With so many brands and models in the market, making the right choice when it comes to buying a laptop can be a bit confusing. Since a laptop is a gadget that you don’t replace quite often and stays with you for a while, you need to make sure you have found the perfect one for your needs and within your budget. Whether you are a student, working, or just want a laptop for leisure, you need to do good research before deciding on which laptop to buy. In order to make it easier for you, here are the factors that you need to put into consideration before you buy a new one.
- Budget.
First and foremost, you need to decide on a budget. The trick here, whether you are on a tight budget or an unlimited budget, you have to identify the reasons you need to buy a laptop. For instance, if you are only buying a laptop for leisure such as watching series or browsing, you don’t really need a very expensive laptop with high specs. On the other hand, if you need a laptop for work or gaming, then you need to consider reliable and heavy-duty laptops that won’t give you a hard time. Knowing why you need to buy a laptop will make it easier for you to set a budget.
- Size and weight.
If you are the type of person who moves around with the laptop everywhere, then you need one that is easily portable and light in weight. In such a case, a light and slim 13’’ laptop will be a more practical choice than a 17’’ gaming laptop. At the end of the day, you need a device that performs efficiently yet is not exhausting to carry around everywhere you go. But if you are the type of person that would mostly use the laptop at home, then the weight won’t be a big issue for you.
- Battery
The whole idea behind a laptop is not having to be plugged in all the time. You not only need to focus on the number of hours quoted by manufacturers, but also how long this battery will live with you. A good way to find out is by checking Watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours (mAh), the bigger the number the longer the battery will last with you. Also, make sure you get a fast-charging battery.
- Storage
Most of the modern laptops come with a maximum of 256GB storage space. While this can be more than enough for light users such as students or those who need the laptop for simple tasks, this is going to be a hassle for people who use lots of programs and need big storage space for tasks such as video editing, photography, or graphic design. In this case, you will need to buy an external portable drive or consider cloud storage.
- Processor
This factor mainly relies on your usage and what your needs are. Don’t buy a laptop with a processor less than Intel Core i3 and this is for basic usage. For heavier usage and those who work on several programs simultaneously for long hours, you will need Core i5 or Core i7. You will find Core i3 in entry-level laptops, Core i5 in mid-range laptops, and Core i7 in high-end laptops providing top performance.
- Display
We spend long extended hours in front of our laptop screens. Accordingly, when buying a laptop, you need to make sure that the display is comfortable for your eyes. It is preferable to steer away from glossy screens because the shinier the display, the more light it will reflect. However, all touchscreens add glossiness to the display which is a drawback. A touch screen is definitely a plus, but you should consider if you really need it. Additionally, make sure to look at the screen resolution. A 1920×1080-pixel resolution is the minimum to consider when buying a laptop.
In the end, you will have to prioritize the features that are most important to you in accordance with your budget. But rest assured, the market has plenty of options for you. Visit OLX to find the right device for you.
