What to Look for When Purchasing a Laptop
Purchasing a new laptop can be both an exciting and nerve-racking process. While buying the latest tech appears to be fun and simple, there are many considerations that must be made before spending your hard-earned cash.
With so many brands, types, and sizes, it can be tempting to ignore doing your homework and instead make a fast and uninformed decision; However, this lack of understanding can lead to buyer’s remorse and ineffective equipment for the task.
To avoid these pitfalls, what should you look for to guarantee you make the perfect purchase?
Your Primary Purpose
Why do you need a new laptop? This question is the best place to start because it will help refine your search immediately and control every other deliberation you make during this process.
Determining whether your laptop is for business, school or pleasure can help narrow down your search.
By identifying the primary purpose of your new laptop, it will be easier to figure out what features you will find most valuable. Whether it is storage, speed, or screen resolution, you will be able to grasp what exactly will serve your needs.
Processing Power
The value of a laptop’s CPU depends on the needs of the user. The CPU is the traffic control tower of any laptop, and it’s necessary to be able to run programs and perform certain functions.
Processing controls how information is interpreted and how it interacts with your laptop’s capabilities. More powerful CPUs are able to run sizable and complicated programs, so understanding the necessary functions you will need on your laptop is essential for making a smart buy.
Purchasing a laptop with more processing power will be important to individuals running complex programs. If running larger programs is not a concern for you, saving money and going for a laptop with a less powerful CPU will be more cost-effective.
Memory Size
Along with your laptop’s CPU, adequate memory is necessary for everything to run smoothly. Memory is used as temporary storage for the transfer of data by a laptop’s processor. When the processor becomes overwhelmed by information, it can utilize memory to save and retrieve pieces of information.
If the work you are doing on your laptop demands higher processing power, it is vital to purchase a laptop with ample memory to ensure that the CPU does not slow down or crash. However, if it is unlikely that your processor will be overworked, you may be able to purchase a laptop with less memory, which will save you money.
Storage Space
Laptop drives come in a variety of different storage sizes, and it is difficult to initially comprehend how much storage someone will need. While storage can be added later through additional devices or methods, considering your options and needs now can save you time and money down the road.
If you will be installing large programs or storing pictures, videos, or music, it is necessary to get a laptop with more storage space and capabilities. However, if you will primarily be managing emails and surfing the web, paying for extra storage may be wasteful.
In addition, you must examine what type of hard drive will function for you. There are two types of storage devices: Mechanical (HDD) and solid state (SSD). When determining what type of storage device you want on your laptop, speed, and price plays a major role. The HDD takes longer to boot-up, but is typically a cheaper buy; Whereas, the SSD’s ability to boot-up and run faster comes with a higher price.
Battery Life
The quality of a laptop’s battery life determines how long a user will be able to go without having to plug in and charge their laptop. Researching the expected battery life of laptops will help you make your choice.
If you are a student who is always on the go, longer battery life will give you the freedom to set up shop anywhere and work for extended periods of time. If you are purchasing a laptop for your home office, battery life is not as important since your laptop can easily be tethered to a power source.
A laptop’s battery life may also vary from its expected length depending on the amount of processing you will be running on your laptop. Keep that in mind when you evaluate the processing power and battery life of certain laptop models.
Size Matters
Size may not appear to be a large issue when purchasing a laptop, but it can be a defining factor in making your ideal purchase.
Will your laptop sit on a desk or will it be balanced on your lap? Will a larger screen help you see the finer details or will a smaller screen be sufficient? Does it need to fit into a smaller bag for easy storage or will it be toted in a larger backpack?
How you answer these questions will assist you in buying a laptop that is not cumbersome or inadequate.
Price Points and Budget
Perhaps one of the most important steps in this process is reviewing prices. This step boils down to what’s important and what you can afford. You must remember that every bell and whistle comes with a price.
Obviously, you want to spend the money it requires to buy a laptop that will meet your needs, but it is important to figure out what should be deemed “necessary.”
Do you need a popular brand or do you just need something that works? If you require more expensive equipment with larger capacities, what are you willing to give up to avoid the outrageous price tags?
You do not want to waste your money on an expensive laptop you don’t need or a cheap laptop that will not last. Remember that a laptop is an investment. You want your purchase to last you for a long time.
Purchasing a laptop requires a lot of research, planning, and budgeting. Considering your options and values will allow you to purchase the perfect laptop to suit your needs without breaking the bank.
