The Big Guide to Choosing a Laptop: What Do You Need to Know?

1. Mac or Windows?

The first question you'll probably ask yourself is about the operating system. The decision is seemingly simple - either yours you donate money to Apple for one of their MacBooks, or you choose a device from one of from many brands running on the Windows operating system (there are other operating systems, such as the browser-oriented ChromeOS, but trust us, The real question is: Mac or Windows? ) Let's see where each operating system has the upper hand.

Design

Windows can be found on a whole range of devices and brands, from large laptops to modern ultrabooks, so there is no single design. On the contrary, macOS you can only find it on Apple products, and it must be admitted that in terms of design, MacBooks have been setting trends for years . Simple lines, aluminum chassis, flawless workmanship. The MacBook is a design legend, so if you want to look stylish, the choice is clear. However, it should be noted that even the competition is starting to adopt some of the "Apple" elements and many laptops running Windows also they have nothing to be ashamed of .

Applications and programs

If you want to use it on your laptop There are many programs of different types , but you will probably be more comfortable with Windows . Of course, popular programs (such as those from Adobe) work without any problems on both systems. Mac has even some exclusive apps , such as GarageBand, Spaces, or Aperture. On the other hand, virtually every software is available for Windows, but not all of them are optimized for Mac.

Safety

For many years, operating systems were macOS is the clear leader in terms of security . The gap is not as big as it used to be, but MacBooks are still generally considered more secure devices. However, to be fair, it must be admitted that Windows is a much more common target for cyberattacks , so whatever operating system you choose, don't forget to a quality antivirus program .

Games

If you plan to use your laptop mainly For gaming, Windows is the obvious choice . You can run a decent number of games on a MacBook, but it's nothing compared to Windows. MacBooks are simply not built for gaming.

Price

If you are looking for a laptop and are looking at a budget, The MacBook is probably out of the question for you . Its price seems literally exorbitant to many people, and it is true that for the same money you can buy a Windows laptop that even surpasses the MacBook in terms of parameters. On the other hand , in the price of the MacBook you pay for a product that has a unique design, simple functionality, incredibly long battery life , excellent customer support, and it will probably last you like new for years. And if you ever decide to sell it, there's a good chance you'll get a lot for it. you will still receive decent money even after a few years .

2. Choose the right laptop size

One of the most important factors influencing user experience is laptop size. Laptop size (diagonal display) is specified in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm). What sizes are the most popular?

• 11 to 12" laptops – these are the smallest laptops (currently on the decline), so they are suitable for travel or school ; however, keep in mind that due to the small size they have to make many compromises ; in addition to lower performance, you won't be able to enjoy your favorite movie very much on them, and the keyboard experience can be literally frustrating
• 13 to 14" laptops – lately most popular size ; still very mobile and lightweight laptops that can already provide (with more expensive models) decent performance and high comfort while writing
• 15 (or 15.6") laptops – classic, probably the most common size laptop; you will find here thin modern systems as well as classic laptops as thick as a book; you should expect a higher weight, so They are a good choice for a home laptop that you won't carry around often.
• 17 to 18" laptops – ideal for gaming ; the large screen and high performance they can provide will please every gamer; you can use such a laptop for practically anything, However, you probably won't take it with you on your travels :)

3. Don't underestimate the keyboard and touchpad

Sure, you might say, the keyboard and touchpad are part of every laptop, so you don't need to worry about that. You'd better focus on other parameters. Don't be mistaken, A good keyboard is more important than you think . Especially if you plan to do a lot of typing and working on your laptop. The experience of a keyboard that doesn't fit you can be literally frustrating. Also, a touchpad that doesn't and won't obey you. If you have the opportunity, Try typing on your laptop before you buy it . Some keyboards are objectively bad – they have incorrect spacing between letters, keys get stuck or are pressed too deeply or too shallowly.

You can also find differences between touchpads - some are too small (flat), or have strange perforations and small protrusions, which may not suit everyone.

4. Compare laptop specifications

If you are a layman in computing and terms like processor, hard drive, RAM or graphics card (or their abbreviations CPUs , HDD whether RAM ) don't tell you anything and are a distinctly Spanish village for you, we'll advise you. Right now These parameters will tell you the most about laptops. – whether it's a high-performance model you can rely on, or a weaker version that freezes when playing a movie in HD resolution.

Processor

You can also find it under the abbreviation CPU (Central Processor Unit). It can be said that it is the very brain of the entire system. On the market today you can mainly find processors from manufacturers Intel and AMD . Between The most common are Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9 processors . The first of them, i.e. i3 is the lowest series , i5 most common and The i7 and i9 are already the real top of the range , which is also reflected in the price. You can also find Intel many more processors (m series, Intel Pentium or extremely powerful and extremely expensive Intel Xeon). AMD is most often found in the form of the A, FX, and E series .

Most often Processor performance is measured in gigahertz (GHz) . The higher the better , today this value ranges somewhere between 2 GHz to 4.5 GHz. However, it must be said that although the most important, it is only one of the factors that affects the speed and performance of the processor.

RAM

RAM is an important parameter that you should definitely take into account. The capacity of the operating memory has a direct impact to what you can have many programs running at once with smooth laptop performance. Take 4GB as a minimum , which you should definitely not go below. 8GB is the optimal compromise these days between performance and price. 16GB will come in handy if you plan to give your laptop a lot of work.

Laptops usually come with less RAM than they are actually capable of holding. (e.g. a laptop with 8GB RAM can also work with a 16GB module). Some laptops even have two (but also more) slots for RAM modules and basically only one is installed slot . Therefore, always check if it exists after some time (or even immediately) RAM upgrade option . This will give you higher performance for relatively little money.

Hard drive

Long gone are the days when the size of a hard drive considered an essential parameter when choosing a computer or laptop. With the advent of streaming services and cloud storage have eliminated the need for huge amounts of disk space . On the contrary, the classic hard disk drive (HDD) is considered an outdated technology. If you can, prefer a laptop with an SSD drive . These drives are significantly faster, have lower energy consumption and several times more resistant against mechanical damage compared to classic hard drives.

Screen resolution

Of course, the higher the screen resolution, the sharper the image . There are still extended laptops with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels , but if you don't have deep pockets, Choose a laptop with a resolution of at least 1920x1080 pixels, i.e. full HD . You can also find higher resolutions on the market, but keep in mind that such screens have higher energy requirements.

Ports and disk drives

We used to be unable to build a laptop without multiple USB ports and a CD or DVD drive. However, cloud storage, streaming services, and the ever-faster transfer of information via the Internet have pushed disc drives out of many modern laptops. That doesn't matter at all, If you want to play your old DVD movie collection, you can easily solve the problem with an external drive . As for ports, require USB 3.0 and HDMI , which can be useful when connecting to a TV, projector or external monitor. The presence of a MiniDisplay port can also be an advantage.

5. Check your battery life carefully

If you are buying a 17" laptop to replace your desktop computer, the battery will probably not be a deciding factor for you, as you will probably have the laptop plugged in all the time anyway. However, if If you want to travel a lot with your laptop, battery life is a significant factor . Focus on laptops with a manufacturer with a stated endurance of at least 8 hours . The unsurpassed standard in this regard is the just mentioned MacBooks , but even among competitors, you can find many pieces that will delight you with their long durability.

However, don't just look at the official numbers , as they usually indicate battery life under ideal conditions. User reviews are much more helpful . Also consider how you use your laptop while on battery power - it will drain much faster when watching movies or playing games than when surfing the internet or writing documents in Word.

6. Choose the right laptop price range

Consider in advance how much you want to invest in a new device. Although you can come across really good deals, discounts or sales, and thus get access to premium models at a fair price, under normal conditions, price is a pretty good indicator of quality. Basically, we can divide laptops into several price classes:

• laptops under 300 euros – cheaper brands or the weakest models of major brands ; consumer goods that you can use as a first laptop for a child or a secondary computer for light tasks, data backup or leisure; they do not have a long shelf life and you may lose your temper while using them :)
• laptops between 300 - 600 euros – you can get it for somewhere under 600 euros pretty decent laptop (for example, with an i5 processor and 8GB of RAM); however, the relatively low price is often compensated for by, for example, a lower-quality display, short battery life, or the absence of an SSD disk
• laptops under 900 euros – here we are already moving between quality laptops that can offer real excellent performance ; you will also find added value here such as premium design in the form of an aluminum chassis or a powerful SSD drive
• laptops over 900 euros – category top-of-the-line devices with uncompromising performance , quality workmanship and great battery life; somewhere around 900 euros Prices for new Apple MacBooks begin and their direct competition

Tip: If If you want to save money and get a lot of music for little money , consider buying refurbished laptop . This is usually about laptops with an original price of over 600 euros, which are not sold as new, but have undergone a thorough inspection, are fully functional and is provided for them warranty of at least 1 year . So you can find a perfectly functioning laptop at a significantly lower price.

Still can't decide? Contact us. We will be happy to provide you with assistance or advice in choosing a new or refurbished laptop. We are experts in refurbished computers and laptops , and if you want top performance at a fair price, we are always here for you.

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