For students and working professionals, a laptop is an important tool that lets them get the job done. It offers them the flexibility and freedom to perform and complete tasks anywhere, at their own pace. But different types of laptops fulfill different needs. As a user, you must have a clear idea of what you are looking for in a laptop. You may need one that goes beyond the mainstream specs if your work involves programming, web development or graphic design.
Here are some helpful tips for finding the best laptop for your needs:
1. Do you need a powerful laptop?
As earlier mentioned, your laptop specs would ultimately depend on the nature of your job and how efficiently you want to carry out your tasks. For light usage such as encoding or Internet browsing, buy laptops with these minimum specs: Intel Core i3, macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD. Laptops under this category are MacBook Air, HP Chromebook and Envy models and some variants of Asus VivoBook and ZenBook
However, a fast device with a large storage capacity would be ideal for image and video editing, gaming, coding and activities requiring an FTP server. Minimum specs for moderate to heavy duty laptop users:
- Nvidia and AMD dedicated graphics (recommended for graphic designers)
- Processor – Intel Core i5, i7 or i9 / AMD Ryzen 5 or 7
- 8GM RAM
- 256 to 512 SSD
2. How compact do you want your laptop to be?
Laptops are designed to be portable. This makes it easy to carry or move them around. But despite their handy designs, laptop sizes and weights still vary and some models are heavier than others. It helps to first identify for yourself the amount of weight you are comfortable moving around with before you buy laptops.
Lighter notebooks weigh around 2.2 pounds or less while heavier models tend to exceed that weight range. There are also 17-inch laptops that have an approximate weight of 7 pounds. For some, unless you are a gamer or have no intention of moving to different locations, this can be quite a stretch. If your work requires a lot of mobility (or you simply prefer this arrangement), a lightweight notebook is the most practical option.
With a screen size between 12 and 14 inches, notebooks are easy to carry wherever, whenever. They are equipped with 25 to 72 Wh batteries and have special slim-fit designs that help users maximise space. Below is a list of ultra-lightweight laptops you may want to consider for your next purchase:
- Fujitsu Lifebook UH-X – 1.39 lbs, Intel Core U processor, 13.3″ matte
- Asus ExpertBook B9 – 1.92 lbs, Intel Core U processor, 13.3″ matte
- Acer Swift 7 – 1.96 lbs, older Intel Core processor, 14″ matte
- Apple Macbook 12 – 2.05 lbs, Intel Core m3, 12″ glossy
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano – 2.11 lbs, Intel Core U, 13.3″ matte/touch
- HP ProBook 635 Aero – 2.2 lbs, AMD Ryzen U processor, 13.3″ touch
- LG Gram 14 2-in-1 – 2.2 lbs, Intel Core U, 14″ touch
3. What laptop price are you willing to pay for?
As with any purchase decision, budget is a prime consideration. There are individuals who want to buy laptops based on their available budget but may find the specifications wanting. Getting hold of a laptop where you can have the best of both worlds – affordable price and quality specs – requires doing your research first. List down laptop brands or models that match your requirements and compare the pros and cons of each. Decide only when, all things considered, your choice offers benefits that far outweigh the rest.
Some of the cheapest laptop selections are priced from $500 to $700. Though you will be limited to mainstream specs, laptops under this price range are great for light to moderate use. Gaming laptops or laptops with dedicated graphics usually cost between $1000 and $4000. If you are willing to spend this much, make sure to increase your available funding ahead of the purchase schedule.
It is important to note that laptop prices also vary from one store to another. Flagship stores, direct sellers and third party suppliers adhere to different pricing mechanisms. A quick search for a “laptop shop near me” would list down websites of nearby computer stores. Click on each one of them, look for a particular brand and model, and it will come as no surprise if prices for the same item differ. In this scenario, choose the most affordable laptop price.
Best Place to Buy Laptops Online
You have finally decided on a laptop and secured the necessary funding. The final step is to find the best place for buying laptops online. Google would recommend several shops located within a reasonable distance. If you see variety (a range of brands and models to choose from), customer service (FAQ page, contact form, chat bots, messaging options), easy navigation, and affordable prices, then you have found your laptop shop.
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