Making the decision to buy a laptop is an easy one with portability, convenience and ease of use in mind. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to just go out and buy a laptop. It’s difficult to narrow down your choices and understand how to select the best laptop that fits your needs and lifestyle. According to IBIS World, the laptop market is a $10 billion industry with 5,149 businesses ready to introduce you to a new laptop. With so many to choose from, how do you know if you’re getting the best laptop for your needs?
A laptop purchase doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive with the right approach that starts with your goals. Here’s how to get started.
Goals and use
Not all laptops are created equal, and its value to the consumer depends on how it’s going to be used, along with your goals. A fast processing business laptop requires a robust processor, like a Dell XPS 13, to manage software, graphics and video meetings that you’ll leverage as part of your day-to-day activities. Meanwhile, someone who just wants to surf online or use online apps would likely benefit from an inexpensive web-only Chromebook that just needs an Internet connection. Once you’ve identified how you’re going to use your laptop and for what purposes, you can start working your way back to find the laptop of your dreams.
Design and speed
Today’s laptops should be designed with functionality and speed in mind. A 4G laptop that can handle all your videos, photos, and business needs, while still offering plenty of leisure opportunities like social media and web surfing, requires a lightning-fast processor. Qualcomm designs processors for 4G laptops like the HP Envy x2, ASUS Nova Go and Lenovo MIIX 630. These processors not only ensure reliable connectivity, they also offer impressive battery efficiency. If your laptop processor is fast and up to top industry standards, much of your final decision will probably fall to aesthetics and the design sensibility. Spend some time in the store or surfing through online reviews to piece together how comfortable the interface and design is for your needs.
Connectivity and portability
It’s a given that laptops are portable, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to take with you or ready to connect when you need it. For example, MacBook Pro’s got rid of many of the ports people use, including standard USB ports. This might be fine if you rely heavily on Internet-based apps and web surfing, but it won’t do you much good if you need to grab USB drives with work presentations.
Another issue is size and weight. A Chromebook is just a few pounds, but the Acer Predator 21 X is almost 19-pounds and costs nearly $9,000. Although you probably won’t need such a robust laptop, it shows that not all laptops are designed with extreme ease of portability in mind.
Before you purchase your next laptop, run through the list to identify if you covered all your bases. From identifying your goals to ensuring high-speed processing and portability, you can purchase the right laptop without the hassle and risk analysis paralysis. Remember that at the end of the day, your laptop should offer convenience to meet your needs.
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