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Laptops

Purchasing a Laptop can be quite an intimidating task as there are so many aspects to consider. In this Buying guide, we would like to help you choose the best laptop for you. 

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Buying guide

 

Shopbot's Official 2020 Buying Guide for Laptops

 

Let’s Look At Some Key Factors To Consider:

 

·         Screen size and resolution

·         Operating System

·         Processor- Intel or AMD

·         GPU- integrated or dedicated?

·         Memory- RAM

·         Storage- Hard drive

·         Battery life

 

Screen Size and Resolution

Laptop screens have two main features, screen size and resolution.

Screen size is measured in inches diagonally, and Laptops often range in sizes from 12” to 17”. Do keep in mind a larger screen is cumbersome and weighs more.

Screen resolution is determined by pixel density; this is the number of pixels packed together in the screen, the higher the pixel density, the greater definition. There are a few kinds of displays, such as HD, FHD, 4K, UHD, and Retina.

 

·         HD High-Definition refers to a display of 1280x720 pixels, and this screen size is not very clear and sharp.

·         FHD Full-High-Definition, often known as 1080p, has a resolution of 1920x1080p.

·         UHD Ultra-High-Definition has a resolution of 3840x2160p.

·         4K is a resolution of 4000 pixels often 4096x2160p.

·         Retina is a term for Apple displays, having a resolution of 2304x1440p and higher.

 

2-in1 laptops are touchscreens that offer extra versatility, which often helps creative and medical users. There is a downside to this, and that is that it drains battery life significantly.

 

Operating System

Operating systems are the software that runs the laptop; there are three leading brands: Windows, macOS, and Chrome. Each of these OS have their merit, but it comes down to affordability and usability.  

 

Processor: Intel or AMD

The processor is the core of it all and making the most significant difference to the performance of the laptop. There are two leading manufactures of processors Intel and AMD.

 

Intel is a household brand often found in most laptops to date, known for reliability and performance, along with being integrated with other devices and consoles.

Their entry-level processor is the i3, the mid-range is the i5, and the high-end range is the i7 and i9.

 

AMD has made considerable improvements to their processors, making them surpass in performance over Intel. Reliability, customer service, lower cost, and superior performance makes looking at this choice a smart option. Their entry-level processor is the Ryzen 3, Mid-range processor is the Ryzen 5, and their high-end range is the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9. 

 

GPU: Integrated or dedicated?

GPU stands for graphics processing unit; this is the brains behind generating images that are displayed. Laptops generally have integrated (built into) cards, and a few have dedicated (separate cards) this is best suited for the people that use graphic intensive programs.

 

Integrated Card:

 

Pros:

·         Cheaper

·         Less heat generated

·         Uses less power

Cons:

·         Can’t run programs that require intensive graphics

·         Can’t be changed later

·         Far less powerful

 

Dedicated Card:

 

Pros:

·         Can run games and graphic design programs

·         Can be upgraded later

·         Less strain on your CPU and RAM

Cons:

·         Needs lots of cooling

·         Expensive

 

Memory-RAM

RAM stands for random access memory; this allows for your device to run programs in the background and store data that can be accessed quickly for multitasking. The bigger and faster the RAM, the more data your device stores in the background. In short, this allows for a faster PC and better multitasking abilities.

 

Storage Hard-Drive

The hard drive provides space for your files and data. There are two kinds of storage options Mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid-State Drive (SSD).

HDDs have become less popular as they have moving parts so they can be noisy, brake easier, and take longer to load programs and boot up, but they cost less.

SSDs don’t have moving parts, thus making them quieter, more durable, and compact. They offer faster boot-up speeds and data transfer, and this comes at a higher price difference to the HDD.

 

Battery Life

Battery life varies by the size of the battery, hardware, and software. Having a large battery may not give you a full days use if you are running power-intensive hardware and software.

Will you need it to last all day or can you charge it throughout the day, will the weight be an issue or is it mostly an office/home PC. Display size, CPU, GPU, and the hard-drive all play essential parts in battery usage thought the day, so keep that in mind when purchasing your laptop.

 

 

To wrap it up, looking at your use for it will give you key points to focus on and what is relevant to you. Look at laptops that fit into your needs and price range and remember bigger RAM better multitasking.

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