Buying a computer is a significant decision for many, and it helps to know some things before you spend money. Laptops are compact devices that you can carry with you, yet dynamic enough to run versatile applications.
If you know exactly what you want and understand the features and their functionalities, it becomes easier to pick the right computer or laptop. This guide will help you navigate various components of the laptop right from the operating system and hard drive to the webcam and graphics card.
Pick the Right Operating System
The first thing that we look for in the computer is its operating system. This is something that we figure out in advance before buying a laptop. Take a note of all the applications that you want to use on your laptop, and then consider the operating system on which these apps can run flawlessly.
The four major operating systems include Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux. Once you can determine which OS you want and have a good understanding of the software applications that you are going to use on your computer, you can easily figure out the best minimal specification for your device.
When it comes to the hardware, there are a couple of things that we need to consider, such as the processor, the RAM, graphics card, hard drive, and more.
Have an Optimal Storage: SSD or HDD
Solid State Drives (SSDs) are some of the most recommended storage options these days as they are faster in comparison to hard disk drives. Though the SSDs are comparatively expensive, the performance they give is outstanding and incomparable. 256 gigabytes of SSDs are enough for your computer even if you are buying it for intense gaming functionality.
With optimal storage, you don’t have to worry about downloading high-volume applications or heavy-load games. You can even store a lot of pictures, videos, movies, and other rich multimedia files without fearing the space.
Anything lower than 256 GB storage will make your system sluggish over time. With a smaller storage media, you will have to buy an additional external drive, particularly if you are planning to buy a Mac, as it does not allow you to upgrade storage. Otherwise, you will have to deal with startup disk full error now and then. You might need to learn more about the startup disk to optimize your computer frequently if you end up buying a Mac.
Select the Processor for CPU
Two major manufacturers of laptop processors are Intel and AMD, and you will get a fair deal of options available under both of these processors. If you go for Intel, you may select one among the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 variants. Each one of these chips includes cryptic strings of alphanumeric characters that give detailed insights into the chip’s capabilities and launch info.
Among all Intel’s chips, Core i3 is the least powerful while Core i9 is the latest and the most powerful. The processor, in general, provides the processing power and the instructions that the computer needs to complete the task. A more updated and powerful processor means faster processing and better performance for your computer.
AMD chips are also available in different variants that include Ryzen, Athlon Pro, and Ryzen Pro. The processor you choose depends on the volume and type of tasks you need to perform on your device. When selecting a processor, make sure to pick one that has been launched in the last two years.
Get a High Performing Graphics Card
All laptops normally have graphics cards; some are discrete, while some are bundled into the motherboard and known as integrated graphic chips. If you do a lot of video editing tasks or play high graphics games, you must go for a discrete graphics card. AMD and Nvidia give you a plethora of options, and you can pick one as per your requirement and preferences.
AMD’s GPU lineup is named Radeon and is available in different variants that include the high-end Vega, Rx Cards, or the R Series. Radeon R9 is always powerful and faster than the Radeon R7, which is higher in performance than the Radeon R5 series.
A graphics card renders the image to your monitor or laptop screen, so it has to be high-quality. Most Intel-powered laptops come with Nvidia graphics cards in the GeForce lineup. The better your graphics card, the smoother the image output, so you must search for the right one for your computer.
Grab a Good RAM for Higher Productivity
When it comes to RAM, you always want to grab more. Right? Well, it all depends upon your usage and the number of applications you use in a single instance of time. While 4 GB RAM is decent for Windows and macOS users, the 8 GB variant will allow you to do your work at a much faster speed.
If you are a graphics designer, a programmer, or a college student, the type of work that you handle can vary in terms of volume and complexity. The selection of RAM also depends on the type of laptop that you choose for your work.
For normal users, 4 GB RAM is fine, while with 8 GB, you can open more tabs in the browser and multitask without experiencing any lags. So, make sure to have a decent one, keeping in mind the applications and the volume of workloads that you need to handle in the future.
