There are a ton of laptop brands out there some of which are explicitly marketed for some industries and uses. When buying a laptop whether or not you are sure of what you want there is a chance that you might find it can be difficult to navigate the manufacturers’ websites to locate the model you desire. This article serves as a guide to help you navigate the morass of modern laptops. Below is a section on every 13 things to consider when buying a laptop for a career in tech. Here are the major components you’ll want to know about when you browse for your next laptop.
13 Things To Consider When Buying A Laptop For A Career In Tech
- RAM
- Display
- Processor
- Keyboard
- Battery Life
- Storage Space
- Screen Quality
- Graphics Cards
- Weight And Size
- Operating System
- Ports And Webcam
- Central Processing Unit
- Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
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1. RAM
RAM (Random-access memory), is what your laptop uses to hold data while the processor does things with. It is the key to your computer performance, especially if you do lots of multitasking on your laptop. With more RAM your laptop will perform faster and will be able to access data, and the more applications you can run smoothly at any one time
Before purchasing a laptop investigate if the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, If it is, you won’t be able to upgrade the RAM yourself. Consider a laptop with a RAM that has DDR4 (double data rate) next to it. This type of RAM is speedy though it is older and less common these days. Most laptops have DDR4 RAM, but manufacturers will list the type on their sites next to the amount, so it’s worth checking before you buy.
2. Display
The laptop display is one major thing you should consider especially if you are into programming because this is what you will be glued to for nearly 99% of the time when you are working. Here’s are some things to consider when picking out your new laptop.
- Big Built-In-Screen: A smaller display laptop screen will offer you less space to work with; the text, icons, and other user interface elements will be smaller, leading to more eyestrain but the case is different5 withy a bigger screen.
- External Display Support: Some computers will let you attach at least one external monitor via HDMI. The mismatch between the small built-in screen and a larger external monitor can make your work harder at some point. If you will have to attach two or more external monitors attached to your computer, you have to ensure that the computer supports that. Most entry-level and mid-range devices let you connect only one display via HDMI.
3. Processor
When picking out a processor, it is important to weigh several options. If you use many applications simultaneously, prioritize core count over raw processing power. If you focus on just one software, a processor with high clock speed may be worth it.
4. Keyboard
You will appreciate a decent laptop with a comfy keyboard if you plan on typing for lengthy periods of time.
Keyboard layouts designs could either be a full-sized layout or a tenkeyless design depending on your preference. Choose a design you are comfortable with but beer in mind the typing experience.
5. Battery Life
A laptop battery that will last you all day will be the best choice if you are always on the go. Apple M1 MacBook Pro, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, and the HP Envy 14 are some pf the laptop brands that have been associated with a long lasting battery life.
Besides battery life also consider a laptop that accepts Power Delivery. That way, you can use a power bank to charge it while you’re on the road. When purchasing a laptop instead of focusing on the number of hours quoted, look at the rating of the battery in Watt-hours or milliamp-hours. Bear in mind that the higher the number, the longer the battery will last.
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6. Storage Space
The hard drive is where all your data are stored. The most common choice these days is a solid-state drive (SSD), although some budget laptops still use spinning drives. We suggest avoiding those.
Solid-State Drive (SSD) are more expensive and faster than other drives, they have a space capacity of at least 256 gigabytes. eMMC storage on the other hand are budget friendly but slower in speed compared to SSD.
eMMC drives are fine for light duty laptops used for browsing the web, working on office docs, and so on. Any more than that, and you will be much better off with an SSD. Not only will you need to consider the amount of storage, but also the type of storage.
7. Screen Quality
If you are working steady for hours everyday make sure you opt for a laptop with a screen that’s easy on the eyes. Glossier screens tend to reflect surrounding light, touch screen laptops are examples of laptops with glossy screen.
Screen resolution is also crucial, depending on how you want to use your. An 1920×1080 full HD screen will offer you a great image quality and plenty of room to keep your windows in view.
8. Graphics Cards
All laptops technically have graphics cards which are also called “discrete” graphics and GPU. For some brands the graphics cards are bundled into the motherboard with the processor this allows you to watch HD movies and even play casual games without issue.
If the main use of your laptop is for gaming or video editing then you will need a laptop with a discrete graphics card which is a separate and much more powerful graphics card like that or AMD and Nvidia.
9. Weight And Size
The weight and dimensions of a laptop should be taken into account when making a decision. For example, a lightweight 13″ laptop with enough power is better than a large 17″ gaming laptop that would exhaust you at the end of the day.
10. Operating System (OS)
Before deciding to purchase a laptop, you must figure out which operating system (OS) works best for you. Is there any specific software you will need to run on the laptop? Which operating system will support that software?. Put all of these into consideration
There are four major computer operating systems. Each has it’s strengths and weaknesses. Here’s an overview of each:
- Windows: This operating system will be the best choice if you will need to install apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook. Windows laptops are of variety compared to other OS laptop.
- mac Operating System: Apple mac operating system is more suitable for beginners than Windows operating system. If you want a mac operating system then your buying options are limited to only MacBooks because Apple uses it’s own chips.
- Chrome Operating System: Chrome operating system allows you to do most of your laptop tasks in a web browser. Chrome laptops are affordable to suit even your tight budget. Applications like Adobe’s Creative Suite, Microsoft Office won’t or might not run properly on your chromebook.
- Linux: Linux operating system can be installed on any laptop hardware but it dose not support MS Office, Creative Suite and Adobe Creative Suite. There are free alternative to this applications, like LibreOffice, Darktable, and GIMP.
11. Ports And Webcam
Many modern computers, particularly small and light versions, have few ports. Consider a laptop with HDMI port for interconnection with a projector or external monitor.
A laptop with an audio port is beneficial for listening to music or conversing with people. If mobility is more important to you, a USB hub with an audio connector can provide the connectivity you need.
Additionally, a laptop with 3 or 4 USB-C connections may suffice for some, but an HDMI port is required for interconnection with a projector or external monitor.
12. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU (central processing unit) is the heart of your laptop. After deciding on the operating system you want and the software you are going to run, you can now figure out the minimum hardware specifications you will need.
New laptops will most likely contain Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7; Core i3 is found in entry-level laptops, Core i5 is found in the majority of mid-range laptops, Core i7 is found in higher-end laptops.
Intel and AMD are the two companies that make consumer laptop processors.
Intel Processors:
Intel has a variety of processors but their main processors are the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9. Intel uses cryptic strings of numbers and letters to give more information about that chip’s capabilities and when it came out. This is an example of a Intel Core i5-12510U which is how a laptop manufacturer’s websites might list the type of processor.
- The first numbers (“12”) refer to the generation; in this case it’s a 12th-generation chip.
- The next two or three numbers (“510”) are related to performance. The higher these numbers are, the more powerful the chip is.
- The letter at the end of the chip name (“U”) is Intel’s designation for the chip’s purpose. For laptops, the letters you will see at the end are Y, U, and H. The Y series chips, which are optimized for battery life, the added battery life definitely comes at the expense of some other performance. H chips are optimized for performance, and U chips are “power efficient” but not “extremely” efficient like the Y line.
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AMD Processor:
AMD’s chip naming is similar to that of Intel. In the name AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
- The “7” is the generation
- The “6” is how powerful it is. A “6” would be a medium-powered chip, whereas a 3 or 4 would be weaker (slower).
- The next two numbers don’t have much impact on anything.
- The “X” at the end indicates high performance. Other letter designations include U for ultra-low power.
AMB and Intel are similar when you’re doing things like browsing the web or editing documents but their graphics performance is where you will notice a difference. AMD’s integrated graphics tend to perform better than Intel on graphics-intensive tasks, AMD machine are the best options if you are a video editor or gamer.
13. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
Wireless networking technology enables connections to the Internet for computers, smartphones, and other devices. It is a trademarked phrase for IEEE 802.11x standards.
A laptop’s Wi-Fi speed should be taken into account while purchasing it, a laptop should be able to support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), or Wi-Fi 6E for quick internet connectivity.
Conclusion
Laptops vary in terms of CPU speed, graphics capabilities, size, storage capacity, and RAM. This can make it difficult to choose the best one for your budget. Additionally, your laptop requirements may differ from those of others, making it even more complex.
Taking time to investigate your new gadget will ensure that you don’t make an expensive mistake and acquire a laptop that’s perfect for you. Prioritize features such as mobility, screen size and battery life when choosing a laptop to fit your budget.
