You can take a laptop with you wherever you go, even abroad provided that you take a power adapter as well. Many laptops can do what we expect most desktops to do. For example, the i series are very fast workers with highest performance. Today, i7 is the most powerful type of computer. While you may not be able to run the latest games at their highest settings, most modern laptops are quite capable for all different tasks. Laptops save on space and are easy to move out of the way. This makes them great for small apartments, or for using on your bedroom desk.
Laptops are easy to steal if you forget to take care when traveling with them. Their battery life isn’t extraordinarily long and can be frustrating if you want to work without electricity for a long period of time, such as on a plane or sitting at the shore near your vacation cottage. If you plan on traveling a lot, battery life will be very important to you. Because laptops typically can’t be upgraded like a desktop can, they can become obsolete quicker. This may mean you find yourself upgrading to a new laptop again in a few years.
Go with what you know. If you’re used to one OS it’ll be easier to continue with a familiar interface than give something new/fresh a chance. But don’t let your first OS decide every subsequent OS and computer you buy.
Windows supports the most video games by far, though support for both Mac and Linux is increasing. If you are inexperienced with computers and will need help, buy the type of computer that helpful family members or friends know and will help you with. Otherwise you’ll have to rely on call-center ’tech support'.
Most Linux operating systems are free of charge as are thousands of programs and apps. A program named WINE lets you run many Windows programs on Linux systems. You can install and run these applications just like you would in Windows. WINE is still under active development, so not every program works yet. However, there are several million people using WINE to run their Windows software on Linux operating systems. Linux has virtually no threats from viruses. Linux is the perfect choice for children because the operating system is free, the programs are free, and there is virtually no threat of viruses. If the kids mess the operating system up just reinstall the operating system and start over fresh. Linux Mint looks and works the most like Windows. Ubuntu Linux is the most popular. Linux requires the most technical experience to get the most out of it. You will need to be familiar with command lines, but almost everything you need to know can be looked up online. Not all hardware is compatible with Linux, and you may have difficulty finding drivers that work.
Macs connect seamlessly with iPhones, iPods, iPads, and other Apple products. Apple Support is also very comprehensive for new Apple products. Macs are less prone to viruses than a Windows PC, but you still need to be wary. Windows can be emulated on a Mac computer using Boot Camp. You will need a valid copy of Windows to do this. Macs are typically higher-priced than their Windows or Linux counterparts.
Unlike Macs, Windows machines are manufactured by a wide variety of companies. This means that the quality will vary from laptop to laptop. It’s important to look at what each manufacturer offers in terms of price, features and support, and then to read reviews and other sources for information on how reliable the manufacturer’s products are. Windows laptops usually offer many more customizable options over a Mac laptop.
There are only a few different models of Chromebook available. HP, Samsung, and Acer each make a budget model, while Google makes the more expensive Pixelbook. ChromeOS is designed to run Google web apps such as Chrome, Google Drive, Google Maps, and more. These laptops are best suited for users who are already heavy Google users. Chromebooks will not be able to run any programs designed for another operating system, including most games and productivity programs.
There are several important things to consider when it comes to laptop size: Weight, screen size, keyboard layout, performance, and battery life. You will typically find netbooks to be the cheapest yet smallest of the choices, while regular laptops will need to strike a balance between all of the factors that suits your needs. Portability is a major concern for laptops. Getting a larger screen will sacrifice weight and portability. Consider the size of your bag when looking at different laptops.
The keyboard for netbooks will be significantly different than that of a standard-sized laptop. Make sure to give it a try before committing, because typing will feel odd for a while. Many tablet hybrids are now available. These come with detachable or flip-over keyboards, and usually have a touch screen. Consider these if you find yourself needing a tablet but can’t afford an iPad.
Laptops come in all shapes and sizes. As technology improves, they are becoming slimmer and lighter. You will find that Mac laptops don’t necessarily match up to these size descriptions. If you have decide on a Mac, consider your portability needs when looking at different models.
Some desktop replacement laptops have the ability to upgrade to a limited extent, allowing you to install a new video card. These laptops are the most suitable for gaming enthusiasts. Larger laptops will typically have a much shorter battery life, especially if you are running intensive programs such as video games or graphic development.
If you are doing fieldwork or a lot of “rough travel” with a laptop, you might need customized extras to protect it. Ask for a stronger screen, shock mounting of internal components, and protection against water and dirt. If you are a professional in the field and you really need it to last then there is a class of laptops called Toughbooks, which tend to be quite expensive, but you can run them over with a truck or bake them in the oven without damaging them. Most consumer model laptops in retail showrooms are not built for durability. Look for a corporate model laptop built from metal or composite materials if durability matters.
As technology moves forward, older processors quickly get left in the dust. If you’re buying Intel, avoid Celeron, Atom, and Pentium chips, as these are all older and slower models. Instead, look for the Core i3, i5, 17, or i9 CPUs. If you are buying AMD, avoid the C- or E-series processors and instead look for the A6 or A8 CPUs. [2] X Research source
Most standard laptops typically come with 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. This is usually sufficient for most users. Netbooks may come with as little as 512 megabytes (MB), but this is becoming less common. You can find laptops with 16 GB or more, though this is only recommended if you are running multiple memory-intensive programs. While it may be tempting to get a whole ton of RAM when you purchase the laptop, often retailers will put massive amounts of RAM in a unit to disguise the fact that the rest of the components are sub-par (slower processor, etc. ). Since it is quite easy to upgrade RAM, this should not be a huge consideration for a specific laptop.
Alternatively, Solid State Drives (SSDs) offer much higher performance, no noise and extended battery life, but have much smaller capacities (usually 30GB to 256GB at the time of writing) and cost more. If you are looking for the best possible performance, an SSD is a must, but you’ll probably need to purchase an external hard drive for things like music, photo and video libraries.
If you want to connect your laptop to your TV, make sure that it has an HDMI port for the best possible connection. You can also use a VGA port or DVI port to connect to the TV.
Ask how the laptop screen performs under sunlight; cheaper screens will often be “invisible” in outdoor light, making their “portability” a little less useful for you.
If you’re going into the store, have a printout of the laptop(s) you’re interested in, or have the information available on your phone. This will help you narrow the field and keep you focused on what you need.
The big stores or specialized computer stores are the best way to try multiple laptops before you buy them. If you’re planning to buy online, go down to your local computer/electronics store and try out a few different models, and then take your notes back home.
Don’t buy discounted floor stock laptops unless they come with a good warranty from a reputable dealer. It’s likely that these have been powered up all day every day, as well as being exposed to store dust, grimy fingers, and endless pressing and banging from bored kids or confused customers.
