Should I buy a laptop on it's own, and download nothing but electrum on it to store the BTC?
Good idea, no problem if you have more money for that.
Yes, a Hardware wallet is the best way to store your bitcoin safe but always bookmark the link from where you open the hardware wallet. Personally, I am using Trezor wallet and did not face any issue or problem to date so I advised everyone to use a hardware wallet to store your precious coins.
trezor has developed
trezor suite to avoid phishing website. better to use suite than a website.
You can also use the Electrium app for storage.
I just worry about the meaning of
storage here, I don't recommend electrum for storage.