Balancing Performance and Portability: A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying the Right Laptop

Buying a laptop can be confusing. Even if you’re familiar with the technical terms and know what you need, finding it takes time and effort. This guide aims to make it easier for you to understand the different parts of laptops and provides practical explanations to help you navigate the world of modern laptops.

Before you start looking at laptops, you need to figure out which operating system (OS) works best for you. There are three major operating systems for computers. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s an overview of each: 

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Windows 

This renowned OS doesn’t get much attention anymore, but it gets the job done. It’s the best option if you need Microsoft apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook. Also, you’ll get more options for Windows laptops than any other OS. 

macOS 

Although Apple’s macOS is more user-friendly than Windows, it is tightly coupled with the company’s hardware. MacBooks are your only buying options.

Linux 

You can install Linux on just about any laptop hardware ever created. However, popular apps like Adobe’s Creative Suite and MS Office don’t support Linux. But, there are free, open-source alternatives like LibreOffice, GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement), and Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement).

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Understanding Processors

Once you’ve decided which operating system you want and know what software you’ll be running, you can figure out the minimum hardware specifications. The first thing we suggest looking at is the processor, also called the CPU. Two companies make consumer laptop processors: Intel and AMD.

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Intel Processors

The main Intel processors are the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9. The Core i3 is the least powerful, while the Core i9 is the most powerful.

Intel specifies each chip line’s capabilities and release date with cryptic numbers and letters. Let’s take an example: Intel Core i7-1265U. Core i7 is one of the more powerful chips in the lineup. The first number (“12”) refers to the generation; in this case, it’s a 12th-generation chip. The next two numbers (“65”) signify performance. Higher numbers mean more power (only applicable if it’s from i7, in this case). 

Now, the letter at the end (‘U’ in our example) tells you the chip’s purpose. For laptops, you’ll come across letters like Y, U, H, and HX. ‘Y’ chips are designed for longer battery life. However, they sacrifice some performance for this feature. ‘H’ chips prioritise performance. ‘U’ chips are power-efficient but not as extreme as ‘Y’ chips. The newest designation, ‘HX,’ are chips Intel calls ‘desktop replacement class.’ They’re the most powerful but come with shorter battery life in laptops.

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AMD Processors

It is just as difficult to decipher AMD’s chip names as Intel’s. Let’s break it down using an example: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X. The ‘7’ tells you the generation (how new it is, higher is better), and the ‘6’ indicates its power level. A ‘6’ means a medium-power chip, while a ‘4’ or ‘5’ would be less powerful (slower). The last two numbers don’t matter much. If you see an ‘X’ at the end, it’s a high-performance chip. There are other letters like ‘U’ for ultra-low power, which is good for longer battery life.

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Graphics Card

Every laptop has a graphics card, sometimes called ‘discrete graphics’ or ‘GPU.’ This graphics card is integrated into the motherboard in most laptops.  

Laptops with Intel processors often come paired with an Nvidia graphics card from the GeForce series. These Nvidia cards are typically Max-Q cards, designed for efficiency and compatibility.  

AMD has its own line of GPUs called Radeon. These GPUs come in different versions, ranging from high-end options like Vega and RX cards to the R-series cards (Radeon R9, Radeon R7, etc.).

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How Much RAM Does My Laptop Need?

The more, the better! During data processing, your laptop uses random-access memory to store data. Think of RAM as your work desk. Everything you’re working on right now should fit on your desk. Things tumble off your desk if it is too small, and you can’t work on them. Similarly, if your RAM runs out, you won’t be able to finish compiling your video or open any more browser tabs. 

An average Windows user should be fine with 8 gigabytes of RAM, but upgrading to 16 will make your laptop much more capable (and necessary for gamers).

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How Much Storage Does My Laptop Need?

Your hard drive is like the filing cabinet where you keep all your data, similar to the one next to your desk. Nowadays, the most popular option is a solid-state drive (SSD). If budget isn’t a problem, choose an SSD with a minimum capacity of 256 gigabytes (GB). SSDs are faster, especially when they have an NVMe connection. NVMe moves data to and from the hard drive much faster than the older SATA standard.

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Check the Ports too!

Besides the CPU, RAM, and hard drive, the ports on your laptop are also important. Ports are the slots to connect things to your laptop, like USB devices or charging cables. It’s good to have at least one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a microphone/headset jack. If you’re a photographer who often transfers images from your camera, make sure your laptop has an SD or microSD card reader.

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Webcam

Your laptop should come with a built-in webcam. Most lower-priced laptops include a 720p webcam. That’s fine if you don’t use it often. However, if you use Zoom a lot for work, you must choose a laptop with a 1080p camera for better video quality. 

Final Words

While technical specs are important, don’t forget about your personal preferences. Do you have a specific look in mind? That’s perfectly okay. Some people prefer laptops with metal bodies, while others like the simplicity of black plastic. Design matters not only for how it works but also for how it looks. It’s no fun to use a laptop you don’t find appealing. 

Sometimes, what you like about something is hard to put into words, and it might not make sense on paper. As they say, personal taste is hard to define, so make sure to consider what you personally like when making your decision.

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About Laptop World

Laptop World is your one-stop shop to get your hands on that perfect work and gaming laptop with all kinds of unique specifications. We offer laptops at different price points from well-known brands like Lenovo, Dell, HP, Apple, and Asus. All you need to do is visit the Laptop World store and choose the one based on your budget, required features, and promising technology that suits your taste.