7 Things You Need to Consider When Buying a Laptop

Are you planning on purchasing a laptop? Before that, you must want to know which key specifications you must consider. Here is your laptop buying guide that helps you make a confident purchasing decision without getting confused between various models.

To streamline a purchasing search, we have enlisted must-have features and specs. Buying a laptop is confusing. Finding the right choice is challenging even when you understand what you want. Let’s jump to laptop purchasing, considering factors.

Operating System (OS)

Determining what software applications you want to install and on which OS that program runs assists in finding the required hardware. Users in Apple’s ecosystem most probably pick a laptop running macOS. Chrome OS can run Android apps, and it keeps updated with new features.

Most applications on the Chrome operating system are web launchers. Windows OS is very capable, and Microsoft licenses it to third-party firms who want to make their systems. A pretty range of apps, especially gaming, run successfully on Windows.

Types of Laptop

Highly slim and lightweight, ultrabooks are made with innovative designs and are pretty powerful. It best suits the needs of people who’re in search of a portable and powerful laptop to take on the go. A gaming laptop is bulkier and thicker but has a powerful processor.

Basic laptops are worth buying if you don’t need a system with fancy features at a high cost. These laptops are not ultra-thin and can’t convert into a tablet. 2-in-1s are versatile laptops that work as tablets and laptops. Business laptops are known for durability, portability, and performance.

Battery Life

Before purchasing a laptop, unbox it and charge the battery to determine battery life. For example, if the Mac won’t charge properly during testing, skip it and pick another model. There are many factors that laptop battery life depends on.

The battery is affected by screen brightness and resolution, apps running in the background, and lots more. Purchasing a bulky and large gaming laptop, users wouldn’t have to worry about battery life. Pick a basic or business laptop with at least 7 hours of battery.

Size and Display

Based on for what purpose you need a laptop, pick the right size, weight, and display. Consider the refresh rate greater than 144Hz. If portability is what you focus on, select a small-size Windows system that weighs between 1-1.5kgs and has 12.5-13.3 inches in size.

Remember that small-sized 13.3” laptops don’t support discrete graphics cards or high-end Intel Core processors available in 15.6” machines. Look at the resolution. 1920×1080-pixel is the least resolution. However, you may today find laptops with 4K resolution.

Graphics Card

Most laptops have integrated or discrete graphics. Integrated graphics is highly demanding among users as it allows playing basic games and watching HD movies without any problem. Pick a laptop with a discrete graphics card if you are a graphics designer and do a lot of editing or are a gamer.

For example, getting a laptop with a built-in Nvidia GeForce MX150 dedicated graphics card is good. But, if you are engaged in watching Netflix or surfing the web, another GPU apart from the built-in one is useless. Radeon R9 is more powerful and faster than the Radeon R7 series.

Storage Capacity

8GB RAM is enough for average Windows users. However, you can upgrade it to 16GB based on your need. But be sure if RAM is connected to the motherboard. If it is smothered, you can’t upgrade the RAM. For graphic designing and programming, 16-32GB is best.

Chrome OS users can get a laptop with 4GB RAM, upgradable up to 8GB. Pick DDR4 RAM as it is quicker than DDR3 RAM. Consider an SSD drive with 256GB. 1-2TB local storage space is recommended if you’re a professional video editor, photographer, or gamer.

Processor Speed

For a general user who performs basic tasks, a system with an Intel Core i5 9th-generation or later is recommended. For example, Intel Core i5-10400U gives you the speed and performance you deserve. A gaming laptop with an i7 (or i9) chip is fine.

If you used to work with extremely large databases or compile software, consider Ryzen 7 or Intel i7. Chrome OS works best with an AMD Ryzen 4000 chip or a minimum of an Intel i3 chip. Your budget plays a vital role in selecting a processor.

Conclusion

Before you spend valuable money on purchasing a laptop, ask some important questions. For example, do you have a need for a numeric keyboard? Which ports do you really need? Do portability and weight are the major concerns for you? What tasks would you perform?

Alongside the above factors, you must also look for additional specifications when making a laptop purchasing decision. You should not miss out on the touchscreen, USB Port, connectivity options, keyboard quality, biometric security, Wi-Fi speed, and of course, price.