ideas for choosing your laptop computer
If you're thinking of getting a new laptop computer and want to be fairly certain that you've picked the best one for your needs, consider these factors:
- The number of cores: More cores means more power. But don't expect performance to be a cakewalk. Some applications require fewer than 4.
- The number of RAM: If your machine has just 2GB, those apps will slow down when too many open at once. However, if you only need it for basic tasks like browsing the internet or writing letters, then 4GB is enough.
- Battery life: It's important to look at how long each charge will last before it'll need recharging again (usually around three hours). Try to avoid these batteries with a short life just yet.
- Screen size: The larger, the better. You could have a bad eye sight and need a bigger screen so you can see what's written. However, there are models with small screens which may be lighter and more portable.
- Touch screen: Some users say that using a touch screen is much easier than using a mouse, but others point out that laptops with touch screens can be harder to use for games and other apps that require precise control.
- Graphics processor: Don't go for one with an integrated graphics processor if you want to run recent games or other graphically intensive apps; get one with an AMD or NVIDIA GPU instead. You'll be able to play the latest games at decent settings on both AMD and NVIDIA cards.
- Memory: Each memory type has its strengths and weaknesses. DDR3 memory is a good choice if you intend to use your laptop for heavy multitasking and also for video editing. However, RAM with an SSD storage may be faster, depending on which types of apps you use.
- Speed: Performance of a computer is usually measured in two ways - benchmark scores or time to search or transfer files to/from notebooks.
- Cost: The more money you spend, the faster it will process, the more storage space it will feature, and the longer its battery life will be.
- Extras: Different laptops have different extras to offer, like DVD drives or fingerprint scanners. It's important to consider which extras you want before you buy your notebook. If you're looking for a powerful machine that can handle anything you throw at it, get a computer with a quad-core processor or with an AMD or NVIDIA graphics processor. On the other hand if portability is your only concern, get an ultra-light laptop that's really easy to carry around anywhere with.
If portability is one of your top priorities...
...then you'll probably want a small-screen ultrabook that weighs less than 2kg and is less than 20mm thick. If you're traveling a lot and need to pack it in your luggage, then consider looking at ultraportable laptops like the MacBook Air or the Asus Zenbook UX305CA.
But if you spend most of your time at home or work, then a bigger laptop may be better for you. It will generally have more storage space and offer more ports for plugging in accessories like printers or external hard drives. The screen will also be larger so it'll be easier to read documents and watch videos on them as well.
If you want a laptop that can do it all...
...then get a machine with an Intel Core i5 processor or an AMD FX-series processor. These powerful chips will be able to handle anything you throw at them, from gaming and video editing to web browsing and word processing.
But if you want a more affordable option...
...then consider buying an ultrabook like the Apple MacBook Air or the Asus Zenbook UX305CA. These models come at a smaller price and have solid performance for doing the everyday tasks that most people do.
If portability is your main concern...
...then get a laptop with an SSD storage drive (solid-state drive). The speed at which it can access data is about 10 times faster than with a traditional hard drive, but it's also much more expensive. The SSD will be quicker if you use your laptop for basic tasks like word processing or web browsing and don't need a powerful processor. If you're thinking of getting an Apple MacBook Air, then make sure to get the version with a 128GB SSD drive.
But if you tend to have many files on your computer...
...then consider getting a laptop with an HDD (hard-disk drive). This type of storage doesn't have the speed of an SSD and doesn't perform as well when multitasking. But it is much cheaper and has more storage space than laptops with SSDs.
If you want an ultrabook that can play games...
...then get one with a dedicated graphics processor. The graphics unit will help it to run games, video editing and other apps that require a lot of processing power. Ultrabooks like the Apple MacBook Air and the Dell XPS 13 both have AMD Radeon graphics chips, while others like the Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus feature NVIDIA GeForce graphics processors. If you're looking for a gaming laptop, check out our top picks here .
If you want to keep your options open...
...then go for a hybrid laptop that has both an SSD and HDD drive. This type of storage is usually slower than that of an SSD, but it is cheaper than all-SSD models.
Bonus tip: Go for a PC laptop as they are more compatible with Windows and will have better hardware performance in the future.
If you want to be able to reach for your laptop everywhere...
...then get a clamshell laptop (one whose screen closes over the keyboard). These notebooks are smaller, lighter and more portable than other types of laptops. But most clamshells don't have a touch screen, so if you really want to use hand gestures, then you'll need to look elsewhere. Most consumer-grade ultrabooks are clamshells.
If you use your laptop on your lap a lot...
...then look for a laptop that has a cushioned, ergonomically designed underside. This will help you avoid getting back pain and other health issues, especially if you want to use the notebook on your lap while watching TV, listening to music or using it as a small screen.
But if you want to use your laptop in many places...
...and don't mind lugging it around all day, then go for an all-rounder with a large 12" or 14" display. These notebooks offer adequate levels of processing power for office work and entertainment, like streaming videos and playing games.
If you are particularly sensitive to heat...
...then look for lightweight, aluminum-clad laptops with low power consumption. These notebooks won't become hot if you use them often and their lower temperatures will keep your hands comfortable when you're using them.
If you have a specific budget...
...then make sure to stick to it. Do not go over your price limit but also don't settle for a low-end laptop just because it's cheap. You might be happier with a middle-range notebook that has good performance instead of buying a cheaper machine whose poor quality will make you frustrated in the future.
Apple MacBook Air ($1,149) If portability is one of your main concerns, then the Apple MacBook Air is probably the best laptop for you.
Conclusion
Here's the thing: computers are not just machines. They can be incredibly simple or incredibly complex, and there's no right or wrong for what you get. You need to consider everything that you want from your laptop machine—and then you need to find the model that meets these requirements.
I do hope that this list has helped you in your search for a new laptop. All I ask is that you remember to take note of these things when making a purchase:
1) Does it fit your budget? If so, stick with it. There are some really good machines out there in every price range.