Buying electronic equipment like a laptop is a personal and subjective choice. It includes research, a considerable comparison of options, an understanding of your needs, and a firm budget. Whatever job you do, many adults need a personal computer or laptop. While some professionals are provided a laptop by their companies, many have to make the purchase on their own. What considerations should you keep in mind while buying a laptop?
You don’t need to be a hardware or software expert. You just need to have a basic knowledge of the essentials and know your expectations. Do you need a particular type of software? Do you use your laptop for work or personal stuff? Will you need your laptop for editing, heavy photography edits, or other designing projects? Or are you just going to use it for emails, basic office work, and internet browsing? These questions will provide an outline of what you need, your budget, and your desires. There are about 10 factors you should consider before purchasing a laptop.
Operating System (OS)- The first factor to consider when buying a laptop is what operating system would you prefer. Is it Mac or Windows? Apple and Microsoft dominate the operating system market with users oscillating between these two. Many pick an OS compatible with their phones or other devices. Apple has a limited stream of laptops and variations while Windows powers several companies like Sony, Dell, HP, Asus, and Lenovo to name a few. You can visit stores or check out comparison studies online. For students, it is a good idea to check with your institution or college about the devices in your labs. This will allow you a chance to work on them and get comfortable personally.
Beginner or Advanced- Are you buying a laptop for the first time? Or is it a laptop for a proficient user? Software developers, coders, or people who work in the animation industry need heavy and advanced gadgets. You should consider the level of the user and their proficiency before buying a laptop.
Price- Entry-level gadgets cost lesser than loaded, premium devices. Apple Macbooks cost more than certain Windows laptops. Your usage, needs, and budget will allow you to shortlist candidates that fit your expectations and budget. Many people frown on purchasing second-hand laptops as they are unsure about the guarantee. But there are many online stores which sell second hand or used devices with guarantee. If you have a price constraint you should do your research and select the best option.
Features- For a little extra money, you can add premium features, battery life, and improved performance. Some users buy basic laptops then add necessary features when they can afford it. You can do that or you can spend the money right at the start and get a customized laptop tailored for your needs and budget. Premium laptops include pretty much the best machines money can buy and are durable so you can get your money’s worth.
Business- Business laptops are specifically designed with professionals in mind. So these laptops will have top of the line security and privacy features and software packages. Of course, these devices can also be used by average or layman users. They will have larger displays and exceptional battery life. The only downside is that they may look basic or boring as they are more function than form.
Gaming- Gamers also get specially designed laptops with amazing graphics, high-end processors, and graphic chips. Some laptops come equipped with enough RAM to run modern games. The keyboards are designed with flexibility and gaming capabilities. Gaming laptops often are slightly pricier than ordinary laptops and oriented towards personal use.
CPU- When it comes to picking a laptop based on its CPU, new is always better. Don’t make the mistake of buying a laptop with a processor that is a few generations old. The four cores available in Core i5 or Core i7 are good enough for moderate to daily users. Better CPUs will be able to generate more data at quicker speeds.
RAM- The more RAM or memory a laptop has, the more information it can handle, and the more it can do at any time. Picking a decent-sized RAM is one of the most important factors to think before buying a laptop. 8 GB should be good for basic users but if you run intensive applications or create content, then 16 GB is a safer choice.
Storage- The amount of storage space on a laptop’s internal drives is how much data it can hold in total. Programs, videos, music: All of these are stored on an internal drive, or in budget laptops, in flash memory. Nowadays, laptops use SSDs, which stands for solid-state drives, faster and sturdier than traditional hard drives. Make sure your laptop has an SSD before you buy it.
Ports- Many people don’t consider this but ports are an important element to consider when buying a laptop. Older models have USB-A ports which are not compatible anymore with most devices. Newer models have USB-C, an advanced version that can power up devices, transfer high definition video and audio, and transfer data at a high speed. If you will be connecting your laptop to a large screen or TV, you would need to ensure your laptop has the right connections for the monitor or HDMI.
