Choosing the best new laptop for you

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No matter if you are mac loyalist or you don’t care which operating system you use, there is a laptop or notebook computer to fit all kinds of requirements.

The trick is knowing how to search, and sift through the extensive range of choices. This guide shows you how to do exactly that!

Although features and functionality are important things to consider, the first thing to take into account is yourself. Ask yourself what you are planning to do with your new computer, and how you see it fitting in with your other devices.

If you have an iPhone with all your documents stored in iCloud for instance, you may wish to consider a mac simply to seamlessly access your files and folders. Conversely, if your family photos and videos are stored in OneDrive or other cloud-based storage, a Windows PC may be the best fit for you.

Where do you take your laptop?

If your laptop sits safely on a desk and does not really leave the house, you can ignore the size and weight aspects and focus mainly on what you need it to do for you.

Because it will be plugged in to a mains electricity supply, you the battery life will not be a huge factor. If you want the largest screen size and resolution, you can choose these without fear of running your battery down too quickly.

If you take your laptop everywhere either commuting to an office or to work in the field in a job such as an architect or sales rep, you will have some other priorities. You will need a battery that can last a decent amount of time without being charged – perhaps up to eight hours. Similarly, you will want a device that does not weigh too much so you can comfortably take it where you need it to be.

What does all the different terminology mean?

As you begin to search, you will come across terms such as notebook, laptop, 2-in-1, convertible and so-on.

Notebooks tend to be the heavier duty machines designed for heavy graphics work, gaming and other such tasks. Laptops are the lighter, slicker machines more suited to travel.

Aside from these two main categories, you will also see 2-in-1 devices. These feature detachable keyboards, meaning you can benefit from a laptop and tablet device all-in-one. Ultrabooks are a category worth considering for business people. Combining some of the best processors with lightweight aluminum design and lightweight portability, they strike the best balance between performance and carrying.

Money talks

That said, your laptop search is all about your budget. Some users are okay with buying cheap laptops for sale and some require ones on the higher end. By conducting a detailed search, you can often emerge with the best possible features for the price.

Try to stick to a set amount, and from there pick the criteria that matter most to you. If a big brand name is top of your agenda, go with that and work out the best possible fit within your budget. If you don’t care about the brand but are more focused on a sleek design, you should search accordingly.

For some users, the processing speed can be more important than the brand name on the front of the laptop. In this case, look for an Intel 8th Gen machine (or higher) to give you some of the best processing power around.

With this power CPU combined with at least 8GB of memory, you will be able to multitask with several browser windows at the same time, as well as running intense software programs and graphics packages if needed.

Don’t forget the bits you see

As well as the processing speed and memory, make sure you do not overlook the most obvious parts of your laptop. You will see and work with the screen and keyboard on a daily basis, so make sure you are comfortable with both.

Of course you can plug in peripheral keyboards and monitors, but these two aspects are vital for when you just want to run with your laptop as is.

Also check out the touchpad and ensure it responds in a way you like, and that the cursor is not unsteady. Again, you can use a wireless mouse for optimal comfort, but the touchpad is important when you need your laptop quickly or on the fly.

Own your search!

As you set out on your search, don’t be distracted by flashy adverts or claims. Do your homework, and most of all, think about the way you use your own laptop. No PC manufacturer knows this, so use that knowledge to your advantage


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