6 Things to Consider
Although the tech landscape constantly changes, laptops remain the center of many digital lives.
However, buying a laptop hasnt necessarily become any easier.
This buying guide will help you choose the best laptop for your needs and budget.
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Of course, just because these laptops dont offer fancy features, that doesnt mean theyre not worth buying.
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By and large, there are two different kinds of 2-in-1s, each with critical differences.
First is the detachable 2-in-1.
The downside is that space is limited for internal things like the processor and battery.
As a result, detachable 2-in-1s are often lower-powered than convertible ones.
Ultrabooks
Generally considered the cutting edge of laptop design,ultrabooksare often pretty powerful too.
Ultrabooks must make a few trade-offs to keep a slim profile.
Intel’s mobile chips are increasingly more robust and capable of handling most things people will throw at them.
These devices are built for versatility and performance and are probably the best choice beyond the basics.
After all, time is money.
At the same time, you probably want something durable and able to handle life on the road.
What Operating System Do You Prefer?
A computersoperating system (OS), the software that runs on it, shapes the laptop user experience.
Others, especially those who have grown up using it, will prefer to stick with Windows.
And those who need something basic and easy to use may like Googles Chrome OS.
Heres a rundown of the different operating systems for computers and their main differences.
The most recent version is Windows 11, which Microsoft regularly updates.
There are a few advantages to using Windows over other operating systems.
Windows has the widest selection of apps and games available, for starters.
If youve used Windows for a while, you should be able to get around it quickly.
If you havent, learning the operating system shouldnt be difficult.
Last but not least is security.
Still, using an antivirus tool on your Windows computer is recommended.
There are several advantages to using a macOS computer over other laptops.
Of course, that level of usability isn’t without downsides.
macOS has far fewer games available than a Windows computer.
It’s a little different than the other operating systems on this list, mainly because it’s web-based.
That means that Chrome OS doesn’t take much power to run well.
Most people, however, dont need one.
The sweet spot for most seems to be in the 13-inch range.
Youll also want to considerdisplay resolution.
The higher the resolution, the clearer the image.
Touch screens are standard among 2-in-1 laptops, but some non-convertible laptops also have touch screens.
Of course, there are downsides to these capacitive displays.
Touch screen computers are generally more expensive.
Which Processor and RAM Should a Laptop Have?
The computer’s brain is the processor orcentral processing unit (CPU).
All this is to say buying a laptop with a decent processor is critical.
We won’t dive deep into how processors work, but here are the basics.
That’s because some processors have more “cores.”
With two cores, a processor can process two tasks at a time.
With four, it can process four things.
Apps and services on your rig are in RAM, where the processor can quickly access them if needed.
By and large, more RAM is better, but there are caveats.
Faster RAM, for instance, can hog battery life and can get pricey.
Any less than 8GB makes sense for budget computers focused on web browsing and passive media consumption.
More intense activities like gaming and video editing might necessitate more RAM.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
These flash storage devices are quieter, smaller, and more resilient than their spinning disk-based predecessors.
If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
AlthoughSSDs are objectively better than hard drives, they cost significantly more.
What About Optical Drives?
Laptops have mostly eliminated the optical disc drive since streaming has become mainstream.
Still, some might prefer to play DVDs and CDs from their laptop.
Laptops with built-in disc drives still exist, it’s just rare.
Who Should Buy a Laptop?
Every household could benefit from a laptop.
What Should I Do After I Buy a Laptop?
Once you unbox your new laptop, setup is easy.
