As offices give employees the flexibility to work from home during the pandemic and educational institutions in and across Australia adapt the online and hybrid learning style, the demand for laptops continues to grow exponentially. From students to professionals, everybody wants a laptop that suits their needs the best.
Hence, whether you are a student or an employee looking for laptops for sale, this post is a must-read for you. We will share with you the top features to look for when buying a laptop so that you make a good investment.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Screen Size Matters
The first thing you need to be clear about when shopping for a laptop is to be clear on the usage purpose and who will use it. Clarity will help you determine the screen size of the laptop ideal for the end-user.
The market is flooded with options. You can find laptops with different screen sizes. So, if you’re unclear about the purpose of investing in a laptop, you might end up buying a laptop that may not deliver you the ultimate user experience in the long run. Hence, ask are buying it and who will use it? For example, will the laptop be used for:
· Office work
· Teaching a class
· Surfing the internet
· Gaming
· Writing a term paper
· Streaming videos
The next question should be who will use it. Will you be the primary user, or you’re buying it for children?
The answers to these questions will help you navigate through choices available in the market confidently. Laptops mostly range from 11 to 17 inches. An 11-inch screen is the thinnest and the lightest system. If you purchase a laptop for online studies and want portability, then a 13 to 15-inch screen size is ideal. It provides the best balance of usability, performance, and portability all university students ask for nowadays.
Likewise, if you’re a stay-at-home parent or a freelancer who works from home and want to use your laptop for gaming and watching movies, where portability is not a key factor in the equation, then a 16 to 18 inches screen size laptop is perfect. The laptop with such a large screen can provide you with excellent processing power too —much needed to enjoy workstation level productivity or play high-end games smoothly.
Pick the Specifications
Specs are equally important. If you are not a tech whiz, navigating through specifications can be a tricky ordeal. But don’t worry, we have you covered. Below are some specs you should focus on before making your purchase:
CPU—The Processor
Intel 11th Generation CPU Tiger Lake processor is the latest addition. It will power the next generation of laptops. If you want to make the best investment, then 11th Gen is the right choice. However, you can expect it to be pricey. But you can find good deals and sales on various websites, for example, you can buy laptops online with Gimmie and other online laptop sellers and get 11th Gen laptops at discounted prices.
Intel Core i9 or Core i7 are good options. These are top-of-the-line processors that provide fast performance and are perfect for both high-end gaming and work use. However, you can also find 11th Gen laptops with Intel Core i5 and i3.
RAM
Ideally, 8GB RAM is good enough for laptops on a budget. However, if you want a bigger RAM size and are ready to spend more, look for a laptop with 16GB RAM.
Storage Drive
Also known as the SSD or Solid State Drive, this is extremely useful and important, especially if you want your laptop to perform at the speed of light. In such a scenario, consider opting for a laptop with an SSD instead of a hard drive. SSD is three times faster than older HDD drives. Hence, with SSD, the overall performance of your laptop will be exceptional.
2-in-1 Touch Screen
Although a touch screen is not necessary, a touch screen can definitely be on your checklist if you prefer a smart and more functional option. Today, you can find many laptops with a 2-in-1 touch screen feature.
These laptops take the user experience to a whole new level. The 2-in-1 feature allows you to switch between tablet and clamshell mode, whichever suits you the best. You can switch to the tablet mode if you are in the mode for a touch display or revert to the clamshell-style when working on more writing and research-oriented projects.
Consider Ports and Connectivity
The absence of ports is not a deal-breaker for many. However, when you’re buying a pricey laptop, you might as well make sure that it has all the necessary ports and connectivity features that you may need for optimal performance. Most laptops feature HDMI and USB 3 ports. But if you are looking for more advanced features, opt for a laptop with USB Type C or Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports compatible with USB Type-C. USB Type-C is a top choice because it allows users to connect with universal docks and chargers.
Likewise, buy a laptop that offers 4G LTE or 5G support services. If you want something even better than this, with greater connectivity options, then WIFI-6 support is the feature to look for.
1080p Resolution—Full HD Resolution
For those who want perfect resolution and prefer to multitask, your target should be a laptop with a 1080p resolution. This resolution is also referred to as full high-definition resolution. Laptops with 1080p resolution make it incredibly simple to read website pages without scrolling them. Plus, you can also stack windows side-by-side and enjoy multitasking.
Now that you are clear about the features and what to look for when buying a laptop, shop around. Do some legwork and compare choices available within your budget so that you can make an informed decision. Keep these features in mind to make the right choice.