What Laptop Should I Buy for Everyday Use? How many
laptops are there on the market? So many now that they are slowly making
desktop PCs obsolete. The need for laptops continues to rise because
they offer several things that your ancient PC cannot, such as mobility,
more advanced features, flexibility, and design. Nevertheless,
you are still someone who is on a budget and thus needs to choose a
laptop that truly fits for everyday use. To help you, I have written
several things to consider when purchasing a new laptop.Size and Weight:
Do you plan on taking your laptop with you very often? You need one that is convenient to carry and fits a standard backpack or laptop bag. It may be best to choose those that have weight around 2.3 to 6 pounds. Anything more can be troublesome to haul around.
Screen Size:
Even if you still have fantastic vision, you can still appreciate a screen size that allows you to sit comfortably and look at a decently sized monitor. Thus, find one that is 15 to 17 inches of screen size. If you don't plan on carrying it around often, I would get the bigger monitor, possibly even a 19". If you plan on hauling it around a lot and being mobile with it, a larger screen means more weight and the battery won't last as long as it has more to illuminate.
Operating System:
This is actually very important but interestingly often forgotten. Windows or Mac. These two are worlds apart in terms of specs and functions, and they have their own pros and cons. If you are using acurrently using a Windows PC, then it makes perfect sense to buy a Windows-based laptop. What type of files and documents are you usually working on? If you have all of your documents on a windows based computer and you want to transfer them, it's best to stick with what you've used in the past. On the other hand, if you are used to using the Mac and your desktop is a Mac, stick with it, it's difficult to transfer files between the two.
Processor:
Do you need the latest processor? The answer is no. Some of them are incredibly fast, which is all well and good, but they are more ideal if you are into intense laptop activities such as gaming or video editing. Laptops with these processors are often expensive and over kill for the average user. If you simply need one that lets you browse the Web, check e-mail, Skype with friends, or stream movies occasionally, then a middle of the line processor is more than enough.
Ports:
It's easy to be enticed by thin and affordable laptops, but mind you, they can have serious disadvantages, one of which is the lack of ports. The ports are necessary so you'll be able to attach external devices like a mouse, web camera (if your laptop doesn't have one yet), LAN, external keyboards, and even a WiFi adapter. In other words, they make your laptop even more functional or useful. Make sure you have at least 3-4 USB ports, that it's WiFi capable, and it has the ability to connect a monitor to it in case you want to use it as a desktop while at home with a large wide screen. Also, if you plan to watch a lot of movies with it, make sure it has an HDMI output to watch a movie on your TV through your laptop.
Wireless Network:
Do you know that not all laptops can connect to the wireless network immediately? If it isn't WiFi ready, look for another laptop. Why have a mobile device that can't go mobile?
Hard Drives and DVD Drives:
You need a good internal hard drive. A 500GB HD is a good place to start. Some laptops, moreover, already have a CD-ROM drive, but since fewer people are now using CDs, a DVD drive is a better option as it can read both.
RAM aka Memory:
Depending on if the laptop has a 64 bit operating system or a 32 bit will determine how much RAM you can put into your system. 32 bit operating systems can only handle 4 GB of RAM whereas a 64 bit OS can handle extreme amounts, but how much is enough? I suggest 8GB as a good starting point for Windows 7/8 64 bit.
Battery Life:
If you're constantly on the move, you therefore need a laptop with around 4 to 6 hours of battery life, so you won't end up scouring for electric outlets every chance you get. Remember that the bigger the monitor, the faster it will suck the juice out of your battery.
Hopefully these suggestions help you while deciding which laptop to buy. Just remember that if there is a specific use you are going for (i.e. always going to be using it on the go) that you tailor the laptop to fit the need. Make it lighter and more transportable for instance. Smaller screen, bigger battery, etc.
