Laptop Deals & Offers
77 active deals840,002 commentsAll Laptop discounts and offers overview - May 2024
Laptops: Your Complete Guide To Buying A Laptop And The Best Laptop Deals
Laptops provide a portable personal computing solution to enable easy work, play and internet access from just about anywhere. Selecting the best laptop for your needs can be difficult when there's such a wide range of choices.
The feasibility of desktops and laptops became possible in the early 1970s, with the IBM 5100 being the first commercial portable computer to appear in 1975. Developments such as colour screens, hard drives and read-only or writeable CDs and DVDs in the 1990s and early 2000s led to increased production, sales and affordability of personal computers.
Laptops use different operating systems: Windows, Mac OS X, or Chrome OS. There's also a variety of styles, designs and features available to modern consumers, and 2-in-1 hybrids are becoming increasingly popular.
What Are The Best Sites To Get Laptop Reviews
There are a variety of sites where you can get reliable laptop reviews. There are more general tech sites like Tech Radar, Digital Trends and CNET that have much bigger traffic overall, so tend to deliver more reliable reviews. There are also speciality sites like laptopmag and NotebookCheck that do in-depth reviews of laptops, so check them out too if you want more technical reviews.
Top Laptop Brands
Here's a quick run-down of some of the top laptop brands UK customers can find:
Dell: Dell laptops consistently top the best-selling lists and receive top billing in reviews. They are reliable, have powerful specs and solid battery life. Look out for Dell XPS models with their high-screen resolutions, good connectivity, software and powerful processors. They look good as well. The Dell XPS 13 is a good investment.
Apple: An Apple laptop is always a good choice for reliability, great screens, good battery life and aesthetic appeal. New MacBook Pro models have fast CPUs and an added Touch Bar. Particularly recommended is the MacBook Pro (16-inch), considered to be one of the best Macs ever.
HP: HP laptops have always been solid performers in the laptop world but its latest models are raising the bar in this competitive field. They are fast, powerful, intuitive and easy to use, and they look good as well. HP is also recommended for its customer support options. We recommend the HP Envy 13 t.
Microsoft: Microsoft is newer to the laptop world than some other brands but has earned itself a place among the top sellers. It is noted for its warranty support, battery life and hardware features. Highly rated for a combination of battery life and good pricing is the Surface Laptop 3.
Asus: The Asus laptop brand is often overlooked but its laptops are recognised for their all-round capabilities. It offers a good choice of laptops for everything from study and work to serious gaming. Asus is also leading the way in packing as much power and performance as possible into small and attractive bodies. The Asus ZenBook S13 UX392 has a 97% screen-to-body ratio. Asus also throws in a year of accident and spill protection - ideal if you enjoy a coffee while working on the go!
Things to Consider Before You Buy A Laptop
There are some key metrics that you should be aware of when buying a laptop, with more power not always being a good thing, particularly for shoppers on a budget. We've broken it down for your below, in simple enough language for those with zero idea about computers to understand:
- Operating System (OS)
While this is largely a matter of preference, there are certain users who simply have to use either a Windows or Macbook device. With some manufacturers now developing their own operating systems (such as Google's Chrome OS), you'll want to double-check what OS the machine you want to buy is running.
- CPU
Most new laptops feature Intel Core-based CPUs all of which offer good performance for multimedia and working tasks. For the hardest working performance, stretch your budget to include Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors. If you are prepared to pay a premium price for real power use especially if you are a gamer, then stretch your budget even further and purchase a laptop with a Core i9 processor.
- Graphics Card
Gamers need to pay close attention to what graphics card their desired machine has. If you're not planning to game, then don't waste your money on a laptop with a powerful graphics card, unless you want those spreadsheets cell to look extra sharp.
- RAM
The amount of RAM you need depends on what you plan to use your laptop for. 8GB is the barest minimum for basic working, 16GB is fine for media and multitasking use while serious gamers need to push it up to 32GB (or even 64GB) for the best experience.
- Storage
Storage can be even more important than CPU for performance. If you have the money, invest in a laptop with an SSD (Solid State Drive) over one with a hard drive. You will get three times the speed whatever you are doing.
- Ports, Drives and Connectivity
While it may seem like an afterthought, not having a particular port or connection option can make for a frustrating experience. For example, some laptops still don't support Bluetooth, which can make for an unwanted surprise when you try to connect your brand-new Bluetooth speaker or headphones for the first time. A modern laptop should have Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connectivity, as well as HDMI and USB-C ports.
- Display & Resolution
The higher the pixels the sharper and clearer the screen and the more content it will hold. Budget laptops generally have 1366 x 768-pixel displays but try and aim for at least 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD / 1080p). For serious money, you can even get 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K). Remember though, that the higher the resolution, the quicker the battery will drain.
- Battery Life
If you are going to be using your laptop on the go, look for one that has more than eight hours of battery life. Unfortunately, laptop batteries do gradually lose their staying power.
Top Laptops Compared
Of course, there are loads of fantastic laptops out there, but here are 3 that you might want to consider:
Dell XPS 13 | MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 | HP ENVY 13-ah1507na | |
OS | Windows | iOS | Windows |
CPU | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i9 | Intel Core i5 |
Screen | 13.4-inch / 1920 x 1200p | 16-inch / 3072 x 1920p | 13.3-inch / 1920 x 1080p |
RAM | 16GB | 32GB | 8GB |
Storage | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 256 GB SSD |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi / Thunderbolt 3 x 2 / Headset Jack / Micro-SD Slot | Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 5 / Thunderbolt 3 x 4 / USB3.1 Gen 2 x 1 / Headset Jack | Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 5.0 / USB Type-C x 1 / USB 3.1 x 3 / DP 1.2 / Audio Jack |
Size | 29.5 x 19.8 x 1.5 cm | 35.8 x 24.6 x 1.5 cm | 30.7 x 21.2 x 1.49 cm |
Weight | 1.27 kg | 1.95 kg | 1.21 kg |
Battery Life | 12+ hours | 11+ hours | Up to 14 hours |
How to Speed up a Laptop
If you want to keep your laptop performing well or even speed up your laptop, then follow these simple steps:
Install any updates when prompted.
Clean up your laptop regularly by clearing the history and removing cookies and unwanted downloads.
Set your laptop to defragment at least weekly.
Uninstall programs that are no longer in use.
Limit the programs that run automatically at startup.
Make sure power settings are optimised.
Disable any background apps that are not in use.
Optimise your network speed.
What Are The Essential Accessories to Buy With A Laptop?
There are a wide range of laptop accessories you might want to consider. These help to protect your new laptop so you can use it for longer, or just make it easier to use overall.
A laptop case should be number one on your list if you're planning to bring your laptop to university or work every day. While owners of larger, bulkier laptops might be able to do without, those with extra-light ultrabooks can't afford to not have a decent case.
Even if cloud computing is driving them into irrelevancy, having an external hard drive with a few extra few terabytes of storage never hurts. You can keep bulky files like videos on it, which should help to speed up your laptop's performance.
A laptop stand is a useful tool for reducing the risk of RSI (repetitive stress injury). It raises the laptop to eye level on your desk preventing neck strain and a sore back from leaning over it.
The Web's Top Questions On Laptops Answered
It's very much a matter of what your needs are. The big players in classic Windows laptops are undoubtedly HP, Asus, and Dell. Chinese outfit Lenovo offers the best foldable 2-in-1 laptops, while Alienware and Razer are the kings of gaming/high-performance laptops. Of course, there are others who swear by Apple and Mac OS. This is a very subjective question, so do some research and think about what you're going to use the laptop to find the best fit for you.
Some can be, yes. Laptops can provide just as good a gaming experience as a full-sized desktop computer. In fact, some laptops are aimed specifically at the gaming world such as the Dell G3 15. For added functionality and fun, accessorise with a plug-in or wireless controller. Just make sure the laptop has a good CPU, GPU and enough RAM to deal with detailed gameplay.
Not all laptops have Bluetooth hardware installed although many newer models, such as the Apple MacPro 16-inch, do. If buying a laptop check out the specs to see whether Bluetooth is mentioned. On an existing laptop, open the Device Manager. If Bluetooth or Bluetooth Radios is listed, Bluetooth is enabled.
Laptops are much trickier to upgrade than desktop PCs and newer high-spec models are becoming increasingly harder to upgrade at all. On some models, it is possible to add extra RAM or a solid-state device (SSD) but the advice is to make sure the laptop you are planning to purchase has all the hardware you need.
The first laptop is generally considered to be the Osborne 1 which hit the market in 1981. A laptop in a form that we would recognise today, appeared on the market in 1989.
Like many electronic devices, laptops do emit some electromagnetic radiation. This comes from the light needed to create the display, the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity and leakage from the internal circuitry. All of this is well within safe standards although the general advice is that despite the name 'laptop', your laptop should not sit directly on your lap for hours at a time.
Finding the Best Laptops Deals
There are several retailers online and on the high streets like Amazon, Tesco Direct, Currys PC World and Argos that offer laptop bargains regularly. Read several expert reviews before buying any laptop device online and ensure you buy a product with the specifications you need. It's also a good idea to drop into a retail outlet to check out the physical look and feel of laptops, and even trial them before placing any order.
There isn't really a best time of year to buy, as discounts and laptop sales are available all year round. If you're happy to accept older stock models, you may find buying a laptop in the second quarter of the year gives you a better specification model, as manufacturers tend to discount electronics more heavily after the end of the fiscal year. Best price laptops tend to be available at the start of the new academic year as well as the January Sales, too. Black Friday deals and discounts for Christmas may also bring better prices around the holiday season. It is also noted that Monday tends to be the day that retailers apply discounts to electronics, so laptops could come down in price on Mondays if you shop around for the best prices.
Getting the Latest Laptop Offers with hotukdeals
With more options available than ever, it can be tough to decide for a particular brand or kind of laptop. It can be easy to buy power that you don't need or go for an option that doesn't work for you, so think about what you're going to use your laptop for before you buy. When it comes time to make a purchase, be sure to check out the hotukdeals laptop listing to get the latest online and offline offers.