How to Find Your Laptop Model

Locate your laptop model easily in a few clicks.

By
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Writer
  • University of Pune (India)
Saikat has been a technology writer for 12+ years. His writing has appeared at MakeUseOf, OnlineTechTips, GoSkills, and many others.
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Updated on September 7, 2021
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • For Windows laptops, go to Start > System Information > System Summary. Alternatively, go to Settings > About screen. 
  • For MacBook Pro and Air model, go to Apple menu > About This Mac. Alternatively, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report.
  • If you have a brand new computer and still have the carton it came in, the model number will be on there, as well.

This article shows you how to find the laptop model for Windows and macOS operating systems.

How to Find the Laptop Model on a Windows PC

There are several ways to find your laptop model. Any method that gets you to your laptop model number and its configuration will help you ask for the right kind of support or get updated drivers and software. Brands print the laptop model numbers on the carton, etch them on the body, or mention it in any manual that comes with the computer. But if you can’t find them there, there are other ways too. 

Let’s look at two of the simplest and quickest ways to locate the laptop model on your Windows computer. You can use the Command windows and PowerShell too, but they take slightly more effort than the two simple methods described below. 

Use System Information to See the Laptop Model

System Information on a Windows PC will include information like the manufacturer’s name, custom system name, system model, and system type. 

  1. Open Start.

  2. Type and search for System Information and click the top result to open the native Windows app.

    Searching for System Information in Windows 10

  3. Select System Summary.

    System Summary in System Information

  4. Find the laptop model number of your device under the Values column for the System Model Item on the right panel.

    System model information in a Windows Laptop

Tip:

System Information also includes a handy search field. Use it to look up some specific details about your laptop. Enter the search term in the Find What field and then select Find.

Use Settings to Find Device Specifications

Microsoft also lists device specifications for your laptop on the About screen under Settings. Follow these steps to get to that screen in as few clicks as possible.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select System. 

    System in Start button right-click menu.

  2. Check the laptop model written in a larger font under Device specifications on the About screen. 

    Device specifications on the About screen in Windows Settings

Other information included under the laptop mode consists of the customizable device name, the processor type, the installed RAM, the device ID, the product ID, the system type, and Pen and Touch compatibility.

How to Find the Model of a MacBook

MacBook’s have good resale value. The model of a MacBook and the year of manufacture are necessary details to mention for any trade-ins. You will also need to know the specific model to check its compatibility with the latest Mac operating system or any other software or hardware.

Here are two common and quick ways to identify the MacBook model.

Use About This Mac

About This Mac is a menu item on all macOS computers, and it displays the specifications and Apple logo in a small window.

  1. Go to the Apple menu on the top-left corner of the screen. Select About This Mac.

  2. The Overview tab displays the model’s name, the year it belongs to, the model, serial number, and other details. 

    About This Mac Overview tab.

Use System Information

Like all Windows laptops, Apple’s MacBook also summarizes every system specification about the laptop’s hardware, software, external devices, and network settings. 

  1. Press and hold the Option key and select Apple menu > System Information.

  2. Alternatively, select the Apple menu > About This Mac. Select the System Report button.

  3. The System Report screen lists the Model Name and the Model Identifier with other details. The model identifier is precise enough to help identify the exact MacBook. 

    MacBook Air System Information
FAQ
  • Why is my laptop so slow?

    A slow laptop could be a sign that your system has malware or viruses. It could also be loading too many apps during startup, or perhaps its running out of hard drive space. If none of these solutions help, it might be time for a hardware upgrade.

  • How do you clean a laptop screen safely?

    Turn your laptop off and unplug it, then gently wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth. You can use a damp sponge for more challenging grime, but don't use standard tap water! Filtered or distilled water is best.

  • What's the difference between a Chromebook and other laptops?

    The biggest difference between a laptop and a Chromebook is the operating system. Chromebooks run Chrome OS, which uses the Chrome web browser as it's primary interface. This means that most of its apps are cloud-based.

  • How do you connect a laptop to a monitor?

    Determine which output your laptop supports (HDMI, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, etc.), then connect the laptop to your monitor using the appropriate cable. If you're on Windows 10, use the keyboard shortcut Fn+8 to switch between the laptop screen and the monitor. On macOS, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement to change displays.

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