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Features to Consider Before Purchasing a Laptop



Before purchasing a laptop, buyers need to do careful research and find sources to help them decide which model is best for them. However, with so many sources, it is confusing for many people, which is why buyers should consider a few factors when making a decision. These factors are weight, screen size, form factor, processor, RAM, hard drive, operating system, and additional ports and hardware.

1. Weight

Most people purchase laptops for portability. Road warriors and other people who travel a lot for work or even pleasure want laptops that are light and easy to carry around. This is why weight is an important consideration. For those who want something very light, ultrabooks and netbooks are a good option, although they may not offer more advanced users the features they need. For example, these types of laptops do not have large hard drives or DVD players or may only operate online, like the Google Chromebook. Samsung's Chrome book, for example, is only 2.4 pounds, but has no optical drive.
Light laptops, between 3 to 4 pounds, have more features than netbooks, but are not as light. Apple's 13-inch Macbook Pro weighs in at 4.5 pounds, but features an 8-speed Superdrive, which allows the user to read and write DVDs. For those who want a desktop replacement, there are powerful laptops that have almost the same features as a regular PC. The Toshiba Qosmio line, for example, features a 17-inch screen, full HD resolution, and 16 GB of RAM.

2. Screen Size

Screen real estate is another factor that affects a computer's weight and size. Small ultraportables usually have a screen size of 13 inches or less, like Sony's Vaio Series Pro or Apple's Macbook Air series. Laptops with small screens can weigh as little as 2 pounds, definitely a big advantage for those who need to bring their laptops everywhere. Of course, for those who do not mind lugging around a heavy notebook and need the large screen, there are options. Graphic designers want a laptop with a big screen to show off work to clients, and gamers want a large screen so they can see all the action. Big-screen laptops, like the Samsung Series 7, have screens measuring over 17 inches.

3. Form Factor

Aside from just weight and screen size, buyers should also consider the laptop's form factor. Buyers have to think about how and where they plan to use their laptops. People who go out in the field should look at rugged laptops, like the Dell Latitude XFR ATG Rugged. These laptops use military-grade materials and can withstand any type of condition, from below-zero temperatures to sand storms.

4. Processor

The processor serves as the laptop's main engine. Except in the case of some desktop replacement units, laptop processors have lower capacity and power, because this is the part that consumes a lot of battery life. Aside from having to consume less energy, these have to run cooler to prevent overheating, which makes the use of heatsinks and fans necessary. Often, a small computer means a slower processor, because adding cooling devices take up a lot of space.

5. RAM

RAM, or random access memory, is a type of temporary storage a computer uses to perform multiple tasks at the same time. The more RAM a laptop has, the more tasks it can perform at the same time without freezing. The great thing about laptop RAM is that most users can upgrade the RAM themselves by purchasing from the manufacturer or third-party sources. What is important when buying a laptop is to check the maximum capacity. Motherboards have a limited number of RAM stick slots, thus buyers should consider this before making a purchase.

6. Hard Drive

When it comes to hard drives, buyers need to check both capacity and speed. Most people want the largest hard drive possible to store massive amounts of photos, videos, and songs on their computers. However, capacity is not the only thing that is important when buying hard drives. Speed is another consideration, as users want to make sure they can record and access their data quickly. Manufacturers indicate hard drive speed in RPMs, or revolutions per minute, which refers to how fast the drive's spindle rotates. Basically, the more RPMs, the faster the drive.

7. Operating System

While many people may debate which operating system is better, each one has its own weaknesses and strengths. More people use Windows environments, especially in corporate settings, and this OS supports more types of hardware and software. The Mac OS tends to be more stable and reliable and can run Windows on a virtual platform. However, buyers must also buy the more expensive Apple hardware to run this OS. Finally, many people also prefer Linux because it is free and easy to install. They also have access to free software developed by other users. Whichever one buyers choose, they should ensure they get the latest versions, as most new software cannot run on older operating systems.

8. Additional Hardware and Ports

Ports and additional hardware add weight and girth to laptops, so manufacturers must make decisions which ports and hardware to include and which to exclude. Most ultrabooks and netbooks do away with optical drives, like Apple's Macbook Air line, but they do offer users who really need to use CDs and DVDs a separate Superdrive. USB ports are essential for anyone using a computer, but buyers should consider how many peripherals they need to connect at the same time, plus the speed of the USB port. For those who absolutely need to connect their laptops to another display or projector, a VGA, DVI, or even HDMI port is necessary.

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