Laptops have become an essential tool for work, study, and entertainment. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a casual user, choosing the right laptop can be overwhelming. With so many options on the market, it's important to consider what you need in a laptop. In this blog post, we'll explore what to consider when purchasing a new laptop.
1. Your Needs
The first thing to consider when purchasing a new laptop is your needs. What will you be using the laptop for? Do you need a powerful machine for gaming or video editing, or do you just need a basic laptop for browsing the web and word processing? Consider your needs and choose a laptop with the right specifications to meet those needs.
2. Processor
The processor is the brain of the computer and determines how fast it can process information. The type of processor you need will depend on your needs. If you're a gamer or need to run demanding applications, you'll need a powerful processor. If you're a casual user, a less powerful processor will suffice. Pro tip: check the generation of the CPU to ensure you are being sold a current technology. A lot of unscrupulous sellers will sell refurbished (per-owned) machines as new. A good way to tell is by how old the CPU generation is. If you would like more information about CPU generations, check out this article: Intel CPU generations.
3. RAM
RAM, or random access memory, is the amount of memory the computer can access at once. The more RAM your laptop has, the more applications and programs it can run at the same time. For basic tasks, 4GB of RAM should suffice, but for more demanding tasks, you may need 8GB or more.
4. Storage
The storage capacity of a laptop is also an important consideration. If you're a heavy user and need to store large files, you'll need a laptop with a larger storage capacity. If you're a casual user, a smaller storage capacity will suffice. Consider whether you need a hard drive or a solid-state drive, which is faster and more reliable. Pro tip: an SSD, aka solid-state drive, is a must for your boot drive as this will give a boatload (see what we did there?! LOL.) of speed.
5. Display
The display is an important consideration, especially if you'll be using the laptop for entertainment or graphic design. Consider the size and resolution of the display. A larger display will provide a better viewing experience, but it will also make the laptop less portable. Consider whether you need a touchscreen or a traditional display.
6. Graphics adapter
The display will only be as good as the graphics that the machine is able to serve. A graphics card will have it's own processor and RAM. This allows for better image processing capabilities and will ensure your machine can handle intensive graphics processing if needed. For example, if you would like to run high-end games on your machine, most newer games are very graphic intensive and will not work if you do not have a decent graphics card installed.
7. Battery Life
Battery life is an important consideration, especially if you'll be using the laptop on the go. Consider how long you'll need to use the laptop without access to a power source. A laptop with a longer battery life will be more convenient, but it may also be more expensive.
8. Genuine software
Many end consumers are not aware that the operating system (think Windows) can be 'hot-loaded'. This is a prosecutable crime and could find you buying what is essentially stolen goods. New computers also do not come standard with any application software (think Microsoft Office). Unless you have been quoted for applications you need, you should request that the supplier quote for these.
9. Brand and Support
Consider the brand of the laptop and the support that comes with it. Look for a brand with a good reputation for reliability and customer support. Check the warranty and the availability of customer support if you have any issues with the laptop.
10. Antivirus and security software
A new PC will not have security software installed as standard. You should certainly request a quote for at least an antivirus package and if your budget permits, you should ask for an internet security program. (An antivirus protects against viruses and malware (malicious software added to your PC). An internet security package, does this but also protects you from attacks while you are exposed to the internet.
In conclusion
Choosing a laptop requires careful consideration of your needs, the processor, RAM, storage, display, battery life, brand, and support. By taking these factors into consideration, you can choose a laptop that meets your needs and provides the performance and reliability you need for work, study, and entertainment.
If you need help, that is what we are here for. Please feel free to get in touch with one of our sales team.