Walk into any store that sells laptops, and without a shadow of a doubt, you will be startled by the array of options. You may even wonder how you are supposed to pick the right one for you. Keep reading to find out how to make sense of everything that people will try to sell you during your journey.
What to look out for
Do you know your RAM from your USB? One of the first steps to take in your search is to educate yourself in these terms if you don’t. The better you can prepare yourself, the better the quality of the decisions you’ll be able to make when the time comes. Once you handle things, it becomes relatively easy to tell the cheap and nasty computers apart from the better-performing but low budget ones. You will never regret spending the time to educate yourself on this topic!
Keeping operations moving
The operating systems across modern laptops are generally good quality but have different styles and functionality. The one you choose to use is a matter of choice. By the time you need to upgrade your existing computer, you probably already have an operating system that you prefer, but if you are uncertain, or might be considering a change, let’s look at the different options:
The central systems are Windows, Linux, Mac, and Chrome, and as with any consumer product, each comes with its drawbacks and benefits. Windows is the most commonly used, as is the best option for inter-device compatibility. It also comes with collaborative tools within the 365 suite. You are probably more likely to find a laptop for sale that runs on Windows than any other system.
Mac users will argue that Some users find Mac devices more straightforward to navigate than Windows because these devices are more user-friendly. If you already use an iPhone, you might appreciate the similarity across devices. Of course, if you are an iCloud user, the synching benefits can also come in handy.
Chrome operating system is based on the Chrome browser and uses very little of the computer’s “brainpower”. This results in better battery life at a lower cost. A significant drawback is that it will not host Office tools or games, limiting its usage.
Finally, Linux is a stable OS that can be installed on most laptops, but it is also a poor choice if you need to run the most popular productivity tools.
RAM – where it all begins
RAM refers to your computer’s memory to keep data while processing is underway. Technical as that may sound, it just comes down to no RAM means no work – if your laptop runs out of RAM, it will stop working. The more functions you run simultaneously, the more RAM will be required, so make sure you go for a unit with enough basic RAM – a good guideline is to go for a unit with at least 8GB of RAM available, straight out of the box.
Make a list of your favorites
After doing a bit of research, you will probably be further on your way to a final answer that you were to start with. Your research is likely to deliver a few options that are the top options for what you want from a laptop. Once you have this list, double-check it, and then recheck it: read reviews, ask questions, see what machines your friends and family use and whether they enjoy the experience.
A lot of value can be found in reviews, as there is no better testimonial than a real-life experience. Reading additional reviews can help you to gain even further perspective on the product, and you may even learn a bit more about the products you are interested in. Pay specific attention to aspects like screen resolution, the size of the screen, memory capacity and so forth.
Try to test a demo model in a store environment if you can. This will give you a much better idea of what it feels like and whether it is as user-friendly as the sales brochure claims.
Making an upfront assessment is very important, as a laptop is a vital cog in the business operations of many companies. Although they are not as commonly used as smartphones, they are still crucial to many aspects of business operations. Paper is a patient medium, and it is much more important to get an idea of real-life operation than to read as many marketing materials as possible.
