Which Laptop is Right for Me? A Buyer's Guide

In the market for a new HP laptop but unsure which one to pick? Not to worry, we have removed all the tedious guesswork for you by providing an easy-to-follow decision tree to help you find the best HP laptop model to meet your demanding computing requirements and busy lifestyle.

View our laptop buyer's guide infographic below to get the quickest answer to that age-old question: Which is the right laptop for me?

Choosing a new laptop is a big decision. Not only can it have a big impact on your wallet but your laptop will likely be your companion throughout much of the day. So what do you need to know before making your choice? We’ve designed a guide based on several factors that should help you find the perfect laptop for you.

When trying to decide which laptop is right for you, one of your most important considerations should be whether you plan to use your laptop at home or on-the-go. You’ll also want to think about what you’re going to be using it for.

Is just for leisurely streaming your favorite shows and optimal online shopping or do you need it to be your office away from home? These factors will determine which specs you should prioritize when you’re evaluating your options.

Fortunately, with laptops by HP®, you won’t have to sacrifice performance, aesthetics, or user-friendly operation. Whichever route you choose to go, you can rest assured that you’ve selected an industry-leading laptop that you can rely on. So, let’s get started.

At-home laptop users

If you’re only going to be using your new laptop at home, you have the greatest flexibility when deciding on a new device. But there are still a few important factors should be considered when making your decision, like stability, ventilation, and screen design.

FOR THE STATIONARY HOME USER

For at-home laptops users whose setup is limited to their living room or home office, we recommend the HP ENVY x360 15-inch laptop. This heavy-duty laptop has the processing power needed to tackle any task.

You’ll enjoy using this laptop at home with its innovative hinge that allows for better ventilation and more stability, as well as the high-quality graphics for ideal streaming and scrolling. Add to that an impressive battery life so you don’t have to worry about sitting next to an outlet and you’ve got a winning device.

FOR THE HOME USER WHO LIKES A CHANGE OF VIEW

If you’re going to be carrying your laptop from room to room to your favorite work-from-home spots (the comfy couch in your living room, the dining room table when you’re in a serious time crunch, or your bedroom when you’re winding down for the day), the HP SPECTRE x360 convertible laptop is probably a better option for you. This touch laptop has a sleek, razor-thin design, including a 90% screen-to-body ratio, and smart technology you’ll love.

On-the-go laptop users

If, on the other hand, you’ll be regularly taking your laptop with you, flexibility and portability will be your top priorities. If you’re going to be transporting your laptop all over the place, you should also think about what type of carrier it needs to fit in and what you’ll use it for.

If your laptop will be tagging along inside your backpack, it’s likely that you’ll need something that’s portable without sacrificing functionality.

FOR STUDENTS

If you need your laptop to be your study companion when it’s time to hit the books at the school library or even in the cafeteria, you’ll be happy to have the HP Stream notebook by your side.

It’s a scholar’s dream laptop because it’s flexible, portable, and budget-friendly. And, the industry-leading processors will ensure that you have enough power so you’re never left in a crunch when trying to complete assignments, research, or even that last-minute essay.

FOR THE GAMER ON-THE-GO

Gaming during your downtime between classes or on the train on the way home from work? If you’re a leaderboard legend, you’re going to want to go with the HP OMEN 15-inch gaming laptop. With next-level graphics, optimized ventilation, and diverse storage options, the HP OMEN laptop can help you take your gaming to new heights with its legendary hardware.

But, if you’re more of a casual gamer, the HP Pavilion 15-inch gaming laptop is probably a better match for your needs without exceeding your budget. From the stunning micro-edge display to optimized performance, the new HP Pavilion gaming laptop is designed for smooth gameplay that you won’t be able to get enough of.

FOR THE EVERYDAY USER

If your laptop doesn’t need to pull heavy duty and you need to stick to a budget, the HP Pavilion x360 is a great choice. This budget-friendly laptop can adapt to your needs, whatever they may be. The thin, light design and 360 degree hinge make it easy to use your laptop in any position you need for optimal usability and comfort. And, you can use it as a tablet, too.

For those looking to splurge a bit on their everyday laptop, the HP ENVY x360 is a high-performing laptop you can count on for an enjoyable user experience. The HP ENVY 360 has the specs you want like crystal-clear Full HD resolution, 3-sided micro-edge display, and audio by Bang & Olufsen, without sacrificing essentials like processing power or battery life.

FOR THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL

If your job requires high-resolution photos, video editing, animation, or illustration you can’t afford to settle for anything but the HP ZBook Studio mobile workstation. With incredible graphics and large memory configurations, this impressive piece of tech can help you bring your most creative ideas to fruition. And, it weighs less than five pounds.

FOR THE TRAVELING PROFESSIONAL

Traveling with a laptop can be burdensome if it’s too heavy or difficult to use. For those who travel frequently and need a reliable laptop that will help them stay connected and on deadline, the HP EliteBook series is perfect. With our thin, secure business workstation, you can make the world your office.

FOR THE STATIONARY PROFESSIONAL

If you stay put during your workday, the HP ZBook 15 mobile workstation will be the best workplace companion. With this 15-inch mobile workstation designed for powerful performance, you’ll be able to tackle any task. The HP ZBook 15 is secure, high-performing, and designed for a seamless workflow.

Takeaways: your perfect fit

Now that you’ve found the perfect laptop, it’s time to get back to doing what you do best. You can start working, searching, streaming, or gaming with the peace of mind that you’re backed by the power and performance of an HP laptop.

Infographic transcription:

STATIONARY AT-HOME

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? At home.
2.    Will you keep your laptop in one room, or carry it from room-to-room? One room.
•    HP ENVY 17-inch notebook: This heavy-duty laptop has the processing power needed to tackle any task.

MOBILE AT-HOME

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? At home.
2.    Will you keep your laptop in one room, or carry it from room-to-room? Room-to-room.
•    HP Spectre x360 convertible laptop: Sleek design and smart technology combine in a razor thin laptop.

STUDENT

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My backpack.
3.    Do you spend your days hitting the books? Yes.
•    HP Stream 11-inch notebook: Flexible, portable, and budget-friendly - a scholar’s dream laptop.

CASUAL GAMER

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My backpack.
3.    Do you spend your days hitting the books? No.
4.    Do you want a laptop for gaming or everyday use? Gaming.
5.    Are you a casual gamer or leaderboard legend? Casual gamer.
•    HP Pavilion 15-inch gaming laptop: Crush the competition with this budget-friendly gaming laptop.

LEADERBOARD LEGEND (SERIOUS GAMER)

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My backpack.
3.    Do you spend your days hitting the books? No.
4.    Do you want a laptop for gaming or everyday use? Gaming.
5.    Are you a casual gamer or leaderboard legend? Leaderboard legend.
•    HP OMEN X 17-inch gaming laptop: Take your gaming to new heights with legendary hardware.

EVERYDAY USER (ON A BUDGET)

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My backpack.
3.    Do you spend your days hitting the books? No.
4.    Do you want a laptop for gaming or everyday use? Everyday use.
5.    Are you on a tight budget? Yes.
•    HP Pavilion x360 convertible laptop: A budget-friendly laptop that adapts to your needs.

EVERYDAY USER (WITHOUT A BUDGET)

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My backpack.
3.    Do you spend your days hitting the books? No.
4.    Do you want a laptop for gaming or everyday use? Everyday use.
5.    Are you on a tight budget? No.
•    HP ENVY x360 convertible laptop: Get serious performance, no matter how you use your laptop.

DESIGN PROFESSIONAL

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My work briefcase.
3.    Does your job require high-resolution photos, video editing, animation, or illustration? Yes.
•    HP ZBook Studio mobile workstation: Bring your most creative ideas to fruition.

TRAVELING PROFESSIONAL

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My work bag / laptop case.
3.    Does your job require high-resolution photos, video editing, animation, or illustration? No.
4.    Do you travel for work? Yes.
•    HP EliteBook x360 convertible laptop: Make the world your office with our thin, secure business convertible.

STATIONARY PROFESSIONAL

1.    Will you use your laptop at home, or take it with you? Take it with me.
2.    What do you use to carry around your laptop? My work bag / laptop case.
3.    Does your job require high-resolution photos, video editing, animation, or illustration? No.
4.    Do you travel for work? No.
•    HP ZBook 15-inch mobile workstation: Tackle any task and meet every deadline with a mobile workstation designed for powerful performance.

Learn more about the top-rated HP laptop models in our in-depth reviews of the HP ENVY, HP Spectre, and HP Workstation product lines on HP® Tech Takes.