In case you are in the market for a new laptop, there are quite a few things to consider before purchasing one. This is especially the case for people who are not as tech-savvy and need more guidance to not waste money on a lackluster device.
It helps if you have someone knowledgeable to help you, but if that is not the case, you should not stop doing the research yourself to buy a laptop.
Below, you will find 6 things that are considered to be the key aspects for laptop owners. Be sure to make the most out of this information.
Operating System
Let’s start with the obvious, which is operating systems. More often than not, computer users go with MS Windows, an operating system that is used most widely across the world. For many, it offers a sense of familiarity, and picking an OS you are already comfortable with is not to be overlooked.
For instance, if you were to compare Windows to macOS, the differences vary from small to significant. You have something like a secondary click on MacBooks. The Dock is also not a feature you can find on Windows. And there are plenty of other similar examples.
On the other hand, you might be interested in experiencing a new operating system, and switching from Windows or another OS you are familiar with is also one of the available options.
Screen Size
Laptops are not the greatest when it comes to screen sizes if we were to compare them to custom-built PCs that come with monitors. At the same time, you could consider getting an external display for a laptop, but doing so would defeat the purpose of a laptop in the first place, right?
The portability that laptops provide means sacrificing some of the features you can find on desktop computers, and screen size is one such example.
Now, as far as the actual laptop screen size goes, you have multiple options. Budget laptops come with small screens, such as 10.1-inches. More expensive laptops offer 17.3-inch screens.
In addition to the screen size, you also need to check resolution specifications before buying a laptop. 1366×768 and 1600×900 resolutions are the most common.
Available Accessories
Accessories for a laptop are not the first thing that comes to mind when someone is looking to buy a new computer. If anything, hardly anyone thinks about them, to begin with.
However, it is still important to identify that different laptops have different compatibility, most notably when it comes to ports.
While some laptop accessories are universal and can be used on virtually every laptop model, you still want to double-check. Or, at the very least, once you get a laptop, mind compatibility in case you decide to purchase an accessory.
Hardware
Hardware is the big one. A lot comes down to your budget and needs, but specifications for RAM, processor, hard drive/solid-state drive, GPU, and other laptop hardware should be a priority.
First of all, you need to consider what you are going to do with a laptop. If the device is used mostly for casual things, such as surfing the internet or doing work without using resource-heavy applications, lower specifications are fine.
It is a different story if you want a laptop for gaming or resource-heavy applications. Some software for video editing, to name an example, is quite demanding. Unless a computer has the necessary hardware, you will struggle to use such software and run into potential performance problems.
Sure, the price for powerful hardware is premium, but it is more or less inevitable if you wish to run high-end applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is worth a shout as well. Overall, laptop owners should not have issues with this particular aspect of the device so long as they have access to an electric outlet.
Having said that, there are instances when you are traveling and do not have a way to charge the laptop.
Relying on a battery to last is not a situation laptop users wish to end up with, but it can happen.
With that in mind, look for a laptop with a solid battery lifespan if you want. Or, once you have the laptop and are using it, pay attention to energy hogs, such as redundant background applications, and quit those.
Reliability
As things stand right now, modern laptop models are quite reliable and durable. That is not to say that you can expect a flawless device that does not show any signs. It is just that things have advanced in recent years.
If you are concerned about reliability, be sure to check reviews on different platforms to get a better idea about a specific laptop model. And as with other aspects, you can expect to get a more reliable laptop if you pay more money.
Hey! This is Sahil Khan; I have been exploring laptops & technology for a couple of years. I share my tech-related expertise and personal experience with the audience. Whether it is about a system-related issue/ query, or having the right model on your table, what your budget allows you to have, my website covers all the facts perfectly!
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