Technologies

83% of US Adults Still Choose Laptops for Work and School Over Sleek Smartphones and Tablets, CNET Survey Finds

Most US adults want faster, longer-lasting laptops, but one generation is chasing style over specs.

Upgrading to a new laptop can feel like a never-ending rabbit hole. Even when you know what you need, choosing the best features, specs and design within your budget can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least.

Between back-to-school season and the holidays fast approaching, now’s the time to shop around for a deal on a new laptop. But what are US adults looking for when upgrading their laptops, anyway?

CNET’s new laptop survey found that nearly half of US adults are upgrading for better speed (45%) and battery life (44%). But that’s not all. One generation is looking beyond the specs and opting for sleekness and aesthetics instead — more about that below.

Here’s exactly what laptop owners are looking for, what experts think about the findings and what they recommend before you buy your next one.

Over half of US adults use laptops for creating and viewing documents

Even though smartphones and tablets are capable of letting us write essays and notes, US adults lean on smartphones for organization (66%), note-taking (48%), gaming (47%), and streaming shows and movies (44%). CNET found that laptops are used for work and educational tasks like creating and viewing documents (52%), creative work (33%), test-taking (31%) and studying (33%). Here’s a closer look.

Why not tablets instead of laptops?

David Carnoy, a CNET executive editor and tech expert, said most people have room for two primary devices, mainly a smartphone and laptop. Most don’t use a tablet for day-to-day activities or more tedious tasks.

“Tablets have been relegated to second-tier status in terms of must-have productivity tools and are viewed by a lot of folks as entertainment devices,” said Carnoy. “We’ve been waiting for tablets to become real hybrid devices that are true laptop replacements.”

One exception to a tablet functioning like a laptop is the Microsoft Surface Pro models that run Windows 11. However, Carnoy pointed out that they’re pricier — even before adding accessories to make the tablet work more like a laptop.

Performance matters more than aesthetics for most US laptop owners. Laptop owners looking to upgrade aren’t motivated to upgrade for fun features like messaging upgrades and artificial intelligence capabilities. By the numbers, only 10% of US adults get a new laptop for AI capabilities, while 12% upgrade for external device support and 7% upgrade for a new color.

Instead, nearly half of US adults are considering a new laptop for better speed (45%), while 44% want better battery life, according to the survey. Other top motivators include storage (39%) and screen quality (28%).

One exception: Gen Z favors design and sleekness

Like most US adults, Gen Z upgrades laptops for common reasons, like battery life (55%) and storage (50%). But aesthetic elements have a special appeal to this generation.

Gen Z is motivated to upgrade their laptops for sleekness and design appeal, such as screen quality (37%), design sleekness (25%), pen support (11%) and color options (10%). Experts pointed to a few reasons for Gen Z’s motivating factors.

Many of today’s laptop processors are powerful, so choosing the right processor has become less important compared to choosing a laptop with aesthetics that speak to you, said Matt Elliott, CNET senior editor and computer expert.

PC Mag’s consumer personal computer expert, Matthew Buzzi, added that Gen Z liking aesthetics more than other generations could be a broader trend on the horizon because there’s a baseline for what most laptops offer, and the aesthetic and design are what set them apart.

“Aside from enthusiasts, most shoppers don’t care about the particulars of components, and they’re all fast enough; aesthetic is part of personal identity and signals something about your lifestyle,” Buzzi said.

You may have to sacrifice a better battery for speed and performance

While 45% of US adults want to upgrade their laptop for speed improvements, 44% want better battery life. But chances are, you won’t have the best of both worlds.

Brian Westover, PC Mag’s lead personal computer analyst, said a longer battery life is the biggest advantage of a new laptop. Some systems can last 20 hours or more based on rundown tests.

Ideally, you don’t want to sacrifice your battery life for the best speed and performance. But if you have to choose, Westover recommends aiming for as much RAM as possible so you can multitask faster. Usually, you won’t be able to upgrade RAM. Westover recommends a minimum of 16GB to 32GB.

Elliott agrees that battery life and performance are often in conflict. More powerful processors deliver speedier performance, but at the expense of a shorter battery life. Efficient processors aren’t as fast but have a longer battery life. If you’re looking for an efficient processor and battery, Elliott recommends MacBooks with an M4 processor. And Windows with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series processors offers the best battery life.

HP is the most popular laptop brand

The most popular brand is HP, especially for millennials, Gen X and baby boomers. Beyond HP, Apple follows closely behind at 22%, which is a popular pick for Gen Z. US adults also own Dell (18%) and Lenovo (12%).

Elliott likes that HP is a style-conscious quality brand. However, it’s mind-blowing that more people have an HP than Lenovo because it’s the leader in overall shipments, Elliott said. Overall, HP is a solid laptop brand choice and one worth considering depending on your needs.

Read more: Best HP Laptop for 2025

If you’re looking for a high-performing HP laptop, consider one with an Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9 processor. an AMD Ryzen 9 AI 300 series chip or a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPU, Elliott said. You’ll also want at least 16GB of RAM and high-definition 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution for clear text and images, but HP offers higher resolutions if you want more. Other specifications vary based on your preference, including size and storage space.

When choosing an HP laptop, Elliott recommends paying attention to the differences between its OmniBook and EliteBook models. OmniBooks are more consumer-focused, while EliteBooks are more for business needs. For a midrange HP laptop, prepare to spend at least $1,000.

Which laptop should you buy?

Choosing the right laptop for now and the foreseeable future can be tough. Beyond price and a design you’ll like, there are dozens of other specs and features to consider. Here are some buying tips from our experts.

Operating system

The operating system is usually the first decision people make when choosing a new laptop, said Elliott. It ultimately boils down to personal preference. Windows is known for business needs, while Mac’s operating system is more geared toward creativity. You’ll also want to consider software you already use, like Windows Office. Other factors to weigh include your display preference, since the look and feel between the two is different.

You can run Windows from your Mac if you like Mac’s features but prefer Windows’ operating system.

Performance

One concern is not having enough or having too much performance, Buzzi said.

“It’s fairly easy to spend too much on a system with more power than you need for basic computing tasks, though at least it will future-proof your purchase to an extent,” Buzzi said. It could be a waste of money to have a high-performing laptop but not use it to its full potential.

On the other hand, nothing would be more disappointing than firing up a brand new laptop and discovering it doesn’t have enough power for your needs, Buzzi added.

Buzzi recommends reading reviews and buying guides to learn about specifications to look for that depend on your use case. It can also help you gauge a laptop’s speed and make a more informed decision.

Size

Nearly one in four US adults upgrade their laptops for size. It can boil down to preference if you want a bigger display size, but beware of the size and weight if you’re traveling with it.

Avoid buying a laptop that’s heavier than your books to carry around campus if you’re purchasing one for school. Westover recommends one that weighs three and a half pounds or less, and usually a maximum size of 14 inches.

“For students, I would suggest a smaller and lighter laptop with long battery life. You want something that won’t feel like an anchor in your backpack or won’t need to be recharged every time you turn around,” said Elliott.

Read more: Best Lightweight Laptop for 2025

Memory and storage

Ideally, you’ll need a laptop with a lot of RAM, or memory, plus plenty of storage, said Westover. Experts recommend at least 16GB of RAM, and even more if you have the option to upgrade your memory you can.

But upgrading memory is less common than adding storage, You can expand your storage with an external hard drive. Your storage needs will depend on your tasks, but experts recommend a minimum of 256GB.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,601 adults, of whom 2,145 own a laptop. Fieldwork was undertaken between July 16-18, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 plus).

Technologies

Trump Maintains US‑Iran Negotiations Continue Amid Tehran’s Denials of Duplicity

President Trump insists that US‑Iran talks are ongoing despite Tehran’s denial of any negotiation plans, while warning that only a deal or total surrender will allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Conflicting statements from both sides have heightened uncertainty as the conflict enters its sixth month.

On Monday, President Donald Trump asserted that negotiations between the United States and Iran are still taking place, even after Tehran stated it has no intention of engaging in direct talks with Washington.

In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump labeled Iran’s leaders “unbelievably duplicitous,” claiming they are lying about ongoing peace talks “whether Iran wants to admit it or not.” He repeated his assertion that the United States completely controls the Strait of Hormuz, despite maritime traffic through the crucial route lingering at only a small fraction of pre‑conflict levels.

He wrote, “Nothing reaches Iran unless we allow it, and nothing will pass unless a deal—or total surrender—is achieved.”

Earlier that day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters there is no imminent plan for U.S.–Iran negotiations, contradicting Trump’s earlier comment that talks would resume Monday afternoon. Baghaei added that Iran’s only current discussions are with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflicting statements have heightened uncertainty over the peace‑talk process and the broader conflict, now in its sixth month.

Trump’s assertion about new negotiations came a day after he said on Truth Social that he had agreed to cancel a massive strike against Iran “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.” He said in the same post that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off on that attack because “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”

Trump has claimed dozens of times throughout the more‑than‑five‑month‑long war that a deal is at hand. No permanent deal has been signed, and a temporary ceasefire reached in June has fallen apart.

Trump has also repeatedly threatened to launch devastating strikes against Iran before backing off. After the latest example, oil prices on Monday fell and stocks surged.

BMI, a research unit of Fitch Solutions, said in a note Monday that a broader diplomatic understanding on reopening the Strait of Hormuz is still achievable this quarter, while raising the probability of its escalation scenario to 35% from 25%, citing mounting military, diplomatic and economic signs of rising U.S.-Iran tensions.

“Diplomatic progress is likely to be punctuated by periodic military flare-ups, while miscalculation by either side could trigger a renewed escalation,” BMI analysts wrote in a note. The firm said the key issue to watch is the future governance of the strait, as the Iran-Oman talks — potentially backed by Gulf states, China and the U.S. — point to efforts to build a post-conflict shipping framework.

Shipping risks persist even as diplomacy appears to be advancing. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said it received a report of an incident 20 nautical miles (23 miles) northeast of Khasab, Oman — at the mouth of the strait — with a tanker’s master reporting an explosion in close proximity to the vessel at about 20:37 UTC Sunday (4:37 pm ET). The vessel and crew were safe and authorities are investigating, UKMTO said, advising ships to transit with caution.

The proposal Trump announced over the weekend calls for the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations and continue ironing out some of the thorny issues that had derailed diplomatic efforts, according to The Associated Press, citing a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

The official said the proposal also includes a reopening of the Hormuz Strait and halting attacks across the region, including by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on the Arab Gulf countries and Jordan.

The U.S., for its part, will end its naval blockade on Iran and allow Tehran to export its oil, the official said, adding that no deal has been reached, although the mediation efforts remained underway.

Trump’s weekend reversal has lowered the temperature after days of escalating attacks across the Gulf. Kuwait said Saturday that Iranian forces launched a wave of drones within its airspace, with its military destroying multiple aircraft after Iran targeted critical infrastructure in the country’s north.

A parallel track with Muscat is also advancing. Iranian diplomats said Tehran was close to reaching a new arrangement with Oman to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a deal critical to preventing the war from escalating further, according to the Financial Times.

Iranian officials said negotiations over future management of the Hormuz Strait with Oman, which sits on the opposite shore of the waterway, are in their final stages. The agreed shipping route would be different from those used before, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Baghaei, adding that the new route was separate from the issue of the strait’s reopening or continued closure.

Technologies

Oil Prices Slide as Trump Halts Planned Iran Strike

Oil prices dropped after Trump cancelled a planned strike on Iran, with WTI down about 5% and Brent near 5% lower. He said the move followed requests from Tehran and regional allies for a pause while a deal shaping the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program is negotiated.

Oil prices fell on Monday after President Donald Trump announced he had cancelled a planned strike on Iran. WTI futures dropped roughly 5% to $80.34 a barrel, while Brent slipped about 4.7% to $83.77 a barrel.

Trump said early Sunday he called off the strike after Iran and several Middle Eastern nations asked him to hold off, noting that the outlines of a deal had been agreed upon. He added that the prospective accord would entail the immediate, full opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to his Truth Social post.

The president had been considering another round of strikes as diplomatic hopes waned since the conflict began on February 28. He said the U.S. and Iran would meet for talks on Monday, but Iran denied any scheduled negotiations with Washington, citing PressTV. Iran’s foreign‑ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that Tehran was only discussing shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. In a follow‑up Truth Social message, Trump insisted that, regardless of Iran’s acknowledgment, the United States is indeed discussing a solution to a long‑standing problem created by Iran.

Technologies

Oil Prices Drop as Trump Cancels Planned Attack on Iran

Oil prices fell sharply after President Trump announced the cancellation of a planned strike on Iran, citing a new deal that would open the Hormuz Strait and end Iran’s nuclear threat.

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after President Donald Trump announced that he had called off a planned strike on Iran.

West Texas Intermediate futures, the U.S. benchmark, slipped roughly 5% to close at $80.34 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined 4.7% to settle at $83.77 a barrel.

Trump made the announcement early Sunday, saying he had canceled the strike following requests from Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries.

In a Truth Social post, he wrote: “We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”

The president indicated that the proposed agreement would include the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Hormuz Strait, as well as an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.

Trump had been weighing additional strikes amid diminishing prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that began on Feb. 28. He stated that the U.S. and Iran would hold negotiations on Monday.

Tehran denied that talks were planned with Washington, according to state news outlet PressTV.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was only holding talks with Oman regarding the routes ships can use through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump added that whether “Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused for decades.”