This year the purchase of laptops taking advantage of Christmas promises to be especially high due to teleworking, and therefore we want to give you all the keys so that you make the right purchase decision.
Every year, between the end of November and the end of December, Google Trends shows a spike in searches for the term “laptops . ” The season, which is given to gifts and self-gifts, may be one of the reasons. But in addition, Christmas of this strange year , which is just around the corner, can leave a balance of purchases of laptops especially high.
Laptops are a device that, if it was already important before COVID-19, is now essential for any teleworker who does not want to invest in a desktop computer. After a wave of offers on the occasion of Black Friday and Cyber Monday at the end of November, the Christmas holidays, therefore, are emerging as a good opportunity to renew devices that are already falling behind.
But if you don’t know about computers or this world doesn’t attract your attention to delve further, the huge offer of computers that there is can be a problem. What computer should you buy? What aspects should one pay attention to? We give you a few clues .
1. Accept ‘notebook’ for ‘laptop’
Many companies present their laptops as laptops or notebooks , but sometimes they do not make it clear what the main difference between these two alternatives is. The laptop is essentially the “classic” laptop. A mobile computer capable of replacing or replacing the tasks performed by a desktop PC.
For this reason, it is usually more prepared for the work of a designer, programmers or image editors, since in most cases they have better technical characteristics. It is the best option for those who are looking for a computer to work without problems and if they do not have a desktop with which to reinforce some deficiencies.
The notebook is the “little brother”, that is, it is a laptop more focused on being light – although in recent years this has been changing and laptops weigh less and less – and serve as a second option compared to a desktop.
Although these are not second-class laptops, it must be clear that they do not usually have the same technical power as a laptop, so tasks such as displaying complex graphics such as videos, video games or high-definition photographs can be done eternal.
2. Not thinking about what its main use will be
Although the question may seem obvious, we must establish what specific uses we are going to give the laptop. Surfing the internet in most cases is taken for granted, but from there: what do we want to do? Play video games? Work with Adobe Package? Simply having a lightweight computer that you can take anywhere to write?
Depending on the answers to these questions, you can get a general idea of the budget that you have to prepare. If the laptop is only for browsing the internet , writing in programs like Word or Notes, answering emails, etc., as well as basically taking notes; then the budget does not need to exceed 200 euros.
However, if you need a laptop to work, watch movies, play video games, handle excel and doc documents, and edit photos or videos, this budget is likely to fall far short; so you should prepare for a larger investment that will grow according to your needs and the quality you demand from the device.
3. Settle for two cores
The processor is the center of any computer, be it laptop or desktop, so it is the first thing one should look at. Currently, the debate is not between Intel or AMD processors, since the latter have not finished taking off in the laptop market, but on how many cores do you need .
In general, processors in laptops are often referred to as ‘dual core’, with two cores, or ‘quad core’, with four cores. Unless the offer is very succulent: buying one of two cores is not recommended .
The price difference between one and the other is not really remarkable if you take into account that the ‘quad core’ allow you to do almost any task with the laptop: from playing to processing. There is only one exception: if the ‘dual core’ processor has technologies such as SMT, they can replace a ‘quad core’.
This technology basically allows dual-core processors to function like quad-core processors. Likewise, if what you are looking for is a specific model –and you do not want to use the computer only to write–: you must opt for a processor superior to the Intel i5 and, if possible and if it falls within the budget, make it a seventh generation.
4. Opt for less than 8GB RAM
RAM is, along with the processor, the pillars that support the computer . This memory is what is in charge of the files that must be consulted immediately or simultaneously during the different processes carried out by a computer. It could be the equivalent of short-term memory.
When we see a laptop to update ourselves this Christmas we must flee from any model that: first, has less than 8GB of RAM ; and second, that the RAM is not multiples of 4 (4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB…). First of all, 8GB of RAM is the minimum necessary so that the computer does not get stuck at each operation that requires a little more memory than usual.
Although for price you may be tempted by those that only have 4GB, or even 2GB, it is always better to buy a laptop with at least 8GB. If for work reasons you need a large RAM memory capacity (for example, if you edit or render videos, photography, etc. using the Adobe Package) and your budget allows it, you should consider even having 16GB.
Secondly, if the RAM that the laptop has is not a multiple of 4 , you will surely lose a lot of power. In most cases, RAM are different modules that “accumulate”, that is, 16GB of RAM normally means that the device has two 8GB RAM memories.
If the multiple is, for example, 14GB, there is surely one of the two memories soldered to the motherboard (type LPDDR3 or LPDDR4), which makes them not accessible depending on which cases. Therefore : minimum 8GB of RAM and rule out any laptop whose RAM is not multiples of 4.
5. Choose a HDD hard drive
As in all of the above, it depends on the specific case, but in general a laptop that runs out of battery after a few hours of use is not comfortable, nor is one in which you have to constantly uninstall applications.
Although in this section there is little to look at, it may be one of the keys. Models such as ultrabooks have a processor that allows great energy savings and can reach 10 hours of use, while other models (such as gaming laptops ), usually have a battery of about 4 or 6 hours of use.
Storage, on the other hand, can be SSD or HDD . In the first case, they are hard drives where the transfer rate prevails (the speed at which data and files are passed) and usually have less raw capacity; while the seconds are slower in data transmission, but usually have more space.
In the best of situations, the laptop will have both, but if not, an SSD hard drive is always recommended. The speed difference is very noticeable and can always be accompanied by an external hard drive if you need more space.
6. Not looking at the pegs
It is very important to look at what types and how many outputs a laptop has. The most common, at present, is to have at least one USB 3.0 port and one HDMI output . Depending on what you want to do with the laptop, this may fall short.
In the event that you are looking for a laptop to work with, it is best that it has at least two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI output, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection , and an RJ-45 output, to connect the network cable.
It should also be borne in mind that some laptops have been replacing these ports with a USB–C port (the “universal USB”), so it is also a good option if you want to recycle cables and devices that you also use in, for example, the mobile.
Quick battery of tips to not screw it up
Although with all the above, and taking into account your own budget and intention, you should be able to select a good laptop, here are some last quick tips:
- Integrated graphics or not. Many budget laptops have graphics cards built into the processor, which is fine when it comes to performing basic tasks. If your intention is to play video games or process videos, you should not opt for the integrated ones.
- the size. Depending on your needs, a 13-inch computer can be made too small or, on the contrary, it is perfect. Take into account how much you want to carry it and how much time you will spend in front of the screen.
- Run away from 4K. Although it may seem attractive, screens with 2K or 4K resolutions tend to consume a lot of battery and make the product very expensive.
- The 2 in 1 is a tablet, not a laptop.
- Try before you buy, if possible.
With these steps, and always taking into account exceptions and budgets, you can choose your new laptop without fear of making a mistake.
