A Beginner Guide to Reading Computer (Laptop) Specifications

February 25, 2025 Miguel Salas

When I started becoming interested in computers I had no idea what all the specifications like RAM, #Cores, vRAM, HDD, SSD meant.

The only thing I knew back then was that more gigabytes meant storage and fast CPUs meant fast computers.

This is a short guide or a quick crash course if you’re in that position.

Don’t worry…

We won’t get into specifics we have other posts for that. We’ll just go over the basics and break it down so you’re a little more informed before shopping for computers.

Contents hide

1. Processor (CPU)

2. RAM

3. STORAGE

4. Graphics Card(GPU)

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1. Processor (CPU)

CPUs or processors are in charge of “running” applications. The “heavier” or “fancier” your application or software is, the beefier your CPU needs to be.

Heavy tasks: gaming, video editing and 3D Animation,etc. These will need at least a Core i5/Ryzen 5 CPU.
Basic Tasks: Things like web browsing, typing essays and watching videos among others do not need a “super fast” CPU. Virtually every modern CPU will be okay.

Clock Speed

The most important spec for heavy applications is “clock speed”. In layman terms “speed”.

Although heavy tasks can still run on any CPU, the CPUs with the highest clock speeds (measured in GHz. Ex: 4.0GHz) the faster your workflow will be.

Basic tasks do not really benefit from high clock speed CPUs (~anythin around 3GHz will be fine).

So if you’re a student, it is likely you don’t need high clock speed CPUs and it should not be a concern for you are running heavy tasks

Cores

You’re likely familiar with terms like “multicore CPU,” “dual-core,” “six-core,” and “octa-core”—but what exactly is a core?

A modern CPU isn’t a single large unit; rather, it’s a collection of smaller processing units called cores.

These cores are the “mini-boxes” where your applications run. In essence, having more cores can improve performance, especially for multitasking and multi-threaded applications, as each program can operate on its own core.

Virtually all modern laptops feature more than one core—usually four—which is sufficient for most users and their multitasking needs.[/Tip]

[tip] Six-core or octa-core CPUs are particularly useful for demanding tasks, such as rendering videos or running multiple heavy applications simultaneously.[/Tip]

Below are the most common CPU types you’ll find:

Brand

Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3:

These models have up to 4 cores and clock speeds typically capped at 4GHz.
They are designed for multitasking basic applications and handling general computing tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, programming, and other light activities.
Their lower power consumption generally results in better battery life.

Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5:

These CPUs can feature up to 6 cores and clock speeds that exceed 4GHz.
They represent the minimum requirement for heavy-duty applications, including high-graphics gaming, 3D modeling, video editing, and professional photo editing.

Intel Core i7 and AMD Ryzen 7:

Offering up to 8 cores and clock speeds close to 5GHz, these processors may not be the fastest on the market but deliver ample power for 90% of gamers, 3D designers, and video editors.

Other Processors You May Find

Intel Celeron: Budget-friendly, low-power CPUs for basic tasks like browsing and word processing. Great for battery life but not for heavy workloads.

Intel Pentium & AMD Athlon: A step up from Celeron, offering better performance for everyday computing while staying affordable.

Generation

The recommendations above apply only to recent-generation CPUs. You can determine a CPU’s generation by looking at the first digit of its model number.

[tip] AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS vs. AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS → 7th generation vs. 6th generation.

Intel Core i7-13650HX vs. Intel Core i7-12700H → 13th generation vs. 12th generation.

AMD Ryzen: Recent generations include the 6th, 7th, and 8th (e.g., Ryzen 7 8845HS).
Intel Core: Similarly, 12th, 13th, and 14th (e.g., Core i9-14900HX) are considered recent.

Series

Ever noticed weird letters like U, P, G, or H on a CPU? They actually tell you what kind of chip you’re dealing with.

[Tip] Core i5-1335U vs. Core i5-13500P vs. Core i5-13500H vs. Core i5-12500G [/Tip]

H, HK, HS, HX – The Powerhouses 💪
If it has an H, it means “High Performance”—basically, the fast and beefy CPUs meant for gaming, video editing, and heavy workloads. More cores, more speed, more heat. If you need max power, this is what you want.
P – The Middle Child 🤷‍♂️
Not as power-hungry as H-series, but still faster than U-series. P-series is for thin-and-light laptops that still need solid performance. Think of it as a balance between power and battery life.
U & G – The Chill Ones 🌱
U-series = Ultra-low power, meaning great battery life but weaker performance. Perfect for web browsing, Netflix, and grandma-approved email checks.
G-series is similar but often has better graphics for things like light gaming or video streaming.

2025 Update – AI & The Future 🤖

Intel Core Ultra (e.g., Ultra 7 155H, Ultra 5 135P) = Intel’s AI-powered chips for next-gen performance and efficiency.
AMD Ryzen AI (e.g., Ryzen 9 8945HS) = AMD’s AI-boosted processors for smarter multitasking and better battery life.

TL;DR:

H-series = Beast mode for gamers & creators.
P-series = A solid middle ground.
U-series = Sips battery, good for daily stuff.
G-series = Like U, but a bit more graphics-friendly.
Ultra & Ryzen AI = The future, now with AI magic.

2. RAM

RAM is basically your computer’s short-term memory. It’s way faster than storage because it sits much closer to the CPU. More RAM means your computer can handle multiple tasks at once without slowing down.

How much RAM you need depends on what OS and software you run.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

2GB RAM – Absolute Minimum 🛑
- Works for Chrome OS, macOS, Windows 10 S, Windows 11 S, and Linux—but only for basic stuff like web browsing, word editing, and watching videos.
4GB RAM – Barely Hanging On 😬
- Good for the OSs above, ONLY if you don’t go crazy with multitasking. If you love opening 20+ Chrome tabs, you’ll feel the lag.
8GB RAM – The Standard ✅
- Bare minimum for full Windows 10/11 (Home/Pro).
- Decent for light gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Anything less will struggle with modern apps.
16GB RAM – Power User Territory ⚡
- Ideal for pro-level video editing, 3D modeling, CAD, and heavy Photoshop use.
- Overkill for gaming unless you’re running multiple demanding apps at the same time.

RAM Generations – DDR3 vs. DDR4 vs. DDR5

These are the most recent RAM types, but DDR3 is ancient at this point. Each new generation is faster and more power-efficient than the last.

For most people, RAM generation doesn’t matter much. Gamers, engineers, and video editors might see small benefits with DDR5, but don’t expect night-and-day performance jumps.

3. STORAGE

Storage drives in computers work just like your phone’s storage—the more space you have, the more files, apps, and data you can keep.

Types of Storage

Not all storage drives are the same. There are two main types: Solid State Drives (SSD) and Hard Disk Drives (HDD).

SSD (Solid State Drive) – The Fast One 🚀

Almost every modern laptop and PC now uses an SSD. Unlike old-school HDDs, SSDs are super fast because they don’t have moving parts. This means:

✅ Opening huge files (Adobe Premiere, CAD, Photoshop) happens instantly.
✅ Launching programs takes just a few seconds.
✅ Booting up your system? Less than 10 seconds.
✅ Searching for files across your system is near-instant.

💡 Types of SSDs: SATA SSD, NVMe SSD, PCIe SSD. For most users, they’ll all feel fast, but NVMe and PCIe are the fastest.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive) – The Slow One 🐢

HDDs are old-school storage still found in some budget laptops. They’re cheaper but much slower than SSDs. Everything mentioned above—file opening, boot times, loading apps—will take several times longer on an HDD.

💡 If you’re buying a new laptop in 2025, avoid HDDs unless you’re on a tight budget or need extra storage for large files.

Size

Computer files, especially software, are much bigger than those on your phone.

SSDs come in various sizes, but anything over 256GB gets pricey. Let’s do some quick math to see if you actually need more than that.

How Much Space Do Common Files Take?

Windows OS: ~20GB
Basic software (Office, video/photo editing apps): ~10GB
Total reserved space: ~30GB

Now, let’s look at typical file sizes:
📸 DSLR Photo → ~10MB
🎬 2-hour 1080p movie → ~8GB
🎞️ 2-hour encoded movie → ~300MB

How Many Files Fit on Each SSD Size?

Storage	Movies (DVD, 8GB each)	Movies (Encoded, 300MB each)	DSLR Photos (10MB each)
128GB (120GB usable)	11	300	9,000
256GB (226GB usable)	27	733	22,000
512GB (482GB usable)	60	1,600	48,000
1TB (970GB usable)	121	3,233	120,000

What’s the Sweet Spot?

Even 128GB is enough for regular use unless you install AAA games, 3D modeling software, or store 4K videos/CAD files.

🔹 Casual users (web browsing, office work, light media) → 128GB–256GB is fine.
🔹 Gamers, content creators, or professionals → At least 512GB recommended.

4. Graphics Card(GPU)

You don’t need to worry about graphics card if you’re just playing low graphics games, watching videos (even in 4k) and all the basic tasks most students and office works do

If you’re getting a computer for 3D modeling, video editing, or high-end photo editing, you need to understand the difference between integrated and dedicated graphics cards.

Types of GPUs

Integrated Graphics – Built-In & Efficient 🖥️

Every laptop and desktop comes with an integrated GPU by default. These share resources (like RAM) with the CPU.

✅ Great for basic tasks, web browsing, video playback, light gaming, and casual image editing.
✅ Modern integrated GPUs can handle photo/video editing and even some high-end games surprisingly well.

Common names: Intel HD, Intel UHD, Intel Xe, AMD Radeon 7, etc.

Dedicated Graphics – Extra Power 🎮🎬

Dedicated GPUs have their own memory (vRAM) and way more power for demanding applications. They don’t borrow system RAM, making them ideal for:

✅ High-end gaming
✅ 3D modeling & CAD work
✅ Professional video editing

They’re several times more powerful than integrated GPUs and necessary for graphically intensive work.

How to Tell If You Have a Dedicated GPU?

Look for vRAM mentioned in the specs.
Check for “Radeon RX” or “NVIDIA” branding.
Examples: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, AMD Radeon RX 7800M.

Workstation GPUs – Built for 3D Design & Animation 🏗️

These are a special class of dedicated GPUs meant for professional 3D modeling, CAD, and animation. There’s debate on whether they’re worth it for regular users, but for highly complex designs, they’re essential.

Comments?

If you found this too technical or if there’s something you don’t understand please let me know in the comments below. PC

Author Profile

Miguel Salas

I am physicist and electrical engineer. My knowledge in computer software and hardware stems for my years spent doing research in optics and photonics devices and running simulations through various programming languages. My goal was to work for the quantum computing research team at IBM but Im now working with Astrophysical Simulations through Python. Most of the science related posts are written by me, the rest have different authors but I edited the final versions to fit the site's format.