13 Best Laptop Computers For Personal Use (2026)

For personal use, browsing, streaming, email, video calls, and light document work, you do not need a thousand-dollar powerhouse. What you need is a reliable, comfortable laptop with enough speed and battery to handle daily life without frustration, at a price that leaves money in your pocket.

We researched the best affordable laptops for everyday personal use by comparing published specifications and recurring buyer feedback, focusing on machines that deliver dependable performance and real value. Below are our top picks across budgets, a buyer’s guide to help you choose, and answers to common questions.

HP Essential 2026 Laptop Student Business, Ultra Light, 4GB RAM, Intel CPU | WiFi 6, Bluetooth, LED Display, Google Assistant, Fast Charge & Longtime battery life, Portable Design, Chrome OS

Included for '13 Best Laptop Computers For Personal Use' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.

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Updated October 2026 – model list and specifications rechecked against the manufacturers’ listings.

Quick Answer: Best Laptops for Personal Use in 2026

The best laptops for personal use combine 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a Full HD screen, which covers browsing, streaming, video calls and home paperwork for years. Our top choice is the HP 15.6-inch touch laptop with a Ryzen 7 and 16GB of RAM; the Acer Aspire Go 15 is the budget touchscreen pick; and the HP 14-inch Ryzen 5 model is the most compact. This guide covers the best personal laptop computer for home use in every budget tier.

• Best overall: HP 15.6-inch touch laptop, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB / 512GB
• Best budget touchscreen: Acer Aspire Go 15, Ryzen 5, 16GB / 512GB
• Best compact: HP 14-inch, Ryzen 5 5500U, 16GB / 512GB
• Best for typing and study: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, Ryzen 5 5625U, 16GB
• Best step-up for long battery life: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch with M5

How to Choose a Laptop for Personal Use

• Match specs to your habits: Casual browsing and streaming run fine on modest hardware; heavier multitasking benefits from more RAM and a faster processor.
• Prioritize RAM over flash: 8GB is a workable minimum, but 16GB keeps things smooth for years and handles many open tabs with ease.
• Insist on an SSD: Solid-state storage makes a laptop feel dramatically faster than an old hard drive. Even a smaller SSD beats a large slow drive.
• Consider screen size and weight: A 14-inch laptop balances portability and comfort; larger screens suit desk-bound home use.
• Factor in battery and software: All-day battery matters for couch and travel use, and bundled Office or Copilot can add value.

The Best Personal-Use Laptops Reviewed

HP 15.6-Inch Touch Laptop (Ryzen 7, 16GB / 512GB) – Best Overall for Personal Use

HP 15.6 inch FHD IPS Touch Laptop, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Webcam, Windows 11 Home, Copilot AI, Natural Silver, 15-fc0057wm

Included for '13 Best Laptop Computers For Personal Use' because the listing lists an explicit depth/thickness, which is the attribute this article compares.

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This HP everyday model is the well-rounded pick, pairing a Ryzen 7 7730U with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for smooth multitasking. It handles browsing, streaming, video calls and document work without hesitation, which makes it the best all-around value for most people’s personal computing.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (8 cores)
• Memory and storage: 16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen
• Software: Windows 11 Home with Copilot

Pros: plenty of memory for many tabs; fast 8-core processor; touchscreen; roomy 512GB drive.

Cons: DDR4 memory; a 15.6-inch body is less portable than a 14-inch model.

Skip it if you want the lightest possible laptop for daily commuting.

HP Essential 2026 (Copilot, AMD) – Best for Light Browsing and Email

The HP Essential leans into simplicity with an AMD processor, a 128GB SSD, Copilot features and bundled Office 365. It is a straightforward, affordable choice for light users who mainly browse, email, and stream on a Windows machine. Check the memory amount on the listing before you buy, and treat 128GB as a minimum that fills up after a few Windows updates.

Pros: low price tier; simple Windows setup; Office 365 included.

Cons: small 128GB drive; limited headroom for heavy multitasking.

Skip it if you keep many tabs open or store lots of photos locally.

HP 14-Inch Laptop (Ryzen 5, 16GB / 512GB) – Best Compact Pick

HP 14" HD Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-Core Processor, 16GB RAM 512GB PCIe SSD, Bluetooth, Webcam, WiFi, SD Media Card Reader, Windows 11 Home, Natural Silver

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This compact HP 14-inch laptop pairs a six-core Ryzen 5 5500U with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIe SSD in an easy-to-carry body. It suits people who move between rooms, classes or cafes and want a smaller screen without giving up memory.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (6 cores)
• Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD
• Display: 14-inch HD
• Extras: webcam, SD card reader, Windows 11 Home

Pros: 16GB of RAM; six-core processor; SD card slot; compact size.

Cons: HD (not Full HD) resolution looks softer for text; older processor generation.

Skip it if you want a sharp 1080p screen.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (Ryzen 5, 16GB) – Best for Typing and Study

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, 15.6 Inch FHD Laptop | Backlit Keyboard | AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, 6-Core Processor, Up to 4.3GHz | 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD | Windows 11 | WiFi-6 | Lightweight and Ultra-Slim

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 combines a six-core Ryzen 5 5625U with 16GB of RAM, a backlit keyboard and a slim, light chassis. It is a comfortable choice for students and home-office users who type a lot.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5625U (6 cores, up to 4.3GHz)
• Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Extras: backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6

Pros: 16GB of RAM; backlit keyboard; Full HD screen; Wi-Fi 6.

Cons: 256GB of storage is modest; not a touchscreen.

Skip it if you store large photo or video libraries on the laptop.

Acer Aspire Go 15 (Ryzen 5, 16GB / 512GB) – Best Budget Touchscreen

Acer Aspire Go 15in Laptop AMD Ryzen 5 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Touch | AG15-21PT-R641, 15.6in FHD touchscreen, WiFi 6, HDMI port, webcam, Windows 11 Home, backlit keyboard

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The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a budget-friendly Windows laptop with a Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen. It is a good pick for households that want a shared family laptop without spending much.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
• Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen
• Extras: backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, HDMI port, webcam

Pros: 16GB and 512GB at a budget price; touchscreen; backlit keyboard; HDMI port.

Cons: plastic build; battery life varies with brightness.

Skip it if you want a premium aluminum chassis or a lightweight 14-inch body.

ASUS Vivobook 15 (Core 5 120U, 16GB / 512GB) – Best for Intel Fans on a Budget

ASUS Vivobook 15 Laptop: 15.6" Full HD Display, Latest Generation Intel Core 5 120U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, Silver

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The ASUS Vivobook 15 uses a current-generation Intel Core 5 120U with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD on a 15.6-inch Full HD display. It suits buyers who prefer an Intel platform and want a straightforward everyday laptop with modern Wi-Fi 6.

• CPU: Intel Core 5 120U
• Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home

Pros: 16GB and 512GB at a low price tier; efficient Intel chip; Full HD screen.

Cons: not a touchscreen; basic plastic body.

Skip it if you want a touch display or an OLED panel.

Dell Inspiron 15 (Ryzen 5 7530U, 16GB / 512GB) – Best for a Familiar Brand and a Touchscreen

Dell Inspiron 15 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7530U Processor (6-Core, up to 4.5GHz), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, AMD Radeon Graphics, Lightweight & Portable for Home, Student & Business, Win11

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The Dell Inspiron 15 pairs a six-core Ryzen 5 7530U with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD behind a 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen. It is a dependable choice for home, student and light business use, with a long-established brand behind it.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (6 cores, up to 4.5GHz)
• Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen
• Graphics: AMD Radeon integrated

Pros: newer Ryzen 7000-series chip; touchscreen; 16GB of RAM.

Cons: sits above the lowest price tier; plastic chassis.

Skip it if you only need a basic machine for email and web pages.

Acer Aspire 3 (Ryzen 5, 16GB DDR5 / 512GB) – Best for DDR5 Memory at a Low Price

The Acer Aspire 3 2026 edition offers 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 512GB SSD, a Ryzen 5 processor and a 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen. DDR5 is uncommon at this price tier, which makes it a good pick for buyers who want a bit more memory bandwidth.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
• Memory and storage: 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11

Pros: DDR5 memory; touchscreen; 512GB SSD.

Cons: the exact Ryzen 5 model is not stated in the title, so check the listing; basic build.

Skip it if you want a metal body or a high-brightness screen.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.3-Inch (Ryzen 7 170, 16GB DDR5 / 512GB) – Best Sharp-Screen Touch Pick

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.3" 2K Touchscreen Laptop, AMD Ryzen 7 170 Processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Full HD Webcam, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Windows 11 Home, Luna Grey

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This IdeaPad Slim 3 uses a 15.3-inch 2K touchscreen with a Ryzen 7 170 processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 512GB PCIe SSD. The sharper screen makes it a good choice for reading, photo viewing and video streaming.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 170
• Memory and storage: 16GB DDR5, 512GB PCIe SSD
• Display: 15.3-inch 2K touchscreen
• Extras: Full HD webcam, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Pros: 2K display; DDR5 memory; Full HD webcam; touchscreen.

Cons: costs more than the entry laptops above.

Skip it if you are happy with a standard Full HD panel and want to spend less.

Dell 15 (Ryzen 5 7520U, 512GB) – Best Low-Cost Pick With a 120Hz Screen

Dell 15.6 Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U with Radeon 610M, Windows 11 Home | FHD 120Hz IPS, LPDDR5, 512GB SSD, Wi‑Fi 5, Bluetooth, Carbon Black, DC15255

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The Dell 15 pairs a Ryzen 5 7520U with a 512GB SSD and a Full HD 120Hz IPS display, which makes scrolling and video playback feel smoother than on a standard 60Hz panel. It is a good value pick for basic everyday tasks.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U with Radeon 610M
• Memory and storage: LPDDR5 memory, 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD 120Hz IPS
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5, Windows 11 Home

Pros: 120Hz screen; 512GB SSD; low price tier.

Cons: Wi-Fi 5 rather than Wi-Fi 6; confirm the RAM amount on the listing.

Skip it if you want a touchscreen or a newer wireless standard.

Also Consider: Premium and Specialty Personal Laptops

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch with M5 – Best for Battery Life and macOS

Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: Built for AI, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7; Midnight

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The 2026 MacBook Air 13-inch with the M5 chip has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display and 16GB of unified memory. It is the step-up choice for people who want a quiet, fanless laptop with strong battery life and who are comfortable using macOS.

• Chip: Apple M5
• Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
• Memory: 16GB unified memory
• Design: fanless

Pros: long battery life; silent; 16GB base memory; premium build.

Cons: costs far more than the Windows picks; no touchscreen.

Skip it if you need Windows-only software or have a tight budget.

HP OmniBook X Flip 14 – Best 2-in-1 With an OLED Touchscreen

HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 Copilot+ AI Laptop, 14" 2K OLED Touchscreen, AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 Upto 50 Tops(2026), 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, w/Stylus, Win11 H

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The HP OmniBook X Flip is a 2-in-1 with a 14-inch 2K OLED touchscreen, a Ryzen AI 5 430 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 512GB SSD. It folds into tablet mode for reading and note taking and includes a stylus.

• CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 5 430
• Memory and storage: 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch 2K OLED touchscreen
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, stylus included

Pros: OLED display; 2-in-1 design; Wi-Fi 7; stylus.

Cons: premium price tier; heavier than a clamshell of the same size.

Skip it if you never use touch or pen input.

Acer Aspire Go 16 (Core 5, 16GB / 512GB) – Best Large-Screen Touch Option

Acer Aspire Go 16in Laptop Intel Core 5 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Touch | AG16-71PT-558A, touchscreen display, Windows 11, WiFi 6, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, webcam

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The Acer Aspire Go 16 offers a 16-inch touch display with an Intel Core 5 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It suits people who mostly work at a desk and want more screen area for spreadsheets or side-by-side windows.

• CPU: Intel Core 5
• Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
• Display: 16-inch touchscreen
• Ports: USB-C, HDMI

Pros: large screen; USB-C and HDMI; 16GB of RAM.

Cons: bulkier to carry than 14-inch models.

Skip it if portability is your top priority.

What to Look For in a Personal-Use Laptop

Everyday tasks are forgiving, yet a few specifications decide whether a laptop stays pleasant for years or feels slow in the first one. These checks cut through marketing labels.

Memory and Storage: Minimum Versus Comfortable

Windows 11 lists 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage as its hardware minimum, along with a 64-bit processor at 1 GHz or faster with at least two cores, UEFI Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. That floor only guarantees the system installs. Day to day, a browser with a dozen tabs, a video call, and a document open together can strain 8 GB, which is why 16 GB is the more comfortable target for anyone who keeps many windows open. For storage, 256 GB suits a light user who streams and keeps files in the cloud, while 512 GB gives room for updates, photos, and downloads without constant clean-ups. Machines with very small drives, such as the entry-level HP Essential in this list, fill quickly once Windows updates accumulate.

Display Resolution and Size

Full HD (1920 x 1080) is the sensible baseline for reading text and watching video. Older 1366 x 768 panels still appear on the most basic machines and show visibly coarse text. A 14-inch screen balances portability and legibility, while 15 to 16 inches suits those who work at a desk most of the time. Brightness matters too: panels below about 250 nits are hard to read near a window.

Processor Tier and What It Means

Celeron-class chips handle browsing, email, and streaming, but slow down when several tabs and apps compete. Core i3 or Ryzen 3 and above give more headroom for multitasking and last longer before feeling dated. Choose by workload rather than by name: document work and video calls rarely need more than a mid-range chip with enough RAM behind it.

Reading the “Copilot” Label Correctly

A laptop marketed with Copilot features is not automatically a Copilot+ PC. Microsoft’s Copilot+ certification requires an NPU rated at 40 TOPS or more, at least 16 GB of memory, and a 256 GB or larger SSD, among other conditions. A machine without those still runs Windows 11 and receives updates; it simply lacks the Copilot+ exclusives. If those extras do not matter to you, ignore the badge and judge the memory, storage, and display instead.

Battery, Weight, and Ports

Manufacturer battery claims are measured under light, controlled loads, so real use often falls short. For a laptop that moves between rooms, look for a weight under roughly 1.6 kg and a USB-C port that can charge the machine. Also count the ports you use daily, such as USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, since slim models sometimes drop one.

Which One Should You Buy?

Common Mistakes When Buying a Personal-Use Laptop

1. Accepting 4 GB of RAM because Windows “runs” on it. The minimum lets the system start, not stay responsive under modern browsers.
2. Buying on storage size alone. A larger but slower drive can feel worse than a smaller solid-state one, so check the drive type as well as the capacity.
3. Paying for an AI badge you will not use. The label does not improve email, browsing, or documents. Spend that effort on memory and the screen.
4. Ignoring display quality. You look at the screen for hours, and a dim, low-resolution panel causes more daily annoyance than a slightly slower processor.
5. Forgetting the charger and port layout. A machine that needs a proprietary barrel charger or lacks the ports you use ends up needing adapters.

A Short Checklist for the First Week

1. Run Windows Update until no further updates appear, then restart.
2. Remove preinstalled trial software you will not use to reclaim storage and startup time.
3. Check the display scaling setting, since small text on a 14-inch screen is often a setting rather than a flaw.
4. Confirm the battery charges and holds a charge over a full working session before the return window closes.

Matching Specifications to Your Daily Tasks

These ranges reflect common guidance rather than strict rules. Your own habits, particularly the number of tabs you keep open, are the best predictor.

How Long Will the Laptop Stay Useful?

Longevity depends mostly on memory, storage, and build quality rather than on a newer processor name. A machine with 16 GB of memory and a roomy solid-state drive tends to stay responsive for years, while one with 4 GB or a tiny drive can feel slow after the first major update. Since memory in many thin laptops is soldered to the board, it cannot be upgraded later, so buying enough at the start is the safer plan. A comfortable keyboard and a sturdy hinge matter as well, because those wear out before the processor becomes obsolete.

Best Personal Laptop for Home Use by Budget Tier

Use these tiers to match a personal laptop for home use to your budget. Each line lists the spec that matters most.

Entry Tier

• HP Essential 2026 · AMD processor · 128GB SSD · Office 365 included
• Dell 15 (Ryzen 5 7520U) · 512GB SSD · 120Hz Full HD screen
• ASUS Vivobook 15 (Core 5 120U) · 16GB RAM · 512GB SSD

Mid Tier

• Acer Aspire Go 15 · Ryzen 5 · 16GB RAM · 512GB SSD · touchscreen
• HP 14-inch Ryzen 5 5500U · 16GB RAM · 512GB SSD · compact
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (Ryzen 5 5625U) · 16GB RAM · backlit keyboard
• Acer Aspire 3 · 16GB DDR5 · 512GB SSD · touchscreen

Upper Tier

• HP 15.6-inch Ryzen 7 7730U · 16GB RAM · 512GB SSD · touchscreen
• Dell Inspiron 15 (Ryzen 5 7530U) · 16GB RAM · 512GB SSD · touchscreen
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.3-inch (Ryzen 7 170) · 16GB DDR5 · 2K touchscreen

Best Laptops for Personal Use: Comparison Table

Specifications come from the manufacturers’ listings, which can change between production runs, so confirm memory and storage on the product page before ordering.

Windows Laptop, MacBook or Chromebook for Everyday Use?

If you are choosing the best personal computer for everyday use, the operating system matters as much as the hardware.

• Windows laptop: the widest choice of prices and models, full compatibility with Windows programs and the easiest option if you already own Windows software. Most picks in this guide are Windows laptops.
• MacBook Air: costs more, but offers long battery life, silent operation and tight integration with an iPhone. It is a good fit when your needs are web apps, documents and photos.
• Chromebook: the lowest-cost route for web browsing, email and streaming, with quick start-up and simple maintenance. It cannot run most Windows desktop programs, so check your must-have software first.

Laptop or Desktop PC for Personal Use?

For people asking about the best PCs for personal use, a laptop wins on portability and a built-in screen and battery, while a desktop gives more performance and easier upgrades for the same money. Choose a laptop if you move around the home or travel; choose a desktop if the computer stays on one desk and you want a larger monitor.

How We Chose These Personal-Use Laptops

We did not run physical tests. The list is based on published manufacturer specifications, current product listings and recurring buyer feedback. We favored laptops with at least 16GB of RAM, a Full HD display and a 512GB SSD, kept models from well-known brands and avoided older processor families such as Celeron and renewed units that lack the memory to run Windows 11 comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I spend on a personal-use laptop?

You can get a capable everyday laptop affordably. Spending a little more for 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, as in the HP 15.6-inch model, pays off in longevity and smoothness.

Is 8GB of RAM enough?

For light browsing and streaming, 8GB works. If you keep many tabs open or multitask, 16GB delivers a noticeably smoother experience and ages better.

Do I need a touchscreen?

Not for basic personal use. A touchscreen is a nice convenience for navigation but is not essential, and skipping it can save money or improve battery life.

Which is best for portability?

The 14-inch HP laptop is the easiest to carry in this list, combining a compact body with 16GB of RAM for use around the home or while traveling.

What is the best laptop for personal use?

The HP 15.6-inch touch laptop with a Ryzen 7, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is the best all-round pick in this guide. It gives plenty of memory, storage and speed for everyday browsing, streaming and documents without a premium price.

What is the best rated laptop for personal use?

Ratings change often, so judge by specifications and recent buyer feedback. Look for models with 16GB of RAM, an SSD of at least 512GB, a Full HD display and a recognized brand such as HP, Acer, Lenovo, ASUS or Dell.

What is the best personal computer for everyday use?

For most people, a Windows laptop with a six-core or eight-core Ryzen or modern Intel processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Choose a MacBook Air if you prefer macOS and want longer battery life.

Is a Celeron laptop good enough for personal use?

Only for the lightest tasks. Celeron and similar entry chips with 4GB of RAM slow down with several browser tabs or video calls, so we chose laptops with Ryzen or Intel Core processors and 16GB of RAM instead.

How long does a personal-use laptop last?

Typically four to six years. A laptop with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD stays responsive longer than a 4GB or 8GB model with a small drive.

Final Thoughts

For the best balance of price and everyday performance, the HP 15.6-Inch Touch Laptop with a Ryzen 7, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is our top recommendation. Light users on a tighter budget will be well served by the HP Essential or the Acer Aspire Go 15. Focus on RAM and an SSD, and any of these will handle personal computing with ease.