512 GB is a good choice.
• Graphics card: for standard tasks, an integrated graphics chip is sufficient. For gaming and creative software, a dedicated graphics card is useful, such as one from the NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon ranges.
• Screen: 13 to 14 inches is convenient if you travel a lot. A 15-inch laptop offers more workspace, which is useful for gaming and design. A 16-inch or larger laptop also gives you more room to work, but mainly makes sense if your laptop usually stays in one place.
• Battery and ports: choose a model with realistic battery life for the way you work and with enough ports for your preferred peripherals, such as your mouse, printer and so on. Tip: a webcam is useful if you often have online meetings.

The HP EM0054NB is a compact and versatile laptop that’s very suitable for home use. This HP laptop performs smoothly with everyday tasks such as browsing, emailing, writing and streaming, and is also suitable as a student laptop. The AMD Ryzen 5 processor combined with 16 GB of RAM ensures you can multitask without any stuttering. The Full HD display of this 14-inch laptop offers a sharp and comfortable image, and its compact size makes it practical to use at your desk, on the sofa, or on the go and on the train. With 512 GB of SSD storage, both the Windows laptop itself and your software start up quickly, and you have plenty of space for documents, media and apps.