Buying a laptop is one big task, similar to that of buying a phone.
See here: (things to consider when making a choice of smartphone),
This is simply because there are a lot of things to consider. As the need to use the internet daily increases, so does the need to own a laptop. Maybe not completely for the purpose of being on the internet but for a wide range of other reasons such as learning programming, coding, web development, even gaming.
Lots of people have different reasons for wanting to get a laptop, but the question is What do I consider to get the best suited PC for me?
With so many laptops to pick from, deciding which one is the best fit for your budget can be a big deal. It's difficult enough to keep up with the ever-changing list of product specs. Laptops differ substantially in terms of CPU speed, graphics capability, size, storage capacity, and RAM, among other features.
Furthermore, your laptop requirements may differ significantly from those of others, adding to the complexity.
In this article we are going to try as much as possible to streamline only the most important aspects of a computer to look out for should you want to make a choice.
Here is my list of important factors to note when buying a Personal Computer (PC):
1. Brand/Company:
This is certainly one of the first things people tend to consider when they want to buy a laptop.
I have heard countless times, "I want a HP laptop", "I want a dell product", "I would love to get a MacBook (Apple laptop)". It is important to note that choice of brand affects the choice of operating system. This is because, by default, HP laptops come with Windows Operating System whereas Mac Books come with MacOS.
It all depends on who is buying the system. Most people tend to want by default a Windows OS thus, the choice of a HP or a Dell laptop. On the other hand, not everyone who wants a MacBook chooses it because of the OS. Most times its for other weird reasons.
But if you know what you want then you would want to have a look at our second item on the list.
2. Operating System:
For those who know exactly what they want or have good knowledge of laptops, this happens to be the first thing they tend to consider.
You must first determine which operating system (OS) is suitable for you before looking at laptops. Consider what software you'll need to run and on which operating systems it'll run. This will help you figure out what hardware you'll require.
Basically are four major operating systems for computers. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Here's a quick rundown of each:
Windows:
This is a very reliable and user-friendly operating system. 7 out of 10 laptop owners have used a windows PC on way or another.
If you require Microsoft applications such as MS Office, Access, or Outlook, this is the best option.
There are also more Windows laptops available than any other operating system in the market. The latest version of this operating system is the Windows 11.
MacOS:
Although Apple's MacOS is more user-friendly than Windows, it is still firmly tied to the company's hardware.
you don't have an iPhone or iPad, it probably isn't your first pick. As it maintains a certain form of interface uniformity across all their devices.
Chrome OS:
Chrome OS is a fantastic choice if you can accomplish most of your laptop operations in a web browser.
Chrome laptops (also known as Chromebooks) are among the cheapest (and least powerful) on the market, thus the operating system is worth considering if you're on a tight budget.
The drawback is that software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office will not work. Some software, such as Office, have Android phone/tablet versions that you might be able to install on your Chromebook, but I've noticed that Android apps don't always perform well on Chromebooks.
Linux:
You can install Linux on almost any piece of laptop hardware ever manufactured if you don't require MS Office and don't mind a learning curve.
The drawback is that popular programs such as Microsoft Office and Adobe's Creative Suite will not work. Alternatives such as LibreOffice, Darktable (an Adobe Lightroom substitute), and GIMP are all free and open source (Adobe Photoshop replacement).
3. Storage:
A laptop with more storage capacity can easily do tasks in the background. It's usually a good idea to have more capacity in your laptop so you can keep media files and give the device more room to boot up smoothly. Hard drives are majorly of 2 types:
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
Hard drives have of recent fallen out of favor, particularly in thin and light laptops. This is due to the fact that they are slow, bulky, and emit substantial heat and noise.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
On the other hand, a Solid-State Drive (SSD), is significantly faster than a hard drive, operates quietly, and may be put in a form factor that reduces the weight and bulk of a laptop.
Most OEMs have adopted SSD storage as the standard for laptops as a result of these evident benefits.
If you get an SSD for your new laptop, you'll be amazed at how rapidly it can load apps, retrieve data, and boot up.
The only issue is that SSDs don't have as much raw capacity as hard drives. Furthermore, SSD storage is frequently more expensive than traditional hard drives in terms of dollars per gigabyte.
You may be stuck with a disk that is 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB in capacity, which would cost far more than a 1TB or 2TB hard drive.
Many laptop and PC manufacturers now combine a smaller SSD with a bigger hard drive to compensate. This gives customers the speed advantages of keeping their operating system on SSD storage while still having enough space for the rest of their data.
If you go with this dual-drive arrangement, you'll need an SSD with a minimum of 256GB of storage and a backup drive with a minimum of 1TB of capacity. If your laptop just has a single SSD drive, you'll want to make sure it has at least 512GB of storage capacity
NVMe solid-state drives, which are quicker than regular SSDs but also more expensive, are found in the latest, fastest laptops. If you're buying a new laptop in 2020, be sure it has a solid-state drive (SSD).
However, don't feel obligated to upgrade to the most recent model. While it's true that newer SSDs have faster speeds than older models, the largest benefits are connected to the basic improvements that SSDs provide over traditional hard drive storage.
4. RAM (Random Access Memory):
RAM, or random-access memory, is what your laptop uses to store data temporarily while the processor processes it. Laptops with more RAM have better multitasking capabilities.
Consider RAM to be your workstation. You should be able to fit everything you're working on right now on your desk. Things fall off if your desk is too small, and you can't work on them.
Similarly, if you run out of RAM, you won't be able to open any more browser tabs or complete your video compilation. Your laptop will eventually freeze and need to be restarted.
You can figure out how much RAM your laptop needs based on what you'll be using it for, such as office work, gaming, video rendering, casual surfing, programming, and so on.
Eight gigabytes of RAM should be adequate for the average Windows user, while upgrading to 16 GB will make your laptop considerably more competent (and is a necessity for gaming). Before making a purchase, check to see if the RAM is soldered to the motherboard. You won't be able to upgrade the RAM yourself if it's soldered.
You'll need at least 16 GB of RAM if you're gaming and compiling software or rendering video clips, both of which take a lot of RAM. If you can afford it, you'll probably be pleased with 32 GB.
Chrome OS, like CPUs, consumes fewer resources. You can get away with 4 GB of RAM on a Chromebook, but upgrading to 8 GB will allow you to open more tabs in your browser without slowing it down.
Aim for RAM that says DDR4 on the package. The abbreviation DDR stands for double data rate. DDR4 RAM is fast and exactly what you need.
DDR3 RAM is an older type of memory that is becoming less popular. Most laptops feature DDR4 RAM, but manufacturers will indicate the type with the amount on their websites, so double-check before you buy.
Note: Computers have RAM compatibility, as not just any type or size of RAM can work on any laptop. Laptops have a maximum to which it's RAM can be upgraded.
5. Processor (CPU):
When purchasing a new laptop, it's difficult to ignore any of Intel's Core-based CPUs. Even if you're not familiar with the technical intricacies, you've probably noticed the tags on all new laptops for Intel's Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors.
When it comes to multitasking and multimedia tasks, many users find that an Intel Core Processor delivers the greatest results. Core i3-based notebooks are typically found in entry-level systems, whereas Core i5-based computers make up the majority of mainstream machines.
Core i7-based devices are for individuals who demand the most out of their laptops. However, keep in mind that with a Core i7-based machine, heat from the laptop's base can be an issue, especially if you plan to use it on your lap a lot.
Intel's i9 Core processors are now available in certain bigger laptops. Laptops with Intel Core i9 CPUs are even more powerful than those with Intel Core i7 processors. They can compete with desktops in terms of performance, but they cost substantially more than a laptop with an i7, i5, or i3 Core Processor.
AMD's Ryzen Mobile CPUs are currently available in laptops and notebooks from a few OEMs. If you're a gamer, this is an especially appealing choice to explore.
Ryzen Mobile CPUs are typically combined with AMD's Vega graphics chipsets, which are currently significantly superior than Intel's integrated graphics for gaming.
There are a few limitations here, but because laptops powered by AMD's Ryzen Mobile CPUs are slightly less expensive than Intel rivals, they can offer superior value.
Note: AMD processor is best recommended for gamers and users of heavy software that require a lot of graphics.
6. Graphics Card:
Although all laptops contain graphics cards (also known as "discrete" graphics and GPU), the majority of them are integrated into the motherboard with the processor.
This method, known as "integrated graphics," is suitable for the majority of users. You'll have no trouble watching HD movies or playing casual games.
You'll need a laptop with a discrete graphics card (a separate graphics card with far more efficiency) if you're a gamer or do a lot of video editing. A vast majority of graphics cards found in laptops are made by AMD and Nvidia.
Most Intel-based laptops will come with an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, usually one of the Max-Q cards, which are Nvidia's power-saving, laptop-friendly spin-offs of their desktop cards.
The card name is frequently followed by Max-Q: for example, the GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q. (A card with a 2,000-level rating is more powerful, but it may have a shorter battery life). Although the Max-Q cards are 15 to 25% less powerful than the desktop equivalents, they are still adequate for gaming and video editing.
AMD's GPU line is called Radeon and ranges from the top end Vega and RX cards down to R-series cards that mirror the Ryzen naming scheme, where the Radeon R9 is faster and more powerful than the Radeon R7 series, which is more powerful than the Radeon 5 series.
7. Battery Life:
Of what use is a good laptop without a good battery life to let you enjoy most of its qualities long enough before plugging?
It is important to note that battery life given by manufacturers is nearly never representative of the real-world experience of using a laptop.
There are far too many factors that influence battery life. The screen brightness, screen resolution, number of background apps, and whether or not you are actively connected to Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices are all factors.
The operating system that a laptop runs on can also have a significant impact on battery life. Due to this, Chrome OS ultrabooks and convertibles have a longer battery life than Windows 10 ultrabooks and convertibles.
If you operate apps that require a lot of processing power, stream a lot of internet video, play graphics-intensive games, or transmit a lot of information over a wireless network, your battery will drain far faster than the manufacturer claims.
Examining the battery's rating in Watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours is a good idea here (mAh). The higher these numbers are, the longer the battery will endure. A battery rated between 50Wh and 60Wh will provide the greatest results for a 13.3in Ultrabook, for example.
Another important feature to look for is fast charging. Many contemporary computers, like modern smartphones, support fast charging, which is always very useful.
8. Display:
The more pixels you have, the more content you can fit on-screen and the finer your image will appear. Unfortunately, some inexpensive laptops and a few business laptops still feature 1366 x 768 screens, but if you can afford it, we recommend upgrading to a panel that runs at 1920 x 1080, sometimes known as Full HD or 1080p. Higher-end laptops include screens with resolutions of 2560 x 1600, 3200 x 1800, or even 3840 x 2160 (4K), all of which look sharp but use more power, reducing battery life.
There's a lot more to display quality than just resolution. Color and brightness of IPS screens vary. We usually seek for outcomes with a sRGB color rating of over 100 percent and a brightness of more than 300 nits. Consider an OLED panel if you want the finest picture quality and don't worry about battery life.
With regards to screen size, The ideal blend of utility and portability is found between 12.5 and 14 inches. If you don't travel often, larger screens are good, while smaller models are ideal for children.
Comments
Post a Comment