The best buying guide template 2023

Buying Guide: Jump Menu

MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 sitting on a patio table

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: MacBook Air M2
3. Best Chromebook: IdeaPad Duet
4. Best value: MacBook Air M1
5. Best Windows 11: Dell XPS 13
6. Best budget option: Acer Swift 3
7. Best for gaming: Razer Blade 14
8. Best large screen: Dell XPS 17
9. Best 2-in-1: Lenovo ThinkPad X1
10. Battery life chart
11. How to choose
12. How we test

This is your 150 word ish intro to the article. Use the strapline above to introduce the page in terms of what it is and what it's for, then you don't need to write the same thing here. Instead, in this section get straight into the buying advice - that's what people want.

Work out what information simply must come before the product recommendations. Do not be tempted to start falling into keyword heavy cliche's like "Buying a XXX can be tricky but lucky for you we've reviewed all of the best options".

Focus instead on getting to the point and giving the most important information and update this section whenever something changes - like a major new product is added to the list or it's a key sales event is afoot that's highly relevant to anyone buying this type of product.

Most readers tell us that they don't like overly long intros on these articles, so keep things short and sweet to allow them to get to the recommendations and advice as quickly as possible.

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LATEST UPDATES
Your name / your site's leading expert

You don't have to include this box but for products where testing and expertise is so important you could make a short note from your site's leading expert to help readers understand the authenticity of the advice that follows, add a comment about the latest products to be added/removed or just give some important buying advice. Keep it short and sweet. 60-100 words

The quick list

A very quick bit of text to explain that up top is an overview section which allows readers to jump to the detailed reviews further down of products they're most interested in. 50 words should be enough

The long list: Best whatsits in detail

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

A killer one-line review of the product, 13-15 words looks great on mobile

Specifications

Display: 13.6 inches; 2560x1664
CPU: Apple M2
GPU: 8-core or 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB-24GB
Storage: 256GB-2TB SSD
Weight: 2.7 pounds

Reasons to buy

+
Amazing performance
+
Excellent screen
+
Very long battery life 

Reasons to avoid

-
Supports only one monitor
Buy it if

✅ Up to 10 words for this bit in bold: then feel free to go into detail in this section. You could have 5x points and then make them shorter, or have less points and make them longer. Suggest 30-40 words for each point.

✅ Please remember that: on mobile these boxouts load in above the text block 'write-up' that sites on the left when viewed on desktop - so please write accordingly. 

✅ Make the point in bold: and then back that point up by further explaining why you've come to that conclusion, or why a certain type of person would get on well with this product. 100 words ish for this box in total

Don't buy it if:

❌ Nitpick nitpick nitpick: remember that helping people quickly identify if a product ISN'T right for them is just as helpful as pointing out the ones that are.

❌ Nitpick nitpick: if a certain type of person would not suit this product, you can mention it here and then suggest a product on the page that would be more suitable for this persona.

❌ Nitpick nitpick nitpick: if price makes an appearance in this section (say because it's expensive) remember that this is likely to change over time so when updating the review you should re-assess.

The bottom line

💻 The MacWhat Air M2 this is where you write your concise verdict on this product. Sum up your review in just XXX words and don't be afraid to re-emphasize points that you've already made elsewhhere on the page. Suggest this section should be. 50 words ★★★★★

What you need to know (300-350 words)
This section will, on mobile, load underneath the boxouts that sit on the right hand side on desktop. Don't use a 'header' block above this section or it'll break the layout (hence the bold 'what you need to know' header). In this section, introduce the product as you would in a more detailed review, giving all the context someone might need.

Design: My suggestion is to section this part as you would on a normal review so that people can quickly scan to the information they're most interested in such as battery life or colour options. You've got plenty of words to play with here so there's lots of opportunity to include as many useful details as you can think of.

Performance: Remember we always want to be giving sober, balanced buying advice. So at no point do we want to be trying to sell anything - our mission is to give people all the assistance people need in order to make their own informed decisions.

Battery life: Note that there is a "More like this" box underneath the 'bottom line' - the idea is to give people an onward journey if they've realised they're not quite ready to buy from this page. Alternative buying guides have been shown to be a popular and effective place to link to. Think about the characteristics of this product and link to alternate pages that might give people some more ideas - could be the 'best macbook' buying guide for a macbook air, or it could be a 'macbook deals' page if you think people will want to give a great deal.

Value for money: remember this review should not be written in a silo - it's important to refer to other products on this page and how this one compares against them. We need to be giving answers to questions people didn't even realise they had.

Read the full review: MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
Price6-8 words is about all you want here★★★★☆
Design6-8 words is about all you want here★★★★★
Performance6-8 words is about all you want here★★★★★
Battery life6-8 words is about all you want here★★★★★

The best Chromebook

The best affordable whatsit around

Specifications

CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor
Graphics: ARM G72 MP3 800GHz
RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4X
Screen: 10.1" FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 400 nits
Storage: 64 GB eMMC

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and portable
+
Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Tiny keyboard and finicky trackpad
-
Charger and headphones share a single port
Buy it if

✅ Blah blah blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Unim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat

✅ Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

✅ Blah Blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat

Don't buy it if:

❌ Nitpick nitpick nitpick: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

❌ Nitpick nitpick: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

❌ You don't like blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

The bottom line

💻 The MacWhat Air M2 ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip exercitation ullamco laboris. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut. ★★★★★

What you need to know
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariaturLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. 

Design: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. 

Performance: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Battery life: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magn.

Read the full review: MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
PriceBrief brief brief brief brief brief brief★★★★☆
DesignShort short short short short short short ★★★★★
PerformanceQuick quick quick quick quick quick quick ★★★★★
Battery lifeConcise concise concise concise concise concise ★★★★★

The best value 'top end' whatsit

The best value whatsit of 2022

Specifications

CPU: Apple M1
Graphics: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61cm; W x D x H)

Reasons to buy

+
Brilliant value
+
Amazing battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
No new design
-
Fanless design could impact performance
Buy it if

✅ Blah blah blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Unim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat

✅ Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

✅ Blah Blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat

Don't buy it if:

❌ Nitpick nitpick nitpick: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

❌ Nitpick nitpick: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

❌ You don't like blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

The bottom line

💻 The MacWhat Air M1 ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip exercitation ullamco laboris. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut. ★★★★★

What you need to know
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariaturLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. 

Design: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. 

Performance: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Battery life: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magn.

Read the full review: MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
PriceBrief brief brief brief brief brief brief★★★★☆
DesignShort short short short short short short ★★★★★
PerformanceQuick quick quick quick quick quick quick ★★★★★
Battery lifeConcise concise concise concise concise concise ★★★★★

The best for Windows 11

Another great value whatsit

Specifications

CPU: Up to 12th Generation Intel Core i7-1250U
Graphics: Up to Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
Screen: 13.4" FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 13.4" UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display
Storage: Up to 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous design
+
Great starting price

Reasons to avoid

-
Controversial redesign
-
Lack of ports
Buy it if

✅ Blah blah blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Unim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat

✅ Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

✅ Blah Blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat

Don't buy it if:

❌ Nitpick nitpick nitpick: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

❌ Nitpick nitpick: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

❌ You don't like blah blah: Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

The bottom line

💻 Dell XPS 13 ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip exercitation ullamco laboris. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut. ★★★★★

What you need to know
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariaturLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. 

Design: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. 

Performance: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Battery life: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magn.

Read the full review: MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

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Dell XPS 13 test results
AttributesNotesRating
PriceBrief brief brief brief brief brief brief★★★★☆
DesignShort short short short short short short ★★★★★
PerformanceQuick quick quick quick quick quick quick ★★★★★
Battery lifeConcise concise concise concise concise concise ★★★★★