Buying a new laptop is not something that comes around every week. Because of this it is easy to lose your touch with the latest technology and the technical terms you will face as you carry out your search.
But before you dive into RAM, CPU, and other technical terms, consider what you are looking for your laptop to do for you.
It’s a buyers’ market – make that work for you
From the world’s largest PC manufactures to cheaper alternatives, there are now laptops available to suit almost every budget. The first place to start is to think about what you can afford to spend, and have a look for the best options within that price range.
Looking for a laptop can be fun – make sure you do a little research to turn the tables in your favor! This article gives you some of the background information to do just that.
The digital era
The pace of technological advancement in the digital era is happening so fast it can be difficult to keep a proper handle on. So much of our lives are now online, from watching movies to playing games to working from home.
Laptops and smartphones need to be versatile, with banking applications, local authority services and cloud storage accessible across our devices.
And after the coronavirus pandemic, more companies are encouraging working from home – sometimes on your own device and signing in using a secure VPN. This policy is known as ‘Bring your own Device’, or BYOD.
To be able to work effectively in a BYOD environment, you need to pay close attention to your laptop’s operating system and functionality.
Figuring out your unique use case
All laptop users have different expectations of their device. For lower-demand functions such as checking Facebook, paying your taxes online, or checking your online bank account, lower spec laptops for sale are fine. You will also be able to surf the web, view and share photos with your family, and organize your life efficiently.
Slightly more intense workloads include streaming movies, or working in the Microsoft 365 tools. Even more demands are placed on laptops by video editing work, and by running multiple tabs at the same.
Which laptop is best for you is all about being realistic with your use case. There is no need to overpay for processing power you will never use. At the same time, it is futile to expect a lower spec machine to do everything you need to if you are a more demanding user. That would represent false economy.
Types of modern laptop
Although you will have to make some kind of compromises with your laptop, there are many devices with all kinds of in-built flexibility.
Key aspects to look for are portability, weight, screen size and processing power. Consider whether you need touchscreen capability, and if you actually use it or not.
To try to get the best of both worlds, 2-in-1 devices can be a good solution. These devices detach to provide the portability of a tablet with the versatility of a PC.
For regular travelers or commuters, 2-in-1 devices can be an ideal solution for working on airplanes, trains or between meetings.
Peripherals
Although modern laptops have reliable touchpads and touchscreen capability, you may need to consider USB or HDMI ports if you need to plug in peripherals. This can include chargers, mice, or larger screens if you are working with data.
If you are working with documents or blogging for a large portion of your time, you may also consider a plug-in keyboard. Laptops with at least a couple USB ports are advisable.
Making your search fun
Looking for a new laptop should be like looking for a new car or home – it should be fun! Don’t get daunted by speeds and feeds, focus in on what you are looking for from your machine.
If you can, go into a store to get your hands on your shortlisted PCs. They may look great on screen, but you will be typing on it and looking at the screen for a good portion of your day. So see if you like the build, the finish, and the weight.
Above all enjoy your search and you will come out with the best possible laptop for you!
