Computers

What's behind our computer Ratings?

• Overall score
  Overall score reflects all the Ratings factors. Displayed scores are rounded; models are listed in order of precise score, out of a total of 100. Scores are comparable between the 10- to 15-inch detachable laptops, 11- to 15-inch convertible laptops, 11-inch laptops, and 13-inch laptops. They are also comparable between the 14-inch laptops and 15 to 16-inch laptops. Scores for the 17 to 18-inch models are not comparable to other size categories.
• OS
  The operating system that was installed on the computer at the time it was tested. The operating system is the software that controls the basic operation of the computer. Common examples are Windows and Mac OS. The operating system determines the "look and feel" of the PC.
• Ergonomics
  Represents the quality of the keyboard and pointing device, and accessibility of features.
• Portability
  Based on battery life and weight including the keyboard dock for detachable laptops.
• Performance
  Based on performance while running productivity applications, multimedia applications, web browsing, and 3D games.
• Versatility
  Includes hardware such as memory-card slots and AV connections, software such as security programs and productivity applications, and tech support and warranty provisions.
• Display
  Covers display size, clarity, color, contrast, brightness, and glare. There are some differences in scoring detachable laptops such as importance of screen size and glare which could lead to a slight difference when the detachable is scored as a tablet.
• Touchscreen
  Judgment of Windows 10 and Windows 8 computers with screens that are sensitive to finger contact, letting you select and move screen objects, launch programs, choose from menus, scroll through photo libraries, and the like. We judge how easy it is to do tasks such as playing a game, viewing photos, web browsing, playing a video and sending an email, all using touch. Some touchscreens have "multi-touch", letting you use more than one finger to resize and rotate objects.
• Battery life
  The time to takes to deplete a fully charged battery while the laptop loads a sequence of web pages over Wi-Fi. Bluetooth and 3G/4G are disabled and the screen is set to a specific brightness that's usable indoors or outdoors.
• Weight
  The weight of the laptop as you would carry it around, including the battery but without the power adapter or a removable CD/DVD drive. Detachable laptops include the weight of the keyboard.
• Thin & light
  Based on weight and depth. Laptops designated "Thin & light" have to meet both criteria of being thinner and lighter than the average laptop in their size category. This includes laptops that may be labeled "Ultrabook," "Sleekbook," "Thin & light," and "Ultrathin," among other terms.
• 2-in-1
  Laptop is able to convert by folding, rotating, or spinning into a tablet form factor or the screen detaches from the keyboard so you carry it as a tablet. "C" denotes convertible, "D" denotes detachable and "-" denotes a standard laptop.