How to Check PC Specs on Windows 11 (and Mac)

I was about to buy a program when I spotted the small print: "Requires 8 GB RAM." I stared at my laptop and realized I had no idea what was inside it.

Here's the quick answer on how to check PC specs on Windows 11: press Windows key + I to open Settings, then click System, then About. You'll see your processor, installed RAM, system type, and Windows edition. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, then About This Mac.

What are specs on a PC?

PC specs (short for specifications) are the list of parts inside your computer and how powerful they are. Here's what each one means in plain words:

• Processor (CPU): the computer's brain. You'll see a name like Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5, or Snapdragon.
• RAM (memory): short-term workspace. More RAM means more apps and browser tabs open at once without slowing down. It's measured in GB, like 8 GB or 16 GB.
• Storage: long-term space for files, photos, and apps, like 256 GB or 512 GB.
• Graphics (GPU): the part that handles images and video. It matters most for games and video editing.
• System type: usually "64-bit operating system." Windows 11 only comes in 64-bit.
• Windows edition: usually Home or Pro.

How to check PC specs in Settings (Windows 11)

Settings is the simplest way to see your computer's main specs. Here's how I do it:

1. I press Windows key + I. (The Windows key has the four-square logo, next to the space bar.)
2. I click System in the left column.
3. I scroll down and click About.
4. Under Device specifications, I read Processor, Installed RAM, and System type. Under Windows specifications, I see the Edition and Version.

A faster route: I right-click the Start button and choose System. There's also a Copy button next to Device specifications, so I can paste the details into an email.

How to see PC specs in Task Manager

Task Manager is another way to see PC specs, and it shows how hard each part is working right now.

1. I press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. If it opens as a small window, I click More details.
3. I click Performance in the left menu (the icon looks like a small line chart).
4. I click CPU, Memory, Disk, and GPU one at a time. Each page shows the part's name and details in the top-right corner.

How to check RAM on PC

When I need to check RAM on PC, I use either of the two places above:

• Settings, System, About shows Installed RAM, for example "16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)." The usable number is a bit smaller because Windows sets some aside for hardware, often the graphics.
• Task Manager, Performance, Memory shows the total, the speed, and Slots used, such as "2 of 2." That tells me whether there's room to add more.

Pro tip: On many thin laptops, the RAM is built into the main board and can't be upgraded at all.

How to check computer specs in more detail

When I need to check computer specs beyond the basics, Windows has two built-in tools.

System Information: I click Start, type System Information, and open it. (Or I press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.) The System Summary page shows my exact System Model, processor, and Installed Physical Memory (RAM). For graphics, I open Components, then Display.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool: I press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. If it asks about checking drivers, I click Yes. The Display tab shows my graphics card's name and memory. The Save All Information button creates a text file I can send to tech support.

How to check laptop specs on a Mac

On a Windows laptop, every step above works the same. Here's how to check laptop specs on a Mac:

1. I click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. I choose About This Mac. It shows the chip (like Apple M3) or processor, the memory, the serial number, and the macOS version.
3. For more, I click More Info, then scroll down and click System Report.

For storage, I go to System Settings, then General, then Storage.

Why you'd check specs on PC

I usually check specs on PC for one of these reasons:

• Software requirements: apps and games list a minimum processor, RAM, and graphics.
• Selling or buying used: buyers always ask about the processor, RAM, and storage.
• Upgrades: knowing my RAM and storage tells me what I can add.
• Tech support: giving the exact model and specs speeds things up.

What the specs won't tell you (caveats)

Checking PC specs is useful, but it has limits:

• Specs don't show health. A worn-out battery or aging drive won't appear on the About page.
• Names can mislead. An Intel Core i5 from several years ago is much slower than a new one, so the generation matters.
• Built-in graphics. If I only see something like Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Graphics, the graphics are part of the processor, which may not meet a game's "dedicated graphics" requirement.
• Windows 10 looks a little different. The paths are similar, and Windows 10 stopped getting support in October 2025.
• Privacy when selling. I leave the serial number and Product ID out of public listings.

If I can't find one of these menus, Guidy can look at my screen when I ask and point to the exact spot. It guides me, and I click myself.

Save your specs for later

Once I find my specs, I take a quick picture of the page using my guide on how to take a screenshot on a computer, or I copy and paste on my laptop straight into a note.

For more help like this, Guidy's page on AI for non-tech-savvy people explains each step on your screen. Now you know how to check PC specs in under a minute.

FAQs

What are my PC specs?

The fastest way to find out is to press Windows key + I, then go to System, then About. That page lists your processor, installed RAM, system type, and Windows edition. For graphics and storage details, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and click Performance. On a Mac, use Apple menu, then About This Mac.

How do I check PC specs on Windows 10?

On Windows 10, press Windows key + I, click System, then scroll down the left column and click About. You'll see the processor, installed RAM, and system type. Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), System Information (msinfo32), and dxdiag all work the same way as on Windows 11.

How do I find out what graphics card I have?

Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, click Performance, then click GPU. The graphics card's name appears in the top-right corner. You can also press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, press Enter, and open the Display tab, which shows the card's name, maker, and memory.

Is 8 GB of RAM enough?

For everyday tasks like email, web browsing, and documents, 8 GB of RAM is usually enough. If you keep lots of browser tabs open, edit photos or video, or play newer games, 16 GB feels noticeably smoother. Windows 11's official minimum is 4 GB, but that's tight for daily use.