Laptops have been outselling desktop PCs for over a decade, with good reason. On the obvious side, they’re portable. However, that doesn’t mean choosing a laptop requires having to compromise on capability; configured correctly, a laptop can do anything you need a PC to do and sometimes more. With new options like convertible laptops and Chromebooks, the number of choices available to laptop shoppers is better than ever. Make an informed decision and you’ll end up with a laptop you can enjoy for years of solid service.
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When we talk about laptops, we’re using an umbrella term that covers a series of portable PCs, each suited for a different purpose. While the general clamshell form factor is the common thread, each can be very different when it comes to capabilities, intended use and price.
Platform: Windows, MacBook or Chromebook?
One of the biggest questions when it comes to laptops: what platform?
Mac laptops and Windows laptops are very similar when it comes to hardware (both are currently based on the same PC architecture). They differ in the operating system (Macs use macOS and Windows uses, well, Windows (currently Windows 10)! The difference in operating system means there are also some differences in the software and accessories used for each type of system.
It usually makes sense to go with the platform you are most comfortable with, that you have compatible software for, or that your school or employer uses.
Mac laptops tend to be more popular with people who need to run creative software (photo or video editing for example), while PC laptops are preferred by people into gaming (far more titles are available for Windows than for Mac). Windows computers also tend to be more popular in business and enterprise environments.
Chromebooks are a more recent addition to the laptop world and they make an excellent, affordable option for many people.
Chromebooks operate using Google’s Chrome operating system or Chrome OS, which was designed to leverage cloud-based applications like G-Suite. That means Chromebooks require less powerful processors than other laptops, they require less RAM (4GB is average), and for local storage will often use a small, speedy SSD—typically starting at around 32GB. Chromebooks began as a very low cost computing option that made them perfect for many consumers, but in recent years premium versions have also been released. Don’t let the relatively modest specs fool you. Chromebooks can still be snappy performers, and with web-based apps they leverage the immense computer power of servers on the internet. Chromebooks are also able to run Android apps.
Types of laptops
As the name suggests, everyday laptops are intended to be a default choice for someone who needs a portable machine that can do just about anything. They’re also priced across a wide range to suit a wide variety of needs. Most people choose a display in the 13-inch to 15-inch range and specs good enough to take on most tasks, including word processing, web browsing, watching video or light gaming. Select the right combination of price and capability for your needs for home, for school, or for business applications.
2-in1 laptop: This is quickly becoming one of the most popular types of laptop.
2-in-1 laptops are two devices at the same time: a laptop, and a tablet. Thanks to ingenious hinges that twist, slide or flip, the display can be positioned flat against the bottom of the case, transforming the device into a tablet form factor, perfect for running apps designed for tablets or for use with a stylus. Some 2-in-1s go even further, actually allowing the display to physically separate from the base as a standalone tablet.
Gaming laptop: This laptop pulls off a very difficult trick, by stuffing the components needed to run video games—one of the most demanding tasks for a PC—inside a portable case. Display sizes can vary from 13-inches to 17-inches. Gaming laptops often look a little chunky compared to other models. That’s because manufacturers need to fit a dedicated graphics card inside, as well as a beefy CPU and other high end components.
However, advances in mobile processors and graphics cards have led to a generation of gaming laptops that embrace being thin, looking as sleek as ultraportables from several years ago. Power demand is also high for gaming laptops and although they have large batteries, they can’t compare to other laptop types for battery life. Anywhere from 3 to 5 hours used to be typical, but some gaming laptops can now last all-day, at least for non-gaming use. While these mobile PCs are aimed squarely at gamers, because of their big, high resolution displays and powerful CPUs, multitude of ports, and high quality keyboards, gaming laptops are often used by professionals as well—especially those who need to run demanding software like Photoshop.
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Laptop components
There are many components that go into every laptop, but there are four that have the biggest impact on a laptop’s performance and capabilities and cost: The CPU, RAM, the display, and storage space.
CPU: cores and clock speed
Think of the CPU as the brains of the operation. The more demanding the tasks a laptop needs to perform, the more brain power it needs. When we talk about CPUs, several terms are worth knowing. Clock speed (measured in GHz) tells you how many cycles per second a CPU can perform. All other things being equal, a CPU at a higher clock speed will be faster than a lower one. Cores are processing units that can perform instructions. The more cores a CPU has, the better because this means it can perform multiple instructions simultaneously.
There are also families of CPUs that provide varying degrees of power, and within those families, different generations. Intel is currently releasing 10th generation Core mobile processors, with features like integrated Wi-Fi 6, onboard 4K video support, and improved overall performance. AMD is rolling out its Ryzen 4000 series of mobile processors with “Zen 2” processor cores, 4K support and Wi-Fi 6 support.
Needless to say, all of this can be more than a little confusing. What should you be looking for in a laptop CPU?
A general purpose laptop will be equipped with a CPU from a lower to mid-range processor family, typically with four cores at a modest clock rate. A quad-core, Intel Core i5 with a maximum Turbo Boost to 3.6GHz is typical. Move to a more powerful laptop suited to professional use and the CPU will be much beefier too. You might find the same quad-core Intel Core i5, but at a higher clock rate, or a 6-core Core i5; this is also where you start to see Intel’s 6-core and 8-core, Core i7 CPU make an appearance. Gaming laptops will usually have a Core i7 or even a new Core i9. Increasingly, you’ll find laptops equipped with new AMD Ryzen processors as an option as well.
RAM: what is it and how much do you need?
RAM (or Random Access Memory) is where the laptop stores information it’s currently using. The general rule of thumb is that there is no such thing as too much RAM. The more RAM you have on tap, the more windows you can have open and the snappier your performance will be. That being said, RAM costs money, so you need to find a balance.
With 64-bit Windows 10, the minimum supported RAM is 2GB, but I wouldn’t suggest a laptop running Windows or macOS that has less than 8GB installed. Otherwise, it may run now, but a few OS upgrades in or too many apps open at once, and it’s likely to start bogging down. Any laptops I buy (for general and professional use) have a minimum of 8GB of RAM installed, and if available I choose 16GB. A power user or a gaming laptop would benefit from having at least 16GB of RAM on tap. If you don’t need the extra RAM today, chances are you will before long.
With Chromebooks. 4GB of RAM is the current standard, but 8GB will let you have many tabs open without a performance hit, and a few premium Chromebooks offer a 16GB option. For most users 8GB will provide a great experience for the lifetime of the Chromebook, but for a budget-friendly option 4GB should be fine.
Don’t forget, many laptops ship with the RAM soldered to the motherboard, which means you don’t have the option of upgrading later on. So plan for what you might need in a few years.
Storage: SSD vs HDD and capacity
HDD or Hard Disk Drive is the technology that’s been used for onboard storage for decades. It’s a spinning platter with a magnetic head, it works well and it’s inexpensive.
SSD (Solid State Storage) has become more popular in recent years, thanks to its inclusion in popular 2-in-1 computers, Microsoft Surface and Apple MacBook Air. SSDs are more expensive than HDDs—especially at large capacities—but they have multiple advantages including lower power consumption, no moving parts, quieter operation and especially speed. A laptop that takes 60 seconds to boot up with an HDD might take only 10 seconds if equipped with an SSD. Windows laptops are increasingly offering an SSD as a standard option, while all MacBooks and Chromebooks only offer solid state drives.
Some laptops offer hybrid drives that combine a small capacity SSD with a traditional HDD. The operating system is stored on SSD for faster operation, while the HDD offers plenty of cheap storage.
Like RAM, experienced PC owners will tell you that there is no such thing as too much storage.
However, cost is once again a factor here, especially if you are looking at a high capacity SSD. When it comes to capacity, most general purpose laptops offer 500GB of storage, while professional and gaming laptops often hit 1TB. Some gaming laptops are actually equipped with dual drive bays, so you have the option of adding additional storage at a later time.
Laptops (other than Chromebooks) equipped with an SSD typically start at 256GB and go up to 1TB.
The display
Never take the display for granted. This is the component you’ll be interacting with the most and it can make or break your laptop experience. It also dictates the overall size of the laptop and can have a very big impact on overall price. Display sizes on laptops range from less than 12 inches to more than 18 inches.
In particular, pay attention to resolution. A large, 17-inch display with low resolution will look pixelated—it’s like watching standard definition video, up close, on a 60-inch Ultra HD TV. A small display with low resolution will look crisper, but it won’t be able to show as much information.
When it comes to cost, the larger the display the larger the price tag, and as you go up in resolution the cost also increases. The trick is to find the combination of display size and resolution that meets your needs. For general purpose web browsing, a 13-inch display at Full HD (1080p) resolution should suit most people, but business users and gamers will want 15-inches or more with at least Full HD resolution, and ideally 4K.
Other display variables such as contrast ratio, HDR support, colour accuracy, brightness and reflectivity primarily come into play with professional and gaming laptops. With a gaming laptop, you’ll want to pay attention to display refresh rates, and support for technology like AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.
If you use Windows’ touch gestures, you’ll also want a touchscreen-enabled display—an option that’s not available on the Mac platform. Many Chromebooks also offer touchscreen support, especially 2-in-1 models.
Some laptops now offer second screen options, including the Touch Bar on Apple’s MacBook Pro, and the ScreenPad on some ASUS ZenBook models.
Other components/features worth considering
- Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 6 is the latest and fastest standard—here’s a list of laptops with Wi-Fi 6 onboard—while Bluetooth 5 is the current short range wireless standard
- Ethernet may be a requirement for professional users
- Ports for USB accessories, memory cards and video output
- Keyboard and trackpad (quality varies as do extra features like backlighting, programmability, and a standalone numeric keypad)
- Optical drives (do you need one and if so, do you need Blu-ray or just CD/DVD). Consider an external optical drive, as built-ins are increasingly rare among laptops.
- Built-in speakers
- Battery life
- Weight
What you need to know about upgradability
Compared to a desktop PC, upgrading a laptop can be a little trickier and is primarily limited to adding more RAM or storage, or replacing the battery.
When considering an Ultrabook or Convertible laptop, it’s important to know that many of these super-slim notebook PCs achieve some of their space savings through use of soldered RAM and SSDs, and batteries that are specially designed to fill any available space within the body. I always suggest people plan ahead: choose the model with the maximum amount of RAM and the largest capacity SSD possible, because in two years, you may not have the option of upgrading these components.
The non user-replaceable battery means not being able to swap out batteries during extended use away from a power outlet, and having the battery professionally replaced once it wears out. For most people this isn’t an issue—battery life on these machines is usually “all day” and the battery is often good for several thousand recharge cycles before it needs replacing.
Take the next step
Now that you have a better understanding about what all the buzzwords and tech specs mean, check out Best Buy’s huge selection of laptops. Best Buy has a laptop to fit any size, capability, and budget.
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