What To Look For When Buying A Laptop

With so many fantastic laptops in the Samsung Galaxy Book series, how do you decide which to choose? We explore what to look for when buying a laptop, the latest laptop features to look out for and our top tips for making sure you pick the best laptop for you.

What should I check before buying a laptop?

Buying a laptop can be a significant investment and one that you want to get right. With so many great laptops available it can be daunting just knowing where to begin. Laptop specs vary greatly; whether it’s the CPU (that’s the brain of a laptop), the RAM (memory) or graphics cards (screen), it's no wonder so many of us don’t know which way to turn. We’re here to help. Check out these top tips for what to look for when buying a laptop.

Tips for buying a laptop:

1. Set a budget

Laptops can vary from a few hundred pounds to thousands of pounds so it’s a good idea to set your budget from the outset. This will help reduce the number of laptops to choose from and hopefully make your decision easier.

2. Choose a laptop screen size for your needs

When it comes to size it’s important to balance portability and usability. If you plan to mainly use your laptop on a desk at home, a large screen (14+ inches) is a great choice. If your laptop will be travelling with you, you may prefer a smaller, lighter laptop.

3. Do you need a 2-in-1 laptop?

2-in-1 laptop: A 2-in-1 laptop offers exceptional flexibility thanks to the 360 degree rotating keyboard. These laptops function both as a traditional laptop and a tablet.

Learn more about the latest Samsung laptops, the Galaxy Book 5 in our Introducing Galaxy Book 5 buying guide.

4. Choose the right operating system to power your tasks

Galaxy Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system and work in a similar way to a smartphone. They are great for students and those used to working with online applications. Galaxy Books feature the Microsoft Windows OS which provides full functionality for many of the programmes you know and love. If you are a student, you might want to visit our ‘Best Laptop For Students’ guide.

5. Is it fit for purpose?

Consider how you plan to use your laptop. Laptops are highly versatile but if streaming and gaming are more of your thing, you’ll want to focus on a laptop with a top-quality graphics card. If you're looking to get creative with photo editing, digital art, and designing, a laptop with stylus capabilities such as the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360 would be a great choice.

6. Think about how much processing power you need

Your laptop's processor will have a big impact on its performance so it’s worth considering how you intend to use your laptop and therefore how much processing power you might need. You can find out more about processor speeds below.

7. Look for a laptop with a graphic card for gaming

If you are planning to use your laptop to play graphic intensive games, or to watch the latest entertainment series, opting for a laptop with a high-quality graphics card is important.

8. Consider laptops which connect with your devices

Innovative laptops like those found in the Galaxy Book series are fully integrated with other Samsung devices allowing you to effortlessly switch between them and pick up right where you left off.

Top laptop features

When it comes to premium laptop innovation, the Galaxy Book5 Series takes things to the next level. Built for the future of work, creativity, and entertainment, the latest Samsung laptops combine next-generation AI-powered performance with lightweight designs and immersive visuals. Whether you’re studying, creating, or multitasking, the Galaxy Book5 range delivers an incredible all-round experience.

Here are some of the standout features you’ll find across the Galaxy Book5 Series:

• Dynamic AMOLED 2X or Super AMOLED displays with ultra-vivid colour accuracy and detail
• Touchscreen panels with S Pen compatibility for creative flexibility
• Next-generation Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 Series 2 processors built for AI computing
• Galaxy AI integration, including tools like Photo Remaster, Live Captions, Co-Creator, and Recall¹
• Copilot+ PC readiness, bringing intelligent Microsoft experiences directly to your Galaxy Book¹
• Flexible 2-in-1 convertible designs with a 360-degree hinge on select models
• Long-lasting battery life with super-fast USB-C charging
• Next-gen Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for faster, more stable performance²
• Immersive Dolby Atmos audio tuned by AKG for cinematic sound
• Seamless Galaxy Ecosystem integration with Multi Control, Quick Share, and Second Screen³
• Enhanced security with fingerprint recognition and Samsung Knox protection

To explore the full range, check out our guide: ‘Samsung Laptop Series Explained: What is the best Galaxy Book for you?’.

¹Copilot+ PC experiences may not be available at launch and depend on Microsoft’s release schedule. See aka.ms/copilotpluspc for details. Availability and features may vary by model and region.
²Wi-Fi 7 availability may vary by operating system version, country, location, network conditions, and other factors. Wi-Fi 7 routers required (sold separately).
³Feature compatibility varies by device and software version. Requires Galaxy devices running One UI 5.1.1 or above. Please note: Not all features are available on all models.
CPU and hardware specifications may vary depending on model, country, or region.

¹Copilot+ PC experiences may not be available at launch and depend on Microsoft’s release schedule. See aka.ms/copilotpluspc for details. Availability and features may vary by model and region.
²Wi-Fi 7 availability may vary by operating system version, country, location, network conditions, and other factors. Wi-Fi 7 routers required (sold separately).
³Feature compatibility varies by device and software version. Requires Galaxy devices running One UI 5.1.1 or above. Please note: Not all features are available on all models.
CPU and hardware specifications may vary depending on model, country, or region.

What is a good processor speed?

A processor, also known as the CPU, is the brain of a laptop. It is responsible for making the programmes work, opening files and moving the mouse on the screen. There are 3 key elements that form a computer processor:

1. Clock Speed: determines how fast the processor runs (GHz). The higher the clock speed the faster the laptop.
2. Cores: multiple cores enable a laptop to handle many different tasks (known as threads) at the same time.
3. Memory Cache: responsible for temporarily storing data to enable fast data access."

So, what is a good processor speed for a laptop? In short, it will depend on what your requirements are. If you are planning to use your laptop for vast amounts of heavy gaming and demanding work, you’ll benefit from processors that have speeds of 4.0 GHz or higher. Samsung Galaxy laptops such as the Galaxy Book4 Pro and Galaxy Book4 Ultra have processing speeds in excess of 4 GHz. If you’re planning to use your laptop for more basic tasks such as light office work, speeds closer to 2 GHz should be sufficient. The Intel® Core™ processors found in Samsung Galaxy laptops have adaptive technology which alters the speed to match the programme requirements. This is ideal for optimised power consumption and maintaining battery life because it will only use the processing power when needed.

What are the best laptop processors?

Choosing the right processor is one of the most important steps when buying a new laptop. Every model in the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series is powered by industry-leading Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, giving you the perfect balance of speed, intelligence, and efficiency. These new chips are built to handle everything from day-to-day multitasking to advanced creative workflows — all while maximising battery life.

Across the Galaxy Book5 lineup, you can choose between the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 226V and Ultra 7 256V processors, available in models such as the Galaxy Book5 360, Galaxy Book5 Pro, and Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. Each delivers enhanced AI-driven performance, helping your laptop work smarter and faster — whether you’re editing videos, gaming, or managing complex projects.
For professionals and creators who demand premium power, the Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor with built-in Intel® AI Boost makes the Galaxy Book5 Pro a powerhouse for productivity and creativity. Combined with Galaxy AI and Copilot+ PC¹ features, your laptop doesn’t just keep up — it anticipates what you need next.

Intel® Core™ Ultra Processor Overview
Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processors – Smart performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and light creative work.
Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processors – Designed for professionals and creators, with up to 16 cores and integrated AI acceleration for faster, more efficient computing.

Each processor in the Galaxy Book5 range delivers lightning-fast speeds, improved graphics with Intel® Arc™, and greater energy efficiency — ensuring your laptop performs beautifully no matter what you’re working on.

¹Copilot+ PC experiences may not be available at launch and depend on Microsoft’s release schedule. See aka.ms/copilotpluspc for details. Availability and features may vary by model and region.
CPU specifications and configurations may vary depending on model, country, or region.

What is the difference between an Intel® Core™ 7 and Ultra 7 processor?

Both processors are part of Intel’s® latest 2024 lineup and deliver advanced responsiveness, AI enhancements, and vibrant graphics. Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors are optimised for premium thin and powerful laptops like the Galaxy Book4 Pro and Galaxy Book4 Ultra, and deliver an optimal balance of performance and power efficiency for gaming, content creation, and productivity on the go. The Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 has 16 cores, 22 threads and can achieve a maximum turbo frequency of 4.8GHz. In comparison, the Intel® Core™ 7 processor, available on the Galaxy Book4 and Galaxy Book4 360, has 10 cores, 12 threads and can achieve a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz. Whether you are working, streaming or gaming it delivers excellent all-round performance.

Which Intel® Core™ processor is best for a laptop?

If you’re looking for the best core in the Samsung Galaxy Book series, check out the epic Galaxy Book4 Ultra (16", Core Ultra 9, 32GB)¹ which boasts the latest and most powerful Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor. This next-gen processor is designed to power high-end laptops and deliver immersive experiences. With AI acceleration, discrete-level graphics, best-in-class connectivity, and enhanced media technology, it ensures exceptional performance even for the most demanding of tasks. The Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor combines 16 sensational cores, 5.1 GHz, 24MB Intel® Smart Cache and a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 40 series graphics processor, to achieve supercharged performance whatever you are working on.

*CPU specifications vary depending on model, country, or region.

What is Samsung Quick Share?

Quick Share is a file-sharing feature found across the Galaxy Book range. It allows you to easily share photos, videos, PDFs, and other documents without the need for a cable or internet connection. In fact, you can simultaneously share your images and files, in their original quality, with up to 5 of your friends at the same time. You don’t even need to pair devices.

Quick Share allows you to share any file, image, video or document from your Galaxy Book. It is faster than Bluetooth and doesn’t require you to pair devices together beforehand, as well as offering a secure way to transfer files. If your recipient doesn’t have an Android device there’s also the option of sharing files via a unique Quick Share link which allows them to access, download and save the files.

You can find out more about using Quick Share on your Galaxy Book here.

What mobile applications are Samsung laptops compatible with?

Alternatively, you can use Phone Link to keep track of all your smartphone alerts and notifications right from your Galaxy Book — including text messages, calendar alerts and social media engagements. This means you don’t have to divert your attention back and forth. You can manage these alerts and notifications so that once they disappear off your Galaxy Book screen, they’re cleared from your smartphone as well. And if you have mobile apps you use throughout the day that you want to view on your laptop, Phone Link also lets your phone cast to your Galaxy Book, where you can interact with apps using your trackpad.