Laptops

Definition

While they were previously limited in terms of processing power and battery life, laptop computers have progressed significantly in recent years, and sales of laptops now outstrip sales of desktop computers. Laptops have become a viable substitute for desktop machines for all kinds of uses, even if the user does not necessarily need to be mobile.

Choosing your laptop

Screen size

When buying a laptop, the diagonal dimension of the screen, expressed in inches, is the single most important factor to be taken into consideration. It also has a direct impact on many other characteristics of the machine and the way you use it. A large screen inevitably means that the laptop is bigger and more difficult to transport. But the difficulties in transporting the machine are offset by the greater visual comfort offered by larger screens. With a large screen, laptops are almost as comfortable to use as desktop systems, and manufacturers make the most of the additional space to add more functions and to incorporate keyboards that are almost as comfortable as their desktop equivalents.

Display resolution

While the size of the screen is decisive when it comes to comfort of use, the resolution is equally important. High resolution, expressed in pixels, offers a larger workspace on the screen. Users can open more windows or view more content on web pages without having to scroll. But the higher the resolution, the smaller each pixel and each character, a fact that can make small, high-resolution screens quite tiring to use after a while. The resolution of entry-level models is always relatively low. The display is quite comfortable, but is not suited to desktop use, working on images or any other usage that demands a large workspace.

Dimensions and weight

The dimensions and weight of laptop computers are determined by a number of factors. Screen size aside, the inclusion of an optical DVD or Blu-Ray drive, a high-capacity battery or a larger keyboard will all impact the dimensions and the weight of the machine. If you need to transport your laptop on a regular basis, then you should opt for a model weighing less than 2kg. Certain models with large screens weigh much more than 3kg and are considered to be systems that replace a fixed CPU that only need to be transported occasionally. 

Processor

The processor is the brain of the machine. The computer's processing power and its ability to execute complex tasks quickly both depend on the power of the processor. You must pay close attention to the maximum operating frequency and the number of processor cores when choosing your system. There are numerous types of processors for laptop computers, and they often affect both the battery life and the amount of heat released. You should ask for more details about the processors in the models you are interested in.

RAM capacity

The RAM is the storage space that the computer uses to execute its processes. The RAM works much faster than the hard drive. When the RAM is full, your system has to temporarily store data on the hard drive and system performance drops very quickly as a result. Therefore, you should always opt for plenty of RAM, irrespective of the use you make of your laptop.

Hard drive capacity

The hard drive is used to store the data and the applications installed on your computer. The bigger the hard drive, the more software you can install, and the more photos, videos and music you can store on your machine. Be careful, because hard drives are mechanical devices, so they have a limited life time and are sensitive to impacts. They are not a reliable solution for the long-term storage of your most valuable data!

Graphics chipset

This processor is dedicated to displaying the data on your machine. The graphics chipset is crucially important for applications that demand a lot of graphical resources, and video games in particular. Choosing the right graphics chipset is no mean feat. If your use of the laptop demands high graphical capacities, such as video games, then you should opt for a powerful graphical chip fitted with a sufficient amount of dedicated memory.

I/O connectors

You must always choose a machine with connectors suited to your use of the system and that are compatible with your peripherals. If you plan to use a large external screen, then choose an HDMI or DisplayPort connection, which will send all your data in digital format, without any deterioration of the signal. If you plan to connect one or more external hard drives, or other peripherals that require a fast connection, then you should opt for an eSATA or USB 3.0 port. USB 3.0 ports are compatible with all USB peripherals, but only reach their top speed with USB 3.0 devices.

Which laptop for which use?

If you are constantly on the move and are looking for a versatile machine that is capable of performing the most common tasks and that you can transport comfortably, you should consider the so-called "ultraportable" systems. These highly compact, lightweight computers, with an around 13" screen and weighing about 1.5kg, are perfectly capable of performing most office tasks. They also offer a long battery life, since the components are all chosen to minimize power consumption. But they are expensive and are often equipped with a graphics chipset that cannot keep pace with the latest video games!

But if you do not plan to move your laptop very often, then the dimensions should not be your primary criterion. There are two possible cases: if you use your laptop mainly for office tasks and to browse the web, then an entry-level model will probably fit the bill. If you play video games on an occasional or serious basis, then you need a range-topping model with the very latest CPU and graphics processor and enough RAM to enjoy the very latest games!