A laptop is a considerable investment; that is why you need to be wise when purchasing one. The hardest thing is deciding the type of laptop that you will buy.
Leave alone the difference in prices, there are plenty of types and make that you will choose. Ensure that you choose one based on your choice and preferences without forgetting your budget.
There are some things that when you put into consideration, you can end up getting the best laptop that suits you and your budget.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Laptop
Here are top things you should keep in mind while purchasing a laptop.
Laptop Size [Most Important]
In terms of size, there are small and big laptops. Size goes hand in hand with how you are planning to use that laptop.
Keep in mind that the size of the laptop is not like ROM or RAM since you cannot upgrade it later.
We won’t advice you to buy a very big laptop, if you want to move around with it while you are in college.
For portability, you will find smaller and thin laptops compared to the others. Here is what you are supposed to look when deciding about the size.
The purpose of the laptop should guide you into the size you will purchase. If your laptop is only for word processing or email, you do not have to go for 4BGB RAM or the best processor in the market.
If you want a portable machine, go for the ultra-portable type, and if you are looking for a laptop for video editing, you will get the larger one since processing power is key in this.
12 inch laptop:-
This size is best for you if you are purchasing a laptop do perform light activities.
Not recommended for intense work such as watching movies. These laptops are generally light and thin, and they lack the processing power of bigger laptops, thus not suitable for multitasking.
13-14 inch laptop:-
This size is perfect for an office or school work where you will be moving your laptop most of the time. As much as they are small, they can perform larger tasks.
15-16 inch laptop:-
This size is perfect for those who want a desktop-like and, at the same time, a mobile laptop. These are large and can hold recent hardware and light enough for you to move around with them.
17+ inch laptop:-
laptops of this site will be suitable for you if you are looking to replace your desktop. They are large and powerful, having beautiful graphics and higher processing speeds.
The disadvantage of smaller laptops, for instance, 13.3 inches, will not support similar graphics cards or Intel Core CPU i7 like the large laptops.
They will also have less selection when it comes to ports. If you want a laptop with higher graphics power or a larger display, you will have to buy a bigger laptop.
Basing on specific sizes, you will find different types of laptops where you can choose the best one for you.
Ultrabooks tend to be lightweight and slim, offering high-end performance. These include Lenovo’s Yoga and the ASUS Zenbook.
Contrarily, notebooks are portable, a good mix in terms of power. If you want to buy a notebook, choose from HP Envy and Dell XPS.
Convertibles (also referred to as 2-in-1 PCs or 2-in-1 laptops) are those big laptops that allow you to remove the keyboard and use the new PC in tablet mode.
Products that will fall in this category include Acer’s Chromebook and Surface GO by Microsoft.
An essential thing that you need to consider when buying a new laptop is what you intend to use the PC for. It is very rare to get a smaller laptop that can fulfil all your needs.
Some users prefer discrete graphics to perform tasks like high-end gaming or video editing, where some will want a lighter and portable laptop.
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Processor
The laptop’s processor is actually what determines the price. A laptop with faster processors will generally be more expensive.
For instance, the current processor is the Intel Core Extreme i7. Any laptop in the market with this processor speed will cost you more than $2500. AMD’s single processor entry-level costs more than $269.
The Intel processor is much expensive compared to AMD. The latest line of i5, i7, and i3 are some of the best you will find in the market.
The i5 system starts at $600, i3 at $450, and the i7 starting at $750. Ensure that you keep these figures in mind, and you will get the best laptop.
It is very hard to avoid CPUs with Intel core when purchasing your new laptop. This processor will guarantee you the best performance in multimedia tasks and multitasking as a whole.
Core i3 notebooks will always be in the entry-level type of systems where the core i5 is common in mainstream computers.
If you want the best out of your laptop, buy the one with the core i7 system. However, if you go for the core i7, you should be concerned about the heating, especially if you will be placing the laptop or your lap most of the time.
You can find large laptops incorporating the i9 Intel core processor. These are more powerful compared to those with i7 core.
They can be compared to desktops in performance but are expensive than the other ones.
Some vendors will also provide notebooks and laptops that can run on AMD’s Mobile CPUs. This is a compelling option for you if you are a gamer.
They will offer you with better graphics enhancing your gaming experience than the Intel’s onboard graphics.
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RAM
This is the short memory of your laptop. You cannot perform anything with your laptop without the RAM.
Newer laptops have the latest RAM, so you only need to be concerned about the number of gigabytes provided.
You can get RAM of 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB. 4 GB is enough to perform most tasks, but if you can pay for more, then go for more.
If you want a gaming machine, you will have to find the one with 32GB for the better gaming experience.
More RAM will mean that you can run multiple applications at a go. It will also allow the system to access more data faster at the same time.
This is important when you want to do tasks like video content or photo editing.
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Laptop’s Battery life
One thing that will frustrate you the most with laptops is the limited life that comes with the batteries.
However, try choosing the best one of all. Go for the laptop that can last for at least 4 hours after complete charging.
Smaller laptops come with smaller batteries. This means that the smaller laptops will not last you longer with power.
In most cases, laptop manufacturers are not genuine when it comes to battery life description.
Some will claim to last you five hours, but you will have to recharge it after 3 hours. If you find it challenging, go for those that claim 10-12 hours, and they might last you for 6 hours.
Batteries are available in different cell numbers, the common one being 12, 9, and 6 cells.
Batteries with a high number of cells store more electricity, and thus your laptop will stay long with power.
Hard Drive
Hard disk drives come in different capacities and speeds. The current hard drives operate at speeds of 10000, 7200, and 5400 revolutions in a minute.
Hard drives with higher speeds are better compared to those with less speed. A capacity of 320GB is enough to store all your files, but you can still get laptops with a storage of 500GB and 1000GB.
Solid drives use different technology to operate and considered much faster compared to the hard drive. They are smaller, but the speed makes them a bit expensive.
Use the SSD type if you want super-fast speed and overall best user experience. With these benefits, most laptops have opted for SSD storage.
They run silently, and you can install them in such a way that they will not add much weight and reduces bulky in a laptop.
Hard drives are very important, but nowadays, they are not suitable for light and thin laptops. This is because they produce noticeable noise and heat, somewhat bulky and sometimes slow.
They only issue you will face with the SSD is the limited storage capacity. To get the required SSD storage, you will have to pay more.
This is the reason why they will be more expensive than traditional hard drives.
You may find yourself using an SSD drive with 512GB, 256GB or 128GB in size but costing more than the 2TB and 1TB drives.
To solve these, many PCs and laptops pair a large hard drive to a smaller SSD. This allows you to enjoy speed benefits by keeping the OS on SSD as well as having enough storage capacity for your data.
You can also get a new laptop with solid-state NVMe drive, which is faster compared to the traditional SSDs but much more expensive.
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Graphics Card
The first question that should cross your mind is if whether laptops come with graphic cards.
Most computers do not have the cards to process the graphics. They use RAM and the main processor to power graphics. However, consider the following if the laptop you want has a graphics card.
How many GB can the graphics card hold?
Is it NVidia or ATI? These are two contemporary companies, but as always, each is not without its weaknesses and strength.
The graphics card’s processing power levels. Graphics cards are not similar. Ensure that you research before opting for one to avoid wasting money.
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Laptop Ports
Ensure that the computer you want to buy has a good set of ports where you can connect devices.
Failure to consider this may lead to problems in the future. Check the devices you use most and make sure that they will be compatible with the laptop’s ports.
Make sure common interfaces like USB, MMC/SD, HDMI, E-SATA, and card readers are present.
Larger laptops will have many ports than the smaller ones. If you are planning to connect several devices to your PC, you will have to go for a bigger one.
UAB 3.0 ports are very important in a laptop. If your laptop does not have one of these, you have to start thinking of investing in another one.
Ensure that you buy one with multiple of these ports. With the ports, you can plug your external SSD drive and hard drives.
You can also decide to connect a fancy external keyboard or a conventional mouse. USB 3.0 is better than USB 2.0 in speed (10 times faster). This means that you will be taking less time to transfer data with the USB 3.0.
Keyboard
Some of the questions you need to ask yourself before going for one include can it resist spills.
- Is the keyboard backlit?
- Does the keyboard has a Chiclet style keys?
- Is the keyboard soft when you touch it?
Consider these questions, and you will enjoy using your laptop for tasks like typing.
The keyboard will be among the laptop parts that you will use most. Make sure you chose the one that you will be comfortable with.
With a good keyboard, you can type for long without getting tired. You will not like a keyboard that will not allow you to touch specific buttons in peace. This can affect the overall user experience.
You need a laptop with full-sized keys, space near the arrow keys, and a comfortable layout. Ensure that the keys have snappy responsiveness and suitable downstroke travel when you release them.
You will enjoy backlit keys since they will allow you to type even in dim light rooms since you can see the keys.
The best thing with the keyboard is that you can try it before purchasing one. Ensure that you are comfortable with the keyboard, especially if your main work with the machine will be typing.
Touchpad
This the part of the laptop that you will use most unless you choose just to keep your laptop idle in desks. You will use this when controlling inputs.
There are awful touchpads, good touchpads, and great touchpads. Choose the touchpad according to your test and preferences.
Some will prefer soft, some smooth and others textured. Whichever the touchpad you will prefer, take it to test drive to determine if it is of the required standard.
Price of other substitutes
You will find laptops at different prices in the market. In today’s market, you can get a laptop for a lower price, and they can perform daily computing activities or even better.
Do proper research before buying one to balance your budget and get the best features and price.
Compare the prices of the laptop you want to buy to other laptops with the same features. Be keen not to pay for the brand.
Some laptops will tend to be expensive due to the brand, but you can get a cheaper one with the same quality and save a lot of money.
Price of the laptop you want to buy
Compare the prices of the available laptop varieties in the market. Do proper research from luxury models to cheap notebooks.
Cheap price should not lead you into buying a low-quality machine. Ensure that the small notebook you want to acquire has all the desired features and qualities.
These include portability, battery life, performance, connectivity style, and security.
Preference, in most cases, influences the buying price of the computer. However, different people approach the buying of the laptop from different angles.
Some will consider the quality where others will look at the price as one of the factors when deciding on the laptop they can purchase. With proper research, you will land on a good deal at a cheaper price.
Screen quality
Since you will spend most of your time staring at your laptop screen, you have to ensure that you get a screen that you will be comfortable when using the laptop.
The first thing you have to consider when thinking of a laptop screen is whether you want a touchscreen laptop.
These are the most common ones nowadays, and they seem to make work easier compared to the other ones.
One advantage of touchscreen laptops is that they can add undesirable glossiness to the screen display.
Glossy screen results in reflections, thus not good for gaming, editing photos, or watching your favourite content.
If this will annoy you, you will have to buy a laptop that does not have a touch screen.
Do not forget to consider the resolution of the laptop that you want to purchase.
If you want adequate space for better viewing of your things and lining up the windows, you will have to buy the one with Full HD resolution — 1920×1080 in this case.
Some modern laptop has 4K resolutions. However, these types are extremely expensive. However, if you want them for some professions like content creation, they worth your wallet.
If you are a videographer or photographer, consider buying laptops that will provide you with wider support colour gamut, colour accuracy, and standard HDR.
Build quality
As much as you will try hard to prevent your laptop from falling, it probably finds itself dropped or knocked during day-to-day activities in the home or office.
To prevent this, some of the modern laptops are designed to withstand dust and rain. They are in such a way that they can survive the harsh education environment.
They have high grate protection features. Some can be cleaned using liquids. However, you must be careful with this and as for testing if possible.
Manufacturers will always exaggerate about this. Go ahead and do your research to avoid paying more for less.
You can also visit online pages and see how various customers have reacted to the type of laptop you want to buy.
This can increase your confidence in purchasing your desired device as well as save you from paying a lot in something that will not last you.
TPM and Fingerprint Reader
Fingerprint readers are good at signing in to mobile phones. The newest Windows 10 OS has incorporated them in its Hello System.
With some latest or make of the laptop, you can use your fingerprint whenever logging in to your laptop.
Everyone has unique fingerprints and thus hard to fake while it is easy for one to fake your password.
If you are concerned about the security of your data, the latest portable laptops with fingerprints will provide a solution to you.
Laptop’s Warranty
As questions such as specific exclusion or inclusion of given hardware components, how long will the included warranty last, and how much it will cost you if you may need an extended warranty?
Consider if you need an extended warranty since you will have to pay for it.
However, there is comfort in knowing that you will receive compensation if your laptop breaks anytime soon once you purchase it.
However, this has to follow some rules before you benefit from it. Your manufacturers should give all this information to you.
The good thing is that laptops function for longer periods making the need for extended warrant unnecessary.
Conclusion
There are various brands of laptops available in the market. Using some tips, you can get the best one without having to spend a lot.
The first thing you have to consider is what you intend to use the laptop for.
Once you determine the use, you can now analyze the best features that you would like your laptop to have.
Now consider your budget. Buy the laptop that best suits your budget.
However, if you can get your best laptop due to your purchasing power, ensure that you purchase one with the upgrading options for future maximization of your investments.
It is very rare to get all that you want in one laptop. Price is the ultimate thing that will corner you when you want to go for a certain laptop or PC.
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