Laptop Shopping Guide
 

Laptop shopping is exciting and at the same time, overwhelming due to the wide range of choices available in the market. This guide will help you determine the important things to look for so you can make an informed decision when you’re buying a new laptop. Most laptop brands offer extensive lines of laptop models ranging from affordable entry-level mini laptop computers to higher-priced powerful machines. Read this guide to help you find the best laptop to suit your lifestyle, needs, and personal preference. 

 

Operating System

The operating system (OS) is the primary platform that runs and reads your computer programs. In most cases, the choice is down the three most popular systems today: Windows, Mac OS, and Chrome. 

• Windows

Windows is perhaps the most widely used OS among laptop users in the world. Windows 10 is so far its most advanced version installed in most newer models by many top laptop brands. It features improvements on Windows 7 and Windows 8, including a redesigned Start Menu and the Cortana digital assistant. Windows is known for its open-endedness and strong performance. It’s the most basic standard for many business-related programs and game development.

• Mac OS

Apple Macbooks run exclusively on Mac OS, with Big Sur as the latest version. Active users of the operating system swear by its stability, elegant design, and user-friendliness. Older Macbooks aren’t known for using the most advanced graphic chips but they are equipped with fast hardware designed to work well with the Mac OS. The system has its patented suite of office and media-editing software. 

• Chrome

Chrome OS is featured in many of the best laptops under $600, more popularly categorized as Chromebooks. It’s stable and affordable, which is ideal if you’re looking for a basic laptop for online teaching or online studying. Based on Google’s Chrome browser, the system's strength lies in the lower hardware requirements and overall versatility.

Price Range

Your budget would of course be another important consideration when you go laptop shopping. The good news is, there are several options available for every budget range and it’s all just a matter of finding a model that offers the best value for your money. 

• Entry-Level Laptops

Entry-level models are priced at $600 or less. Manufacturers offer several budget laptop models with the capacity of carrying out basic office and web-surfing tasks. Many Chromebooks fall under this category. These are reliable notebooks that are ideal for online students and teachers.

• Mainstream Models

Many consumers opt for mainstream laptops within the $600 - $1000 price range. Many of the models in this category offer you the best value for your money, with powerful enough specs and powerful hardware. Some models even use high-powered graphic chips and exciting features.  

• Premium Laptops

Macbooks of course lead the premium line of laptops priced at $1000 and up. If you have the money to spare, it would be hard to say no to the biggest and most vibrant screen display, fast CPUs, longer battery life, and powerful internal hardware. If you’re a gamer or a graphic artist, it will be easy to find premium features on a laptop under $2000. 
 

Display Size  

The screen size is also a huge deciding factor when you’re shopping for a laptop. Displays can be as small as 11-12 inches or as big as 17-18 inches. Naturally, a laptop for artists or a laptop for architects would require larger screen sizes as compared to a basic laptop for college students. Smaller screen size of 13-14 inches would usually be acceptable if it’s portability you’re after. Laptop models with a display of 15-16 inches are highly popular among shoppers who want a slightly bigger than average display.

Display Resolution

In terms of resolution, the more advanced displays would feature 4K (3840x2160), 3200x1800, or 2560x1600 resolutions. A resolution of 1920x1080 would already support full HD or 1080p resolutions. Higher resolutions would mean sharper and more detailed images on your screen. Display quality would also depend on the technology used. Color and brightness would vary according to the IPS panel used. An sRGB color rating of over 100% and 300 nits of brightness would produce decent quality. OLED displays provide the best picture quality but take up lots of battery life. 

CPU 

The CPU (central processing unit) represents your computer’s brain. All systems and processes being run on your machine go through the CPU. The more powerful and advanced processors deliver fast booting times and seamless loading of website pages, computer programs, and applications. Premium laptops in the market now offer the Intel Core i9 processor, which can be useful if you need a gaming laptop or a laptop for 3D modeling. If you’re looking for a machine with basic specs, such as laptops for college students, you can do pretty well with an Intel Core i5 computer.

Graphics

A laptop’s graphics chip also determines computer performance. A high-end graphics chip such as the Nvidia RTX 2050 or 3070 GPU is usually featured in a gaming laptop or a laptop for photoshop. Apple Macbooks use AMD graphics cards although note that these are not optimal for gaming. 

RAM

If you only need a laptop for Microsoft office and other basic functions, you can settle for machines with 4GB of RAM in the lowest price range. But if you plan to use your laptop to stream movies or play music, a RAM of no less than 8GB should allow for comfortable multimedia consumption. 

Storage

When you look at laptops, you’ll notice specs like SSD (solid-state drive) and eMMC. These would refer to how much storage space is available. SSDs like the newer PCIe x4 technology are at least three times faster than traditional SATA drives. eMMC memory is pretty reliable but can be a little slower than mechanical hard drives.

Audio

The Macbook Pro offers above-average sound quality but with most models, don’t expect high-quality audio in most laptop models. Laptops, however, feature audio ports for connecting to headphones or external speakers. 

Connectivity Ports

Some high-end laptops may offer advanced connectivity options like 4G LTE or 5G support. Wi-Fi 6 support is also among the latest standards in connectivity. Most laptops are also now Bluetooth-enabled. Bluetooth 5 technology offers improved connectivity to your wireless accessories like a mouse or headphones.

Battery Life

Battery life is another important consideration, especially if you’re in the habit of taking your laptop outdoors or working in places other than your desk. Battery life of 7-8 hours would be optimal for a work laptop.  

Ergonomics

Powerful specs and fast processing are important but you also must consider ergonomic features, especially if you’re going to spend several hours working or studying on your laptop. A keyboard with good tactile feedback and key travel would show better responsiveness. You can also check if there’s enough space between the keys. Some laptop models feature precision touchpads or a nub (pointing stick) which promote comfortable and effortless navigation.