How to compare system details on two computers

You want to know whether two computers have the same capabilities, or why one behaves differently from the other. Comparing system details can help, but browser reports show only a selection of information, and some values depend on the current setup.

Use the System Info tool on each computer to compare the processor, graphics, screen, battery, and network information that the browser can access. Then check the operating system settings for any difference that needs explaining.

Compare the two computers

1. On the first computer, open System Info. Read the processor, graphics, screen, battery, and network details shown in the report.
2. Write down the values you want to compare, along with the computer name or a simple label such as “Computer A.” Keep the labels and units exactly as shown.
3. Open the same tool on the second computer and note the same fields. The tool reads information available to the browser on the computer you are using, so you need to run it separately on each device.
4. Compare like with like. Check that both computers are using the same type of connection, the same external display arrangement, and similar power conditions before treating a difference as a hardware difference.
5. For a result that changes between runs, refresh the report once and compare again. Note whether the value stays different or changes with the setup.

Do not assume a blank field means the part is absent. A browser may not have permission or a supported way to read that detail. The report is a quick comparison of browser-visible information, not a complete inventory of every component.

What the differences mean

The processor or graphics information differs

The computers may have different processors or graphics hardware, or the browser may report the devices differently. A label alone does not show how fast a computer will feel in every task. Cooling, power settings, background work, and software can also affect performance. If you are comparing speed, run the same workload on both computers under similar conditions.

The screen information differs

The computers may be using different display resolutions, scaling, or connected screens. A laptop connected to a monitor or dock can report a different screen setup from the same laptop used on its own. A screen report describes what the system exposes, not the physical quality of a panel, such as its color accuracy or brightness.

Battery details appear on only one computer

Battery Meter information is available only when the browser reports a battery, which is common on laptops, tablets, and phones. A desktop computer may have no battery details to show. A charge level or estimated time remaining describes the current state, not the battery's long-term health.

Network details differ

The network report can change with the connection you are using. One computer may be on Wi-Fi while the other uses Ethernet, or they may be connected to different access points. Compare them on the same network and at the same location before blaming a computer for a network difference.

A value is missing, rounded, or unexpected

Browsers restrict access to some device information for privacy and compatibility. For example, a browser may provide only a rounded hint about RAM size, not the exact installed amount. Check the operating system for details that the browser cannot confirm. For more on that limit, see why a browser cannot measure exact RAM capacity.

Check what is causing a difference

1. Match the setup first. Use the same display arrangement and connect both computers to the same network if you are comparing screen or network details. If one computer is on battery and the other is plugged in, compare them again under the same power condition.
2. Check the computer's system page. In Windows 11, open Settings › System › About for device and operating system details. On macOS, open Apple menu › About This Mac. These pages can provide information that a website cannot read.
3. Review display settings. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display and compare the selected display, resolution, and scale. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays. Check whether an external monitor or display adapter is connected.
4. Compare the network connection. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet and check whether each computer uses Wi-Fi or Ethernet. On macOS, open System Settings › Wi-Fi or System Settings › Network, depending on the connection. Repeat the comparison on the same network when possible.
5. Check power conditions. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Power & battery. On macOS, open System Settings › Battery. Power mode can change performance, and battery fields may be unavailable when the browser does not report a battery.
6. Look up a detail the browser cannot provide. For exact installed memory or a component model, use the operating system's information pages or documentation for the computer. A browser report should not be treated as proof of a part's exact capacity or identity.

What this comparison can and cannot tell you

System Info is useful for spotting broad differences and checking what a browser can see on each computer. It can help you notice that the active screen setup or reported processor information is not the same. It cannot verify every part, diagnose a fault by itself, or prove that two computers will perform equally in a specific app.

If you need a fuller overview before contacting support, compare the report with the operating system's own details. The guide to checking computer specs without installing apps covers other built-in ways to find device information.