How to choose a laptop in 2026? A complete buyer's guide

How to choose a processor? Start with your needs, not the name

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“Will Intel Core Ultra 5 be enough for me, or should I buy Core Ultra 7 straight away?”

Short answer – for most people Intel Core Ultra 5 will be enough.

The difference between Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 is usually felt only by those who work daily with demanding applications: Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, AutoCAD, Visual Studio, Blender or other professional software.

Which processor to choose?

What about AMD Ryzen AI?

AMD has grown much stronger in recent years. Modern Ryzen AI processors compete successfully with the Intel Core Ultra series in performance.

In everyday use the differences between Intel and AMD are often minimal, so it is much more important to look at the computer's overall configuration – display, amount of RAM, SSD capacity, battery and ports.

What is an NPU and why does it matter for the future?

An NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a dedicated chip designed for artificial intelligence tasks.

It handles features such as automatic noise suppression during video calls, background blur, live captions and various Microsoft Copilot+ capabilities.

Today an NPU is not yet essential for every user, but AI features are multiplying rapidly, so a new computer with an NPU is a better investment in the future.

How to choose a laptop? 5 steps to help you get it right

When buying a new computer it is easy to get lost among dozens of models and technical specifications. In practice, though, the decision can be made much more simply – you just need to answer five questions.

Step 1. Decide what you will use the computer for

Different tasks call for different computers. A student needs low weight and long battery life, an office worker needs reliability and a comfortable keyboard, while a photographer or architect needs a fast processor, more RAM and a high-quality display.

Step 2. Think about where you will work most often

If you will carry the computer to work, university or on trips every day, it is worth choosing a lighter model with long battery life. If it will almost always sit on a desk, you can opt for a larger display and more performance.

Step 3. Do not buy a computer just for today

Most people use a laptop for at least five years. During that time applications become more demanding, new artificial intelligence features appear, and browsers and operating systems use more resources.

That is exactly why it is often worth investing a little more in more RAM, a larger SSD or a better display – these upgrades are felt more every day than a processor one step higher.

How much RAM and SSD do you need today for the computer to stay fast in a few years?

If the processor is the computer's “brain”, then memory (RAM) and the SSD determine how smoothly the computer works every day. This is exactly where people most often make mistakes – they choose too little memory or too small an SSD.

When choosing a new computer, it is worth thinking not only about today's needs. Windows, browsers, AI features and applications become more demanding every year, so a computer should have enough headroom for the future.

How much RAM do you really need?

Is a 1 TB SSD worth it?

The SSD is responsible for more than just storing files. Its speed also determines how quickly Windows boots, applications start and files are copied.

Modern Acer laptops use NVMe PCIe SSDs, which are many times faster than older SATA drives.

Which Acer model is worth choosing?

If you are looking for a versatile computer for everyday work, we recommend checking out the Acer Aspire series.

If mobility, long battery life and a lightweight chassis matter, take a look at Acer Swift models.

For more demanding creative work or gaming we recommend the Acer Nitro and Predator series, where you will usually find more RAM, larger SSDs and dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards.

The display – the most important part of the computer, which you will look at every day

You will only notice the processor or RAM when the computer starts slowing down. But you will see the display every time you turn the computer on. That is why it is one of the most important parts when choosing a new laptop.

Whether you work with documents, edit photos, watch films or attend online meetings – a high-quality display strains your eyes less and makes working more comfortable.

What display size should you choose?

The display size depends not on which one is “better”, but on where and how you will use the computer most often.

Why is the 16:10 format considered better than 16:9 today?

In recent years more and more manufacturers, including Acer, have been switching to 16:10 format displays. Although the difference sounds small, it is felt very clearly every day.

A 16:10 display is slightly taller, so you see more text, Excel rows, web page or programming code at once. That means less scrolling and more comfortable work.

What do Full HD, WUXGA, QHD and 4K mean?

Resolution indicates how many dots (pixels) make up the image on the screen. The more there are, the more detailed the image, but energy consumption and load on the computer may also increase.

IPS or OLED – which display to choose?

One of the most common questions when choosing a new laptop is whether it is worth paying more for an OLED display. Although OLED is often considered the more advanced technology, that does not mean it is the best choice for everyone.

It all depends on what you will use the computer for most often.

What do 100% sRGB and DCI-P3 mean?

Manufacturers often list various colour standards but do not always explain what they mean in practice.

If you only edit photos occasionally, a 100% sRGB display is usually more than enough. Professionals who work with colour accuracy should look for models with a wider DCI-P3 colour gamut.

Is a 120 Hz display worth it?

Many people think a higher refresh rate is only needed for gaming. In reality, the difference is felt in everyday computer use too.

BlueLightShield – what is it and is it really useful?

Acer BlueLightShield technology reduces the amount of blue light, which can tire the eyes more in the evening. It is not a miracle feature, but during long hours at the screen it can help you feel more comfortable.

It is important to understand that eye comfort is affected by more than blue light. Taking regular breaks, choosing the right screen brightness and working in a well-lit environment are just as important.

Which Acer model to choose?

If you are looking for a versatile laptop with a high-quality IPS or OLED display, we recommend checking out the Acer Swift series.

For gaming and creative work, a great fit is Acer Nitro and Predator models, which often feature displays with higher refresh rates and higher resolutions.

If you work a lot in one place, it is also worth considering an external Acer monitor. A larger screen can significantly increase working comfort and productivity.

🎯 Quick selection guide

If you are still unsure which display to choose, this table will help you decide in just a few seconds.

How to choose a graphics card (GPU)? Do you really need NVIDIA GeForce RTX?

The graphics card (GPU) is one of the most discussed computer components. However, many buyers still think that the more powerful the NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card, the better the computer.

In reality, it all depends on what you plan to do. For some users modern integrated Intel Arc or AMD Radeon graphics will be perfectly sufficient, while others cannot work efficiently without RTX.

Which graphics card suits your needs?

RTX 5060, RTX 5070 or RTX 5080 – which one to choose?

What are NVIDIA DLSS 4 and Ray Tracing?

NVIDIA DLSS 4 is an AI-based technology that boosts gaming performance without losing high image quality.

Ray Tracing is responsible for more realistic reproduction of light, shadows and reflections. These technologies shine most in the latest games.

If you are buying a computer for work or study, these features should not be the main selection criterion.

Which Acer model to choose?

For everyday work and study we recommend Acer Aspire or Acer Swift models with Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen AI processors and integrated graphics.

If you are looking for a gaming computer or plan to work with graphics, video editing or 3D projects, it is worth choosing the Acer Nitro series with RTX 5060 or RTX 5070.

For professionals seeking maximum performance we recommend Acer Predator models with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 or RTX 5090.

Battery, ports and mobility – features you will appreciate every day

When buying a new laptop, a lot of attention goes to the processor or graphics card, but in everyday practice battery life, the computer's weight and its ports become just as important.

If you will often carry the computer to work, university or on trips, these features will have a greater impact on your experience than a few extra processor cores.

How important is the computer's weight?

Lifting a 2.5 kg computer once is not a problem. But if you carry it in your backpack every day, after a few weeks the difference becomes very obvious.

How many hours should the battery last?

The battery life stated by manufacturers is usually measured under ideal laboratory conditions. In real life results depend on screen brightness, the applications used and the internet connection.

Which ports should you look for?

Ports determine how easily you can connect a monitor, projector, external drive or other accessories. The longer you plan to use the computer, the more important it is to have modern ports.

Is Wi-Fi 7 worth it?

If you are buying a new computer for the long term, we recommend choosing a model with Wi-Fi 7 or at least Wi-Fi 6E support. These standards provide higher speed, lower latency and a more stable connection with future routers.

If you still use an older Wi-Fi router at home, the new computer will still work without problems – it will simply adapt to the existing network.

Which Acer model do we recommend?

If mobility matters most, check out the Acer Swift series – lightweight models with long battery life.

For business users a great choice is Acer TravelMate, which place great emphasis on security and reliability.

If you plan to connect several monitors, a projector or other devices, we also recommend considering Acer accessories and Acer monitors, which will help you create a comfortable workspace.

Which Acer laptop series suits you best?

Acer offers several laptop series, each designed for different needs. Instead of comparing dozens of models, first pick the right series – then finding the ideal computer will be much easier.

Acer series comparison

Which Acer series to choose?

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Which laptop should a student buy?

For studies, a light 14–15.6" computer with an Intel Core 5 / Ryzen 5 class processor, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD is enough. Acer Aspire and Swift series models fit this description.

How much RAM do you need in 2026?

We recommend at least 16 GB. 8 GB is still enough for simple browsing, but with several tabs, Teams and office applications the computer will quickly start to slow down. For gaming and video editing – 32 GB.

Which laptop is suitable for gaming?

For gaming, choose the Acer Nitro or Predator series with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card. The most popular choice is the Acer Nitro V 15 / V 16 with RTX 5050–5070.

Is it worth buying a computer with Copilot+ (NPU)?

If you will use the computer for 4–5 years, it is worth it – more and more Windows and application features use the NPU. For simple tasks it is not essential today.

What screen size should you choose?

If you carry it often – 14"; for work mostly at home or in the office – 15.6–16". For gaming and working with large files – 16–18".

What warranty does a laptop have?

Acer computers sold by Acershop.lt come with the official manufacturer's warranty – you will find the exact term in each product's description.

👉 Browse all Acer laptops and if in doubt, contact us – we will help you choose.