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.
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
1.ASUS Zenbook
ASUS Zenbook is a great choice for families who need a powerful, yet lightweight laptop with excellent battery life.- Excellent battery life
- Compact and lightweight
- Powerful 8-core Ryzen CPU
- Sleek design and bright display
- Soldered RAM that cant be expanded
- Fan behavior can be annoying at times
- High emissions under load
- Weak Wi-Fi
Summary
ASUS Zenbook is a compact and sleek laptop with powerful 8-core Ryzen CPU that offers great performance, long battery life and relatively good sound. However, the RAM cannot be expanded and the fan behavior can be annoying at times.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP Victus 15
- Affordable for a gaming laptop
- Good gaming and productivity performance
- Display and webcam are not impressive
- Comes with a lot of bloatware
2.HP Victus 15
Affordable gaming laptop for everyday tasks.- Good gaming performance
- Affordable price
- Suitable for everyday tasks
- Poor battery life
- Plain design
Summary
The HP Victus 15 is an excellent budget gaming laptop that can handle high-end games while still serving as a regular work laptop. Although it lacks battery life and flashy aesthetics, it's still worth considering for its price.
Alternatives
Lenovo Legion 5 17.3
- Decent gaming performance
- Reasonably quiet under load
- Short battery life
- Small touchpad
3.MSI Summit E13
The MSI Summit E13 is a great choice for families who want a laptop with strong performance, long battery life, and a sleek design.- Large battery with respectable runtimes
- Great CPU and GPU performance
- Sleek and luxurious design
- PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD support
- Slow display response times with noticeable ghosting
- Servicing requires breaking a factory seal sticker
- Slightly larger and heavier than XPS 13 2-in-1
- Accessing MicroSD reader is a hassle
Summary
The MSI Summit E13 offers a visually striking design with strong CPU and GPU performance, large battery, and respectable battery life. However, its display response times are slow and accessing MicroSD reader is a hassle.
Reviews
Alternatives
Dell G15
- High CPU performance
- Space for two NVMe SSDs
- Dark display with low contrast
- No frame to install a second SSD
4.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a powerful gaming laptop that is also suitable for family use.- High quality 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display
- Relatively easy serviceability
- Integrated numpad
- Very fast charging
- Low resolution webcam with no IR or privacy shutter
- Very warm CPUGPU temperatures when gaming
- Moderate-heavy uneven backlight bleeding
- Only average battery life
Summary
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is a gaming laptop with upgraded CPU and GPU. The 165 Hz 16:10 IPS display and integrated numpad make it suitable for family use, while the very fast charging and MUX support add convenience.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
- Powerful GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
- 300Hz IPS panel with full sRGB coverage
- Chassis base and lid flexing
- No per-key RGB lighting
5.GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4: A Powerful Family Laptop- Impressive gaming and non-gaming performance
- Highly responsive 165Hz panel with wide color gamut
- PCIe 4.0 SSD and free M.2 2280 slot
- Individual key lighting, Thunderbolt 4, and Power Delivery
- High power usage at idle and low load
- No card reader
- Only one USB-A port
Summary
The GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 is an energy-hungry powerhouse with impressive gaming and non-gaming performance. It features a highly responsive 165Hz panel, wide color gamut, PCIe 4.0 SSD, individual key lighting, Thunderbolt 4, and solid battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
ASUS ROG Strix G15 G513RM
- Good performance with a powerful GPU
- Solid build quality with fair design
- May get hot during gaming and demanding tasks
- No ThunderboltUSB 4, card-reader, camera, or biometrics
6.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar is a powerful gaming laptop but might not be the best choice for family use due to its high price, noisy performance, and limited display angle.- Sturdy construction
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and good color accuracy
- Limited display angle
- No biometric login
- Heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads
- High heat and noise emissions under load
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar is a top-performing gaming laptop that is built to last. It features a fast Wi-Fi 6E, excellent response times, and good color accuracy. However, it has some drawbacks such as a limited display angle, no biometric login, and heavy SSD throttling during continuous reads.
Reviews
Alternatives
Acer Predator Triton 500
- High performance capabilities
- Excellent, bright 240-Hz display
- Soldered-in RAM
- Inaccessible SSD
7.MSI Titan GT77 12UHS-064
MSI Titan GT77 is a top-of-the-line laptop for family use, but comes with a hefty price tag.- Bright 4K display
- High system performance
- Multiple RAM slots and PCIe 4 SSD
- Mechanical keyboard
- Bulky and heavy
- Extremely pricey
- Gets loud under load
- Only a HD webcam
Summary
The MSI Titan GT77 is an exceptionally powerful laptop with a bright 4K display and high system performance, ideal for family use. However, it is bulky, expensive, and can get loud under load.
Reviews
Alternatives
HP OMEN 17t
- Very good processor (i9-13900HX)
- Superb graphics card (RTX 4090)
- Heavy (6.18 lbs)
Table of the Best Laptops for family use
Laptop | Price (approx) |
ASUS Zenbook | $640 |
HP Victus 15 | $880 |
MSI Summit E13 | $1,140 |
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | $1,350 |
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4 | $1,600 |
ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
MSI Titan GT77 12UHS-064 | $4,000 |