Most people today prefer using a laptop to using a tablet or a smartphone; while the latter is convenient, doing tasks such as typing a research project doesn't work. A laptop is very versatile and compact enough to carry around while running your most demanding applications. A laptop is the tool of choice if you want to do serious work or gameplay.
Deciding to buy a new laptop is not an easy task. There are many different models and sizes with so many different specs that make the process daunting, but with this compiled list below, choosing a laptop can be much easier if you know what you are looking for. Everyone has a different choice when buying a laptop; some care more about the specs while others care more about the size of the screen.
• Budget - If you have a budget that you are using, you should not go any lower than these specs, Core i5 or Ryzen 5 CPU. The prices of laptops vary. You can buy a laptop anywhere from $200 upward. If you are looking for a laptop with the latest specs, you will have to look on the pricier side of about $600.
• Picking a platform - If you are not familiar with platforms such as PCs and Mac, you will find this section challenging; however, a quick overview will put things into perspective for you. There are three types of operating systems used today: Mac OS, Chrome OS, and Windows. Choosing any of these Operating Systems is up to the person who is buying.
1. Windows - The Windows Operating system is the most commonly used operating system. The latest version of Windows, Windows 10, offers the opportunity to switch between tablet and desktop modes. It contains a startup menu that shows up with live tiles, and it consists of Cortana, a digital assistant. You can use Cortana to follow up on the activities that you were already doing on your laptop. A Windows 10 laptop is an asset to a student, business persons, and researchers. Also, this Operating system is great for gaming.
2. Mac OS - Apple owns any Mac-related Operating System; it is called MacOs Catalina. This system has some similarities to Windows 10 except its user interface. The digital assistant for Mac is called Siri. Transactions can be performed using Apple pay, and an Apple watch can be used to get messages from a laptop.
3. Chrome OS - This Operating System is mostly found on cheaper Chromebooks. While this OS is secure and simple to use, there are limits to what you can do. The user interface for Chrome looks a lot like Windows. However, the main app used is Chrome. Before the Chromebooks, apps needed the internet to function, now the android apps are being used instead.
• Size factor - Depending on your reason for buying a new laptop, you will want to ensure that you pick the right size suitable for you in terms of the physical laptop because there are other sizes to consider, e.g., the memory. Their size categorizes laptops.
The thinnest and lightest laptop screens range from 11 to 12 inches and weigh from 2.5 to 3.5 pounds. For the best balance and portability, a laptop that weighs approximately 4 pounds is a great price. A 15 to 16-inch laptop is the most popular size. These laptops weigh between 4 to 5.5 pounds. If you do not plan on carrying your laptop around, then this screen size is suitable to use. If you want a laptop that will stay on your desk all day, then you can buy a 17 to 18 inch. These laptops have high-speed processing power that is great for playing games.
• Screen Quality - Since you will be staring at the screen for hours on end, you want to ensure that the process flows as painlessly as possible. You'll want to consider if you want a touch screen or not. Touch screens are common, and it makes doing tasks much easier. If you type a lot or spend most of your time around your laptop working, you can consider opting for a laptop that does not have a touchscreen. A full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) can be considered if you want a lot of space to line up Windows. You also have the option of selecting a laptop that is more modern with a 4k resolution; however, these are a bit pricier. If you play a lot of games, it is advised to check the refresh rate on the laptop's display that you want to buy. A faster refresh rate allows a responsive and smoother game experience. The ideal refresh rate is 144 Hz.
• The Keyboard's quality - If you spend a lot of time typing on your laptop, you should consider a laptop with a comfortable keyboard. You do not want a keyboard packed with many buttons; this can hinder you when you're typing because you would have to stop and search for the keys you want to press. You want a keyboard that has full-size keys. Also, it should have enough space built between them. The keys should have plenty of travel (the dept the key reaches when pressed), which is usually 1 to 2mm, and they should snap back when you let them go.
• Storage - You may have seen the letters SSD on a laptop before, but you didn't know the meaning. SSD means solid-state drive. This is used in the space of a hard drive; it has more speed than a hard drive, it runs silently, unlike the hard drive, which is noisy, and it does not add a lot of weight or bulk to the laptop. However, buying a laptop with an SSD of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB will cost more than a laptop with 1TB or 2TB hard drive. But what some companies are doing is pairing a small SSD with a hard drive. Stick to an SSD when you're buying a laptop and you won't regret the speed you will receive.
Though there are many things to consider when buying a laptop, those mentioned here are sure to help you achieve your goal in doing so.