You cannot just walk into a store and buy a laptop that the salesman is selling to you without knowing its pros and cons. Deciding which laptop to buy might seem more complicated and difficult than playing free online pokies.
Choice of Platform
This is not an easy question to answer, especially if you are not familiar with both Macs and PCs.
Most laptops come with one of three operating systems: Windows, Chrome OS or MacOS (for MacBooks only). You should choose the platform that you are most familiar with and comfortable to work on.
Decide if you want a 2-in-1
Many PC laptops fall into the category of 2-in-1 laptops, hybrid devices that can switch between traditional clamshell mode, tablet mode and other positions in between such as a tent or stand modes. 2-in-1s generally come in two different styles, detachable with screens that come off the keyboard entirely and flexible laptops with hinges that bend back 360 degrees to change modes. Most of these systems are much better at serving one purpose than the other, with bend-backs being laptops first and detachables offering a superior tablet experience.
Keyboard and touchpad
The laptop you are shopping for should have good ergonomics. If you plan to do a lot of work on your computer, make sure the keyboard offers solid tactile feedback, plenty of key travel and enough space between the keys. Look for an accurate touchpad that does not give you a jumpy cursor and responds consistently to multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. If you're buying a business laptop, consider getting one with a pointing stick between the G and H keys so you can navigate around the desktop without lifting your fingers off the keyboard's home row.
Budget
How much can you spend on buying a laptop is what you should ask yourself before purchasing one. For example, if you are a student, your purchasing power will be lower than that of someone who is working and who has a decent salary. So after you have decided your budget you can look out for laptops in that particular price range.
The Platform
This is not an easy question to answer, especially if you are not familiar with both Macs and PCs. But this quick overview of each platform’s strengths and weaknesses should help.
Most laptops come with one of three operating systems: Windows, Chrome OS or MacOS (for MacBooks only).
Processor
The CPU or processor is the main part of a laptop which defines the speed of processing any task. In short, if you want to multitask on your laptop you should buy one which has a powerful processor. Otherwise, your laptop will end up hanging every time you try multitasking on it. Most laptops come with an Intel or AMD CPU brand. Both are decent performers but Intel is considered more powerful than AMD. Laptops with Intel processors are also more expensive than AMD based laptops.
Ram
RAM or Random Access Memory is the physical memory of any computer system which helps in speeding up the processing of the application. For smooth operation of all tasks, it is recommended to have a laptop with at least 4GB RAM. If you want to do heavy processing tasks like video editing and graphics designing your laptop needs more than 4GB RAM.
Hard Disk Drive
The hard disk drive keeps all your data including videos, documents, photos and other system files. Small laptops generally have about 320 GB of space. But, if you have quite a lot of stuff to store then you should go for a laptop with a hard disk space of at least 500 GB. Yes, depending on your budget you can also go for laptops with 1 TB storage space.
Connectivity
If you need to use your laptop on the go, consider buying a notebook with 4G LTE support. You will have to pay for a data subscription plan, but this will allow you to access the internet away from a router. If you want a laptop with the latest and greatest connectivity options, find one with Wi-Fi 6 support.
Screen size
The screen size and type depend on what you use your laptop for. If you are fond of watching movies and playing games on your laptop then it is better to buy a laptop with a bigger screen of 17 inches. For casual computing tasks like web surfing and office work, 14.1 or 15.6 inches are enough. It is also recommended to opt for an HD screen with anti-glare features.
Design
Nowadays, everyone wants to buy a laptop that is lightweight, slim, sleek and good to look at. Most laptops come with screens that can be twisted to 180 degrees and some come with screens that can be removed and used as a tablet. But everything comes at a price.
Graphic Processor
If you are a true gamer or someone who watches Netflix a lot then you should go for laptops that come with HD and Full HD video support. Keep this in mind if you do not want to end up watching pixelated videos which can be such a turnoff.
DVD/Blu-ray Drives
Few laptops come with optical drives, because all software and movies are downloadable, though we have kept track of the laptops with DVD drives. However, if you need to read/write discs and your laptop of choice does not come with a built-in DVD drive, you can always buy an external one that connects via USB.
Battery
Battery capacity is another deciding factor when buying a laptop. As the laptop is a portable device so should have a decent battery life to work anywhere. This is again, another important factor to consider before buying a laptop. Good battery life is important if you work or play on your laptop almost all the time. Poor battery life is always going to interrupt your workflow. You should go for laptops that can work for at least 4-6 hours without charging.
Brand
The brand of a laptop matters a lot. The brand makes a huge difference. Avoid brands that you have not heard of before, or are not sure of. You should always go for the leading brands.
Warranty
After-sales service and warranty are one of the important things to consider while buying a laptop. Many companies provide attractive extended warranty offers. Another point is that you must check if there is any service centre available in your city or not.