How to check laptop specs in a listing

Two laptops with the same model name can be very different machines inside. This guide shows how to read the specs in a listing, which details matter most, and how to spot a listing whose title and specs don't agree.

Reading processor names

The processor has the biggest effect on speed, and its full model number tells you much more than "Core i5" or "Ryzen 5" alone.

Intel Core (for example, Core i5-1135G7)

• i5 is the tier: i3, i5, i7 and i9, from entry level upwards.
• 11 is the generation. Here it is 11th generation; a Core i5-8350U is 8th generation.
• 35 identifies the model within that generation.
• G7 is the graphics level on some chips. Other suffixes describe the type of chip: U is power efficient, P is performance for thin and light laptops, H is high performance and HX is the highest performance.

Newer Intel chips are called Core Ultra, for example Core Ultra 5 125U. The first digit of the number shows the series.

AMD Ryzen (for example, Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U)

• Ryzen 5 is the tier: Ryzen 3, 5, 7 and 9.
• PRO marks the business version, with extra security and management features.
• 5, the first digit, means the 5000 series.
• U means a low-power laptop chip; H and HS chips are aimed at more powerful laptops.

Be careful with the Ryzen 7000 series and later. AMD changed its naming so that the third digit shows the underlying design. A Ryzen 5 7530U, for example, uses the same Zen 3 design as the 5000 series, so it is not a big step up despite the higher number.

Apple (M1, M2 and later)

Apple silicon MacBooks use chips named M1, M2, M3 and so on, sometimes with Pro or Max for the more powerful versions. On these Macs the memory and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase, so buy the amount you will need for the life of the laptop.

Memory (RAM): soldered or upgradeable

For everyday use, 8GB is a workable minimum and 16GB is more comfortable if you keep many browser tabs open or use larger programs.

Many thin laptops have some or all of their RAM soldered to the motherboard, which means it can't be upgraded later. Others have one or two slots you can add to. Some mix the two. Where we know RAM is soldered, we say so on the product page. We don't score it either way, but it matters if you were planning to upgrade.

A listing saying "upgradeable to 32GB" describes what the laptop could take, not what is installed. Check the installed amount.

Storage: SSD vs eMMC

• SSD: fast solid-state storage. NVMe SSDs are generally faster than SATA SSDs, but either is a big improvement on a hard drive.
• eMMC: slower flash storage found on some cheap laptops, usually in small sizes such as 64GB or 128GB and usually soldered in place. It can feel sluggish, and Windows updates can fill a small drive quickly.
• HDD: a traditional hard drive. Rare on the laptops we list, and much slower.

"128GB storage" can mean either an SSD or eMMC, so check which.

Screen: resolution and panel

• Resolution: 1366×768 (often called HD) looks noticeably less sharp than 1920×1080 (Full HD) on a 14″ or 15.6″ screen. Higher resolutions are sharper again.
• Panel type: IPS panels keep their colours when viewed from an angle; TN panels are cheaper and look washed out from the side; OLED gives deep blacks and strong colours.
• Touchscreen: useful on convertibles, but check the listing rather than assuming.

Resolution and panel type often vary within one model name, so a cheaper listing may have a lower-grade screen.

Graphics: integrated or dedicated

Most laptops use integrated graphics built into the processor, such as Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon graphics. These are fine for everyday use, video and light games.

Dedicated graphics are a separate chip, such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX, and are needed for demanding games and some creative work. They add weight and use more battery. If a listing mentions dedicated graphics, check the exact model; see our gaming laptops page for current examples.

When the title and the specs disagree

eBay titles are written by the seller and are often shortened, reused from similar listings or stuffed with search terms. The "item specifics" box can also be copied from a template. Common mismatches include:

• the title says Core i7 but the specifics or description say Core i5;
• the title gives a maximum RAM figure rather than the installed amount;
• "SSD" in the title when the description says eMMC;
• a screen resolution or touchscreen that appears in one place but not the other.

When details disagree, trust the most specific source: a photo of the system information screen, then the description, then the specifics, then the title. If you're still unsure, message the seller before buying and keep the reply.

Our catalogue leaves a spec blank rather than guessing, so a missing field is a prompt to check the listing. When the laptop arrives, you can confirm the processor and memory in Windows under Settings, System, About; on a Mac, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu.