LaptopCompat

Guide

How to Check Your Laptop Model (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Last reviewed 10/6/2026

The fastest way to check your laptop model is Settings → System → About on Windows, the Apple menu → About This Mac on a Mac, or the command sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name on Linux. If the laptop won't turn on, the model is printed on a label on the bottom panel.

Compatibility answers only work when they match your exact model: the same marketing name can be sold with different CPU platforms, memory types and ports. Spend a minute confirming what you have, then use the steps below.

Quick steps

  1. Open the About screen. On Windows go to Settings → System → About. On a Mac choose the Apple menu → About This Mac. This shows the device name, and on a Mac the chip and year.
  2. Read the exact model string. On Windows press Win+R, type msinfo32 and press Enter, then read "System Manufacturer" and "System Model". On Linux run sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name in a terminal.
  3. Check the label on the laptop. Look for the label on the bottom panel (or the box). It carries the model number, and for Dell, HP, Lenovo and Acer also a service tag, product number, machine type or SNID.
  4. Search for that exact name or number. Search LaptopCompat for the model name or number you found, and confirm the generation and CPU variant on the result before trusting any RAM, SSD or charging answer.

How to check your laptop model on Windows

Settings → System → About shows the device name and processor. The device name is often just a hostname you or the maker chose, so use it only as a first hint.

For the full model, press Win+R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. The System Summary page lists "System Manufacturer", "System Model" and "System SKU", which are the values the manufacturer's spec sheets use.

You can also read the same values from a command line. In PowerShell run Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystemProduct, which prints the vendor, the model name and the serial number. The older command wmic csproduct get name does the same, but wmic is deprecated and is not installed by default on recent Windows 11 versions, so prefer PowerShell.

On some laptops (Lenovo is a common example) the Name field of that command returns a machine-type code, while the Version field holds the friendly family name. Use whichever one matches the manufacturer's support page.

How to check your MacBook or Mac model

Choose the Apple menu → About This Mac. It shows the model family, screen size or chip (for example Apple M3) and year. For the precise identifier, click More Info → System Report (or hold Option and choose Apple menu → System Information), then open Hardware: the Model Identifier looks like MacBookPro18,3.

The model number (a letter A followed by four digits) is also engraved on the underside of the case. Apple's own support pages list how to match these to a model and year.

How to check your laptop model on Linux

Run sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name for the model, sudo dmidecode -s system-manufacturer for the brand and sudo dmidecode -s system-version for the family or version string where the maker fills it in.

Without root access you can read the same firmware data from files: cat /sys/class/dmi/id/product_name and cat /sys/class/dmi/id/sys_vendor.

Where each brand prints the model on the laptop

If the laptop won't boot, or you want to confirm what Windows reports, look at the label on the bottom panel (some models have it inside the battery compartment or on the box). These are the identifiers each brand uses, with the manufacturer's support site for looking them up:

  • Dell: the Service Tag (a 5–7 character code) on the bottom label, plus the model name such as Latitude 5450 or XPS 15 9530.
  • HP: the Product number (P/N) and serial number on the bottom label. On many HP laptops pressing Fn+Esc opens HP System Information.
  • Lenovo: the Machine Type Model (MTM) on the label, a code such as 21HD followed by more characters, in addition to the family name such as ThinkPad T14 Gen 5.
  • ASUS: the model name (for example FX507ZC4 or UX3405MA) on the bottom label, next to the serial number.
  • Acer: the model name (for example A315-58) plus the SNID and serial number on the label.
  • MSI: the product name and the MS-xxxx model code on the label, next to the serial number.

Marketing name vs. model number vs. SKU

The marketing name is the family you see in ads, such as "ThinkPad T14" or "Dell XPS 15". The model number or machine type identifies the exact hardware generation, such as 21HD or 9530. The SKU (or part number) identifies one specific configuration: the exact CPU, RAM, storage and screen it shipped with.

For upgrade and compatibility questions the model number matters most, because it fixes the platform. The SKU matters when a model shipped with different memory or storage, for example one version with soldered RAM and another with a slot.

What to do next

Once you know the model, search for it on LaptopCompat to see its specifications and source links. Then check whether you can upgrade its RAM or replace its SSD, and what games and apps it can run.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my laptop model on Windows?

Open Settings → System → About, or press Win+R, type msinfo32 and press Enter and read "System Model". In PowerShell, Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystemProduct prints the model name.

How do I find my MacBook model?

Choose the Apple menu → About This Mac for the model family, chip and year. For the Model Identifier (for example MacBookPro18,3) open More Info → System Report → Hardware.

How do I check my laptop model on Linux?

Run sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name in a terminal, or read /sys/class/dmi/id/product_name without root access.

What is the difference between a model name, model number and SKU?

The model name is the marketing family (such as ThinkPad T14), the model number or machine type identifies the exact hardware generation, and the SKU identifies one specific configuration of CPU, RAM, storage and screen.

Where is the model number on my laptop?

On a label on the bottom panel, inside the battery compartment on some models, or on the original box. Dell labels show a Service Tag, HP a product number, Lenovo a Machine Type Model and Acer an SNID.

Look up a laptop

Recent verified models — open one to see its specs, upgrade options and compatibility:

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