Your laptop’s model name shows in system settings or hardware info, plus on the bottom label if it’s still readable.
You don’t need to guess your laptop model. You just need the right screen, the right label, or one clean command.
Knowing the exact model helps when you’re buying a charger, hunting a driver, checking RAM limits, ordering a replacement input board, or selling the machine without awkward back-and-forth.
This article walks you through the fastest ways to pull the model name on Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus a few backup options when the laptop won’t boot.
What “model” means and what you should write down
Manufacturers use a few labels that sound similar, so it helps to grab the one that matches your goal.
- Marketing model name: The friendly name you see in a store listing, like “ThinkPad X1 Carbon” or “Inspiron 15”.
- Model number or product name: A tighter identifier like “X1 Carbon Gen 9” or “Inspiron 15 3511”.
- Model code / MTM / SKU: The long string that points to a specific build, often used for parts and warranty.
- Serial number: Unique to your unit. Good for warranty checks and vendor lookup tools.
If you can, capture both the model number and the serial number. That pair makes parts and documentation searches smoother.
How Can I Check What Model My Laptop Is? On Windows, Mac, And Linux
Check on Windows using Settings
If your laptop runs Windows 10 or 11, Settings gets you the model name with no extra tools.
- Right-click Start, open Settings.
- Go to System, open About.
- Read the model line under your device name.
On most Windows laptops, this page also lists the model just under the device name.
Check on Windows using System Information
If you want a deeper readout, System Information lists a “System Model” field that’s handy when you need the exact line the vendor uses.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type msinfo32, press Enter.
- In the summary panel, read System Model and System Manufacturer.
This screen is also useful for copying details into a help request since it shows BIOS version, baseboard, and system type.
Check on macOS using About This Mac
On a MacBook, Apple puts the model name in the simplest spot: the Apple menu.
- Click the Apple menu .
- Select About This Mac.
- Read the model name shown at the top of the window.
If you also need the serial number, it’s shown in the same window on many MacBooks. If it’s hidden, click the serial field to cycle through identifiers.
Check on Linux with a single command
Linux laptops can report model data from firmware tables. The cleanest option is to read the product name from DMI.
- In a terminal, run:
sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name - For the maker, run:
sudo dmidecode -s system-manufacturer
If dmidecode isn’t installed, your package manager can add it. On many systems you’ll need admin rights, since the tool reads low-level system data.
Checking your laptop model using built-in tools without extra apps
Plenty of people install third-party “system info” utilities, then wonder which output to trust. You can skip that mess. The tools above are built in, and they pull from the same places that most utilities read.
On Windows, the About page and msinfo32 pull the manufacturer and model from the system firmware and Windows device data. On macOS, About This Mac reads Apple’s own identifiers. On Linux, dmidecode reads the DMI tables exposed by the firmware.
If you’re writing this for a service request, Microsoft’s msinfo32 command reference explains what System Information reports.
If your goal is parts, lean toward the most specific label you can get. “Pavilion 15” narrows things. A product number or SKU narrows it further.
Backup ways to find the model when the OS route fails
Read the bottom label and service tag area
Flip the laptop over and check the printed label. Many brands put the model name, product number, or a service tag right there.
Use your phone camera to zoom in. If the label is scuffed, side lighting can make faint ink show up.
- Look for “Model”, “Product”, “MTM”, “Type”, “SKU”, or “PN”.
- Write it exactly as printed, including dashes.
- Grab the serial number too, since vendor sites often accept it for lookup.
Check the box, invoice, or online order page
If the label is gone, the purchase trail can save you. Retail listings often include a precise part number that maps to one build.
Search your email for the brand name plus “order” or “invoice”. Many stores include a part number line item even when the marketing name is vague.
Use BIOS or UEFI info screens
If the laptop boots to firmware setup, you can still get the model. On many systems, the first BIOS screen shows product name, serial number, and BIOS version.
- Power on the laptop.
- Tap the setup shortcut during the logo screen (often F2, F10, Del, or Esc).
- Scan the main or “Information” tab for the product name and serial.
If you’re unsure which shortcut works, watch for a hint at the bottom of the splash screen.
Pull the model from Windows Command Prompt
If Settings is blocked by policy or feels slow, a short command can print the model line.
wmic csproduct get namewmic computersystem get model,manufacturer
WMIC is older, yet it still works on many Windows builds. If WMIC isn’t available, PowerShell has options too.
Method picker: choose the fastest route for your situation
| Where you can check | What you’ll get | When this works best |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings → System → About | Model name shown under the device name | You’re on a working Windows laptop and need the model right now |
| Windows msinfo32 (System Information) | System Model, manufacturer, BIOS data | You need the exact “System Model” line for driver or service pages |
| macOS About This Mac | Mac model name, often serial number | You’re on a MacBook and want the official model label |
| Linux dmidecode | System product name and maker from DMI | You’re on Linux and want the vendor’s product string |
| Bottom label / service tag | Model, product number, serial number | The OS won’t boot, or you need a part number for parts matching |
| BIOS/UEFI information screen | Product name and serial number | The laptop powers on but the drive or OS is broken |
| Box, invoice, store order history | Retail part number or SKU | The laptop is missing labels and you still have purchase records |
| Windows Command Prompt (wmic) | Model or manufacturer strings | You want a copy-paste answer without opening menus |
Common mix-ups that waste time
Brand line vs exact model
“HP Pavilion” or “Dell XPS” is a family name, not the full model. Two laptops can share the same family name while using different displays, batteries, or hinges.
When you search for parts, use the closest string you can find to a product number, type, or SKU. If you only have the family name, add the screen size and the year you bought it to narrow results.
CPU name is not the laptop model
It’s easy to mix these up when you’re reading the About page. “Intel Core i5-1235U” is the processor, not the laptop model.
If a help desk agent asks for your model, they want the system model line, not the CPU line.
Windows device name is your custom label
Windows lets you rename a device. If you see “MyLaptop” or “OfficePC”, that’s just the device name you set. The model line is separate.
What to do after you find the model
Once you’ve got the model, save it somewhere that won’t vanish after a reinstall.
- Copy the model number and serial number into a password manager note or a plain text file.
- Snap a photo of the bottom label and store it in a folder you back up.
- If you’re ordering parts, copy the full SKU or product number into the order notes so you can match it later.
This small habit saves headaches when you’re away from the laptop and someone asks, “Which one is it?”
Reference table: what each identifier is used for
| Identifier | Where you see it | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing model name | Store listings, About This Mac, some Windows About pages | Selling the laptop, casual specs checks |
| System model / product name | msinfo32, BIOS, dmidecode output | Drivers, manuals, compatibility checks |
| Product number / SKU / MTM | Bottom label, box label, invoice line item | Parts matching, warranty lookup on vendor sites |
| Serial number | Bottom label, BIOS, About This Mac | Warranty status, proof of ownership, theft reports |
| Device name (Windows) | Settings → System → About | Network identification, sharing, admin tracking |
| CPU model | System About pages and spec tools | Performance expectations, upgrade planning |
| Motherboard name | msinfo32, some BIOS screens | Advanced troubleshooting and firmware matching |
If the laptop won’t power on
When the laptop is dead silent, your options shift to paperwork and labels.
Start with any purchase record you still have. Many retailers list a product number or SKU that maps to the exact build.
If you have no records and the bottom label is unreadable, check the underside of any removable access panel. Some brands place a duplicate sticker under the panel. If the battery is removable, check the battery bay as well.
If you still can’t find it, take clear photos of the laptop from the top, bottom, left, and right, plus any ports and hinge shapes. Those details help a repair shop match the family line and narrow the model range without guessing.
Small checklist for a clean result
- Get the model name from the OS tools first.
- Match it against the bottom label or BIOS screen when you can.
- Write down the model number, SKU, and serial number in one note.
- Use the SKU or product number for parts, use the model name for general searches.
References & Sources
- Microsoft Learn.“msinfo32 command reference.”Describes the System Information tool and the system summary fields it reports, including the model line.