If you are in the market for a new laptop, then this laptop buying guide is for you. We will discuss 8 essential tips to consider when buying a laptop to make your decision process easier.
The first thing most people think about when deciding which computer to buy is whether it’s a touchscreen or not. Touchscreens are great because they allow you easy access to all of the features on the screen without having to take your hands off of it. If touch screens aren’t important to you, then don’t rule them out entirely!
It’s a fact many people are looking to buy laptops these days. And also asking, “what should I look for in a laptop?”
Ask yourself what specifics of laptop you need before you go on the laptop hunt.
Whether you’re a student, businessman, or just someone who wants the convenience of having their computer on the go, it is important to know what you should look for when choosing the right laptop. If you want one that will last and offer all the features you need, read this article!
This laptop buying guide will cover tips for buying a laptop from screen size to storage space so that by the end of this post, you will have all the information necessary to make an informed decision about buying a new laptop.
8 Essential Tips For Buying a Laptop
1) How Big Is The Screen?
It is important to decide if you prefer a smaller or larger display. Some people like small displays while others enjoy large ones. It would help if you also chose between standard monitors and wide-screen LCDs. A large screen can be useful for multitasking or when using software such as Adobe Photoshop. An option to go with if you like large monitors would be to get a monitor stand so you can easily prop up your laptop at a comfortable angle.
2) What Memory Do I Need?
There are two types of computers: those with fixed RAM and those with expandable RAM. Fixed RAM means that the total amount of RAM cannot be increased once set. In contrast, expandable RAM allows users to increase the amount of RAM after purchase when needed. Laptops usually come equipped with 2/4/8/16 GB of RAM.
Users can add more RAM later, but it costs $50-$75 to upgrade the RAM. Some factors can help you answer the question to determine how much RAM you need. One factor is the length of time you plan on keeping the laptop. Another factor is the number of programs/applications you use regularly. For example, if you like using photo editing applications, you may opt for greater RAM. Finally, the type of graphics card your laptop uses will affect the amount of additional RAM you want.
3) Do I Need A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)?
Graphics cards work with a CPU to create images that appear on your screen. Most desktops come with integrated graphic units (IGU). They’re pretty simple and can handle most basic tasks. However, they aren’t sufficient for games or other advanced computing. Gamers often opt for an IGU with dedicated gaming hardware built inside. This helps with performance and portability. For example, a Dell Inspiron 7567 has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 1070 8GB GDDR5 graphics card. It is better than the Intel onboard GT 630 graphics chip found in many 15″ laptops.
4) Storage Space
Having enough free space on your hard drive will make it possible for you to install any programs and software downloaded from the internet. Also, having plenty of storage space makes it easy for you to back up files from elsewhere. For example, a 1 TB hard drive can store up to 10,000 MP4 videos. On the consumer front, you’d probably want 500 GB or 1 TB of storage space. Of course, you could always pay a little extra to ensure you have adequate space to download apps and other software.
5) Is It Portable?
This refers to whether or not the laptop is compact and light. The ideal laptop for everyday use is lightweight and has no external accessories. These laptops are great for travel because they don’t weigh much. You don’t need anything else with them apart from an airline ticket.
6) Which operating systems support my program/software?
Are we talking Windows 10, Windows XP, Windows 7, or Mac OS X? Different operating systems support different software and require different drivers. If you want to run certain programs, make sure the operating system is compatible.
7) Can You Connect My Printer?
Today, many printers have wifi capabilities, which means they can be connected to your computer through a wireless network. Other printers must be directly linked to your computer’s serial port. If you choose this route, make sure your desired printer model supports this feature.
8) Does It Have A Good Battery Life?
This laptop buying guide won’t be complete without taking about a laptop’s battery life. As a rule, most 15″ laptops last around three hours or less when watching HD films and browsing the web. Notebooks with extended battery life are more expensive. Your best bet here would be to invest in one of the new MacBook Pro models. Since these notebooks have a newer design, their batteries tend to last longer.
Choosing The Right Laptop: Other Factors To Consider
Here are things to look out for:
Which keyboard should I choose?
A mechanical keyboard is durable due to its “mechanical switches.” Some people complain about the lack of tactile feedback when typing on these keyboards. Instead, you’ll feel a clicky sound as keys are pressed. Mechanical keyboards are also quieter than conventional ones. Look for a laptop with a numeric keypad as well.
Price
We can’t talk about choosing the right laptop without considering the price. However, it’s important to remember that newer laptops are generally more expensive than their older counterparts. That’s not to say that old laptop are cheap, but the newer ones tend to be more expensive. The first aspect we should touch on is the appearance of a laptop. This aspect is often overlooked when purchasing a new laptop and can play a big role in determining the price of your new device.
The higher the price gets, the better your experience will be. For an average user; $1000 is more than enough, while if you’re someone who works with huge files and needs to manage multiple people’s documents at once, then a better laptop would be around $2000 and above
A nice, sleek-looking laptop with an all-metal look will usually be priced higher than one that has a plastic casing. However, today, plenty of models have these nice metal finishes and are available at cheaper prices than their plastic counterparts.
MacBook air Buying Guide
The MacBook Air is a great laptop, and if you’re trying to decide between a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro, you might want to consider this buying guide. It will give you the essential tips to help you make your decision. You’ll also find lots of tips for making your new purchase as successful as possible!