by Arthur Brown
Laptops are great – most of them have the capabilities of a personal computer, yet are portable enough to move around whenever you need a change of environment. Even with the rise of the smartphone and, more recently, the smartwatch, the laptop has still managed to withstand the competition to be an item most of us need to work on.
But all our needs are different, so even if a friend has a laptop that looks like something you’d like, if they’ve gone for memory and compromised on weight, and you require something light because you’re going to be using it out of the office, then actually what they’ve got may not be the right one for you. With this in mind, here are some pointers for choosing the right laptop for your needs.
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Display
For most of us, regardless of our profession, having a decent screen is important, and it’s often one of the first things we check out when it comes to purchasing a new laptop. The sweet spot for most laptop screens tends to hover around the 13” mark, for portability, as much as weight or anything else.
Along with display size, you’ll want to consider the screen resolution. It’s often down to personal choice, and how you’ll be using your laptop, but the ideal pixel range is around 1920×1080 resolution, at least. However, many laptop makers have ventured into the 4K Ultra HD market with a resolution of 3840×2160.
Storage
Storage is something we all need to consider and always have been. With many alternatives to the traditional way of storing things, like documents and photographs, we have never been in a better position to decide what’s the best form of storage for our needs. Cloud-based storage systems are popular and work by keeping your items stored in a secure server for a fee.
However, local storage, like SSDs, is still just as popular. The price of laptops with these ports is becoming more affordable and may be worth considering if you’re not keen on using a cloud-based storage system. Alternatively, you can buy these flash drives with the size of memory you require, and some can even fit on your keyring, meaning it’ll always be on you in the event you need to use it.
AutoCAD
Professional designers, like architects, mechanical engineers, or product designers, for example, will need this, as well as compatible software. Therefore, if you’re looking to purchase a laptop for working with AutoCAD, you’ll need to consider all the software requirements, how computer resources will be used, and initiate processes in consideration of the processor.
You’ll also need to consider the size of the RAM because you’ll want enough so that programs can run together without compromising on speed. After all, if you’ve got several things on the go, the last thing you’ll want is a slow machine. As stated on Freedom 251, the VRAM is necessary if you’re looking at large-scale 3D images. You may want to consider extra memory, like having an SSD. This will also be handy, as would a clear and vibrant display. In addition, you’ll also want to ensure the laptop has sufficient cooling capabilities, a decent keyboard, and battery life.
2-in-1
Also known as convertible laptops, these are becoming increasingly popular as they have opened up the possibilities of what you can do with a laptop. If you’re presenting information, then using a 2-in-1 can be a vital tool, because you’re able to detach it from the keyboard, so it effectively becomes a tablet.
However, despite having a pleasant aesthetic, it may mean that space is limited for the processor and battery. If so, it runs on lower power, or may have two processors; one in each part of the overall laptop. An alternative to this is the type of 2-in-1 that rotates, instead of separating, meaning it’s more powerful, although it can have a heavier chassis.
Gaming Laptop
With the growing number of professional reviewers and gaming experts, we would have to include a laptop that’s used for gaming, especially as this is a popular pass-time. For gamers, laptops that enable them to play graphic intensive games that can run smoothly without getting pixelated, stall, or cause the laptop to crash are imperative. Gamers may also want to communicate with their friends at the same time, so having a laptop that can facilitate all of this, plus have a decent battery life, as well as cooling facilities, is going to be a must.
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Knowing what you need a laptop for helps you narrow down your choices. As anyone who’s been looking for such a device knows, there are plenty of choices out there, and it’s easy to be swayed by something that looks nice and light. However, if you’re on a budget, you may make a wrong decision, which could end up costing you dearly. Therefore, make sure you have a list of items you need from your potential laptop and stick to it, only going for other extras if it’s within your budget.
About the Author
Arthur Brown – A dad of 3 kids and is a keen writer covering a range of topics such as Internet marketing, SEO and more! When not writing, he’s found behind a drum kit.
