Did you know that people in the United States spend an average of 5 hours on their laptops each day?
Laptops can be used for work, school, and gaming, which explains why so much time is being spent on them.
If you need a new laptop and want to make a smart investment, there are many things to consider before paying the price.
Continue reading to discover all of the factors to consider when buying a brand new laptop!
Know Your Needs
The first thing to consider when you buy a brand new laptop is what your computer needs are.
Identifying your laptops needs is essential to finding the perfect fit because not all computers are made the same. Many people use their computers for work, school, and gaming.
If you are using your laptop primarily for work, you want to find an option with a dashboard that is easy to navigate. You will also want to have a decent amount of storage space and the ability to screen share with technology at your business.
Students that are looking for laptops are often drawn to Apple products because they are user-friendly and have plenty of storage. When you are in school, you will need additional storage space to download textbooks, type papers, and save assignments. You will also want to get a computer that has camera and microphone access in case some of your classes are remote.
When it comes to gaming, there are certain features that you will want to search for in a computer. Most gamers check to see if the computer is compatible with their gaming platform and has all of the quick features to play the game.
Think About Size
Finding the best laptop will also require you to think about the size of the screen.
The screen and computer size is often a personal preference but there are advantages to all of them. Some of the smallest laptops range between 11 and 12 inches. These smaller laptops weigh less than other options and are easy to put in a backpack or purse.
If 11 inches is too small, you could consider going up to 13 to 14 inches, which provides a bit more space and still doesn’t weigh so much. A 15 to 16 inch laptops is the most common size that you will come across and can weigh up to 5 pounds. Read more about Top 7 Laptop Brands of October 2021
Many gamers or people using their laptop for work also enjoy using a 17 to 18 inch computer. This size is the largest option that you can get and is perfect for people who have multiple tabs open at a time.
Depending on the purpose of your laptop, there are advantages of getting small and large options.
Consider Different Brands
The computer industry has presented many different brands of laptops, which can make it overwhelming to pick just one.
Many people stick with brands that they are already comfortable with, but it can be a good idea to explore all of your options.
One of the most common brands to consider is Apple. Apple Macbooks are ideal for people who have iPhones, iWatches, or other products from the company. This is because they are compatible with each other and make streamlining work easier.
A great place to get affordable laptops is at lenovo.com, where there are a variety of options to choose from. Lenovo laptops are popular for work. This is because of their dashboards, performance, and excellent keyboards.
Another option to consider for laptops is PCs, which run on Windows 10. Windows 10 is a flexible operating system that gives users the most customization and can be found at great prices. Many people use Windows computers for work and gaming because you don’t have to deal with any blocks that Apple computers have.
Compare Costs
Every laptop user should set a budget and compare the costs of different options.
There are many charts online that can help you quickly compare computer costs and save you time from checking multiple sites. Take time to review the top 3 to 5 laptops you are considering. Think about the average life of these computers and how long it will take to pay them off fully.
Most companies will allow you to set up a payment plan when paying off your computer. This can be a great option if you need a laptop now and don’t have all of the money up front. Keep in mind that when you add a payment plan, you will accrue interest and result in a higher price.
When comparing costs, it is also a good idea to look up used or refurbished computers that work just as well as new ones.
Research Memory Space
Before you make your laptop purchase, you will need to do some research on RAM space.
RAM is the random-access memory of a laptop, in other words, it is your storage space. If you are doing simple things on your computer, and not downloading a lot of games or information 4GB of RAM should work for you.
People that are downloading a lot of items in a day and holding onto large documents should consider getting more storage space, however. Gaming, graphic design, and programming can be done on a laptop with 8GB, but it is better to have more space than that.
Some people recommend getting 256GB of RAM on their laptops if they intend to use it for a long time and go through a lot of documents and downloads. This amount of storage should be more than enough and you wouldn’t have to worry about having to purchase more space or another laptop.
Take a Look at Battery Life
Did you know that some of the best types of laptops can hold a charge for 12 hours while being used?
Depending on the type of laptop that you get, you can find options that have long battery lives. Cheaper laptops with small batteries last only a few hours and will need to be put on the charger. Although these laptops with smaller batteries are affordable, they aren’t ideal for getting through a work or school day.
Part of looking at the battery life also involves checking how quickly the laptop will charge. By using the chargers that come with your laptop, you can get a faster charge and not be looking for an outlet every hour.
Discover Multifunction Options
Did you know that there are laptops with a 2 in 1 option?
Multifunction laptops are a combination of laptops and tablets. If you are comfortable with working with tablets because they are so convenient, this is something to consider. A lot of doctors and project managers use 2 in 1 laptop because they give you touchscreen control and different abilities.
Most of these multifunction laptops come with detachable keyboards. When the keyboard is detached, a virtual one will appear on your screen, still giving you the ability to type emails and responses.
If you are a gamer, this type of laptop is not the best choice to go with. They have limited storage space and don’t offer all of the abilities that a traditional laptop can give.
Check Compatibility
Not all laptops are compatible with certain programs, additions, and other technology.
One of the largest brands that have compatibility issues with other technology is Apple. Apple products don’t pair with non-Apple products, which can make it frustrating when you are trying to share your screen. If your business or school uses Apple, however, it is best to go with these options.
Compatability is also important for downloading certain software and programs for work or gaming. When you go to buy a laptop, you will be able to review a list of what the laptop is compatible with to give you a better idea.
Test the Keyboard & Trackpad
Keyboards and trackpads are an important thing to consider when buying a laptop.
If you don’t like the design or function of these features, it can make your laptop experience less enjoyable and even frustrating. By going to the store, you can practice using the keyboard and trackpad to see if you like the way that they work.
Although it might take some time for adjusting, most people can quickly figure out if they don’t like the design of them.
Find the Best Brand New Laptop
When it comes to investing in a brand new laptop, there are many factors to consider.
Knowing the purpose of your laptop is a large piece of identifying what needs you have. Depending on if you want to use your computer for school, work, or gaming, there are many options. Your storage space, capabilities, and laptop size will make life easier depending on what you use it for.
Don’t be afraid to test out laptops at the store to see if you are comfortable with the trackpad and keyboard. You will quickly be able to distinguish from the features that make your life easier or more complicated.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about the computer industry and types of laptops to consider!
