Laptop Purchase Guide 2025
Buying a laptop in 2025 can feel overwhelming. The technology market moves fast, with new models, brands, and specifications hitting the shelves every year. Whether you’re buying for work, study, or home use, it can be hard to know which one is actually worth your money. That’s why we’ve updated our original 2021 guide with fresh insights to help you navigate your next laptop purchase with confidence.
REASONS FOR BUYING A LAPTOP
The first step in choosing the right laptop is understanding what you’re buying it for. What is the main purpose of this laptop? Will it be your everyday workhorse, a study companion, a media hub, or a travel-friendly secondary device?
In 2025, most laptops are designed to perform best in one of three areas: Speed, Portability, or Reliability. While some high-end models attempt to do all three, these are usually expensive and not always necessary. Prioritising the feature that matters most to you can help narrow down your options.
SPEED
Speed means different things depending on your needs.
1. High-Performance Speed
If you are running demanding software like Adobe Creative Suite, engineering applications, or 3D design tools, or if you are gaming at a competitive level, you will need high-performance hardware. This includes:
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A multi-core CPU (e.g., Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9)
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A dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD)
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A large amount of RAM (16GB or more)
However, it’s worth noting that desktop computers still outperform laptops for high-end tasks due to better heat management, more upgrade options, and longer component lifespan. Unless portability is a must, consider investing in a desktop for heavy-duty performance.
2. Everyday Speed
If you just need fast start-up, smooth browsing, and reliable performance for office tasks, video calls, and media consumption, you don’t need top-tier specs. Instead, you should focus on a laptop with:
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A Solid State Drive (SSD)
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A mid-range CPU (e.g., Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5)
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At least 8GB of RAM
An SSD is one of the biggest performance boosters, making loading times feel almost instant compared to traditional hard drives.
Tip:
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Power users should lean toward desktops or high-performance laptops.
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Everyday users will be well-served by mid-range specs with an SSD.
PORTABILITY
Portability is more than just size and weight. It’s about how easy the laptop is to carry, how long the battery lasts, and how comfortable it is to use on the go.
Compact Laptops (13"-14")
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Lightweight and easy to carry
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Typically better battery life
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Smaller screens may limit productivity
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Repairs can be more expensive due to compact designs
Larger Laptops (15"-17")
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Larger screens improve multitasking
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Usually heavier and bulkier
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May have better internal cooling and performance
Tip: If you’re using a laptop primarily at a desk, consider pairing a small, portable laptop with an external monitor and keyboard. This gives you flexibility without sacrificing screen space when working from a fixed location.
RELIABILITY
Reliability often comes down to the build quality and manufacturer support. Two laptops with the same specs can perform very differently over time.
What to look for:
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Manufacturer warranties: Look for 3-year manufacturer-backed warranties. These indicate confidence in the product's longevity.
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Build quality: Avoid laptops that feel flimsy or cheap. Metal or reinforced plastic builds generally last longer.
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Repairability: Consider how easy the laptop is to service or upgrade if needed.
False economy alert: A cheap $600 laptop that lasts 2 years may cost you more long-term than a $1600 laptop that lasts 6-7 years with reliable performance.
MACBOOKS IN 2025
Apple’s MacBook range continues to offer excellent performance with their custom M-series chips. These laptops are:
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Fast and power-efficient
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Great for creative professionals
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Premium-priced with limited upgrade-ability
Things to keep in mind:
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Always choose more storage than you think you need, as MacBooks cannot be upgraded later.
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Consider purchasing AppleCare+ for additional protection, as repairs can be expensive without it.
BRANDS TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
From our years of servicing laptops, we recommend being cautious with certain brands and budget models, especially those with poor warranty service or known reliability issues.
Brands we are cautious of include:
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HP (especially lower-end models)
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Lenovo Ideapad series
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Unknown or unbranded laptops
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Brands with no local support or service agents
This doesn't mean all their products are bad, but we have seen more failures and frustrations with these brands in our experience.
CURRENT SUPPLY CHALLENGES IN NEW ZEALAND
While supply chains have stabilised since the pandemic, New Zealand still faces limited stock availability on certain models. You may need to:
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Choose from in-stock alternatives
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Wait several weeks for back-ordered items
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Be flexible on brand or configuration if timing is critical
WHY BUY FROM COMPUTER HELP NZ
We supply a carefully selected range of laptops that we believe offer the best balance of value, reliability, and longevity. Our models are:
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Backed by 3-year warranties
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Tested for 6-10 years of practical use
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Sourced from trusted suppliers
We don’t aim to be the cheapest, but we do stand behind every laptop we sell. We only offer models we would use ourselves and that we can confidently support for years to come.
Not sure what to buy? Email us the links to your shortlisted laptops, and we’ll give you free, no-obligation advice.
Interested in buying from us? Get in touch for our current range. Please note: We only sell to our existing customers.
Here to help,
The Team at Computer Help NZ 160b Selwyn Street, Christchurch www.chnz.co.nz 0800 FIX NOW 0800 349 669