Choosing between electronic devices is always a tough choice. Especially when it comes to buying a laptop or a computer. There are just so many functions and properties and small details that you have to think about!
Choosing a specific laptop is tedious work but here’s a small helping tool for you to get started!
Know what you want
Before going into the technical details, keep a clear picture in your mind about what exactly do you need in a laptop. Firstly, you can either buy a laptop or a computer or what we call it a desktop. Now if you are working outdoors and need it handy with you at client meetings or property showcases or you always work on the run then laptop is a good choice for you. Laptops are easy to carry, lightweight and quite mess free.
On the other hand computers or as the name suggests desktops need a permanent arrangement of a desk. So if you have a work place or your home is your office then desktop is for you. You will need a perfect setup for your computer and proper hygiene of electronic devices.
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Display and weight
Display quality plays a really important role in buying a laptop. If you are going to be working for a long time or just a few hours you need you display to be good and not hurt your eyes. Basic criteria you should check is the screen. The glossier the screen, harmful the light. Mainly if the screen is glossy it will reflect more light upon your eyes and that causes damage.
Then check the weight of the laptop. This is applicable mainly if you are buying a laptop which you have to carry around. You should choose a laptop which will fit in your bag that you’ll be carrying and has a light weight. The new versions of Mac book and Samsung are quite light weight with a wide screen which makes them a popular choice.
Connectivity
Choosing a laptop which has a lot of connecting options is always better. You can run multiple functions with more connections. You can use it to connect it to your mouse, or use USB to backup files from your camera or your mobile phone.
Storage or RAM
You should first know how much Ram you will need. RAM is Random access memory. That is the RAM will make sure that your computer doe not slow down. More ram meaning your computer can handle multiple files and functions at a time. If you choose a laptop with very less ram, it’d be difficult to use the laptop at times. As you will open many windows in your browser or go through multiple files at a time your laptop cannot access so many files at a time. This will slow down your computer and you might have to restart it.
8 GB of RAM is recommended for an average user, but 16 GB will make your computer faster.
Operating System
Coming onto the technical part. You need to figure out which operating systems you need. The operating system or the OS can be selected by thinking what type of software you will be using. There are four major OS you can choose from. That is Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS and Linux. Every operating system has its own properties.
Now Windows is your best choice if you will use MS Office or PowerPoint or MS Excel. Mac OS although maybe a popular choice but is only good if you know how to use it. If you own an iPhone or iPad then this would be easier for you to use. If you are on low budget then you can opt for Chrome OS. This will get most of your work done but you won’t be able to use MS Office and Excel.
CPU ( Central Processing Unit)
A processor in a computer is the one who interprets all the commands that are passed on to it. Make sure you choose the best of this as it is a vital component of your computer. You will find two best processors i.e. Intel and AMD. Intel’s main processors are i3, i5, i7 and i9. From that i3 is the least powerful and i9 is the most powerful.
Graphic cards
Graphics play an important role in laptops currently. The popular choice is laptops with integrated Graphics. If you spend your time watching videos or images, or gaming then you should opt a laptop with integrated graphics.
Wi-fi connectivity
While buying a laptop the most important part is to see if it is compatible to a WiFi connection. There are mainly two types of connection 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
2.4GHz has less speed but a bigger range. Whereas 5GHz has more speed but comparatively shorter range. As most of the work is dependent on internet it is important to choose the best!
Battery life
Battery life of electronic devices is quite important. If you are choosing a desktop then charging up your computer won’t be a problem. But in case of a laptop it isn’t always possible to carry around a charger and find a charging point. For this reason make sure you choose a laptop with good battery life.
Keyboard quality
Now keyboard won’t seem that important of a part but if you come to think of it most of the work is done through that. Choosing a comfortable and best quality keyboard is very important.
While buying a laptop choose the keyboard of your typing style. If you are fast typist you might want to take keyboards with less space. You can also choose from a variety of styles and themes and sounds in your keyboard.
Check for webcams
Until 2020 webcam was like a vestigial part of a computer. But in the lockdown period when most of the work was done online, when we were only able to see each other’s faces through video calls, since then webcams became an important part of our life.
External speakers
Although your laptop will have its own sound system most of the times it isn’t adequate. If you are planning to buy a laptop not just for work but also your entertainment purpose then you might what to buy speakers too.
If not that then laptops provide ports to connect your ear phone or Bluetooth to it.
Touchscreen display
High tech laptops now provide touch screen display wherein you don’t need a keyboard to operate.
Although touchscreen is the latest trend in laptops it is important to make sure you use it correctly. Just like our mobile phones, laptop screens are delicate and will work better if kept smudge free.
Check for security measures
As we spend a lot of our time in laptop, you should the security measure that your laptop offers. Many businesses laptops have a fingerprint lock or face lock.
Make a choice
Lastly consider all these factors and choose a suitable laptop for you. Consider your budget. Don’t go over the top to get what is popular out there. Make sure you read reviews of the product you are going to buy. If possible try to buy a laptop in-store. If it’s your first time or the hundredth it is always better to see the product itself. And make sure you see all the warranties your laptop offers and when those end.
Happy shopping y’all!
