It has never been easier to choose the right equipment than it is today. This dilemma is simple because there are so many options, user types and use cases. The task of choosing a laptop can seem simple, but it quickly becomes difficult once you begin to look at the options.
Our devices’ portability has been an advantage and we have been spoiled. The technology has advanced, resulting in smaller, more efficient devices. A 6-cell battery used to be capable of providing a backup of approximately 2 hours. Now, a 3-cell battery can provide a runtime up to 4 hours.
Laptops on the Market
General Purpose Laptops
The rapid technological advances of modern consumers have spoiled them. This is evident in how they consume video entertainment. To get our daily entertainment, we rely on high-speed internet connections such as those provided by HughesNet internet plans. Although tablets and cell phones are the most popular methods for consuming this content, sometimes we need a bigger screen.
Netbooks
A Chromebook or Netbook are the best choice for those who need laptops to stream content, process word files, and use the internet in general. These devices do not come with an operating system and rely on the internet for assistance. Although one could theoretically install an OS if necessary, the storage options on these devices are limited so it is best to keep them as light as possible. The battery life and cost of these devices are remarkable due to their lack of an operating system and low-power processors. Most range from $200 to $300. These devices do not have an upgrade path. You cannot add hardware components later.
Entry Level Laptops
An entry-level laptop is the next step after a Netbook/Chromebook. These range in price from $250 to $500. These processors can be purchased in two flavors: Intel I series and AMD Ryzen. These laptops have storage options that allow for extremely efficient and low-capacity solid-state drives. Some models are slower than others and use mechanical hard drives. RAM can also be upgraded depending on the manufacturer’s specifications.
An entry-level laptop is best because it can run multiple apps simultaneously, such as streaming video and running word processors. They also have the ability to play music and encode a video file in background. They also have more storage options, making them superior to Netbooks and Chromebooks. Although the processors are more productive in terms of productivity they can also take a lot out of your battery life. These devices have far more powerful batteries than internet-only devices.
Mainstream Laptops
While mainstream laptops have similar specifications to entry-level laptops, they are built better. These laptops have a higher resolution display than 720p HD displays. These laptops use superior materials from the chassis to their external bodies. Most, if not all of these mainstream laptops have aluminum-brushed finishes, which is a far better option than cheap plastic. Even though the exterior finishing may be plastic, it feels premium. These laptops are lighter than entry-level laptops due to their superior build quality.
These laptops are built to last and have multiple storage options. You can use a solid state drive or a mechanical drive to store additional data. Sometimes, a basic graphics card is included in the laptop. This allows for light gaming or rendering photos and videos. The price range for mainstream laptops is $400-$700.
Gaming Laptops
Gaming laptops look similar to regular laptops but have one major difference: the graphics or video card’s power. Gaming is a processor-intensive application that requires a dedicated chip, the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Gaming laptops are more expensive because of this. These laptops are built to a high standard and require excellent ventilation because of the heat generated by dedicated graphics cards.
These laptops feature high refresh rates, low input lag and excellent color accuracy. Unfortunately, these displays cannot meet all requirements of gamers so you will have to choose which one. These laptops have a larger battery and power supply than other laptops due to the higher power draw. The result is a device that weighs in at over 5 pounds. Gaming laptops are priced from around $800 to $2200 depending on their specifications and configurations.
Productivity Laptops
These laptops, which are often the most expensive and have the highest premiums, are best for productivity. They can cost anywhere between $1200 and $4500. These laptops are designed to replace a desktop computer and include powerful processors. Most productivity laptops have specs that are similar to desktops. These devices have graphics cards that are optimized for productivity, not gaming laptops. The typical productivity laptop will be more expensive and have higher thermal outputs than any other device with a graphics card. These devices have high-end CPU and GPUs, which means that heat output is also higher. These devices need top-of the-line cooling and ventilation. These laptops display 99% RBG accuracy since they are used to display graphic-intensive content.
Final Words
A clear understanding of your productivity needs will help you choose the right laptop. Look at major brands to determine what specs you need. Modern devices are made to meet a particular set of requirements and come in different price ranges. Instead of choosing the cheapest or most expensive option, try to find the right balance between what you need and what you want. Knowing your options will allow you to make informed decisions. Before making your final decision, do your research.
