How to choose the right laptop for you-Computerfanfield

Laptop Buying Guide 2022 – The Ultimate Guide

Looking for the perfect laptop in an ocean full of options can be pretty challenging.

There are a lot of famous brands, models, and specs that can get overwhelming if you are not much into the technical side. After all, there is so much more to laptops than getting a Windows or macOS, isn’t it?

sponsored message

Good thing is, you don’t need to do Ph.D. level research to get an awesome laptop to complete your work.

In this guide, we will explain what you should specifically look for in a laptop.

Let’s have a look at the elements you should consider.

Laptop Buying Guide 2022 – 5 Things to Look For

Here are the five key aspects you should consider when buying a laptop in 2022.

Operating Systems (OS) Size Style & Functionality Specs (Hardware) Budget

1. Operating Systems (OS)

sponsored message

Unless you are stepping out in the computer world for the first time, you must have a preferred operating system in your mind. In general, you will hear about these four OS – Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS. Let’s have a closer look at these.

Windows OS

The most user-friendly operating system is Windows. Most of the software plus games can run seamlessly on the latest versions of Windows OS. While hunting for the perfect pick, you will come across a majority of laptops that run this OS, making it the customers’ choice. From touch screens to fingerprint readers, Windows is organized and equipped with many smart features.

macOS

macOS is an Apple product and you will find this in Macbooks. With similar functionality to Windows 10, the interface of macOS seems neater and users get Siri, a smart digital assistant to help you get work done. You can connect the laptop with all your Apple devices and apps to finish your work seamlessly.

Chrome OS

If you are into simple tasks that involve a web browser, Chrome OS is worth considering as you won’t find more affordable options than notebooks equipped with Chrome OS. The interface is similar to that of Windows, but with limited functionalities. With new Chromebooks, you can run your mobile Android apps and can easily chat with friends plus surf the web securely and easily.

Linux

As for Linux, the learning curve is not friendly and professionals looking for something specific opt for this open-source platform. Some of the most popular apps, such as MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite won’t run on it, but there are other open-source alternatives. It is not a user-friendly solution, not to mention the complex interface.

sponsored message

2. Size

The size is all about how portable you need your laptop to be. Generally, you will find laptops with a 15.6-inch screen and this is a decent option for most users. However, if you are planning to carry your laptop and use it a lot on the go, you might consider laptops with smaller screens. Here are some of the generic display sizes:

11-12 Inches

These are the lightest laptops and are typically slim and weigh around 2.5-3 pounds. These laptops are good for you if you don’t care about large displays and simply want to focus on the work and performance.

13-14 Inches

It is one of the most stable solutions if you are looking for both great usability and portability. This laptop usually weighs around 3.5-4.5 pounds, making it a good pick for travelers. You can find some pretty good laptops in this display range.

15-16 Inches

The market is flooded with 15.6 inch laptops and this is a perfect choice if you can finish your work without carrying the laptop around with you. From basic configurations to powerful beasts, you will find it all in this display range.

17-18 inches

If your laptop will stay on the desk for most of the time, you can consider a laptop with a 17-18 inch screen size. It is for users who want to grasp more content on the screen. This screen size is preferred by graphic designers and coders.

3. Style & Functionality (2-in-1 Laptops)

Many laptops fall in the category of 2-in-1. These are generally flexible touchscreen tablet laptops that allow 360-degree movement.

So, you can switch anytime between a laptop and a tablet per your requirements. Such laptops are usually preferred by graphic designers, animators, and video editors to quickly draw a sketch or edit a photo/video.

From folding laptops to detachable ones, you will find a wide range of options in this category. However, if you don’t need to use your laptop as a slate to draw or touch things, then you can skip this option. You will easily get better value for money with traditional clamshell laptops.

sponsored message

4. Specs (Hardware)

Your specs will determine what your laptop can do, such as playing games, running software, writing codes, or browsing the internet. Here are some specs to look for:

CPU (Processor)

The CPU is the brain of your laptop and defines the performance. The CPU clock speed means how fast the tasks will execute. The better and higher the CPU model, the quicker and more seamless experience it will deliver. There are mainly two brands out there – Intel and AMD.

Intel – Intel processors usually come at a rating scale of 4-10 and deliver good performance. The power consumption and battery life proves to surely be an issue in some of the Intel laptops. The sub-classifications are mainly Xeon, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9. The higher you go, the better the processor is. For decent performance, Core i5 is a good option and if you are looking for a power-packed machine, consider i7 or i9. All of the lower processors from Intel are very basic.

– Intel processors usually come at a rating scale of 4-10 and deliver good performance. The power consumption and battery life proves to surely be an issue in some of the Intel laptops. The sub-classifications are mainly Xeon, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9. The higher you go, the better the processor is. For decent performance, Core i5 is a good option and if you are looking for a power-packed machine, consider i7 or i9. All of the lower processors from Intel are very basic. AMD – AMD processors come at a 5-10 scale. For similar performance, you will be paying fewer bucks for AMD processors as these are cheaper than Intel processors. The subclassification here is mainly Ryzen series like Ryzen 4000 and 5000 series, AMD A, FX, and E series. The Ryzen CPU chips are Intel equivalent of i5 and i7 that deliver a powerful performance. On the other hand, the AMD A and FX series are found on low-cost laptops for basic functioning.

Professionals – For professionals, such as graphic designers, programmers, and app developers, the processors with great benchmark scores to look for are Intel Core i7, Intel Core i9, AMD Ryzen 3000 series, AMD Ryzen 4000 series, and AMD Ryzen 5000 series. These processors are also great for medium and high-end gaming.

Beginners/Casual users – For casual laptop users and beginners looking to simply watch movies, surf the Internet, play low-end games, and do some basic stuff, some budget processors are Intel Core i3, Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium Gold, AMD Athlon, and AMD Ryzen 3 1200.

GPU (Graphics Card)

A GPU, or a graphics card chip, is responsible for generating quality images on your screen. The lower-end laptops are equipped with integrated graphics that are enough to run basic applications and perform decent functions. However, if you are looking to play high-end games and run graphic designing/video editing software, you should consider getting Nvidia and AMD chips. These have different versions, such as Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, 1080, or Radeon RX 6600. Again, to compare them, Google two GPUs and look for the benchmark score.

RAM (Memory)

RAM is responsible for storing all the currently running programs and tasks. So, the more your RAM is, the more programs you can run at the same time without having lagging issues. In general, 8GB of RAM is decent for most users. However, if you will be running intensive applications or games, then you can go for 16GB or more as per your applications’ requirements.

Storage

The storage is the laptop’s internal drive, which decides how much data the laptop can hold. This includes everything from installed applications and downloaded videos to games and music on the laptop. Generally, 1 TB of storage space is enough for most users. You also need to choose between HDD and SDD. An HDD drive will cost you fewer bucks, but if you opt for SSD, you can get a faster speed.

Display

sponsored message

Laptop display consists of certain elements. Firstly, you will need to look at the pixels you want, such as HD, Full HD, 3K, or 4K resolution. The more pixels it has, the clearer and sharper content will be on the screen. Next is the brightness and color accuracy. IPS display panels are great for graphic designers. However, if you are looking for the very best picture quality, consider an OLED display. Check the refresh rate next. Anything greater than 120Hz is great for gamers and 60Hz is good for designers.

Ports

Ports allow you to easily connect multiple devices and accessories to your laptop for the easy transfer of data. Generally, you will need a couple of USB A ports and a USB C port to quickly connect thumb drives and your mobile phone. Moreover, if you want to directly access the Internet through the Ethernet cable, make sure that your laptop has an Ethernet port. Apart from that, look for a card reader port and HDMI port, if you are into photography and editing.

5. Budget

From $150 to more than $2500, laptops come in different price ranges. So, if you have a budget to maintain, this point should be your number one priority. Based on your budget, you can filter out the options and choose the one that best suits your requirements.

$150 – $250 Price Range

The least expensive laptops are Chromebooks or low-spec Windows systems with slower processors and less storage. These laptops are generally used by school students or users who need to do basic work.

$350 – $600 Price Range

You can get a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or AMD A8/Ryzen CPU along with 8GB of RAM and 500GB SSD, which is a really decent configuration. If you are looking to play medium-end games and do office or school work, you will find a good laptop in this range.

$600 – $900 Price Range

If you are looking for pure performance, a great build quality, and a good value for money, you will get specific work-oriented laptops in this range. Also, you will see more premium finishes and high-resolution displays on these laptops.

$900+ Price Range

You can expect portable and powerful laptops above $900. These are equipped with faster processors and graphics cards that allow you to have the ultimate gaming experience. These mainly include gaming laptops, graphic designing laptops, app development, and programming laptops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most user-friendly Operating System? Windows is the user-friendly Operating System that is preferred by most users. Which size should I prefer for lightweight laptops? 11-12 Inches is the preferred size for lightweight laptops. What are the processors suitable for professionals?

Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 3000 series, AMD Ryzen 3000 series are the best processors for professionals. What makes a laptop run faster? The computer’s memory and processor both have an effect on how fast your laptop works. The higher the number the faster the speed of the laptop. For example, a laptop with 8GB RAM runs faster than a 4GB one and an i5 processor runs faster than an i3 laptop.

Time for Laptop Hunting!

Pay attention to all of these points and refer to them while browsing different laptops. Make sure to thoroughly read the specifications and while comparing two laptops, always look for perfect CPU and GPU combinations. RAM and storage can be generally upgraded at reasonable prices once you buy a laptop. So, you can compromise on these if you are shy on budget.

The last thing to consider is the warranty that the brand offers. Make sure that there is multi-channel support and proper service centers in place to help you in case you have any trouble.

That’s it from my side. Have a great time finding the perfect laptop for you!

How to Buy a Laptop for Your Business

There are plenty of top-10 lists out there for people who want a quick reference as to the best work laptops on the market, but this laptop buying guide will teach you how to buy computers the clever way, without relying on the (often sponsored) opinions of someone else. Don’t be concerned if you have little to no tech support or limited experience – once you know the nuts and bolts of what makes a good laptop, the shopping process will be much less overwhelming.

This buying guide is designed to be worked through step by step and considers general hardware best practices as well as the budgetary and deployment concerns of small business owners.

Step 1: Set your technology budget and optimize your shopping strategy.

The best way to optimize your tech spending is to set a clear budget before shopping. As you set your budget, consider not only the overall amount you’re willing to spend but how that will amortize over the number of laptops you’ll buy. When entrepreneurs don’t set a budget before shopping, especially for technology, they often end up overspending or underspending. Not every business needs a fleet of top-of-the-line machines, and it’s a waste of time to consider high-cost options if they don’t suit your bottom line. On the other hand, underspending can end up costing you more in the long run if you don’t get what your employees need the first time around.

One popular approach to tech budgeting is to adopt different tiers of devices based on user needs. For example, it may be worth springing for luxury Dell machines for your C-suite execs and dev team, midrange Dell laptops for your professional staff, and entry-level Dells for support staff. It’s advisable to stick to one or two manufacturers to simplify maintenance and mobile device management in the future. For this reason, it’s best to keep tech purchasing decisions in the hands of a small number of high-level employees and not open the conversation to your entire staff. [Read related article: What Is Mobile Device Management?]

The easiest management approach is to have only one original equipment manufacturer and two or three model variations. If you have creative pros on board, though, you will likely end up adopting two types of machines, since creatives often require pricey Macs (which are not typically necessary for other employees).

If you’re not sure how to strike a balance between cost and quality, check out our breakdown of laptop budget ranges and determine your range based on the types of employees you have:

$300 and under: In the $300-and-lower range, you’ll find low-end Chromebooks and Windows machines exclusively. We don’t recommend laptops at this price point for business users, as they typically have cheap build quality, limited storage and slow performance. Even for light business use, you can do better.

In the $300-and-lower range, you’ll find low-end Chromebooks and Windows machines exclusively. We don’t recommend laptops at this price point for business users, as they typically have cheap build quality, limited storage and slow performance. Even for light business use, you can do better. $350 to $599: In this price range, you’ll find mediocre Windows laptops and good business Chromebooks. The reason Chromebooks are better than Windows machines in this range is because they have far less storage (which is expensive), so they can stay at a low price without sacrificing on build and display. Either way, you should only purchase a work laptop in this price range for staff that sticks to basic tasks such as using Microsoft Office, posting on social media and browsing the web. For support staff with limited needs, like receptionists and assistants, this price range may be adequate.

In this price range, you’ll find mediocre Windows laptops and good business Chromebooks. The reason Chromebooks are better than Windows machines in this range is because they have far less storage (which is expensive), so they can stay at a low price without sacrificing on build and display. Either way, you should only purchase a work laptop in this price range for staff that sticks to basic tasks such as using Microsoft Office, posting on social media and browsing the web. For support staff with limited needs, like receptionists and assistants, this price range may be adequate. $600 to $999: Most business users’ needs can be met in the $600-to-$999 price range. Users should have no trouble getting the memory and storage they need as well as a powerful enough processor for business multitasking at this level. Work laptops in this category often have business-class security features, such as fingerprint scanners, and they tend to have good battery life, comfortable keyboards and nice displays.

Most business users’ needs can be met in the $600-to-$999 price range. Users should have no trouble getting the memory and storage they need as well as a powerful enough processor for business multitasking at this level. Work laptops in this category often have business-class security features, such as fingerprint scanners, and they tend to have good battery life, comfortable keyboards and nice displays. $1,000 and up: For $1,000 or more, you can get a laptop that’s much more powerful or portable than those in the lower price brackets. Premium ultraportable models, such as Dell’s XPS 13, offer fast performance in an extremely sleek package. Bulky, powerful workstations also fall into this category and range from $1,500 to $3,000 (sometimes even more). This is the best price range for your power users, like your dev team, design team and C-level execs who want to project a certain image.

Now that your budget is set, filter your future searches based on cost. Even looking at laptop models outside of your price range is a recipe for budgetary disaster, so steer clear.

Step 2: Choose an operating system.

Unless you can spend at least $1,300 per laptop, you’ll be choosing between the Chrome and Windows operating systems, but there are three primary operating systems, and you should know the differences between them. If, after reading these descriptions, you are still unsure which operating system to select, choose Windows. Windows is still the business standard worldwide, and you are unlikely to regret the decision.

Apple OS X

Laptops that run Apple’s OS X carry hefty price tags, but many die-hard Apple fans are willing to pay a premium for a beautiful machine with a well-designed interface. Historically, creative professionals favored Apple laptops for their high screen quality, function keys, and ability to run high-octane programs such as Avid, Maya and Dreamweaver.

Many creative pros still purchase laptops from Apple, but it’s no longer considered the go-to brand, especially since recent MacBook Pros have featured less RAM than previous models and seem more focused on appealing to a mass audience than a niche.

Whether you should opt for a machine running Apple OS X is mainly up to personal preference and how much you’re comfortable spending – unless your business happens to use a software product that can only run on Mac. While this scenario is becoming less common, you should always ask IT experts about possible operating system and software compatibility issues before buying new laptops. Some businesses also choose Apple OS machines for the image they project, and if you are in a field where looks matter and cultivating a luxe vibe is important to your clients, that may be a valid choice.

Windows 10 OS

As we’ve mentioned, Windows is the standard operating system for work laptops. If you go with Windows OS, you’ll have more laptops to choose from than if you go for Chrome OS or Apple OS X. There are Windows machines available in every configuration and price range possible, which means you can be pretty picky (within your budget, of course).

Windows 10, the latest version of the operating system, has a handful of new features that can boost your productivity. Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, can perform all sorts of tasks, such as scheduling appointments and checking the weather. Then there’s Task View, which lets you set up multiple virtual desktops for easier multitasking.

The main benefit of choosing Windows is familiarity. It’s highly unlikely that your employees have never used a Windows laptop before, and most IT pros (even those with relatively little experience) know how to provide support for Windows devices. Ease of use is an important factor in business tech adoption, and the average office worker is comfortable with Windows.

Chrome OS

Google’s Chrome OS is the new kid on the block of operating systems, so if you’re not sure what to expect from a Chromebook, you’re not alone. When Chromebooks first hit the market, they were primarily created with students in mind, because they have a super-low starting price.

Now the offering of Chromebooks is more diverse, and business-focused laptops are running Chrome OS. Chrome is a great choice for an entrepreneur who is comfortable living in the cloud (you can’t download programs on a Chromebook) and doesn’t want to worry about updates.

Chromebooks are built to download and deploy updates automatically for you, which is a great timesaver for busy entrepreneurs. Thanks to an increase in cloud-based programs such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Chromebooks are growing more functional for a broader range of business owners.

Step 3: Choose a laptop design.

The key to choosing the right laptop design is considering how you and your team work. Here are a few questions to ask yourself (or your employees) before you shop.

Do I want a hybrid laptop or a traditional laptop?

You’re already familiar with traditional laptops that open on a hinge, but now there’s another breed of hybrid laptops to consider. Hybrid laptops, also called convertible laptops or 2-in-1s, are laptops that double as stand-alone tablets.

Some hybrid laptops’ screens detach completely from the keyboard, while others have hinges with a 180-degree range of motion, so you can fold the laptop inside out and use it as a tablet. Employees who travel a lot or currently switch back and forth between a laptop (for typing) and a tablet (for stylus and touchscreen use) may be a good match for a hybrid design. However, you should be aware that a 2-in-1 with high specs will cost more than a standard-hinge laptop with the same specs.

Is a comfortable keyboard a high priority?

When you’re busy looking at laptop designs, it’s easy to forget about the basics and be dazzled by gorgeous chassis and high-resolution screens, but keyboard comfort is an important factor for most business users. In fact, an uncomfortable keyboard will be a much bigger barrier to productivity than a slightly unimpressive PPI or a bland design. While you shop, keep in mind that the smaller the laptop, the smaller the keyboard, and that typing on a miniature keyboard for hours at a time can be tiresome.

If possible, test out keyboards to get a feel for what you like. If you can’t do that, at least take note of the size of the keyboard on any laptop you consider. If you choose a laptop with a less-than-optimal keyboard, you can invest in an external keyboard for long typing sessions – but this is not ideal, of course.

Will I be traveling with my laptop or mostly working in one place?

Portability is a major concern for some business owners and a nonissue for others. If you travel a lot or work in different locations on a regular basis, it may be worth sacrificing the screen and keyboard size for a lighter computer. You can always check the dimensions and weight of a laptop under the technical specifications online.

Keep in mind that laptop screens, like television screens, are measured diagonally (corner to corner) and that, in general, any device lighter than 3 pounds is portable enough for business travel. Before you choose an ultraportable, though, make sure the device has the ports you require and a battery life you can live with.

Do I need a touchscreen or stylus support?

Touchscreens are a nice feature if (and only if) you use them a lot. Laptops with touchscreens and/or stylus support are nearly always more expensive than similar models without touchscreens.

Computers with touchscreens also use a lot more battery power than those without, even if you don’t actively use the touchscreen feature. To top it off, touchscreens are heavier than regular screens. If you need a touchscreen or stylus support, you should absolutely look for that feature in a laptop, but don’t spring for it just because you think it seems like a cool add-on.

Do I need a rugged laptop?

Rugged laptops are essential for some businesses, especially those that employ workers in rugged or remote conditions. The Panasonic Toughbook is the highest-profile rugged laptop line, and it’s very popular with public service professionals (such as police, fire departments, EMTs and conservation experts) as well as private companies that require ultra-resilient laptops (such as oil, fishing, agriculture, construction and delivery businesses).

Rugged laptops and tablets often offer accessories that are not available for mainstream laptops, such as vehicle mounts and vehicle battery packs (some rugged laptops can operate for days at a time with these packs). Rugged laptops are also typically waterproof, drop-proof, and able to be used with gloves on (even if they have touchscreens). However, they’re also usually larger and clunkier than consumer or business laptops, and they can be expensive once you factor in accessories.

Most businesses do not need rugged laptops, but if yours does, don’t even bother looking at standard consumer or business machines. Instead, start by checking out the Toughbook by Panasonic, Dell Rugged Extreme and Getac lines.

Step 4: Compare these three specs.

By now, you’ve probably found a couple of laptops that fit your budget, have the operating system you want and meet your design needs. Choosing between them comes down to the specs. Specs can be overwhelming when you’re not familiar with all the tech talk, so let’s break it down in simple real-world terms.

CPU

Under the technical specs, you’ll see the laptop’s CPU (central processing unit, also just called the processor) listed. The CPU is the first thing you should look at when comparing laptop options.

If your laptop were a car, the CPU would be the engine. As you can imagine, the quality of your laptop’s processor has a huge impact on usability. That said, many people overspend for top-of-the-line processors when they don’t need them. An equivalent would be someone who buys a Porsche but never drives more than 40 mph.

As you compare CPUs on the laptops you’re looking at, keep these general guidelines in mind:

Low-end CPUs: CPUs that are best suited for very light use include the AMD E-Series, Intel Atom, Intel Pentium and Intel Celeron. If all you plan to do with your laptop is typing and web browsing, a low-end CPU may be fine, but, in general, we don’t recommend these for business use.

CPUs that are best suited for very light use include the AMD E-Series, Intel Atom, Intel Pentium and Intel Celeron. If all you plan to do with your laptop is typing and web browsing, a low-end CPU may be fine, but, in general, we don’t recommend these for business use. Midrange CPUs: These include the Intel Core m3, m5 and m7. You will likely only see these CPUs in lightweight and hybrid laptops. These CPUs are OK for basic work tasks. If the laptop you’re buying is a secondary machine for travel, or something you’ll only use occasionally to take notes and send emails, this range should suit your needs. If your business requires you to run robust programs regularly, spring for more power.

These include the Intel Core m3, m5 and m7. You will likely only see these CPUs in lightweight and hybrid laptops. These CPUs are OK for basic work tasks. If the laptop you’re buying is a secondary machine for travel, or something you’ll only use occasionally to take notes and send emails, this range should suit your needs. If your business requires you to run robust programs regularly, spring for more power. CPUs that are good for most business use: The Intel Core i3 and i5 processors are suitable for most businesses; they’re like the reliable four-door sedans of the laptop world. If you regularly multitask on your machine, like running QuickBooks while managing massive spreadsheets in Excel when your browser has 15 tabs open, a Core i5 is a better choice for you than a Core i3. If you’re a standard business user who sends emails, creates documents, streams media, stores photos and posts to social media, a Core i3 will suit your needs just fine.

The Intel Core i3 and i5 processors are suitable for most businesses; they’re like the reliable four-door sedans of the laptop world. If you regularly multitask on your machine, like running QuickBooks while managing massive spreadsheets in Excel when your browser has 15 tabs open, a Core i5 is a better choice for you than a Core i3. If you’re a standard business user who sends emails, creates documents, streams media, stores photos and posts to social media, a Core i3 will suit your needs just fine. High-end CPUs: When they first came to market, Intel’s sixth- and seventh-generation Core i7 processors were found exclusively in high-end laptops. As with most technology, the price has decreased somewhat, and you can now find laptops for less than $1,000 that have i7 processors. While there’s nothing wrong with purchasing a laptop with a Core i7 processor, you probably don’t need one.

Many people think a powerful processor equals better performance, and everyone wants the best performance possible, but that idea is both true and false. Here’s an analogy: Imagine loading a bag of groceries in the back of your four-door sedan (your Core i3 or Core i5). You can easily drive that bag of groceries home, right? Now imagine putting that same bag of groceries in the back of a high-end pickup truck with way more horsepower. Was it easier to drive the bag of groceries home in the more expensive truck? No, it didn’t make a difference, because the task you were performing was so lightweight that you didn’t even tap into the benefit of the pickup truck’s extra horsepower (the ability to haul massive loads, attach a snowplow, use four-wheel drive, etc.).

The same is true for high-end processors. If you’re not going to do video editing or 3D modeling, you don’t need a high-end processor, and having one won’t improve your laptop experience. If those demanding tasks are part of your daily business, a Core i7 will be well worth the money.

Luxury CPUs: If you gave yourself an unlimited budget for business laptops, you may encounter a few that feature the Intel Xeon. The Xeon is only necessary for professionals who regularly do hardcore business analytics, vector-based processing, and other intensive data science and analytics tasks. If all those terms sound like Greek to you, you don’t need an Intel Xeon. If the i7 is a fancy pickup truck, the Xeon is a high-end sports car, like an Aston Martin or a Porsche. There’s a very small population for whom buying a sports car is a financially sound decision, and the same is true for a luxury laptop with an Intel Xeon.

Memory and storage

The second most important factor to compare in work laptops is their long-term storage and short-term memory. For short-term memory, there’s random-access memory (RAM), and for long-term storage, there’s your hard disk drive (HDD, also just called a hard drive). Some computers have a solid-state drive (SSD) in addition to an HDD for long-term storage, while others only have an SSD for long-term storage.

SSDs are newer than HDDs and increasingly popular for storage because they’re faster than HDDs, making your laptop run faster too. SSDs don’t have any moving parts, so they’re also more durable and compact than standard hard drives, which is why rugged laptops almost always have them.

Here’s how to figure out if the laptop you’re looking at has enough memory and storage for your business use:

RAM: Skip any laptops with 2GB RAM, as they’ll be frustrating to work on. Aim instead for laptops that have 4GB (good) or 8GB (even better). Some laptops come with 16GB, but that’s not necessary for most business users.

Skip any laptops with 2GB RAM, as they’ll be frustrating to work on. Aim instead for laptops that have 4GB (good) or 8GB (even better). Some laptops come with 16GB, but that’s not necessary for most business users. HDD and SDD: Unless you’re planning to do a lot of video editing (therefore storing tons of footage on your machine), you should be fine with a minimum combined storage capacity of around 256GB. Bear in mind that if you opt for a Chromebook, you will have far less hard drive space (which is fine if you’re OK with living in the cloud and running mobile apps). The storage suggestion here is primarily for business users purchasing Windows or Apple machines.

Battery life

The last major spec you should consider before making your final decision is battery life. Battery life is a nonissue for some business owners and a make-or-break factor for others. You’ll need to think about how often you’ll be using your laptop without access to power.

In any case, it’s a good idea to glance at the battery life of any machine you purchase. Bear in mind that laptop manufacturers use different metrics to measure battery life, so take each one’s reported number as more of an estimate than an absolute fact.

Some laptop manufacturers offer add-on batteries for an extra cost. While these batteries can massively extend the battery life of a work laptop, they also add considerable weight to the machine, so consider the combined weight before you opt for an extra battery pack.

How to choose the right laptop for you

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little bewildered by the amount of choices. There are, after all, a huge selection of models on the market, what with hardware makers pushing out dozens of new models every year.

The good news is that you don’t need to look at every single laptop out there in detail, because you can quickly narrow your options down by asking a few questions about what you want in your next computer.

Consider both portability and power

Every laptop is a compromise between portability and power, and they all vary on where they draw that line. A faster and more capable machine needs bigger internal components and more room to keep them cool—which means it will end up larger, heavier, and more battery-draining than a less-powerful computer.

As portable computing power has improved over the last few years, this compromise has become less of an issue. Today, decent processors and graphics chips slip into svelte laptop frames. Still, if you want a laptop capable of the most demanding tasks—primarily gaming and video editing—it’s going to have to be relatively chunky.

The other obvious factor that affects portability is screen size, which is usually listed first in a laptop’s specs. Go for a bigger screen, and you’ll have more room for your Excel spreadsheets and Netflix movies. Opt for a smaller one, and you’ll get something that’s easier to slide into your messenger bag. Laptop displays typically range from around 11 inches to around 17 inches.

You can find laptops to suit every point along the portability-power scale, so you’ll need to decide which is most important to you. How much of your time will you be spending carrying your laptop from place to place? Will it have to last a long time between battery charges? How much heavy use do you want to get out of it? Answer those questions, and you’ll be able to quickly pare down the list of suitable choices.

Pick an operating system

If you’re already comfortable with an operating system, you may prefer to stick with it rather than switching things up. Bahman Adlou via Unsplash

Your choices for a laptop operating system are Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS, and they’re all speedy, stable, secure, and reliable. Each OS has its pros and cons, and it’s hard to definitively rank them in any objective way. Ultimately, most people tend to just stick with what they’re already familiar with, which can make picking a new laptop a little easier.

Windows remains the most popular of the three, which also means it’s the biggest target for malware and viruses, so make sure you have a robust security system in place (the built-in protections will be fine for most users). As many different manufacturers make Windows devices, you’ll have a broader range of laptop designs to pick from—standard ones, folding laptops that double as tablets, and more.

Apple’s macOS has a stronger reputation for stability and security, and it comes with a host of software, from office apps to music-making tools (compare the best laptops for music production). On the flip side, there’s a smaller choice of laptop designs to pick from, and prices tend to be toward the higher end of the scale. This OS plays well with other Apple devices (from the iPhone to the HomePod), but less well with non-Apple gadgets.

Chrome OS is essentially just the Chrome web browser, so you’re limited to web apps (no Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop here), but it also means the lightweight, streamlined OS needs little in the way of maintenance. Chromebooks running Chrome OS are available in a variety of designs and are usually competitively priced, too.

That’s a whistle-stop tour of your three main options, but it should give you a flavor of what each has to offer. Unless you’re buying your first ever laptop, you’re already going to be familiar with at least one of these operating systems. If you’re thinking about switching to something else, try a test run on a laptop owned by a friend or family member to see how you like it.

Microsoft, Apple, and Google all make laptops to show off their respective operating systems: Check out the MacBook Pro for macOS (from $1,299 from Apple), the Surface Laptop for Windows (from $999 from Microsoft), and the Pixelbook Go for Chrome OS (from $649 from Google). They should give you a better idea of what each platform can do.

Related: Best 2-in-1 laptops

Select your specs

When choosing a processor, make sure you know what generation it is and what all those numbers mean. Roman Spiridonov via Unsplash

Browse through the laptops at your local store, and you’ll see a whole host of specifications—but don’t get overly worried about the small print. As a useful shortcut, just look at the prices, which will often tell you which computers are more powerful than others. Still, it helps to know a little bit about what you’re dealing with.

The central processing unit, also known as the CPU, or simply, the processor, is the brains of the operation, controlling all the calculations that hum through your laptop’s circuitry. To find out how capable a computer’s CPU is, look for references to a clock speed (in gigahertz), which is how fast it does its thinking. Also keep an eye out for the number of cores, which are basically mini CPUs: More cores means more simultaneous thinking.

These specs are often hidden behind brand terms, like Intel’s labels of i3 (low-end), i5 (mid-range), i7 (high-end), and i9 (power users). Watch out for the generation of the chip, too (Intel’s 10th-gen CPUs are the top of the line in 2020)—a new generation means better performance with less battery drain. That’s why, when a new generation of processors arrives, you’ll often see laptop prices updated across the board.

Another important spec is the RAM, which essentially controls how much your laptop can think about at any one time. More RAM means more support for lots of browser tabs, bigger images, more open applications, and so on. Basically, RAM lets you have a lot more going on without forcing your machine to come to a grinding halt. The absolute minimum these days is 4GB, though if your needs are even somewhat demanding, you’ll probably want to go above that.

Next up: The graphics processor, or GPU, which is basically just a CPU dedicated to graphics. It’s important for gaming and video editing, but not so important for anything else. If visuals are important to you, make sure you look at resolution, which is measured in pixels. More pixels means a sharper screen (and unfortunately more of a drain on the battery). If you see an otherwise decent-looking machine for a relatively low price, the discount may be because the screen resolution isn’t up there with the best.

There are a few other specs to consider. The hard drive size indicates the amount of room a computer provides for files and applications. If you’re planning to keep your videos, photos, and music on your machine (as opposed to storing them in the cloud), make sure the hard drive you buy can handle all your data with room to spare. Also pay attention to the number of input and output ports a laptop has, especially if you’re planning to connect it to a lot of peripherals (like external hard drives or wired speakers).

Don’t forget price and hands-on appeal

The one big factor in your decision that we haven’t really talked about yet is price. If you’re on a budget, this is another way to quickly narrow down your choice of laptops. To save some cash, look for older models that have since been superseded by something new. This is a particularly good option if you know you won’t be taxing your laptop too hard and thus won’t need cutting-edge specs.

Two final tips: Use laptop reviews in tech publications to get a sense of which machines are currently more impressive than others, and actually walk into a store to handle some sample laptops. This can give you a feel for screen sizes, build quality, and so on—even if you intend to buy online.

Tags:

How to choose a good laptop