Getting a new laptop should be fun, but instead, it can feel like climbing a mountain. This article aims to demystify the technical aspects of getting a new laptop so you can focus on picking the right one for you.
Which brand, model, specification, and features all need to be considered so you can find which laptop best fits your budget. To get started, you need to look at CPU speed, storage, RAM and a number of other aspects. The best place to start is to consider what you use your laptop for – in other words, your use case.
Defining your use case
It is too easy to say that you need your laptop to do everything. Think carefully about what you use it for – it may even be worth making a shortlist.
The reason for doing so is because things that are great features to some users can be a burden to others. Heavy-duty PCs with graphics cards and large 4K screens may be perfect for hardcore gamers that never move their laptops around. But for regular flyers that hop around to offsite meetings and work in the field that same screen and bulky PC could present problems. It is horses for courses.
Even on the technical aspects, it pays to do your homework. Some new releases do not pay off, and in some cases, older CPUs for example can be more efficient than a later rollout.
Size and form
In some aspects of life-size does in fact matter. With laptops, bigger is not necessarily better, as is the case with the example we have already seen. But think about the size when you make your choice because unlike other parts of your machine you cannot alter this if you change your mind. Likewise, think about the weight and whether you would be comfortable carrying it around.
Laptops generally range from 11.6” to 17.3”, and most but not all vendors offer three screen sizes. All sizes have pros and cons, but there is a balance to be struck between graphics capabilities and portability.
This may seem a lot to factor into simply buying a laptop. But doing so will ensure you end up with a machine that does what you expect it to.
The screen
Do not underestimate the screen. This is the part of your laptop you look at the most and will bring your digital world to life. Go for size and resolution that feels comfortable for you and will do what you need it to whether that is gaming, video streaming, web browsing or business applications.
Is touchscreen for you? Some users rely on it while others prefer the keyboard, mouse and touchpad control. Remember that touchscreens functionality can sometimes give a glare to the screen display.
Also, be sure to get an appropriate screen resolution for your needs. Some of the latest laptops offer the highest end 4K resolutions. This is probably only worthwhile for the most serious gamers or creative designers. For other users, this quality of screen can add cost to cheap laptops, reduce battery life and increase the demands on the processor.
Try before you buy
There are laptops for sale online and in-store. Although online shopping is easy, take some time if you can go into a store and actually pick up the laptop. Test it for touch, weight, portability and all the things you will be doing with it on a daily basis.
You can also use your time in-store to test things like the 4K screen resolution. If you look and struggle to see the difference, it may not be worth the investment or drain on battery for your requirements. When you do this, take into account that the store will want you to see the top-quality screen in its best possible light, so it will be operating on maximum settings – and battery usage.
Key in on the keyboard
If you will be using your laptop for business purposes, you should also pay some attention to the keyboard. Look at the size of the keys – although all those random symbols may seem useful at the time, ask yourself how often you will really need to use them. Go for a simple keyboard that will give you everything you need but at the same time be easy to navigate.
Although it may seem a little old school to go into a store and look at a physical device, it is worth it before you make an investment like a new laptop.
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