Computers · Buying guide
Laptop, Desktop and Monitor Buying Guide: Buy for Year Five
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.
A computer usually feels slow because it ran short of memory or storage, not because the chip got old. Buy enough of both for year five, or a machine you can upgrade.
Top picks
1. Best laptop for most people: light, silent, long battery
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 (MW0W3LL/A)
13 in laptop (2025)
Typical price: About $950–$1,100 at Walmart (the newer M5 Air with 512GB is $1,299 at Apple)
See price at Walmart- Chip / memory: M4, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU; 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Screen / ports: 13.6 in Liquid Retina
- Battery / warranty: Up to 18 h video (Apple); 1-year limited
Apple doesn't let you add memory or storage later; buy the size you'll need in year five.
2. Best for photo and video editing on the go
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 (2025, 16GB/512GB)
14 in pro laptop
Typical price: About $1,500–$1,750 at Walmart (Apple's current 1TB base is $1,999)
See price at Walmart- Chip / memory: M5, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD (2025 config)
- Screen / ports: 14.2 in Liquid Retina XDR
- Battery / warranty: Up to 24 h video, 3.4 lb (Apple); 1-year limited
3. Best Windows/Linux laptop you can repair and upgrade
Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300)
13.5 in repairable laptop
Typical price: From about $849 (DIY Edition, no RAM, SSD or OS)
See Laptop 13 at Framework- Chip / memory: AMD Ryzen AI 300 series; add your own RAM (DIY)
- Storage: Add your own SSD (DIY) or order pre-built
- Screen / ports: 13.5 in 3:2; swappable expansion-card ports
- Battery / warranty: 1-year limited; 3-year extended on pre-built
4. Best-value desktop for a home office
Apple Mac mini (M6)
Compact desktop (2026)
Typical price: From $899 at Apple
See Mac mini at Apple- Chip / memory: M6, 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU; 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Screen / ports: Bring your own monitor; up to 3 displays; 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Battery / warranty: 5 × 5 × 2 in; 1-year limited
5. Best monitor to dock a laptop with one cable
Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U2724DE)
27 in QHD monitor with hub
Typical price: About $500–$600 (Walmart $499.99 when in stock; Dell $599.99)
See price at Walmart- Chip / memory: n/a (monitor)
- Storage: n/a
- Screen / ports: 27 in 2560 × 1440, 120 Hz IPS Black; Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DP, 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Battery / warranty: See Dell's current terms
Specs from each maker's product page; prices are typical ranges seen in October 2026 and change often.
Buy right once: Apple laptops and most thin Windows laptops are sealed, so the memory and SSD you buy are the ones you keep. Spend there before you spend on a faster chip. A docking monitor outlasts several laptops.
Before you buy, check:
- Storage you use today and how fast it grows
- Apps you'll run in five years (editing, coding, games)
- Ports and displays you need at your desk
Comparison table
| Model | Type | Chip / memory | Storage | Screen / ports | Battery / warranty | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 (MW0W3LL/A) | 13 in laptop (2025) | M4, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU; 16GB | 256GB SSD | 13.6 in Liquid Retina | Up to 18 h video (Apple); 1-year limited | About $950–$1,100 at Walmart (the newer M5 Air with 512GB is $1,299 at Apple) |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 (2025, 16GB/512GB) | 14 in pro laptop | M5, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB | 512GB SSD (2025 config) | 14.2 in Liquid Retina XDR | Up to 24 h video, 3.4 lb (Apple); 1-year limited | About $1,500–$1,750 at Walmart (Apple's current 1TB base is $1,999) |
| 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 | 13.5 in 3:2; swappable expansion-card ports | 1-year limited; 3-year extended on pre-built | From about $849 (DIY Edition, no RAM, SSD or OS) |
| Apple Mac mini (M6) | Compact desktop (2026) | M6, 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU; 16GB | 256GB SSD | Bring your own monitor; up to 3 displays; 2.5Gb Ethernet | 5 × 5 × 2 in; 1-year limited | From $899 at Apple |
| Dell UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U2724DE) | 27 in QHD monitor with hub | n/a (monitor) | n/a | 27 in 2560 × 1440, 120 Hz IPS Black; Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DP, 2.5Gb Ethernet | See Dell's current terms | About $500–$600 (Walmart $499.99 when in stock; Dell $599.99) |
Memory and storage: the parts you can't change
On a Mac, the memory and SSD are chosen at checkout and can't be upgraded later. The current MacBook Air starts at 16GB of memory, configurable to 24GB or 32GB[1]. For everyday use over five-plus years, 16GB is the floor. For photo or video editing, coding or keeping a machine seven years or more, 24–32GB is worth it. For storage, add up what you use today plus a year's growth for each year you'll keep it. The SSD planner above does the math.
Mac, Windows or repairable
- MacBook Air: silent (no fan), 2.7 lb, up to 18 hours of video playback per Apple[1]. Right for most people.
- MacBook Pro 14: brighter Liquid Retina XDR screen, up to 24 hours of video per Apple, 3.4 lb[2]. For long edits and heavier work.
- Framework Laptop 13: the RAM, SSD, ports and even the mainboard can be replaced. The DIY Edition starts at about $849 without RAM, SSD or OS. Framework's standard warranty is 1 year[3].
Desktops and docking monitors
The Mac mini (M6) is 5 × 5 × 2 inches, starts with 16GB and 256GB, has 2.5Gb Ethernet and drives up to three displays[4]. Pair any laptop with the Dell UltraSharp U2724DE: a 27-inch 2560 × 1440, 120 Hz IPS Black panel with a Thunderbolt 4 hub, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort and 2.5Gb Ethernet[5]. One cable docks the laptop, and the monitor will outlast it.
Last year's model vs the newest
Apple now sells the M5 MacBook Air from $1,299 with 512GB[1]. The 2025 M4 Air still sells at Walmart for about $950–$1,100 with 256GB. If 256GB covers your storage plan, the M4 is the better value; if you need 512GB anyway, compare against the M5. The same goes for the 2025 MacBook Pro M5 with 512GB versus Apple's current 1TB base at $1,999[2].
FAQ
How much RAM do I need in 2026?
16GB for everyday use over five years, and 24–32GB for photo and video editing, coding or keeping a computer seven years or more.
Can I upgrade a MacBook's memory or storage later?
No. Memory and SSD are fixed at purchase, so pick them for year five.
Is a repairable laptop worth it?
If you keep computers a long time, yes. On a Framework you can replace the battery, RAM, SSD, ports and mainboard instead of the whole laptop.
Sources
- Apple, MacBook Air tech specs and store page: apple.com
- Apple, MacBook Pro tech specs and store page: apple.com
- Framework, Laptop 13 and warranty: frame.work · warranty
- Apple, Mac mini tech specs: apple.com
- Dell, UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor U2724DE: dell.com
- Walmart, MacBook Air M4 MW0W3LL/A listing (specs, price); Apple MacBook Air tech specs and store (M5 price): apple.com
- Apple, MacBook Pro tech specs and store; Walmart MDE44LL/A listing (price): apple.com
- Framework, Laptop 13 (Ryzen AI 300) order page and warranty page: frame.work
- Apple, Mac mini tech specs and store page: apple.com
- Dell, UltraSharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub Monitor U2724DE product page; Walmart listing (price): dell.com
Planning 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.