When shopping for a laptop, you need to consider factors beyond performance and weight. There are many additional things, such as screen dimensions, battery life, and keyboard and connection options, that you need to think about.
Let’s look at some of the factors that one should consider when buying a laptop.
1.Processor
One of the first things to consider in a laptop is the CPU. The latest laptop CPUs include Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors, which outperform older single core Intel processors (eg Pentium M). Other laptops use the AMD Athlon Turion 64 X2 dual-core processor, which is also a good performer. In general, though, if you’re looking for a laptop, I’d advise looking for one with an Intel Core Duo processor. You can also read this guide for more information.
2. System memory
The amount of RAM in the laptop is very important. If you’re not short of cash, my advice is to get at least 1 GB of RAM; that’s the bare minimum you need to get newer PC apps running fast. Also remember that you can always add more memory to your existing laptop. You might be interested in this short guide on how to install new memory modules in a laptop.
3. Graphic memory
Laptop graphics is another feature you’ll want to consider. Typically I’d say you should go for 128MB of dedicated video RAM. Also, make sure that graphics memory is used for graphics use only and not shared with main memory. If you intend to play games on the laptop, look for advanced 3D graphics chips with approximately 256MB to 512MB of dedicated graphics memory. However, be prepared to shell out a lot more money.
4. Screen
You’ll also want to take a look at the laptop screen. Laptop screens have gotten bigger recently. Most of them have been converted to widescreen so you can watch movies or edit spreadsheets more comfortably.
If you intend to use the laptop a lot from home, then I would go for a 17-inch widescreen. If you’re more concerned with portability or travel a lot, then laptops with 12.1-inch or 13.3-inch screens may be more suitable for you. There are also 14.1 or 15-inch screens for laptops, but I think manufacturers are moving away from these models.
5. Battery
Here’s another critical factor: the laptop’s battery life. I personally find it very frustrating when my laptop runs out of power after 15 minutes at Starbucks. What you should do is buy a laptop that has about 3.5 hours of battery life, powered by a Core Duo or Core 2 Duo processor. Be sure to ask the retailer how long the battery can last; a short battery life is usually a deal breaker for me.
6. Keyboard and pointing device
Some people believe that the keyboard and pointing device on a laptop are important. If you have big fingers, you might be more comfortable typing on a larger laptop keyboard than a small one. Be sure to test the laptop – get a feel for typing and browsing before you buy the laptop.
7. Optical drives
I would generally recommend getting a laptop with a DVD rewritable drive at the very least. One thing you should know is that some laptops sacrifice a DVD drive in exchange for lighter weight and portability. If you think you don’t need a DVD drive all the time, you might want to get a model that doesn’t have one.
8. Hard drives
In the laptop hard drive department, what can I say? More is better. These days, you can get laptop hard drives in sizes 160GB or larger. You can also get SATA hard drives if you have more cash.
9.Weight
Another thing to consider is the weight of the laptop. Now when buying a laptop, always remember that the total weight includes the laptop AND the AC adapter, external modules and their cables. These can add up to quite a bit of weight.
10. Communications
These days, you’ll find that most laptops come with at least two USB 2.0 ports; I would recommend it at a minimum. If you do a lot of video editing, then a FireWire (IEEE 1394) port also becomes essential.
You should also check for good network capabilities. Make sure your new laptop has built-in Ethernet capability, a built-in wireless connection, and also built-in Bluetooth (if you need to transfer data between your mobile phone and laptop).
Some of the laptops also include card slots for removable media like CompactFlash, Secure Digital, and MultiMediaCard. If you take a lot of digital photos, then this feature may be important to you.
11. Tips for buying laptops
Phew! That sure is a long list of features to consider when shopping for a laptop. In addition to understanding the features, there are three important laptop buying tips to keep in mind.
Tip #1: How will you use the laptop? One of the problems when you buy a laptop is that you pay for features you don’t really need. One of the best ways to avoid paying too much is to consider how you’ll use the laptop. If it’s primarily for word processing, then settle for a cheaper machine. If it’s for gaming, then you need a more powerful one.
Tip #2: Think About Features You Won’t Compromise You should also keep in mind that there are some basic features in a laptop that you should NOT sacrifice. For example, for me, if I were buying a laptop, I would choose (at a minimum) an Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD, a very small screen size, and a super long battery life. duration. Its list of critical features may vary.
Tip #3: Remember You Can Pick and Choose Most vendors will let you build your own custom laptop. This is a good thing, because you can choose the features you need and not pay anything extra. You can easily buy a faster laptop by accepting a smaller hard drive or DVD drive, for example.
conclusion
I hope this article has shown you the pros and cons of buying a laptop. Remember, a laptop is an expensive device. It will also be something you bring with you wherever you go. Therefore, it is essential that you do proper research and find the right laptop that suits your needs. Remember the above tips next time you’re looking for a laptop, and happy shopping!