Laptops got pricier and harder to choose: a 2026 guide to specs and models
The laptop market has changed noticeably in 2026: a year ago, 2000 rubles could buy a reliable workhorse with enough performance to last several years, but now that budget mainly covers entry-level machines for simple tasks. Demand for portable computers remains strong, though — they are still essential for study, work, and entertainment. Experts at the Onliner Catalog have updated their buying guide and released a fresh ranking of popular models.
The sales leaderboard for the Laptops category is based on data collected from May 1 to August 6, 2026. The vast majority of devices in the catalog run on Intel or AMD processors. Intel has been losing ground in the desktop market in recent years, but its chips are still in high demand in the mobile segment.
AMD Ryzen processors are known for energy efficiency, so laptops based on them typically last longer on a single charge than Intel counterparts. However, for certain tasks such as video editing, Intel solutions may be preferable. There is no definitive answer to which brand is better — the choice depends on specific use cases and the particular model. Both companies have a logical naming system that helps quickly identify the chip class.
The key spec to look at is battery capacity — the higher, the better. For long battery life, models with a battery of 60 Wh or more are recommended. MacBooks with macOS are an exception: for example, the MacBook Neo with a 36.6 Wh battery lasted 7 hours of YouTube playback, while the HONOR MagicBook Art 14 with a battery twice as large delivered identical results. Directly comparing Windows laptops and MacBooks by this metric is not valid.
There is also a practical limitation: laptops do not come with batteries above 99 Wh. Devices with batteries of 100 Wh or more can only be transported with airline approval — you need to contact the carrier in advance and get confirmation that the device is allowed on a specific flight. Processor architecture also matters: each new chip generation is more power-efficient, and Intel Raptor Lake, for instance, lagged noticeably behind competitors in battery life.
