How to Choose a Laptop - Buying Guide

    For an office employee, a laptop can quickly become the central element of his or her day. You must, therefore, ensure that you invest in a reliable device that is appropriate for your needs. We know that this purchase can be a big investment for you. As the selection process can be complex, we have written a purchasing guide that addresses the important elements of your decision.

Not all laptops are equal. They come with different operating speeds, memory, screen sizes and more. Please consider the following details before making your purchase.

Processor
The processor is the driving force behind the laptop computer. It determines how powerful it is and what programs it can run. Most laptops will have an Intel or AMD processor. If you work in graphics, you should consider a high-performance processor and a separate graphics card to keep it in good condition.

Graphic
Most laptops can process low-resolution graphics, unless you have a laptop for video games that processes graphics images separately from the processor, allowing superb images at faster speeds.

Audio
Speakers vary considerably from one computer to another. Some come with excellent sound quality while others do not. This can be remedied by using additional headphones or speakers. If you are not in the music industry, the sound quality is generally not of great importance.

Memory
Random-Access Memory (RAM), not to be confused with storage, will help the processor to perform different tasks at once. Most laptops come with 4 to 8 GB of RAM. At least 6 GB is recommended for those working in video processing and with high-resolution images.

Storage space
We recommend a minimum of 120 GB of SSD. You can keep unimportant documents on a site like Google Drive or Dropbox to free up a large part of your space. Unlike a desktop computer, it is difficult to improve the storage space of a laptop computer, but it is possible. To avoid headaches, determine your daily needs before purchasing your device. If you work with a lot of images or video files, choose a larger storage option. If you use a lot of Word or PDF documents, then at least 120 GB should be enough.

Touchscreen display
Many Windows and Chromebook laptops are now sold with touchscreen options. You can move and manipulate things on your screen with a mouse or finger, in the same way as you use your smartphone or tablet.

Screen resolution
The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. For those who work with images, such as photographers and graphic designers, a QHD (Quad HD) or 4K Ultra HD is an excellent choice for a super sharp image. Other options include HD, HD +, Full HD and Retina screen.

Size
Laptop monitors generally range in size from 11 to 17 inches. The larger the screen, the larger the overall machine. Larger displays also require more power and weigh more. They are ideal for video game players and those who need to see documents side by side easily.

Keyboard and touchpad
In the past, touchpads were known to be horrible, with cursors jumping everywhere and buttons included in the touchpad. Now, many Microsoft notebooks have precision touchpads where we can see great improvement. However, you may want to invest in a wireless mouse.

Keyboards vary depending on the size of the laptop. Some larger computers may have more functions available and include keypads while smaller laptops may have smaller keys.

Battery life
Laptops with high operating processors generally have batteries with a shorter lifespan than computers with a lower processor power. Laptops with a longer battery life tend to be rather basic. This means that the more features you add, the shorter the battery life will be. Consider getting a backup battery if you work with software that requires a lot of graphics card space and you need to be able to move your laptop easily.