The Laptop Choice
Choosing a new laptop can be difficult as there are so many aspects to consider and options to choose from. Competitors’ products and features overlap one another making deciding which computer even more problematic. This article looks at 5 factors to consider when buying a laptop.
What are the five factors to be considered?
The five factors that will be discussed in more detail are:
- Size
- Battery
- Storage capacity
- Brand
- Price
Let’s look at each factor in more detail.
Size
Factors that impact the size you require are the questions of where you will be using the laptop, for example on the road while travelling, weight of the laptop, obviously the bigger it is going to be heavier, the time you have in transporting the machine from location to location, that means I am portable it needs to be with me all day.
Laptop sizes are reference by the screen display in inches. Sizes will range from 11 to 18 inches.
- 11 – 12 inches: These are most likely the lightest and thinnest laptops coming in at about 2-4 pounds.
- 13 – 14 inches: This is a good medium sized laptop that delivers a balance of portability and usability. This size usually weighs around or less than 4 pounds.
- 15 inches: This is a fan favorite, the most common sized laptop that weighs about 4-7 pounds. It is a decent choice when you are not planning on carrying your device as often.
- 17 – 18 inches: A laptop of this size is ideal for a permanent or semi-permanent workspace. It offers an excellent processing power for workstation-level productivity.
Battery
The more portable you are then you need to have a longer battery life. There is nothing more frustrating then when the battery dies, and you are not near a power outlet just as you are about to complete that urgent email.
Look for a laptop where you are comfortable that you can get through a day being portable and not having access to a power outlet. As a minimum you require looking for a battery life more than 8 hours. Despite manufacturers claims always do further research where possible. One thing is find somebody who has purchased the machine you are looking at and ask them for their thoughts.
Storage Capacity
The amount of storage space required will depend on the nature of the work you do and the intended use of the laptop. Today more people are using the cloud to store their data instead of filling the laptop with your images, music and files.
Solid state drives are (SSDs) are common today and an option if required is to buy an external storage device.
The lighter and thinner the device will not have as much storage space as bigger and heavier devices. Usually if your buying a thinner and lighter then is a need to rely on the cloud as the main storage vehicle.
Brand
There are so many choices, but many purchasers prefer a brand whether it be Mac, Dell, Microsoft, and so on.
It may depend on the operating system you favor or what purpose you will be using this device. Other buyers want their devices to sync by using the corresponding operating system such as Apple iOS. But to help make this decision an easier one, consult this buying guide by Digital Trends, The Best Laptop Brands.
Price
When it comes to buying a laptop, you want to choose a device that meets your needs but also your budget. Price is a significant factor because if you can’t always afford the superior laptop with all the features you desire, so you may want to consider choosing a more suitable alternative.
Did we miss any key aspects that you consider when buying a laptop? Share them in the comments below! Remember, if you are exploring security services for your new device or need data backup and recovery for your current device, Computer Troubleshooters offers business and residential IT services that are tailored to meet your needs and budget. Contact a CT location nearest you!
