This beginner’s guide explains how to set up a smart home step by step, what devices are worth buying first, and how to build a system that actually fits your lifestyle. All product examples are widely available on Amazon.co.uk and suitable for UK homes.

Apple, Microsoft, and Lenovo have taken very different paths. One prioritises efficiency and polish, another flexibility and AI-first workflows, and the third focuses on durability and long-term reliability. The laptop you choose will shape how you work, travel, and create for the next four or five years. MacBook vs Surface vs ThinkPad