Laptop reviews: How we test
We test how easy each laptop is to set up
Ease of use
We test how easy it is to set up each laptop straight from the box. Once we’ve opened the box, we check for instructions on getting started and assess how easy these are to find.
We set the laptop up just like a typical consumer would, and assess how easy it is to get it going.
Laptops with ports and sockets that are clearly labelled in a contrasting colour are rated highly for this aspect. We like to see socket labels around the edge of the keyboard surface so that you can locate them easily.
Comfort
Our experts look at how comfortable each laptop is to use. For example, we rate the sensitivity and comfort of the keyboard and track pad, and we measure how warm the laptop gets underneath to determine whether prolonged use on the lap will cause any potential discomfort.
Tests are designed with everyday laptop use in mind. So, we think about how people will open up a laptop.
If you're using it while on the phone, for example, you'll want to be able to open the lid easily with one hand. However, the clasp that holds the lid shut must be sufficiently secure that the lid won't inadvertently fall open.
Laptop performance
We time how long it takes to charge a battery and how long it takes for the battery to drain using a set of everyday tasks. Each laptop is asked to perform the same tasks so that they all get an equal chance. See also our report on making better use of your battery.
Sound and screen quality are assessed, too, and we also time how long the laptops take to complete tasks such as burning a DVD and installing software.
Laptop features
We log the features of each laptop we test, including how many USB ports they have and whether they come with a remote control or built-in webcam.