What do you need your laptop for?
When choosing a new laptop, it is a good idea to figure out the type of use you will expect of it.
Low intensity uses include social networking, household admin such as utility bills or banking, managing digital photo albums, sending emails, sharing photos and videos with others.
- Regular/average use: Listening to music and watching movies, creating spreadsheets, and working on documents.
- Demanding use: Juggling multiple tabs and programs at the same time, video production, and post-production work.
Choosing cheap laptops may seem appealing, but the greater demands you will place on your laptop, the higher the spec you will need.
The build of the hardware
One of the key reasons customers buy portable laptops compared to the traditional build-in design is because they will most likely need to carry it around. When buying a new device, clients often look at how much the product weighs, and its efficiency. You should test the sturdiness and see how well the clasps hold together, as well as checking the keyboard’s spacing and durability to allow comfortable typing. The trackpad/mouse should function well and let you scroll, click, and zoom in or out without lagging or skipping.
If you can’t test a laptop’s durability before completing your purchase, check reviews and details to see exactly how the device is made and whether it will satisfy all of your needs.
2-in-1 vs conventional laptops
When you are choosing the form and portability of your laptop, you should decide which type would best suit your needs.
The traditional computer is slightly bulkier and clumsier compared to the more modern version of a laptop but boasts larger screens and greater compute power. This is because devices have evolved massively over time, and the components that comprise them have become more streamlined.
2-in-1s offer foldable display screens. Some devices come with a detachable keyboard to maximize the tablet experience. This gives flexibility depending on whether the user is typing, watching Netflix, reading, or doing home admin tasks. Look for models that offer a number of USB ports to make for easier connection of peripheral accessories.
Picking the right OS
Most laptops for sale come with pre-installed operating systems. This is what makes your laptop tick. Everything you do on your device is centered on the OS. Choosing your OS to a large extent depends on personal choice.
Windows is the most common and versatile OS. It can be navigated by touchscreen technology, or a conventional keyboard and mouse setup. Windows also has easy user authentication and high-grade security features. It also has many productivity apps that enable collaboration and efficient file sharing.
macOS is the OS of Mac high-end Mac devices. Long-lasting battery and compact designs are hallmarks of the range. They are also highly secure against malware and other forms of cyber-attacks. On the downside, Macs do not come cheap and lack touchscreen functionality.
Chrome OS
Chromebooks play in the entry-level laptop market, and Chrome OS is the operating system that drives them. Users can download apps from the Google Play Store. The store features a variety of productivity tools as well as games and entertainment.
Despite their entry-level prices, Chromebooks are reliable, secure, and easily updated with the latest releases.
Screening your new laptop
Screens are a vital part of your laptop experience. Whether you want a touchscreen or not is the first consideration. Touchscreen tech is currently available on most devices except for Macs.
Think too about the size of your screen. Laptop screens generally range between 11” and 17”. There are pros and cons to smaller and larger sizes. Juggling portability with a screen display is the question you need to ask yourself. This does not just involve the bulkiness of the screen itself – larger screens tend to mean shorter battery life and increased power consumption.
Accessories and peripherals
If you use different accessories with your laptop, check the number of ports it has. You will need these for connecting wired peripherals such as headphones, screens, and cameras. The common ports you will need to look out for are USB (types A and C), Thunderbolt, HDMI and mini-HDMI, and media card slots.
Even without all these, you can usually find adapters for most types of ports, but the more inbuilt ports the better to avoid clutter around your laptop.
It is also important to keep your laptop secure. While passwords still play a role, additional layers of security such as fingerprint readers make it even harder to access your contents.