Compact and versatile enough to take with you, but versatile enough to run demanding applications, a laptop is the best tool for serious work or for playing both at home and on the go. While tablets and smartphones are always popular, most people realize that everything from writing an article to creating videos to playing games works best on a laptop. So what kind of laptop should you buy?
There are a wide variety of sizes, features, and prices, making choosing the right laptop a challenge. Therefore, you need to find out what your needs are. To make the right decision, follow the steps below.
Operating system: Mac, Windows, or Chrome OS?
Each has its peculiarities and we cannot say that one is better than the other in all aspects. Most laptops have Windows or Mac OS (in the case of Apple brand models) and Chrome OS, based on Linux. Let’s see a brief summary of what are the advantages of each of them.
Windows 10
It is the most used operating system in the world and the amount of available software is its main advantage. In addition, to this is added the fact that there are a large number of brands and models that vary from more reasonable prices to high-end models.
Its latest version, Windows 10, offers a large number of functionalities such as Cortana and provides great stability, reliability and, as we have discussed, a large number of software. It is the most complete system for both office, leisure, and video game use.
Apple Mac OS
The Apple ecosystem allows interconnection with all the devices of the brand, it is very stable and its functionalities are similar to windows, although the usability is different. It also has a virtual assistant, Siri, and there is specific software that is not available in Windows. Historically, Macs have far fewer problems with viruses and malware. However, its price is much higher and there are some options that are not yet available such as touch screens.
Chrome OS
Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system that extends the functionality of Google’s own browser. Chrome book laptops are designed especially for tasks that we usually perform in the browser, and stand out mainly for their low consumption of resources (they can consume half the ram than a Windows laptop in a similar task).
Since the Chrome operating system is free and open-source, the hardware requirements are lower than those of Windows, so the models are usually around € 250-300.
They are mainly based on its use in the cloud and allow you to use all of Google’s options. This is its main advantage but also its weakness: because it is a web-centric platform, almost all the main applications are either a browser extension or a web tool.
Some tools like Docs can work locally, but most require an Internet connection. Recent updates have added native Android apps, but it’s still pretty far from the number of apps that exist on Windows and Mac OS.
If you need a device to surf, watch Netflix, check email or visit your social networks, Chrome books are cheap and comfortable, in addition to offering a good battery life. If you are going to do more advanced tasks, they are not for you.
Types of laptops: choose the one that suits you best
2 in 1
2-in-1 or convertible Best laptop for Pentesting has the versatility of a tablet with the power of a laptop, allowing you to separate the touch screen completely from the keyboard. But these advantages are also drawbacks: their lower weight and size influence the life of the battery, which is usually less, and the specifications, where we can find both economic models and premium models such as the Microsoft surface.
UltraBooks
This segment is more focused on mobility, with light and thin models in which 13 ″ screens stand out and usually range between $500 and $2000 in top-of-the-range models.
Typically what separates a thin and light laptop from a budget laptop is the quality of the materials and some accessory components that are usually better finished. These machines are thinner and lighter, generally with a stronger construction made of aluminum or magnesium.
They also look sleeker than budget laptops. They usually come with SSDs, a touch screen, or a backlit keyboard. In this segment, the Dell XPS 13 stands out, widely recognized as the best thin and light laptop in recent years, or the Mackbook Air and Pro on Mac.
Professionals
Professional Best Laptops For Lawyers often have high-end hardware designed especially for professional software, both video editing, and regular tasks more efficiently. Its main advantage is also in its best construction, more durable and with less weight. Also, it is important that a commercial notebook has a long battery life, as well as a robust frame that can survive constant travel. All this makes its price around € 1000 on average.
These usually use a 14 or 15-inch screen, where ranges such as the Lenovo ThinkPad or the Dell Latitude stand out.
RAM
More RAM means that web pages load faster, have more files or programs open and ultimately more simultaneous tasks. Knowing how much RAM you need depends on the use you are going to give it and also on the operating system (in Windows we will usually need more memory).
The ideal is that they incorporate at least 4 GB for normal use and 8GB if we are going to do more intensive use. If instead you do video editing or you are going to use it mainly for gaming, the ideal is 16GB.
HDD
The hard disk is one of the points that are often not taken into account since most models incorporate a mechanical hard disk (HDD), much cheaper and with greater capacity. The problem with these disks is that they generate a bottleneck that does not allow you to take advantage of all the characteristics of the computer. It does not matter if we buy the latest processor on the market if later we do not opt for an SSD or solid-state drive.
For us it is independent that you are going to use the PC for office automation than for games: choose one with SSD. Especially since it will start much faster, it will go much more fluid and consume less battery than a mechanical disk.
These are the important factor you should know before buying any laptops.
