Buying a laptop is an enormous task. It is by far one of the most complex things anyone has to do, especially when they have little knowledge of the specifics of computer systems.
It gets even more complicated when one has to navigate whether they want an Apple, Dell or a Lenovo Laptop – yes, they all serve different purposes! After all, it is a $110.51 billion market.
So, here’s a mini checklist that will hopefully make a bit of a difference in one’s laptop buying journey. Most importantly, it will offer insight into the most crucial aspects of buying a tech device that is as much of an investment as a laptop.
Choose the right operating system
Before looking for laptops, one must choose which operating system or OS suits them. Thinking about what software needs to run and which operating systems the program runs best on will aid in determining the hardware too.
There are four primary computer operating systems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Windows
- Linux
- macOS
- Chrome OS
Since it is the most crucial component of a laptop, conducting more in-depth research on each may be beneficial for the entire laptop purchasing process.
Determine the ideal storage capacity
All of the data is saved on the hard drive. A solid-state drive (SSD) is the most prevalent option these days, however, some low-cost laptops still utilize spinning drives. The suggested minimum amount of space is 256 GB.
Storing everything on the cloud may allow you to live on less. Nonetheless, having the space is beneficial. Furthermore, if one intends to install many games or applications or store a large number of images or videos, this will soon use up all of the space.
How much should the RAM size be
RAM, or random-access memory, is what a laptop uses to store data while the CPU processes it. If the computer’s RAM runs out, it won’t be capable of opening any more browser tabs or completing a video compilation. The laptop will eventually freeze and must be rebooted.
For the average Windows user, eight gigabytes of RAM should be adequate. Although expanding to 16 GB would significantly improve the laptop’s performance and is necessary for gaming.
Is a graphics card necessary
Although graphics cards are included in all laptops, the majority of them are integrated into the motherboard alongside the processor. This strategy, known as “integrated graphics,” is sufficient for most users. They can watch HD movies or even play games casually without any problems.
A gamer or anyone who does a lot of video editing, on the other hand, will require a laptop with a dedicated graphics card as well as a separate, considerably stronger graphics card. Most graphics cards included in laptops, including a Dell and Lenovo Laptop, are manufactured by AMD and NVidia.
Wrapping it up
To summarize, one must fully determine what features they wish to have in their laptop. In particular, they need to determine what the following should have:
- Operating system
- Storage capacity
- RAM size
- Graphics card
Having these down can be very useful in shortlisting a few different laptops and help budget for the purchase. All anyone needs to do after that is simply visit a store to purchase the device that best fits them!
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