Hello guys and welcome again on your own tech guide Techanalysia. This article will find out some key features that you should look out for before buying the best Laptop. By keeping these features in mind Students, Gamers, Professionals, and Home Users can make a proper buying decision. You might be worried and confused looking at Amazon or Flipkart with options of thousand of laptops with different price points and specs before buying a laptop online or going to an offline store. You are not aware of computer terminology then seeing the laptop's specs get confused. You could just decide upon a budget and grab whatever a big manufacturer such as Dell, Lenovo, HP, or Acer is selling for that price, but what if the machine doesn’t do what you want? For this reason, you need to think carefully about what you need your laptop for before you hand over your cash.
In this complete laptop buying guide, we’ll cut through some of the confusion by taking you through the different kinds of best laptops available, providing an overview of the different specifications you’ll come across. After reading this article till the end, you will have a thorough idea of what kind of laptop to purchase, what features to keep in mind, and which processor is needed for specific requirements. In this article, I categorized this laptop buying guide into six categories which are:- Performance, Display, Ports and Connectivity, Operating System, Form factor, and other features.With that said let’s get started.
Laptop Buying Guide 2020
(1) PERFORMANCE
Performance should be one of your key criteria when looking for a laptop. The performance capability of your laptop depends on the following aspects: Processor + RAM + Internal Storage + Graphics Card + Battery. And it also depends on the way you use your laptop. Which are as follows: -
1. Light use: simple, everyday activities like surfing the web, email, and social media like Instagram and Facebook & watching movies or streaming content online like on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
2. Medium use: Typing for work, browsing the web, making and editing documents and photos, and basic gaming. Suitable for students or professionals who do a lot of research and could have multiple tabs open at once.
3. Heavy and demanding use: Include content creation, heavy programming, 4K video editing, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop, and engineering tools like MATLAB, AutoCAD, as well as heavy gaming.
Performance of laptop depends upon following factors like processor, RAM, Internal storage along with Battery and graphics card.
We will discuss each factor one by one.
a) PROCESSOR
Selecting the right processor would depend on the kind of applications you wish to run. Here’s a quick reference guide to help you select the right processor. The processor is the laptop’s brain. The better & powerful the processor, the more you can get done on the laptop.
Laptop processors are made mainly by two companies- Intel and AMD.
Intel has its Atom, Celeron, Pentium, and Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 series (in increasing order of processing power & series).
AMD has (AMD E2) < (AMD A4 & A6) < (AMD A9, AMD A10, AMD A12) < and Ryzen (3, 4, 5, 7, up to 9) series of processors (in increasing order of processing power & series).
Also, while selecting processors do look for the latest generation of processors, whichever brand you’re choosing, Intel or AMD. The latest generation means better performance & optimization in the same category of processors.
For example, if you are buying an Intel-powered laptop and you want to buy a Core i5 processor then in this case look for the latest 10th generation of Core i5 instead of 8th or 9th generation processors.
The same goes with AMD processors, go with the latest 3rd or 4th generation processors of any series whether it is Ryzen 3, Ryzen 4, Ryzen 5, and so on.
b) RAM
The amount of ram decides on how smooth and lag-free an experience you get on your laptop. The higher the amount of ram the better it is. However, here’s an indication of what you can expect from laptops with varied RAM configurations. We suggest a minimum of 4GB RAM for a lag-free experience across daily used applications like office apps, browsing, video viewing, etc. If you go for 8GB you get some extra headroom or smooth multitasking, using heavy applications like image editors and even running the latest games from high-resolution video editing to intensive gaming and graphics designing. 16GB of RAM will let you do it all without any stutters.
Also, look for the ram type always. Right now, there is a DDR4 ram is in the market on almost every laptop. Though some laptops are being sold with the older version of ram which is DDR3. Always choose DDR4 because it gives better speed, performance and is also more energy-efficient, it improves your laptop's battery life and makes it more future-proof also compared with the DDR3 types of ram. Sooner or later DDR3 rams are going to be obsolete, in that case, any type of upgrade and replacement will not be possible.
Click here to know the type and speed of the ram in detail.
c) GRAPHICS CARD
When looking for gaming laptops, the graphics processor (also referred to as GPU or graphics card), plays a key role. Having the latest series of dedicated graphics processors ensures the best gaming performance. Integrated graphics cards are present on most laptops and are suited to let you watch movies or do very light photo editing. Usually, Intel processors contain an integrated graphics chip that is sufficient for everyday needs. Dedicated graphics cards are required for heavy gaming, photo, and video editing as they are more powerful than integrated graphic cards.
Nvidia and AMD are 2 popular companies making dedicated graphics cards. Choosing the Ideal graphics card: Everyday use: browsing the web and multimedia: Gaming and image editing. For gaming and image editing dedicated 1 GB.
For advanced gaming experience and video editing dedicated 2GB. Professional gaming, animation, and 3 D rendering dedicated to 2GB or above.
Here are the dedicated graphics cards with their usage according to your work:-
Nvidia have (GTX 1050<GTX 1050Ti<GTX 1060<GTX 1650<GTX 1660<GTX 1660Ti) in increasing order for casual gaming and editing.
For heavy video editing, photo editing, gaming Nvidia has (GTX 1070<GTX 1070Ti<GTX 1080<GTX 1080Ti< RTX 2060<RTX 2070<RTX 2080<RTX 2080Ti) in increasing order.
In the case of AMD, they have (AMD RX 550, AMD Radeon RX 560, AMD Radeon RX 570, AMD Radeon RX 580, AMD Radeon RX 590) in increasing order for light editing and gaming.
For heavy video editing and gaming, AMD has (AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 Liquid Cooled, AMD Radeon VII, AMD Radeon RX 5700, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT) in increasing order.
Remember one thing, which is important choosing the dedicated graphics card laptop, will surely increase the laptop's price.
d) INTERNAL STORAGE
Selecting the right amount of storage capacity for your laptop depends on storage space requirements and the speed of storage. Here’s a quick guide on the various storage capacities and how much content they can store.
Usually, Laptop storage is of 3 types HDD, SSD, and SSHD.
HDD has mechanical moving parts so it is slow as compared to SSD.
SSDs: - SSD storage-based laptops offer low storage capacity, but they offer 5x the performance. Consider SSDs when working with large files (<1GB), Want a laptop that boots up quickly, doesn't need a lot of storage space, looking for a pure performance laptop. However, it’ll cost you much more than an HDD.
SSHD: - It is a combination of SSD and HDD. It’ll give you not only large space but everything loads faster too. An SSHD unit may come with 128GB/256GB of SSD with either 500GB/1Tb of HDD. The OS would be installed on SSD along with all necessary apps which helps OS to load and run smoothly. While in HDD you can store your documents like movies, pictures, songs, games.
Click here to know more about HDD and SSDs.
e) BATTERY
A bigger battery means more hours of usage and also a heavier laptop. Measured in Watt-Hour. Bigger batteries usually mean heavier laptops. Things like screen brightness, wi-fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and the type of processor impact battery life.
(2) DISPLAY
When it comes to laptop displays the display size and resolution are the key factors that one needs to consider. Matte displays don’t have reflection and are best suited for content creation. These displays are expensive. The glossy display makes the color on-screen pop which means they also have reflections.
Refresh rate: This is the number of times an image is changed per second on the laptop screen. It is measured in Hz or FPS. For gaming purposes, a higher refresh rate is always considerable.
a. RESOLUTION: Higher resolution allows you to fit more content on the screen while making content (text and images) sharper and more pleasant to the eye.
HD RESOLUTION- Offers 1280 x 720 pixels, Found in entry-level laptops, Good for basic tasks
FULL HD RESOLUTION- Offers 1920 x 1080 pixels, Found in premium and gaming laptops, Good for entertainment and productivity apps
4K RESOLUTION- Offers 3840 x 2160 pixels, found in high-end laptops, consider it if you watch a lot of 4K content. Best suited for Photographers and those who do a lot of heavy video editing work.
To more on resolution click here.
b. DISPLAY SIZE
Finding the sweet spot which offers the desired level of portability while offering an adequate amount of screen real estate is the key to determining the screen size.
Consider 11-inch to 13.3-inches or lower display size- If you plan to travel frequently, when looking for a lightweight laptop, primarily use the laptop for office applications
Consider 14-inch display size- Perfect balance between screen size and portability, Mixed usage of office applications as well as entertainment
Consider 15.6-inch display size- Entertainment-oriented Laptop, Portability is not too important for you, More USB ports and an optical drive, ideal for gaming and watching movies.
Always remember bigger the screen, the heavier the laptop.
c. DISPLAY TYPE: - In laptops displays are divided between two types
IPS (In-Plane Switching) and Non-IPS. Try to opt for an IPS panel. Because it gives you better color reproduction, good viewing angles. To know more about this in detail click here.
(3) PORTS AND CONNECTIVITY: The ports and connectivity option on your laptop defines what you can connect with the laptop. You need these ports to connect with pen drives, external hard disks, projector, TV, headphones. For different ports, you should consider USB type A, Type B, and Type C. Thunderbolt port is the latest and for the fastest data transfer speeds. It is a combination of a type-c connector and a display port. With the help of an HDMI port, you can connect a laptop to LED TV or projector. A VGA port is necessary to connect your laptop to TVs, Monitors, Projectors, and even gaming consoles. A card reader port should also be present therefore copying any data from your cameras and from other devices.
(4) OPERATING SYSTEM
An operating system manages the hardware and software resources of a computer, while also providing common services that are essential to all software on the system. It lets you interact with your laptop and programs easily.
Take a look at some popular OS in laptops.
Mac OS- Great user interface, Applications run without lag, limited choice of apps, only in Apple laptops.
Windows OS- Most popular, Compatible with most hardware and software, Supports third-party programs.
UBUNTU & DOS Laptops that ship with Linux-based, open-source, operating systems or DOS operating systems are suitable for programmers and coders. Ubuntu is the most popular Linux-based operating system that has an appealing graphical user interface. Laptops that come with Ubuntu can be used for basic applications like web browsing and media consumption.
Chrome OS- Available only on Chromebooks, Apps can be added through the Chrome Store, Web-based, Mostly free applications, Features Google’s built-in malware and virus protection, only in Google chrome books.
(5) FORM FACTOR
Should you get a lightweight laptop or opt for a fully loaded (and heavy) performance machine? Well, it all depends on your primary usage. Here’s a quick look at various types of form factors and what they bring.
Mainstream form factor laptops are suitable for a home, office. What they offer is a Balance of performance and features, Good value for money, Easy upgrade-ability.
Thin and light form factor laptops are suitable for business, travelers, and the premium segment. What they offer is good battery life, Premium design, and materials, Slim looks & lightweight.
Hybrid and 2-in-1 form factor laptops are suitable for multipurpose, business, and multitasking. What they offer- Touchscreen, Lightweight, Compact, Battery life
Gaming/High-performance Entertainment: These laptops are for gaming, professionals (image editing, video editing, and video studios and enthusiasts. What they offer- Top-class performance, High-resolution display, 15.6-inch and above the display, and Powerful discrete graphics processors
(6) OTHER FEATURES
Touchscreen:- Touchscreens make computer interfaces simpler. This feature is currently available on a few Windows laptops and on a few Chromebooks.
Fast Charging:- It is a useful feature when you need to charge your laptop in the least amount of time.
Backlit keyboard:- It makes typing easy when using the laptop in low-light environments.
Slim Bezel Display:- It Provides a larger screen in a smaller form factor. It looks good as well.
USB Type-C Ports:- Latest connectivity makes for fast data transfers with external storage devices.
Fingerprint Reader:- Fingerprint-based login is useful when laptop access and security are a concern.
- Check out some great laptops for students here
- Take a look at some great laptops best suitable for multitasking & light to medium use here
- Here are some of the great laptops for heavy coders.
- Now, Check out some great laptops for Content Creators.
CONCLUSION
These are some tips for buying a laptop or call it a laptop buying guide for students/professionals. It is always a good idea to know the purpose of your laptop usage and spend time on what're key features that you should look for before buying a new brand laptop. You surely pick the best laptop for the price you pay when you pay attention to the discussed points in this article here. Some features are necessary and some are a luxury so based on your budget pick the best value laptop for you or for your family. And I hope this laptop buying guide will help you to choose the right laptop for you.
And also let me know if I missed something worth mentioning. And if you like, please let me know in the comment section below and share with your family and friends. Also, don't forget to follow my official Twitter handle and do press the bell icon to get the latest tech updates whenever I post a new article.
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