Are you looking for a new laptop that can fit your current lifestyle and needs? There’s more that you should consider other than the brand of the laptop. The best laptop that you want to purchase should check all the boxes of your criteria. This laptop buying guide will help you spend your money on the perfect laptop. Read on to learn some helpful tips for buying a laptop.
Know What Operating System You Want
One of the essential tips for buying a laptop is knowing what operating system you want. There are three main types: macOS, Windows, and Chrome OS.
macOS
All Macbooks come with Apple’s operating system, macOS. The user interface of their operating system looks and feels elegant. Compared to other operating systems, the macOS has a higher price tag.
Macbooks have an interface similar to Windows, but they have the taskbar at the screen’s top. They use fast hardware, but they can’t handle gaming and other high-intensive tasks. You have to spend a lot more money to get a Macbook that can handle tasks like editing.
The rigid design of macOS means that you get less freedom to customize your laptop. There is also no swapping out for memory and storage. Another downside is that Macbooks aren’t made for touch, so you can’t buy one with a touchscreen.
Chrome OS
The Chrome OS is a platform that uses Google Chrome as its browser and controls the interface. It has a simple and secure interface that focuses on affordability and web-based apps. Chrome Os powers all Chromebooks and is more affordable than the other two.
Chromebooks can now use Google Play and download Android apps that you can use offline. The Chrome OS laptops are cheaper because of their lower hardware requirements. Chromebooks are ideal for schools and those who only need to browse and shop online.
Windows OS
There is a wide diversity of laptops that run on Windows. Many manufacturers use Windows OS such as HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, and so on. You can choose more types of laptops if you’re finding a laptop with Windows OS.
Windows has a more open-ended interface where you can customize the design as you like. It’s an operating system that is ideal for game development and business-related software. Windows also get the most updates for patches and new features.
Choose the Right Type of Laptop
There are plenty of laptop categories with a specific audience in mind or with a particular use. Decide what you intend to use the laptop for and pick one that fits your lifestyle. Here are some of the most common types of laptops:
2-in-1 Laptops
A 2-in-1 combines a laptop and a tablet with convertibility and convenience in mind. You can either flip the keyboard under the screen or detach the screen from the keyboard. It’s a great laptop that gives versatility, but it can add to the weight.
Ultrabooks
This type of laptop is extra-light and portable with great battery power. It’s ideal for traveling due to the design being compact and lightweight. Ultrabooks make use of SSDs and power-efficient Intel processors.
Business Laptops
A business laptop offers the best features targeted at professionals. These laptops give a larger display with great color accuracy aimed at photographers and video editors. They pack a long-lasting battery life with tough and rugged shells.
They also offer more protective measures like biometric validation. The only downside of business laptops is that they’re more on the expensive side.
Gaming Laptop
These laptops have high-end processors to process high-intensive tasks, especially gaming. Gaming laptops have better graphic chips, but they require more power. The components take more power, making the battery short-lived.
Take A Good Look At the Specs
The hardware of laptops determines the performance that you get. The better the components, the more expensive it can get for the prices on laptops. Here are some hardware parts that you need to know more about when looking at laptop deals.
Processor
The CPU or processor of a laptop is the brain that does most of the general work. It handles accessing and changing the data on your laptop. Intel’s latest processors include its Core i3 to i9 series with the 10th and 11th generation models.
If you tend to multitask tasks, we recommend going for at least an Intel Core i7 CPU. A multi-core setup will help better your performance for your laptop. Avoid buying older generations if you plan to do heavy-intensive tasks like editing.
Memory
The system memory or RAM is the hardware for temporarily storing data. It keeps and accesses the data for immediate use. The more RAM you have on a laptop, the more things you can do simultaneously.
8GB is the best RAM for most. You can still enjoy running intensive apps and do different kinds of content creation.
Ports
Many laptops offer all kinds of USB ports and SD card slots. It would help if you made sure that the connections you own match the ports on the laptop. Check if it is USB-A, USB-C, an HDMI, and a Display Port.
Keyboard/Touchpad
If you plan to do a lot of work on your laptop, consider the keyboard ergonomics. Consider the key travel and space between the keys. You should also check the precision touchpad drivers.
If you find a more accurate touchpad, it won’t give you jumpy cursors. It can respond well to your multitouch gestures like pinch-to-zoom. You can also get a pointing stick to help you navigate your desktop without lifting your fingers off the keyboard.
Battery Life
A battery with a short life tends to be troublesome if you love to travel around. To avoid having to charge every hour, consider a laptop with the best battery life. Opt for a battery life that can last at least seven to eight hours.
Resolution
The Graphics processing unit or GPU handles the images you see on your screen. The more pixels you have on the laptop, the more you can fit onto your screen. Go for a 1080p display for the best saving, battery life, and resolution.
Shape and Size
Laptops come in a range of sizes and shapes, from 11 inches to 17 inches. Consider the size of the screen and laptop if you like to carry your laptop around with you. Try not to get swept away with the components, and be sure to see if the dimensions fit your lifestyle.
Consider the Laptop Brand
When diving into laptops as a beginner, you need to know the brands you can run into. Let’s take a look at the most popular brands, from body designs to customer services.
Lenovo
Lenovo is the most reviewed brand with a wide selection of laptops. It has some of the best reviews across the board, but they have slow customer support. Their most popular line is the Thinkpad, especially the T470 and X1 Carbon.
Apple
Apple is one of the best brands with great customer support. Their only line, the Macbooks, offers smooth performance. The only problem with Apple is its expensive price tags.
Razer
Razer is a premier brand of gaming laptops with their most popular line, Blade. Most laptops they offer have a thin design that doesn’t sacrifice any power and components. The only downside to Razer is their limited model options.
Asus
The well-designed bodies of Asus laptops offer great portability and performance. Asus can offer all types of laptops on the market in their store. However, they lack customer service and can make you wait for hours before answering your call.
Acer
Acer laptops come in many models with excellent values. Acer has its E-series line, with its best laptop being Nitro 5 Spin. According to their customer reviews, customer support needs some work.
Dell
The Dell laptops may not be the best for heavy-intensive tasks, but they have great customization settings. They offer dedicated and personalized customer support. Dell’s best thing is that they push through with new ideas and innovations for their new laptops.
Avoid Paying Too Much
Simply because a laptop is expensive, it doesn’t mean that it’ll offer all the features you need. Don’t spend money on extra components like storage if you know you don’t need it. The best way to save money when buying laptops is to budget and understand what you need.
Always Check the Reviews
Reading the feedback from other customers is the best way to learn more about the laptop. Check if the specs of the laptop can handle certain tasks like editing and doing assignments. Read as many reviews as you can to have an in-depth understanding of the laptop.
Tips For Buying A Laptop
Now’s the time to check whether the laptops you have in mind can handle what you do every day. Would you please not buy a laptop simply because it’s expensive and many people own it? Take the time to use these tips to buy a laptop, analyze the specs, and check if it fits with what you do for a living.
Now that you know what to look for, which laptops should you get from your preferred brand? Check out our guides to learn the best laptops for each brand today!
