For some people, however, it might be helpful to think through what software you need to run, and which operating systems it runs best on, which will help you determine the hardware you need. And let’s not forget: ChromeOS and Linux are still alternative options. So, here’s how the four available operating systems break down.
Windows
Windows is the stalwart default OS. Windows is the broadest and most widely used operating system, supporting the largest number of applications and hardware. Your workplace may require it, or maybe you need it to run a specific app. Every new Windows laptop released in the past few years comes with the latest Windows 11. Due to its comparatively open nature, new laptops arrive throughout the year, ranging from cheap laptops to blinged-out gaming laptops. There is even a variety of 2-in-1 laptops to consider, with adventurous designs and integrated touchscreens. Regardless of your budget, you’ll have an easier time finding something in the Windows ecosystem that works for you. Since 2024, Microsoft has been pushing Copilot AI features deeper and deeper into the operating system, but in 2026, that direction may be reversing—or at least slowing down. Its upcoming 2026 update scheduled for later this year will focus more on improving performance, removing Copilot clutter, and adding more customization to the Taskbar.
macOS
Apple’s macOS is a bit more beginner-friendly than Windows, especially if you own an iPhone. But it’s tightly coupled with the company’s hardware, meaning your buying options are limited to MacBooks. Since Apple uses its own chips and MacBooks are a different beast altogether, we have a separate guide to picking the best MacBook. If you’re already bought into the Apple ecosystem with iPhones or iPads, MacBooks have several software features (such as AirDrop and Universal Control) that are legitimately convenient, and Apple makes some of the best laptop hardware in the game. The last major release of the operating system, macOS 26 Tahoe, officially launched last fall, which brought a new visual design, updates to Spotlight, and much more.
ChromeOS
If you can do most of your laptop tasks in a web browser and are trying to save some cash, ChromeOS is a good choice. Chrome laptops (called Chromebooks) are also among the cheapest (and least powerful) you’ll find, so the OS is also worth considering if you’re on a tight budget. Although Chromebooks are most often associated with the dirt-cheap school laptops that are loaned out to high schoolers, they’ve grown into something more than that. The “Chromebook Plus” designation rolled out in late 2023, a way of emphasizing higher-end Chromebooks that use faster processors, more memory, more storage, and better video cameras, such as on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. The same limitations are still there, though. You can’t run Adobe’s Creative Suite or Microsoft Office. Some apps, notably Office, do have an Android phone/tablet version you might be able to install on your Chromebook (or a web version), but I have found Android apps often don’t run well. Google has recently been talking about the future of Chromebooks and Google tablets, confirming that a merging of the two is coming in 2026, first rumored as Aluminium OS and has since been revealed as Googlebooks. Read our Best Chromebooks guide for more.
Linux
As an alternative to Windows, there’s been a growing interest in Linux over the past few years. The surge in popularity of the Steam Deck plays a big role in this, but people have also begun turning to Linux in response to the required upgrade to Windows 11. If you don’t need MS Office and don’t mind a learning curve, you can install Linux on just about any piece of laptop hardware ever created. Like with ChromeOS, the catch is that popular apps like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite don’t support Linux. However, there are free, open-source alternatives like LibreOffice, Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement), and GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement). See our Best Linux Laptops guide for our favorites.
Understanding Processor Names (CPUs)
Courtesy of Intel
Once you know which operating system you want and have some idea of the software you’re going to run, you can figure out the minimum hardware specifications you’ll need. The first thing we suggest looking at is the processor, also referred to as the chip or the CPU. These days, there are four competitors in the laptop space that you need to know about.
Intel Processors
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Intel has had a rough few years, but its offering in 2026 feels quite strong. Panther Lake, built on the long-anticipated 18A node, is the culmination of five years of planning and engineering—and it’s largely paid off. I won’t get into all the details, but the company is finally executing on CPU performance, GPU performance, and battery life at a scale it’s never accomplished before. I saw this most recently when I tested the Dell XPS 14, which was one of the first laptops out of the gate to support Panther Lake. It has the GPU performance you could only get with a discrete graphics card in the past, but it also gets really impressive battery life. That’s a combination we’ve only seen on MacBooks thus far.
