Things to keep in mind
while buying a laptop
Choosing a new laptop is a lot harder than it should be. No matter
your price category, there are simply too many different types of laptops to
choose from. More to the point there is no single best laptop because there is
no single kind of user. So when people ask us about which laptop or laptop
brand is best. We give a list. A set of criteria that everyone should consider
before splurging on a new device.
1. Size
When it comes to laptops, size matters.
Depending on what you plan to be doing with your next laptop,
you’ll want to make sure you pick the size that’s the right fit for you. Size
isn’t like the RAM or ROM of a laptop, you can’t upgrade it later. You’re
locked into whatever you select up-front, so choose wisely.
Laptops sizes tend to start at 11.6-inches and go all the way up
to 17.3 inches. Most brands and OEMs like HP, Dell, ASUS and Acer tend to offer
three display sizes - 13.3-inch, 15.6-inch, and 17.3-inches. However, some
vendors do sell laptops that fall outside these sizes including 11.6-inches,
12.5-inches, and 14-inches.
Obviously, if portability is your priority, you’ll want to go for
a smaller sized Windows laptop. They tend to be thinner and lighter than their
larger counterparts. Look for laptops that have a screen that is either 12.5-inches
or 13.3-inches in size and weight between 1kg and 1.5kgs.
However, keep in mind that smaller-sized
13.3-inch machines often don’t support the same high-end Intel Core i7 CPUs or
discrete graphics cards you’ll be able to find in their 15.6-inch counterparts.
Most of the time, they’ll also feature a less-robust selection of ports. If the
kind of work you intend to be using your new laptop requires a larger display
or standalone graphics power, you’ll probably need to look at a larger size.
2. CPU
It’s hard to go past any of Intel’s Core-based CPUs when buying a
new laptop. Think Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7. An Intel Core Processor offers
the best performance when it comes to multitasking and multimedia tasks. Core
i3-based notebooks are generally found in entry-level systems, while Core i5
makes up the majority of mainstream computers.
Core i7-based systems are for those of you who want the best
performance from your laptop. However, note that with a Core i7-based system,
heat coming through the base of the laptop can be cause for concern, especially
if you plan to actually use the laptop on your lap a lot of the time.
3. Keyboard Quality
For long typing sessions, you’ll need to get a
laptop that has a comfortable keyboard. You don’t want to get a keyboard that
packs in every key under the sun (think keyboards that have squished in number
pads) because that can translate to the poor overall user experience when
hunting for specifics like the arrow or delete keys.
You want a keyboard that has a comfortable layout
with full-sized keys and some space around the arrow keys. The keys should have
adequate travel on the downstroke and snappy responsiveness when you let them
go.
Make sure the keyboard is also backlit so that
you can type with an easier view on the keys in dimly lit environments.
4.RAM
In the old days, you rarely needed more than 4GB
of RAM or more to get the best out of your system.
These days, you’ll probably want to think about
8GB as a minimum. If you’re a power-user, 16GB is the way to go. Meanwhile,
gamers should look at dialing things upwards all the way to 32GB if they want
the best experience.
More RAM allows for more applications to be run
at the same time, and for more data to be quickly accessible by the system at
any one time, which comes in handy for tasks such as editing photos or video
content.
5.Screen Quality:
Since you’ll probably end up staring at your
laptop screen hours at a time, you’ll probably want to make sure you get a
screen that is comfortable to look at and use.
To start with, you’ll have to consider whether
you want your next laptop to have a touchscreen. These days, touchscreens are
very common and they can make some tasks easier than others. Unfortunately,
they can also add a glossiness to the display which is sometimes undesirable.
Glossy screens lead to reflections, which are a definite negative if you’re
gaming, watching content or editing images and video content. For these
reasons, you might want to consider a laptop that doesn’t have a touchscreen.
Next up, be sure to look at the resolution on any
laptop you’re thinking of buying. A 1920x1080-pixel resolution (Full HD) should
be considered if you want plenty of space to line up windows and keep things in
view.
Select modern laptops also now offer 4K resolutions.
However, these high-end display panels are generally a costly add-on to an
already expensive product. They're only really going to be worth it for those
who really need them, like content creation professionals.
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