14 Best laptops for family use in 2023: From budget to high-end options

Finding the best laptop for family use can be a challenging task, as the needs of every family member can differ significantly. From working on school assignments and office projects to enjoying movies, gaming, and connecting with friends and family, an ideal family laptop should cater to a diverse range of requirements. As someone who has spent countless hours researching laptops and their specifications, I'm here to help you navigate the complex world of laptop selection and find the perfect device for your household.

In my extensive search for the best laptops, I review and compare the latest releases by examining their specs and user experiences, taking into consideration both professional and user-generated reviews. For a family laptop, it's crucial to prioritize versatility, durability, and performance. This process involves identifying laptops that can handle multiple tasks, withstand everyday wear and tear, and offer a smooth user experience for all family members.

When selecting the best laptop for family use, it's essential to consider the unique preferences and requirements of each individual. For instance, a high-resolution display and powerful graphics card are vital for those who enjoy gaming or watching movies, while a comfortable keyboard and reliable processor are important for productivity tasks. Furthermore, parental controls and security features should not be overlooked to ensure a safe and enjoyable computing experience for every family member. With these factors in mind, you can confidently choose the perfect laptop that meets the diverse needs of your family.

Table of Contents

Power Up Your Family's Needs: Processor Guide

When looking for a laptop processor for family use, there are many options available on the market. Apple has released MacBooks with ARM-based M1, M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max system-on-chip modules that offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. AMD has captured 20% of the laptop CPU market, with plenty of notebooks equipped with 6th and 7th-generation Ryzen CPUs. Meanwhile, Intel has already released its 13th-generation Core processors, but 12th-generation Core CPUs can still provide a lot of value, especially if you don't need cutting-edge performance.

When it comes to family use laptops, you don't necessarily need a high-end CPU, unless you're a gamer or content creator. However, the processor is one of the most important components in a laptop since it has a significant impact on performance and battery life. It's best to compare processors by looking at benchmark scores such as PassMark and Cinebench, but keep in mind that these tests don't account for other factors such as cooling or power delivery.

For an affordable option that still delivers solid performance, look for an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor. These will be more than enough for most daily tasks including some gaming and video editing (though not 4K). If you're willing to invest more, the Intel Core i7-11370H offers top-tier performance.

Here are our recommended processors based on each price bracket:

Price Range	Recommended Processor
Minimum	Intel Core i3-1115G4
Recommended	Intel Core i5-1135G7
High-end	Intel Core i7-11370H

Ultimately, the right laptop processor for family use depends on your specific needs and budget. Consider what tasks you'll be using your laptop for, and how much performance you really need before making your decision.

Make Your Family's Laptop A Graphics Powerhouse

When it comes to family use laptops, a dedicated graphics card is not necessary. Integrated graphics are more than enough to handle daily tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos, and playing casual games. However, if you're looking for a gaming laptop or a laptop for creative work, a discrete GPU becomes necessary.

Nvidia dominates the laptop GPU market, and their graphics cards are the best choice for gaming laptops. AMD is also an option, but historically their GPUs have been inferior in terms of performance per watt. When comparing laptops with different graphics cards, using 3DMark benchmarks is an industry standard for comparing laptop GPUs. However, these tests might be too demanding and not representative of real-world gaming performance, especially for budget gaming laptops.

Here are my recommendations for laptop GPUs based on price range:

Minimum: GeForce GTX 1650
Recommended: GeForce RTX 3050
High-end: GeForce RTX 2060

If you're looking for a high-end gaming laptop under $2,000, expect it to have a powerful CPU and GPU combo that won't bottleneck your system's potential. Remember, the GPU version matters much less than the model when it comes to gaming laptops. If you're on a budget or don't need all that power, an older generation GPU will suffice.

Memory Matters: How Much RAM is Enough for Your Family Laptop?

When it comes to choosing the right amount of RAM for a family use laptop, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it's important to consider what you'll be using the laptop for. If you're simply using it to browse the web, check email, and do some light word processing, 8 GB of RAM should be more than enough.

However, if you're using your laptop for photo management, such as with Lightroom or other similar software, you'll want to have at least 16 GB of RAM. This is because photo management software can be quite memory-intensive, especially when working with large files or multiple images at once.

When it comes to DDR4 vs. DDR5, it's worth noting that DDR5 is still quite new and expensive, and may not be worth the extra money unless you need the extra performance. DDR4 is still more than adequate for most people, and is much cheaper.

Other things to consider when picking RAM modules include the frequency, ECC, and CL/tCL timings. However, for most people, these factors won't be a major concern.

In terms of price, you can expect to pay more for laptops with higher amounts of RAM. Most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM, while high-end models may have 32 GB or more. For family use, we recommend a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, with 16 GB being the sweet spot for most users. If you're doing a lot of photo management or other memory-intensive tasks, consider going for a laptop with 32 GB of RAM or more.

Family Laptop Buying: Answering Your Questions!

Q: What is the best laptop for family use?

The ASUS Zenbook is a fantastic choice for family use. It's budget-friendly at just $640, and its hardware is excellent for basic productivity tasks and browsing the web.

What should I look for in a family laptop?

You should look for a laptop with a durable build quality, good battery life, and an adequate display size (14-16 inches). Additionally, choose a laptop with at least an i3-1115G4 processor and 8GB of memory to ensure smooth performance for everyday tasks.

How much should I spend on a family laptop?

The amount you should spend on a family laptop depends on your budget and usage requirements. For basic usage, you can get a budget-friendly laptop like the ASUS Zenbook for $640. For more demanding tasks, we recommend a higher budget of around $1,500-$2,000.

Which brand is the most reliable for family laptops?

Brands like ASUS, HP, Lenovo, and MSI have a reputation for manufacturing reliable laptops for family use. However, the reliability also depends on the specific model you choose.

Can a family share one laptop?

Yes, a family can share one laptop by creating separate user accounts on the same device. However, it might not be an ideal solution, especially if multiple family members need to use the laptop at the same time.

What are the essential features of a family laptop?

A family laptop should have a durable build quality, decent performance, a good battery life, and adequate storage. Additional features like a webcam, microphone, and speakers are also important for video calls and online classes.

Is a touchscreen laptop ideal for family use?

A touchscreen laptop can be useful for family use, especially for younger children who prefer a more interactive experience. However, it's not a necessary feature, and you can choose a non-touchscreen laptop to save costs.

What is the best budget laptop for family use?

The ASUS Zenbook is the best budget laptop for family use, priced at just $640. It has adequate hardware for basic productivity tasks and browsing the web.

Can a family laptop be used for work and school?

Yes, a family laptop can be used for work and school, provided it has adequate hardware to handle demanding tasks like video editing or software development.

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a family laptop?

The most crucial factors to consider when choosing a family laptop are the build quality, performance, battery life, storage, and display size. Other factors like the price, brand reputation, and specific usage requirements should also be considered.

7 Best Laptops for family use

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$680

1.acer Nitro 5

family use laptop

Pros

Awesome processor (Ryzen 7 6800H)
Terrific graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
One of most affordable laptops with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor
Spacious 1TB SSD

Cons

So-so memory amount (32GB)
No IPS Panel (inferior color reproduction)

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Alternatives

$730

HP Victus 15t

Pros

Low price
Solid gaming performance

Cons

Bad battery life
Display and webcam could be better

$880

2.HP Victus 15

HP Victus 15: Affordable gaming laptop with solid performance, but lacks in battery life and design.

Pros

Excellent price
Good gaming performance
Can double as a work laptop

Cons

Bad battery life
Rather plain design

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Summary

The HP Victus 15 offers excellent value for its price, with good gaming performance and the ability to double as a work laptop. However, its battery life is subpar and its design is rather plain.

Reviews

TechRadar

4/5

HP Victus 15

PCMag

3.0/5

HP Victus 15 Review