7 Best Laptops for Seniors in 2026
When buying a laptop, two big questions are: What do you need to do with your laptop? And how much should you spend on it? With those questions in mind, here are the features we looked at.
Performance: We’re looking for laptops that are fast enough for everyday browsing, including checking email and social media, banking, and streaming video from services like YouTube and Netflix. That puts our focus on models with a midrange processor and 16 GB of memory, even if you have a tight budget or want a laptop for simple tasks like browsing and checking email, you can succeed with a less powerful processor and 8 GB of memory.
Amount: The best laptops like our picks — those that offer reliable performance, solid build quality, and large displays — typically cost around $1,000. We also have cheaper options, but these budget laptops make great trade-offs in performance, display size or quality, and durability.
Budget MacBook options are limited, and while good Windows laptops under $500 do exist, they’re rare. In this price range, Chromebooks are usually fast and free of bloatware (unnecessary manufacturer-loaded software that bogs down the computer and slows it down), which is a plague on cheap Windows laptops.
If you’re shopping on a budget, consider a used or refurbished laptop. If you follow our advice on what to look for, you can find an excellent computer from the last few years that is fast enough for everyday browsing.
Operating system: We recommend that you stick with the operating system that you are most familiar with. We asked a panel of testers to provide feedback on the setup process and accessibility settings within macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS, and found that no operating system is better than the other in terms of accessibility. Our testers found their likes and dislikes for each operating system and concluded that they preferred the operating system they were already comfortable with.
Beyond the usual, consider your other devices. If you already have an iPhone, a MacBook will let you make FaceTime video calls and access your iCloud photos. Windows can sync with Android phones and iPhones now, too. And ChromeOS offers quick setup options if you have an Android phone.
Support: The next question concerns how easy it will be to get support for your laptop if something goes wrong. What app do your tech-savvy relatives and friends use? If you want the best service for your computer and can take your laptop to the nearest Apple store for repair, choose a Mac. No other computer manufacturer provides that level of support.
Organizations like AARP’s Senior Planet also offer technology learning resources, including a toll-free hotline, in-person technology tutoring sessions, and online classes and workshops. Many local organizations offer similar support; it is worth researching what is available in your area.
Display: Laptops with a 15- or 16-inch display have enough space for you to freely increase the size of text and UI elements. Even larger displays are only available on very heavy, large laptops, and smaller displays get crazier and crazier as you increase the scale settings. Touch displays are different – they can be useful as an input option, but desktop operating systems are not designed with touch in mind, and buttons are often small and difficult to tap. Voice controls can often be a better input option than touch displays.
Weight: Today you can find a laptop with a large display that weighs less than 3.5 pounds. If you want an even lighter laptop — say, under 3 pounds — you’ll have to settle for a smaller, 13- or 14-inch screen.
Keyboard and trackpad: We’re looking for comfortable keyboards with well-sealed, backlit keys with large, easy-to-read legends, and trackpads that are intuitive and responsive. If a keyboard or trackpad doesn’t meet your needs, however, you can pair the laptop with a more comfortable external keyboard or mouse, or use voice controls to navigate.
Biometric login: We prefer laptops that support fingerprint or face login, allowing you to gain access quickly without having to remember and type a password every time. Fingerprints aren’t always reliable for adults because skin elasticity changes as you age, so we like laptops that offer both biometric options.
Webcam: If you plan to use your laptop for frequent video calls with family and friends, we recommend a laptop with a 1080p or better webcam, and a laptop shutter provides peace of mind by literally covering your webcam when you’re not using it.
Speakers: Portable portable speakers suck – they don’t produce much volume, and they tend to sound harsh and noisy. If you are hard of hearing, the best approach is to use hearing aids in conjunction with operating system level features such as captions.
This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Claire Perlman.
