Read This Laptop Buying Guide Before Buying A Laptop

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Hola friends! This article is going to be an ocean of knowledge for those who are looking to buy a new laptop. If you are searching desperately for a guide to buying a laptop/Computer, I can assure you, your search ends here. This laptop buying guide is a culmination of my hours of research in the process of finding my perfect laptop.

There are thousands of laptops out there of different brands. There are renowned laptop brands like Dell, Lenovo, HP, Apple, but you want the best laptop that comes with the exact features you need. Finding the best laptop is a hectic task, so I decided to write a laptop buying guide so that others can benefit from my research.

You must be in a situation where you know what programs or software you will be using. However, you don’t know which laptop will offer a seamless experience while working. This guide to buying a computer is designed in a way that a single reading will make you a pro in purchasing a laptop. You will know that you can even help your friends to buy the best laptop for them.

More Detailed Guide For Buying A Laptop: Laptop Buying Guide

Laptop Buying Guide’s Depends On Below Listed Features:

1. Performance

A laptop’s performance is based on five main pillars –

  1. Processor
  2. RAM
  3. Internal Memory
  4. Battery
  5. Graphics card

Example: Intel Core i5 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500 GB storage, Nvidia Graphics card, 41 Watt-hour battery capacity

Processor

  • The processor controls the functionality of all parts of a computer, just like the brain controls your body.
  • Two companies- Intel and AMD primarily makes laptop Processors.
  • Intel manufactures its Pentium, Celeron and Core i3, i5, i7 series (in increasing order of processing power).
  • AMD has A, FX and Ryzen series of processors (in increasing order of processing power).

RAM

  • RAM is internal memory which stores all open apps, files, and games you may be playing.
  • More RAM allows more of them to be running simultaneously.
  • Typically laptops come with 4, 8 or 16 GB of RAM.

RAM Type

  • DDR 4: Faster, efficient power consumption
  • DDR 3: Older, slower and consumes more power

Internal Storage

  • This is also referred to as the hard drive size or capacity of the laptop.
  • Storage on a laptop is where the Operating System, documents, photos, apps, games, and movies are stored.

Usually, laptop storage is of 3 types –

  1. Hard Disk Drive(HDD)  – HDD is slow as compared to SSD because it has mechanical(moving) parts to read data.
  2. Solid State Drive(SSD) – SSD is faster but also expensive. SSD allows for a more rapid starting of windows and programs run faster. If you are a gamer or photographer, then you will need a 2TB Thunderbolt SSD drive. The Thunderbolt Fire SSD drive is a revolutionary external drive that is fully compatible with USB4.
  3. Solid State Hybrid Drive(SSHD) – SSD + HDD = SSHD  is a kind of hybrid which has features of both SSD and HDD. The Operating system is installed on SSD while HDD is used for storing documents, movies, etc.

Battery

Bigger batteries mean more hours of usage, but it also makes your laptop heavier. Battery size is usually measured in Watt-Hour(WHr).

Graphics Card

  • A graphics card is a dedicated chip inside your laptop, responsible for the quality of visuals you see on screen.
  • Just like RAM, the more the GBs in your graphics card, the smoother your games will run.
  • Photo and Video Editing software like Photoshop, design software like AutoCAD, and of course most modern games require a dedicated graphics card to function smoothly.

2. Display

While choosing the right show for your laptop, you will need to decide the correct screen size and the proper resolution for your usage.

Screen Size

  • The screen comes in several sizes; all measured diagonally. The most common size of the screen is 15.6 inches.
  • There are also 11 inches, 13 inches going up to 17.3 inches on some hardcore gaming laptops.

Display Resolution

Higher Screen Resolution = Sharp, bright, and vibrant visual experience.

  • Screen Resolution is measured as the pixel count and is mentioned in horizontal and vertical pixel counts.
  • The most common screen resolutions are – HD or HD ready, FULL HD or 1080p, Ultra HD or 4k.

Screen Type: IPS (in-plane-switching) vs. Non-IPS (in-plane switching)

  • For those looking for the best visual experience, which means great looking colors and viewing angles, choose a laptop with an IPS display.
  • If you are on a budget, you can go for a display that is not IPS. It will also bring the cost of the laptop down.

Refresh Rate

  • The refresh rate is the number of times an image is changed per second on the laptop screen.
  • It’s measured in Hertz(Hz) or Frames per second(FPS).
  • For gaming, you need a higher refresh rate.

Bezels

  • Bezels are the black(usually) plastic border that surrounds the screen on your laptop.
  • They may spoil the look of your laptop, but bezels protect your laptop screen from accidental damage.

Matte vs. Glossy Display

  • Matte Display doesn’t produce reflections and is best for people who need excellent clarity.
  • Glossy Display is widespread but produces reflections.

3. Operating system

  • The operating system controls the hardware of the laptop and allows other software to communicate with the hardware.
  • It manages all software and hardware, including files memory and connected devices.
  • Various types of Operating system available are Windows, Mac Os, Chrome OS, Linux, and DOS.

4. Ports & Connectivity

  • The ports and connectivity options let you connect the pen drive, external hard disk, mouse, projector, TV, headphones, or even to charge your phone by the laptop.
  • Make sure your laptop has enough ports for connecting multiple ports simultaneously, especially the ones you will use most.

Different ports serve different purposes, but here are a few essential ones to look for:

  1. USB type-A
  2. USB type-C
  3. Card Reader
  4. HDMI
  5. VGA port
  6. Thunderbolt

5. Design

Basic Laptops

  • Essential laptops are relevant for everyday lightweight use.
  • They have a screen which folds down onto the keyboard and mousepad.

Thin and Lightweight Laptops

  • Slim and lightweight laptops are for those who travel with their computer a lot. However, they are a bit expensive.
  • These are below 1.8kgs in weight and usually, have a display size of 14 inches or lower.

Touchscreen

Laptops with touch screen displays enable scribbling on the screen to edit documents directly with the help of a stylus or screen scrolling, zooming and other such controls using your fingers.

This finishes the list of factors to consider to buy a laptop. I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and gained a lot of knowledge about laptops.

Don’t forget to share this article with your colleagues, friends, and family. They might benefit from it too. Bye for now.

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