Computers
Laptops, desktops and monitors
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Most laptops can't be upgraded after you buy them. Pick memory and storage for year five, not day one, or choose one you can repair.
Featured models
Best laptop for most people: light, silent, long battery
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 (MW0W3LL/A)
13 in laptop (2025) · M4, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU; 16GB · 256GB SSD
Typical price: About $950–$1,100 at Walmart (the newer M5 Air with 512GB is $1,299 at Apple)
See price at WalmartBest for photo and video editing on the go
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 (2025, 16GB/512GB)
14 in pro laptop · M5, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB · 512GB SSD (2025 config)
Typical price: About $1,500–$1,750 at Walmart (Apple's current 1TB base is $1,999)
See price at WalmartBest Windows/Linux laptop you can repair and upgrade
Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300)
13.5 in repairable laptop · AMD Ryzen AI 300 series; add your own RAM (DIY) · Add your own SSD (DIY) or order pre-built
Typical price: From about $849 (DIY Edition, no RAM, SSD or OS)
See Laptop 13 at FrameworkBest-value desktop for a home office
Apple Mac mini (M6)
Compact desktop (2026) · M6, 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU; 16GB · 256GB SSD
Typical price: From $899 at Apple
See Mac mini at AppleBest monitor to dock a laptop with one cable
Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U2724DE)
27 in QHD monitor with hub · n/a (monitor) · n/a
Typical price: About $500–$600 (Walmart $499.99 when in stock; Dell $599.99)
See price at WalmartSpecs from each maker's product page; prices are typical ranges seen in October 2026 and change often.
Buy right once: Pay for enough memory and storage up front, since most laptops are sealed. A good monitor and dock outlast two or three laptops.
Before you buy, check:
- What you'll run in five years, not just today
- Storage you use now and how fast it grows
- Whether you want to repair or upgrade it yourself
Product types
Laptops
Light everyday machines to pro editing laptops.
Example: MacBook Air 13" M4, about $950–$1,100
Repairable laptops
Swap the RAM, SSD, ports and mainboard yourself.
Example: Framework Laptop 13, from about $849 (DIY)
Desktops
More power per dollar for a fixed desk.
Example: Mac mini (M6), from $899
Monitors
One-cable docking for a laptop, and a bigger screen.
Example: Dell UltraSharp U2724DE, about $500–$600
Buying guides
Buying guide
Laptop, desktop and monitor buying guide: buy for year five
Memory and storage, Mac vs Windows, repairability, docking monitors and warranties.
Sizing tools
Laptop needs finder
Answer four questions for a laptop and memory size that will still feel quick in year five.
How it works: Apple laptops can't be upgraded after purchase, so memory and storage are chosen up front; Framework's DIY laptop takes your own RAM and SSD and has swappable ports.
Estimate only; confirm with your installer or the manufacturer.
Sources for this tool
SSD size planner
How much storage to buy so you don't run out before you replace the computer.
How it works: Need = today's use + yearly growth × years, rounded up to the next common size (256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB). Check today's use in your computer's storage settings.
Estimate only; confirm with your installer or the manufacturer.