Laptops give you the power of a desktop computer whilst also letting you work, surf and do a world of things on the go. There was a time when laptops were considered the lesser between the two but today so many laptops are available and some have better specs than traditional desktops, from big brands such as HP, ASUS, Lenovo and Medion.
With so many laptops with a wide range of specs available, it can make things extremely confusing for those of us who don’t know the specifics. So, join us as we break things down and make it easier for when you’re ready to buy your next laptop with our laptop buying guide!
Processor
Processors (also called CPU) are what determine just how fast your laptop will be, they control the speed at which you are able to run the programs that you use. There are two main manufacturers of processors, the first, and market leaders are Intel and the other is AMD.
Intel Core i7 processors are considered the fastest and most powerful available right now and will let you handle all your tasks efficiently and with ease. AMD processors are also powerful and just like Intel’s processors come in different ranges to suit your needs.
So if you’re someone who uses their computer for photo/video editing or gaming then you would require a more powerful processor. However, if you’re after a laptop for basic use for work and internet browsing you may want to save some money and look for a less powerful processor such as an M Series, Pentium, Celeron or Atom.
Storage and RAM
Most of us get lost in the world of laptop language where RAM and storage is concerned, so we couldn’t have a laptop buying guide without a breakdown of RAM and storage!
RAM which stands for Random Access Memory, is the short term memory of your laptop, you cannot delete and try to free up space on the RAM, however more RAM will allow you to do much more on your laptop at once which is great news if you are a multi-tasker!
Hard drive space or storage on your laptop is the amount of space you have for your own files, documents and everything else that you want to store on your computer. If you’re someone who loves to hoard all your pictures, videos and files and needs more space, you may want to look for memory in TB rather than GB, like a 2TB laptop and if not, then something in the region of to 250GB or 500GB will suffice.
Display and Screen Size
The display or screen size on a laptop can range from something as small as 10.1’’ right the way up to 15’’ to 18’’. Many laptops above 17’’ are usually gaming laptops, to make the gaming experience more immersive for players. In addition to the screen size, you also want to look out for the resolution on the display of a laptop, as a higher resolution means more pixels and better picture clarity.
The highest resolution laptops like 3840 x 2160 and 4k displays would be better suited to gamers or even photographers or designers as higher resolutions mean better picture quality on your laptop.
If you want the smallest available, a 10.1 ‘’ laptop like the ASUS Chromebook Flip C100PA may appeal to you more than a larger screened laptop designed for gaming. And if you’re after the most popular screen size of 14’’, then something like the HP EliteBook 840 G2, may suit your needs better.
Operating System
An operating system governs how you will be able to use and navigate around your laptop and so is an important aspect when it comes to buying or choosing a laptop. Windows make the world’s most popular operating systems and their range varies from older versions like Windows 7 to the more recent Windows 10.
The operating system is important as it includes things like updates that help to keep your computer secure. It also includes features that will make using your laptop more enjoyable, depending on your needs and preferences.
Other operating systems include Linux as well as Mac OS X. Many people sometimes learn to use one kind of operating system and tend to stick to it. You may want to choose an operating system you already know, as using an OS that you have the general gist of will ensure that using your new laptop is a smooth experience.
Design & Portability
When it comes to things like portability and convenience of use, design matters. Whether you’re someone who places a lot of importance on the design of a laptop or you don’t mind at all, the design will also affect the functionality of your laptop.
For example, a convertible 2 in 1 laptop will allow for increased portability and versatility when it comes to using the laptop, and a gaming laptop will also more often than not come in a certain style that is more typical to laptops made for gaming purposes.
With everything from touchscreen to gaming laptops to ultrabooks available, all with different screen sizes and colours, it’s worth looking around for what type of design you want on your laptop as you will most likely be using it every day!
Browse through our range of affordable laptops and notebooks here.
We hope you feel better informed and more confident about your next laptop purchase after reading our laptop buying guide. Drop a comment below and tell us which laptop you’re looking to buy next!