Finding the ideal notebook PC may seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be mission impossible. With this clear, structured buying guide, you’ll have all the keys you need to decipher technical specifications, understand your priorities and invest wisely.
In this article
- Which PC for office use? A PC for simple tasks
- Student PC: which laptop is right for your studies?
- Gaming computers: which configurations for unlimited gaming?
- Graphic design: Choosing a laptop for video editing and 3D?
- Development / Programming: Which laptop for a developer?
- Practical guide: everything you need to know about components
- CPU: Choosing the right processor for your needs
- GPU: Find the right graphics card for your needs
- RAM: Which RAM capacity is right for your application?
- Storage: Finding the right space for your computer
- ⚠️ Used PC: Is the computer compatible with Windows 11?
Which PC for office use? A PC for simple tasks
Are you looking for a computer for simple tasks such as writing documents, managing e-mails or surfing the web? You don’t have to break the bank to get a high-performance computer. Here are the ideal features for uncompromising office use.
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| Component | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 2 to 4 cores (Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3) | Ideal for light software and web browsing. |
| Graphics card (GPU) | Integrated (Intel UHD, Vega 3/5) | No dedicated card required for this type of use. |
| RAM | 4 to 8 GB | Allows you to work without slowing down on basic tasks. |
| Storage | 256 to 500 GB SSD | Offers good responsiveness and enough space for your documents. |
Student PC: which laptop is right for your studies?
Looking for a computer to take notes, do research or take online courses? You need a PC that can juggle multiple tasks without slowing you down. Here are the ideal specifications for a PC designed for your studies.
| Component | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 4 to 6 cores (Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5) | Supports multiple open applications simultaneously. |
| Graphics card (GPU) | Integrated (Iris Xe, Vega 6/7) | Sufficient for light tasks such as video and streaming. |
| RAM | 8 to 16 GB | Avoids slowdowns with multiple tabs and software open. |
| Storage | 256 to 512 GB SSD | Enough to store courses, documents and current applications. |
Discover our selection of the best laptops under €500.
Gaming computers: which configurations for unlimited gaming?
For video game enthusiasts, it’s important to have a gaming PC capable of keeping pace with modern graphics. Here are the components you need for a smooth, immersive gaming experience.
| Component | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 6 to 12 cores (Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7) | Ensures fluidity in modern games. |
| Graphics card (GPU) | Dedicated card (NVIDIA RTX 3050/3060) | Enables high graphics and stable FPS. |
| RAM | 16 to 32 GB | Necessary to avoid slowdowns during gameplay. |
| Storage | SSD 512 GB to 1 TB | Ensures fast loading of games and systems. |
Discover our selection of the best ultra-powerful Gaming laptops.
Graphic design: Choosing a laptop for video editing and 3D?
Do you work in video editing, graphic design or 3D modeling? Power-hungry software like Adobe Premiere, Blender or Photoshop demands a powerful, reliable machine. Here are the ideal specifications for excelling in your creative projects without slowing down.
| Component | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 8 to 24 cores (Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9) | Essential for video rendering and heavy-duty tasks. |
| Graphics card (GPU) | Dedicated card (NVIDIA RTX 3070/3080) | Speeds up 3D rendering and complex effects. |
| RAM | 32 to 128 GB RAM | Guarantees stable performance with large projects. |
| Storage | SSD 1 TB and more | Enough space for your multimedia files. |
Development / Programming: Which laptop for a developer?
Whether you’re a web developer, software programmer or application designer, you need a high-performance computer to manage your development environments, compile your code and perform complex tasks. Here are the ideal specifications for a development PC.
| Component | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 6 to 8 cores (Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7) | Efficiently handles compilations and heavy IDEs. |
| Graphics card (GPU) | Integrated or mid-range GPU (Iris Xe, NVIDIA GTX 1650) | Sufficient to run graphics tools or test applications. |
| RAM | 16 GB | Avoids slowdowns with multiple open environments. |
| Storage | SSD 512 GB or more | Ensures fast loading of projects and work environments. |
Practical guide: everything you need to know about components
Buying a PC is an investment worth thinking about. But with so many components available, it’s easy to get lost. Processors, graphics cards, RAM… Each element plays an important role in the performance of your future computer. In this practical guide, we reveal everything you need to know about components to make the right choice for your needs:
CPU: Choosing the right processor for your needs
The processor, or CPU (Central Processing Unit), is one of the most important parts of your computer. It manages all the instructions needed to run programs, from simple tasks such as opening a browser to complex calculations like video editing or gaming. Processor power is measured primarily in terms of the number of cores and threads, frequency and architecture. A good processor guarantees smooth, fast performance tailored to your needs. Here’s a guide to choosing the perfect CPU for your application.
| Needs | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Office | 2 to 4 cores (Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3) | Sufficient for light tasks such as web browsing and office software. |
| Student | 4 to 6 cores (Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5) | Ideal for multitasking between educational applications and video. |
| Gaming | 6 to 12 cores (Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7) | Necessary to guarantee a smooth experience in modern games. |
| Multimedia creation | 8 to 24 cores (Intel Core i7/i9, AMD Ryzen 7/9) | Handles intensive tasks such as video editing and 3D modeling. |
| Development | 6-8 cores (Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7) | Ensures high performance for compiling code and running development environments. |
GPU: Find the right graphics card for your needs
The graphics card or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is indispensable for everything to do with displaying visuals on your screen. While basic uses such as office automation make do with integrated graphics processors (iGPUs), demanding tasks such as gaming or multimedia creation require a dedicated card capable of handling complex graphics. A high-performance GPU can make all the difference in terms of visual rendering, execution speed and user experience. Here’s a guide to choosing the right graphics card for your needs.
| Needs | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Office | Integrated (Intel UHD, AMD Vega 3/5) | No dedicated card required for basic use. |
| Student | Integrated (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Vega 6/7) | Sufficient for standard uses, such as streaming or videoconferencing. |
| Gaming | Dedicated (NVIDIA RTX 3050/3060, AMD RX 6600) | Essential for playing modern games with high graphics. |
| Multimedia Creation | Dedicated (NVIDIA RTX 3070/3080, AMD RX 6700 XT) | Required for accelerating video rendering, graphic effects and 3D work. |
| Development | Integrated or mid-range (Iris Xe, NVIDIA GTX 1650) | Useful for light graphics tests and simulations. |
The balance between components is important for good performance.
RAM: Which RAM capacity is right for your application?
RAM (Random Access Memory) plays a crucial role in your computer’s performance. It is used to temporarily store data for programs in use, ensuring a smooth experience without slowdowns. The amount of RAM you need depends directly on your uses: simple tasks like web browsing require little memory, while complex activities like video editing or gaming require much more. Here are our recommendations for determining the right amount of RAM for your situation.
| Needs | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Office | 4-8 GB | Sufficient to open several tabs or light applications. |
| Student | 8-16 GB | Enables multitasking between educational software, streaming and browsing. |
| Gaming | 16 to 32GB GB | Ensures a smooth experience for modern games and fast loading. |
| Multimedia creation | 32 to 128 GB RAM | Required for working with large files and intensive editing software. |
| Development | 16 GB | Avoids slowdowns with multiple environments and open IDEs. |
Discover our selection of the best CPUs for Gaming.
Storage: Finding the right space for your computer
The choice of storage is an important factor to consider when buying a computer. It determines not only the amount of data you can store (documents, videos, software), but also the speed with which your system and applications run. Solid State Drives (SSDs) have largely replaced conventional hard disks (HDDs) thanks to their increased speed and reliability. However, the capacity required varies according to your needs, from minimalist storage for office use to massive capacities for heavy files. Here’s a guide to choosing the right storage for your needs.
| Needs | Recommendations | Explanations |
|---|---|---|
| Office | SSD 256 to 512 GB | Offers fast loading times for lightweight files and software. |
| Student | SSD 256-512 GB | Provides ample space for courses, software and some multimedia files. |
| Gaming | SSD 512 GB – 1 TB | Guarantees fast loading times for games and enough space for several AAA titles. |
| Multimedia creation | SSD 1 TB or more | Necessary for storing video files, graphics projects and heavy software. |
| Development | SSD 512 GB or more | Ensures responsiveness with enough space for projects and working environments. |
Discover our selection of the best internal SATA SSDs for PCs.
⚠️ Used PC: Is the computer compatible with Windows 11?
With the release of Windows 11, many users are wondering whether their PC, especially if it’s second-hand, can accommodate this new system. At first glance, everything seems straightforward: if your computer works well with Windows 10, why shouldn’t it be able to upgrade to the next version? And yet, Microsoft has raised the bar by imposing technical criteria that exclude a large proportion of older machines. So what do you need to know before buying a used PC?
Windows 11 requires a recent processor, a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) chip and secure boot via UEFI. The result? Even used PCs still running Windows 10 at high performance can be ruled out. For example, Intel processors prior to 8ᵉ generation or AMD Ryzen 1000s are not on the official compatibility list. Simply put, your PC could be sidelined not because it’s technically incapable, but because of arbitrary decisions. A sort of disguised programmed obsolescence? It’s hard not to think about it.
If you’re looking for a used computer, you absolutely must check its compatibility with Windows 11 before you buy. Here’s how to do it:
- Check out the system requirements: Windows 11 requires a modern processor (Intel Core 8ᵉ generation or AMD Ryzen 2000 as a minimum), at least 4 GB RAM and an SSD is strongly recommended.
- Check for TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot: Use the PC Health Check tool to confirm the presence of these features.
These new requirements pose an obsolescence problem for many still high-performance PCs. A device perfectly capable of handling modern Windows 10 tasks may be ruled out simply because of these standards. This can push buyers to invest in newer machines, even if this isn’t always necessary.
The second-hand market also involves risks. Some sellers claim that their PCs are compatible with Windows 11, when in fact they are not. Others modify systems to circumvent Windows 11 installation restrictions.
A second-hand PC can be an excellent bargain, but not without a few precautions. Take the time to check its specifications, avoid dubious promises and consider alternatives if Windows 11 compatibility isn’t up to scratch.