What's new when shopping for a laptop in 2025? 8 things to keep in mind

While laptops haven't exactly been advancing by leaps and bounds over the last few years, the industry has finally gotten interesting again. As we close out 2024 and head into 2025, I've got news for you if you're in the market for a new laptop: a lot has changed, and lots more changes are yet to come. Here are the new things you need to know to make an informed laptop buying decision this year. I used to recommend buying last year's laptop models on clearance because hardware hasn't really improved much year over year. Sure, maybe that new laptop is a bit better… but only marginally.