A laptop can cost €400 or €2,500 — and paying too much for power you'll never use is the most common mistake. The best laptop in 2026 is the one that fits your actual use. Here is our guide to paying the right price, whether you're a student, remote worker or gamer.

How to choose the right laptop

Before comparing prices, start from your main use:

  • Processor and RAM: 16 GB of RAM is now the right standard; 8 GB is getting tight for the long run. A recent CPU is plenty for office work.
  • Storage: a 512 GB SSD offers comfort and speed; 256 GB fills up fast.
  • The screen: aim for a sharp IPS panel; for creative work, colour accuracy (sRGB/DCI-P3) matters.
  • The graphics card: essential for gaming and 3D, unnecessary for pure office work (where it drives up the price and reduces battery life).
  • Battery life and weight: decisive for mobility — an ultraportable can last a full day.
Picksly tip: a dedicated graphics card drives up the price and drains the battery. If you don't game, an ultraportable without a dedicated GPU is a much better buy.

Our selection by profile

Budget profile: the best under €600

For studies and office work, models like the Lenovo IdeaPad, the Acer Aspire or a high-end Chromebook cover the essentials. Refurbished is a goldmine here: a professional ultraportable from two years ago (ThinkPad, Latitude) often offers far better build quality than a basic new one.

Smart profile: the best value for money

The €800–1,300 range is ideal for versatile use: a good CPU, 16 GB of RAM, a fast SSD and a nice screen. The Lenovo Yoga/Slim, the Asus Zenbook or a MacBook Air illustrate this durable segment well.

Premium profile: the best quality, no compromise

Maximum power for gaming or creative work, a reference-level screen and premium chassis: the MacBook Pro, the Asus ROG, the Lenovo Legion or the Dell XPS lead the pack. Reserved for demanding uses (editing, 3D, high-resolution gaming).

How to pay the right price

Laptops show considerable price differences depending on configuration, retailer and promotional period. Rather than comparing dozens of models manually, let Picksly find the most relevant alternative for your profile, at the current real price.

FAQ

What is the best cheap laptop?

Under €600, the Lenovo IdeaPad and Acer Aspire cover office work well. For the same money, a refurbished professional ultraportable (ThinkPad, Latitude) often offers superior quality.

How much RAM do you need in 2026?

16 GB is the right standard to last and work comfortably with multiple tasks open. 8 GB is enough for very light use, but quickly becomes limiting.

Do you need a dedicated graphics card?

Only for gaming, 3D or intensive video editing. For office work and browsing, it drives up the price and reduces battery life with no real benefit.

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