Laptops are lightweight enough to hold onto, and flexible enough to run challenging applications. It’s the best tool to do serious work or play at home, on the road or even in class. Although tablets and smartphones are quite mainstream, most people realize that everything from typing a research paper to posting videos to gaming works best on a laptop. As a result, we’ve put together this laptop guide for you.
Don’t go for the least expensive model
There are some cheap laptops on the market, but it doesn’t guarantee that they will do the job you want or have all the features you need just because they are inexpensive.
Let’s assume you’re stuck between a dual-core processor and a quad-core processor. You want to run a lot of applications at once, but you’ve selected the dual-core processor because it’s a bit cheaper. Now you’ve got a system that isn’t as strong as expected, and that issue will haunt you for its lifetime.
The old adage, “You get what you pay for,” is quite true in terms of laptops. For instance, what’s the point of buying the cheapest model if it dies every four hours and fully crashes in four months? Then, it’s back to square one again.
What’s your budget?
Stick to a $600-$1,000 price range. In terms of bang for buck, this price range is probably the best. You get much better internal hardware than entry-level models, but you don’t pay a premium for some of the luxurious materials used to make the most costly models. You have to sacrifice a few features, and you won’t see an excellent graphics chip for your money, but the systems are really excellent. For instance, if you wanted to sell your laptop online you want to sell something that people will want to buy.
What about the keyboard?
The keyboard crucial. Look for a precise touchpad that doesn’t send you a jittery cursor and adjusts reliably to multi-touch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. If you’re buying a laptop, consider getting one with a pointing nub between the G and H keys so you are able to scroll through the screen without raising your hands from the home row of the keyboard.
How much battery power do you need?
You don’t have to think about battery life if you’re buying a big, heavy laptop or a gaming rig that you’re just going to use on a table near a socket. However, you’ll want a minimum of 7 hours of endurance, 8 + hours being ideal, even if you’re at home or working. In order to determine the expected battery life of a notebook, don’t take the word of the manufacturer. Instead, read third-party reviews from objective sources.
Final thought
To conclude, purchasing the right laptop means just that. So then, pick the laptop that is best suited for your needs. Research all you can about a forthcoming purchase, but make the choice that makes the most sense for you. And, hunt for the best value. The best times are usually during the holidays or summer clearances. You may be shocked at what sort of deals you may discover.
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