Written by Deanne
Edited on
15 September 2026
·
11:00
Advice on the safety class of a laptop
The security class of your laptop determines how well-secured your laptop is and how secure your files are. Which security class suits you, depends on the way you use your laptop. In this article, we'll explain what to expect from your laptop security.
How do we determine the safety class?
We determine the security class of a laptop based on a number of things: the operating system, the version of the operating system, and extra security functions like an infrared camera and a fingerprint sensor. With an infrared camera and fingerprint sensor, you can log in faster and more securely. Windows Pro, macOS, and ChromeOS are more secure than Windows Home.
Basic
A laptop with a basic security class only has the Windows Home or Windows S mode operating system. We mostly recommend these laptops for home use and daily tasks. Windows in S mode is a secure version of Windows Home, which only allows you to install programs from the Microsoft Store. That way, you're better protected against viruses.
A basic laptop has:
- A Windows Home or Windows S operating system
Mid-range
A mid-range laptop is safer. We recommend these laptops if you often take your laptop with you on the go, or if you store many classified files on your laptop.
A mid-range laptop has:
- A Windows Home or Windows S operating system with infrared camera or fingerprint sensor
- A Windows Pro, ChromeOS, or macOS operating system without infrared camera or fingerprint sensor
High-end
A high-end laptop has the best security. Thanks to the secure operating systems, you're better protected against viruses. Windows Pro has convenient security functions like BitLocker, for example. With ChromeOS, you can only install apps from the Google Play Stpre. Some high-end laptops also have an infrared camera and/or a fingerprint sensor.
A high-end laptop has:
- A ChromeOS, macOS, or Windows Pro operating system
- Depending on the laptop, an infrared camera and/or fingerprint sensor
