Help Me Choose Which Windows Laptop or PC is Right For Me | Microsoft

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What will you use your PC for most?

We know you do a lot on your PC, but please choose up to two of your top activities.

Just the basics

I want to use my PC for everyday tasks like browsing the internet and checking email.

Entertainment

I want to store and stream my favorite music and movies on my PC.

Gaming

I need a PC that’s powerful enough to handle my gaming habits, sophisticated graphics, and multitasking.

Work or school

I’ll be using this PC for work or school, so it needs to make reliable video calls and make document sharing easy.

Creating

I want to bring my creations to life on my PC, so I need a large screen, flexible ways to work, and storage.

Family

My family will be using this PC, so it needs to be able to handle multiple users who game, browse, and stream.

Person wearing a green checked shirt, working on their computer

Use your PC your way

How you want to use your PC is a great way to determine what kind of computer specifications you should consider. Higher RAM and a higher-level processor are good for avid gaming and creating, while casual streamers or students can choose lower tiers of both. What is RAM, and how much do you need? Watch now to learn more.

How would you describe your workload?

Choose one.

Light

I mostly work with basic programs and documents, or I don’t use my PC for work at all.

Heavy

I multitask with a lot of large documents and added-on programs.

Person with long brown hair holding a PC

The power of processing

The processor (CPU) is like the computer’s brain; it tells the other parts of the computer what to do. The more programs and documents you use at the same time, the higher level of processor you’ll need to keep everything running smoothly. Learn more about CPU processors and which one you’ll need. Watch now to learn more.

How would you describe your web browsing?

Choose one.

Light

I prefer to shop, connect, and search with a few tabs open.

Heavy

I like to browse multiple sites and have many tabs open all at once.

Person wearing a white shirt and brown vest, smiling, holding a PC

A better browsing experience

Browsing the internet is one of the most popular activities we do on a computer. If you like browsing several sites at once, consider a larger display to see everything clearly in front of you.

How would you describe your photo or video editing skills?

Choose one.

Beginner

I don’t edit my photos and videos, or I only know the basics.

Intermediate to advanced

I edit professionally or with more advanced software.

Person with long braids holding a PC and camera

Hit save on all your work

If you find yourself editing a lot of photos and videos, a PC with more gigabytes (GB) of storage is important, as you’ll want to save your work and potentially larger files.

How would you describe the types of games you play?

Choose one.

Simple and basic

I play popular online games with straightforward graphics like Candy Crush and Minecraft.

Complex and realistic

I play immersive games with more sophisticated graphics like Forza and Halo.

Person with short hair wearing headphones and holding a game controller

Level up your graphics game

Gamers who love to get lost in the narrative should consider a discrete graphics processing unit (dGPU). They’re larger and more powerful to process detailed and realistic game graphics. Learn what a dGPU does and how to identify the right one for you. Watch now to learn more.

Where do you plan to use your PC?

Choose one.

Always at my desk

I want to set up and use my PC in a single place like my home or office.

At home, but I move around

I mostly want to use my PC at home, but I also want to be able to take it to a café or library.

Anywhere with a wireless connection

My PC needs to be as mobile as I am.

A person wearing a hat holding a PC

Discover the type of PC you prefer

From powerful desktops to compact laptops to 2-in-1 hybrids, there’s a Windows PC that fits all your needs—all you have to do is decide where you want to log on.

Where do you primarily store your digital files?

Choose one.

In the cloud

I store most of my files on a cloud-based platform like OneDrive.

On my PC

I prefer to store my files locally for easy access.

Young person sitting in an open window holding a PC

Defining cloud storage

Storing files locally or on your computer makes them easy to access. Storing files “in the cloud” means your files are on servers that you access through the internet, so you need less storage on your PC, and you can access your files from multiple devices. How you use your PC determines how much storage your new computer will need. Watch now to learn more.

What's most important to you when looking for a PC?

Choose one.

Larger screen size

I want a larger screen for better clarity and visuals.

Interactive screen

I’m looking for a PC that has a touchscreen or is compatible with a digital pen.

Portability

I’m looking for a lightweight and compact PC that I can take anywhere.

Performance

I want a PC designed for speed, performance, and multitasking.

Security

I'm looking for a PC that lets me log in securely with just a glance using my face or a fingerprint scan.

Copilot+ PC experiences

Copilot+ PC experiences are advanced Windows AI features unique to Copilot+ PCs that accelerate your productivity and creativity: Recall (preview)^*, Cocreator, Windows Studio Effects, automatic super resolution, and Live Captions with English translations.¹²

I’m not sure yet

I’m not sure what’s most important to me at the moment.

Previous Get your PC recommendations

An adult and young person working on a PC together

Finding the right features

Windows Hello. Digital pens. Larger screen sizes. There's a long list of Windows PC features to choose from, just remember that they can influence the price.

Thanks for completing the quiz!

Based on your answers, we recommend these specifications for your next PC:

Processor

Computer processor illustration

RAM

Computer memory illustration

RAM is your computer’s memory. It affects the speed and performance of your PC. 8GB is fine for light browsing and most tasks. But for photo/video editing or gaming, you might need closer to 16 GB or more. Watch now to learn more about your computer’s RAM.

Storage

Computer storage illustration

If you want to save a lot of photos, videos, and documents on your PC, look for higher storage. If you tend to store more in the cloud, you may not need as much storage. Watch now to learn more about your computer’s SSD.

Display resolution

Computer monitor illustration

Resolution is the number of pixels on the screen and determines the image sharpness. For example, an HD display is 1920 x 1080 pixels, while a 4K display measures 3840 x 2160 pixels.

Screens simulated. Features and app availability may vary by region.
* Coming soon through a post-launch Windows Update. Timing will vary by device and region. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.
1 Requires specialized hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IT sensor or other biometric sensors and capable devices.
2 Pen-capable tablet or PC required. Pen accessory may be sold separately.
3 Specific combinations of devices and features may not be available in all markets. Please check with each seller for current PC availability.
4 You are about to leave Microsoft.com and access an external website, whose privacy policy, terms, and conditions will apply. Microsoft is not responsible for the privacy policy, content, or accuracy of external websites.
5 Requires a PC with touchscreen capability.
7 All specifications are subject to change without notice. Please check with each retailer for exact offers. Products may not be available in all markets. Displayed prices are current lowest prices offered by stated retailers and are subject to change. Prices are not offered by Microsoft unless stated.
11 Review ratings are pulled in from 3rd party sellers and shown in aggregate from the data available for each PC. To view the most up to date review data for each PC including individual reviews, visit the seller sites listed for each PC.
12 On some devices, some Copilot+ PC experiences require free updates continuing to roll out through early 2025. Timing varies by device and region. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.
13 Copilot+ PC experiences are coming. Requires free updates available starting late November 2024. Timing varies by device and region.