How to figure out what you need
Start from what you do, not from spec sheets: this page turns vague needs into concrete requirements you can filter by.
Spec anxiety comes from reading numbers before defining tasks. A stable order of questions prevents both overspending and underbuying.
The sequence
- 1. Tasks. Write down the three heaviest things you do — they set your task profile.
- 2. Mobility. Daily carry favours weight and battery; desk-bound use favours screen and power.
- 3. Budget. Fix a range before comparing; honest rankings work within any range.
- 4. The parts that matter for your tasks. Gaming cares about the GPU; compilation about CPU cores; travel about battery and weight.
Answer a short set of questions about your tasks and budget — the wizard ranks matching models and shows why each one fits.
An honest shortcut
If the sequence feels heavy, the wizard asks these questions interactively and shows the ranking logic for every model. When a term on the way is unclear, this wiki explains it — each part page answers "what is it" and "why should I care".