Windows 10 or ChromeOS? An i5 processor or an i7? 16 GB of RAM or 8 GB?

If these questions sound like they’re in another language, you’re in the right place. Buying the right computer is tricky as there are so many options to choose from. This can lead to you dropping money on features that you don’t need.

However, by learning a bit about computers, you’ll be able to get the perfect laptop to match your needs. You also won’t have to worry about wasting money.

Keep reading to learn about how to find the best laptop deals and getting a laptop that won’t disappoint. 

Set a Budget

The first thing you’ll need to do is set a budget. This will help you determine what you can afford, as well as which laptop options aren’t realistic. Laptop prices can range from a couple of hundred dollars to the thousands, so the options are almost endless.

If money is tight, you might be looking at laptops around $200. While these aren’t going to be particularly fast or powerful laptops, they’ll do the job—for a while, at least. Most people use laptops in this price range as backup computers.

Mid-range laptops fall between $400 and $700. These are more powerful systems that come with higher specs, helping you complete your tasks faster and more efficiently. These laptops will also last longer.

High-end laptops cost above $900. These laptops come with the most powerful specs, making them a good choice for gamers or graphic designers. Having such a beefy rig ensures that it will last longer than a cheaper and less powerful laptop. 

Decide on an OS

The OS, or operating system, plays a huge role in what sort of user experience you can expect to have. It’s best to choose a system that has an operating system that you’ve used before, as you don’t want to buy a laptop then later realize that you hate the interface.

Windows and macOS are the main operating systems to choose from, but ChromeOS has also gained popularity in recent years. Let’s take a look at each one. 

Windows

Windows is one of the most flexible operating systems, capable of running on a number of different laptop brands. Lenovo, Dell, and HP are some of the many different systems used by people around the world.

The latest OS, Windows 10, has improved from the older Windows 7 and 8 in many ways. It features a colorful and boxy Start menu where you can see apps and other programs. It also comes with Cortana, which is the Microsoft virtual assistant. 

If you’re into gaming, Windows is the ideal operating system. Certain laptops that run Windows allow you to upgrade the hardware components, and developers write more games for Windows than any other operating system. 

macOS

If you find the Windows 10 interface to be cluttered and confusing, MacOS might be up your alley. Like most Apple products, it’s simple and minimalistic, ensuring that it won’t take you long to get used to it.

Instead of the Microsoft Start menu, Macs come with a dock at the bottom (or side) of the Desktop. You’ll have the option to use Apple Pay, as well as Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri. 

While many people enjoy MacOS, keep in mind that Apple products are notoriously expensive. A New MacBook Pro will set you back at least $1299, so if funds are tight, you might be better off going with a different OS. 

Apple also designs the software and hardware of its products, meaning that the number of laptops you have to choose from is far lower than with Windows. 

ChromeOS

If you don’t have a lot of money to drop on a laptop, a Chromebook might be your best bet. Google’s OS has its limitations, but it will allow you to surf the web and perform other basic functions without a problem. 

ChromeOS doesn’t allow you to do much besides browse the web with Google Chrome, but for many people, that’s all that they need. Chromebooks are also some of the most lightweight and portable laptops on the market, letting you lug them around without breaking your back.

Newer Chromebooks also feature more powerful specs and the ability to run Android apps, expanding the number of things that you can do with them. 

What Size Screen Do You Need?

Another factor that affects the price which you’ll have to take into account is the screen size. Bigger may seem better, but smaller laptop screens also have their advantages.

If portability is what you’re after, go with a smaller size. An 11 to 14-inch laptop screen will be thin and lightweight. As these computers often have weaker specs, they’re usually cheaper than bigger alternatives.

On the other hand, if you want power and a massive screen, anything from 15 to 18-inches won’t disappoint. These computers are more expensive but come with faster hardware, making them great for gamers and graphic designers.

Keep in mind that you might have a hard time lugging larger laptops around. Your best bet is to keep them on a table or desk. 

Consider What Specs You’ll Need

You’ll see many laptops advertising that they come packed with powerful hardware components. Most of the time, manufacturers beef up laptops by paying attention to three different components.

Let’s take a look at each one. 

CPU

CPU stands for central processing unit, and if your computer had a brain, it would be this. 

A faster CPU will allow your computer to process different programs and tasks, minimizing lag and slowdowns. On the other hand, a slower or older processor will struggle to handle more than one task at the same time.

Regardless of what you’ll use a laptop for, you should invest in one that comes with at least an i5 processor. If you plan on using your computer for more intensive tasks such as gaming, look into getting an i7 or an i9.

GPU

Another hardware acronym that you’ll have to remember, GPU stands for graphics processing unit. Its job is to make sure that the programs you run look as pretty as possible. 

Many laptops come with integrated graphics chips attached to the CPU. If you plan on using your laptop for general purposes, this should be more than enough. Don’t bother spending money on a separate graphics card.

However, if you are interested in gaming, a separate GPU is a must. The number of video card choices can be a bit overwhelming. Check out this list by NVIDIA to help you choose. 

RAM

RAM stands for random access memory, and it’s another component that helps make your experience as fast and lag-free and possible.

RAM helps your laptop by giving it a place to store information in the short-term. More RAM means more places to store data, and therefore a faster experience. Unlike other hardware components, you can add additional sticks of RAM to most laptops later on.

8 GB of RAM is a bit low by today’s standards but should be enough for the average user. 16 GB is even better, and 32 to 64 GB is more than most people will ever need. 

Buy at the Right Time

Once you have a solid understanding of the sort of laptop model that you need, don’t buy it right then and there. Odds are you’ll be able to find a sale or period of time when the manufacturer marks it down a bit.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to buy a computer, given the huge amount of laptop deals. You should also be able to find lots of tech discounts around the end of December. 

Make sure that the laptop you buy is the newest model, and that the manufacturer won’t release a newer laptop that year. For example, if you’re looking at buying a MacBook Pro, wait until after Apple releases the latest version that year to get one.

If you don’t, you’ll end up paying more for features that become outdated in a matter of months!

Find the Best Laptop Deals and Save Money

Buying a laptop is an investment which means that you want to make sure you’re buying the right one. By following this guide, you should have no problem finding the best laptop deals and finding a laptop perfectly tailored to your wants and needs. 

Did you find this laptop buying guide to be useful? If you did, make sure to check out some of our other posts for more tech-related guides and tips.