Buying a laptop is a serious and important point for many people since users usually want to get a device that will work properly for many years. So, what are the most significant points that should be considered when choosing a laptop?
Purpose of the Device
If you choose a laptop for office work, and the range of your software needs is mainly limited to word processing, search engine and email, you should not consider sophisticated models too much. A simple laptop without numerous additional features or blown specifications will be enough for work and light online entertainment such as playing a crypto casino or downloading simple games.
If you want to get a truly versatile laptop, choose models with either Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor inside. Pair this with at least 8 GB of RAM and it will be enough for some basic needs. Additionally, you might want to consider laptops with discrete graphics for demanding game titles.
Size and Weight Matters
As for size, this will depend on your preferences but if you are planning to carry a laptop all day, take the display size into account – they are usually heavier. On that note, the optimal display size for mobility is around 11 to 14 inches – which is really convenient for most since screen size also reflects the price – with a few exclusions. For instance, ASUS is a well-known for its basic laptops with affordable prices but they also offer the same size at a more premium price featuring better screens, build quality and performance.
Single or Dual Channel RAM
The rule “the more, the better” always works in relation to laptop RAM and personal computers in general. However, the type of RAM modules used is no less important, and there’s one point that is worth noting. As a rule, dual channel memory will be faster compared to single channel memory. That said, make sure to get a laptop model with such configuration if possible.
Integrated or Discrete Graphics
Video cards in laptops are divided into two main categories: integrated and discrete graphics. The first ones use the integrated or built-in graphics core of the processor and do not have their own memory. However, modern integrated graphics boast a sufficient level of performance even for simple games, not to mention basic tasks.
Discrete graphics is a separate video chip with its own memory, which is more productive, but more costly – some users don’t even need this feature. They should be chosen only if you plan to do video editing on a laptop, play graphically intensive games or perform other GPU resource-intensive tasks. Forbes offers some newly released models that would be perfect for those who need a more powerful device.
Cooling System
A laptop can overheat even if a user performs the simplest of tasks. With the advent of energy-efficient processors, more and more manufacturers are abandoning active cooling in favor of passive cooling in lightweight laptops, which makes the device completely silent – a benefit for many people.
Sometimes, when a computer is overloaded, the cooling system may not cope well with heat dissipation. To protect the processor from overheating, it may reduce its frequency, negatively affecting the work speed – in worst cases, your unit my shutdown to prevent damage. In active cooling systems, in such situations, the fan speed simply increases. Lucky enough, most laptops still use an active cooling solution but keep this in mind when shopping for one.
Display Brightness and Coating
When talking about a display, people often consider only its size, forgetting about comfort for their eyes. The number of pixels is certainly a key feature, but it’s important not to forget about the brightness of the display. However, if a person travels quite often or works in public places, the brightness of the laptop’s display should be at least able to reach 300 nits.
Additionally, screen coating should also be considered. Avoid glossy coatings if you are planning to use your laptop mainly outdoors. Glossy screens are pretty at optimal environments, but they are not really suitable for areas with harsh or sub-optimal lighting.
Storage
Generally, you would want plenty of storage from the get go – maybe a terabyte or two is enough for starters. Capacity aside, you would want to invest on an SSD for the boot drive and your most used applications.
Warranty and Support
Like with many electronic devices, a good warranty period for a newly bought laptop is a must. Take extra notes as to what is included or covered during its period. No coverage for spills? Then take extra caution for such scenarios. Also consider an extended warranty or value added services such as 24/7 support.
