Our daily lives revolve around computers these days, and for those who rely on laptops for their jobs, it is a device that can provide a living.
Therefore, purchasing a new laptop will be unique to every individual, depending on your needs, wants, and budget. This post will cover some of the main things you should consider when purchasing a new one to get the most bang for your buck.
1. Think About Your Budget
Perhaps one of the most important aspects to consider when in the market is what your budget is. This will define almost everything else related to the purchase.
You should think carefully about how much you are willing to spend when looking for Laptops for sale because if you overspend on features you will never use, you might come to regret buying them. On the other hand, if you don't allocate enough, you could find that your shiny new device becomes obsolete for your needs sooner than you thought.
Do: Come up with a budget that you are comfortable with that you can afford.
Don't: Be too stingy and regret not adding extra features that might futureproof the device.
2. Consider The Ecosystem You Are A Part Of
As it relates to technology, an ecosystem is the collection of brands and services that are interconnected. The most famous are those that Apple, Microsoft, and Google have created with their respective operating systems. Therefore, if you are an iPhone user who uses the myriad of Apple-provided services, an Apple MacBook is probably going to be your best choice.
Conversely, if you have been a Microsoft Windows user for all of your life, you might want to stick with what you know. Google is somewhat of an outlier because while they operate the Android mobile OS, they don't create traditional laptops per se. However, they partner up with some Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) to build laptops based on their own Chrome OS.
This computer provides an appealing alternative to some but is not suitable for users who do anything more than browsing the web. Therefore, users of the Android OS on their smartphones will probably;y be better served by opting for a Windows laptop.
Do: Think about how your devices and the services you use all link up and play together.
Don't: Jump ship to another operating system without considering how your most used portable computer, your smartphone, will interact.
3. Think About What Work You Do
Why are you in the market for a new laptop? This is what you need to ask yourself. This is because different professions, hobbies, and technical aptitudes will determine what you get out of it. For example, do you mostly spend time gaming? If so, then an Intel-based desktop replacement with fans capable of lifting it off the desk might be the best choice.
However, what if you are a video editor? Then you will perhaps benefit more from a multi-cored AMD-based device with a minimum of 32GB of RAM. What about if you are a writer or do most of your work via a web browser?
In this case, an ultra-portable laptop that you can carry anywhere and that has a day-long battery will serve your needs better than anything else. The critical point is to ask yourself what you will be doing most of the time. Once you know this, you can move forward.
Do: Buy a laptop that will serve your requirements at least 80% of the time. Also, consider the battery life because if you travel a lot, this should be high on your agenda.
Don't: Buy something underpowered that is rendered unusable or so overpowered you cannot stray from an electrical outlet for more than 30 minutes.
4. Consider Speccing Your Own
Although most modern laptops have become relatively un-customizable, you still usually have the option to spec out a device when you go to buy it. If possible, you should attempt to stay away from machines with their parts soldered onto the motherboard; this instantly renders them unable to be upgraded.
Nevertheless, if you can select a spec when shopping around, you should always attempt to get the highest spec in your budget. The following are some of the things you should upgrade when possible:
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A CPU is the part of your computer that runs all of the code. It's what allows your computer to perform all the tasks you want it to, like surfing the internet, checking your email, creating documents, and playing games. There are two main architectures these days, the x86 and ARM varieties.
Without getting into too much detail, only Apple laptops utilize ARM-based processors that provide high speed and low power consumption. However, on the x86 side, AMD and Intel are the two big players.
Upgrading your CPU will give you more “raw” power to blast through specific tasks. AMD appears to be leading the way in terms of high speed, low power consumption (this is good) these days, but INtel still offers excellent options for gaming.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is a type of ultra-fast memory that speaks to your CPU and caches specific data so it can be retrieved quickly. While activities like gaming don't require vast amounts of RAM, as soon as you get into the creative arts world (video, photo, music), you will find your needs becoming more RAM-hungry. Essentially, you should get as much RAM as you can afford.
Storage
While most modern laptops come preinstalled with what is known as a Solid State Drive (SSD), some cheaper options will still come with Hard Disk Drives (HDD). These are slower and more prone to corruption and damage than an SSD.
Therefore if you can, you should jump at the chance to update to an SSD. Furthermore, as the world becomes more data-hungry, you should opt for a minimum of 512GB of storage and even 1TB if your budget will stretch to it. You won't regret doing so.
Do: Upgrade your specifications as your budget allows; you will be happy you did after one year of use.
Don't: Settle for the stock spec.
When you are in the market for a new laptop, you need to consider several factors. These include what you are using it for, what your budget is and how you can upgrade it where possible. By thinking about these points, you should come away with a device that will last you for years and make your life easier rather than more stressful.
