8 Important Features To Look For When Buying A New Laptop

It is important to know what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend before starting your search. You’ll also need to know what qualities and features are more important than others and what each of the different operating systems offers if you’ve got a preference. 

1. Operating System

If you’re a Windows fan, then you’ll be happy to hear that almost every laptop in the market comes with it. If you prefer something else such as Mac OS X or Chrome OS, there are many laptops to choose from too. Whether you like one over the other is up to personal preference and will depend on what kind of programs and applications you need access to frequently. If you want to have standard programs like Microsoft Office programs and something you’re familiar with, Lenovo laptops equipped with Windows are a great choice. The main benefit that a Windows operating system offers is the wide variety of programs available to choose from.

2. Screen Size

The screen size is another important consideration when looking at laptops. Are you the type that’s always on the go? If so, a smaller or even a mini laptop might be for you as they’re easier to carry around and light in weight. However, if you’ll need a bigger screen for work purposes, then a 14-inch laptop should suffice along with a good resolution and high definition display. Simply put, make sure your new laptop has a large enough screen for what it will be used for most often. The best screen size, based on user testimonials, is between 14-inches to 17-inches. In case you are looking for a gaming monitor, you should check the best hdmi 2.1 monitor.

3. Processor

Whichever operating system you choose, your laptop’s processor is going to affect how well it performs. Don’t expect anything less than an Intel Core i3 processor for working through basic tasks, but if gaming and multimedia editing are more important than having lots of processing power, then you can opt for a mobile graphics chip instead. It’s important to consider the processor speed as it has a direct impact on how fast your laptop can perform tasks like online gaming or movie watching. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t stress the CPU much, then an older i5 processor is usually sufficient enough for slower tasks. Faster laptops have the option of either i5 or i7 processors with speeds ranging from 2 gigahertz to 3 gigahertz, although if you’re not looking for something very powerful, an older i3 would do just fine too.

4. Memory

This is closely linked to processing power and if you’re like most, you’ll run several applications and programs simultaneously. If this sounds like you, then make sure you get enough memory that will allow multi-tasking without slowdown or lag time. This usually comes in the form of 4GB RAM at the least but 8GB RAM would be better as it allows for more multitasking. The amount of random access memory in your laptop is extremely important as it affects how smoothly your computer will run and operate programs. If you want something fast, make sure to get a laptop with at least 4 gigabytes of RAM as it is the minimum requirement for Windows 8. Most laptops now come with anywhere from 6-8 GB which should suffice if you’ll be using less demanding applications such as Microsoft Office.

5. Storage Capacity

Whether your new laptop has 500GB storage capacity or 128GB hard drive space, it should be enough to store all those photos and videos, not to mention documents and other files as well as any software programs that may come with your laptop purchase. Just avoid laptops that don’t have their own dedicated graphics card and stick with an Intel Core i5 or above. Also, avoid buying laptops with 32GB of hard drive space as they are usually designed for basic use only.

6. Graphics Card

A dedicated graphics card is a must in a laptop for gamers, but it’s also beneficial if you’re in the creative arts as well. The good thing about opting for a graphics card in your laptop instead of going for a desktop computer is that they fit in nicely with modern laptops and even make them look better thanks to their smaller size. However, when it comes to choosing one, not all are created equally, so do your research before spending any money on something that may not give you what you need from it. 

• Integrated Graphics – These are usually in an APU or CPU which means you’ll have to choose between a good processor and a powerful graphics card.  This is suitable for basic tasks such as word processing, playing less demanding games, and watching standard-definition movies.
• Discrete Graphics – This is a separate graphics card that’s built into the laptop itself. This is usually more expensive but offers better performance. It’s also much easier to add more memory when necessary and can be upgraded when you buy a new laptop. The drawback, however, is that it will increase the size of your laptop making it harder to carry around with you or store in small spaces such as where an office desk is usually kept.

7. Portability

If portability is important to you then another feature that needs consideration is the ports the laptop has available. These days you’ll find many laptops that have a lot of USB ports, which is great for those who want to transfer data from one device to another quickly. Also, make sure they have an HDMI port as well if you want to connect them to a TV or larger monitor. 

8. Price

The higher the price is the more powerful and advanced your laptop is going to be. That’s not to say that you can only afford the most basic model if it’s all you can afford, but spend wisely and go for a balance between features with a good processor, plenty of storage space, and memory potential along with enough processing power were needed to get your money’s worth in the long run. 

There are lots of new laptops on the market today, but some are better than others. The more research you do before making your final choice, the higher the chances are that you’ll be happier with your purchase. Make sure to check out all the features before choosing a laptop as even a few dollars can make a difference between getting something you want and settling for something that doesn’t achieve what you hoped it would.