Are you looking to buy a laptop but unsure about which configuration to choose? Or are you questioning whether buying a laptop is even necessary? You are among many who need to clearly define the essential criteria when purchasing this type of computer, which includes: purpose of use, configuration, and price.
First, consider the purpose of use: Do you need a laptop for work or simply for entertainment (listening to music, watching movies, playing games)? If it’s for work, you should select a laptop that fits your specific job requirements. For example, if you only need it for office tasks, a laptop with a moderate configuration will suffice. However, if you are an artist whose work primarily involves graphics, you will need a more powerful and specialized laptop. If you are a gamer, your computer must be even more powerful to meet the demands of today’s graphic-intensive games. Generally, the purpose of use heavily influences the configuration and price of the laptop.
Why choose a laptop over a desktop?
With its unmatched advantages, a laptop has become a necessity for businesses and users who require a mobile workspace. You might wonder why you should buy a laptop when a desktop computer typically costs several hundred dollars less.
Advantages of using a laptop:
A laptop allows you to access your files and applications from anywhere in the world. In other words, you always have a mobile office ready for you to work at any time, anywhere. Whether you are at the airport, port, on a train, or even in Antarctica, it won’t affect your work much.
Limitations of laptops:
That said, if your budget is tight, purchasing a laptop can be challenging. The price difference of several hundred dollars may lead you to opt for a desktop instead of a laptop. Another point is that laptops typically have less storage capacity than desktops, although manufacturers have recently made efforts to expand the hard drive capacities of these machines. The limitations of laptops include:
– Smaller keyboards and screens, lacking some familiar features found in desktops. It may take a considerable amount of time to become proficient at using a laptop keyboard.
– Battery life is an ongoing concern you will face. In contrast, desktops do not have this limitation.
Regarding the configuration of laptops, you should pay attention to the following issues:
+ Processor (chip):
The best choice is the Pentium M processor (integrated with Intel’s Centrino technology) and PowerPC G4 (Apple’s product). These chips provide a balance between power, battery life, and weight. Lower-end options include Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron. Generally, regardless of the brand of your processor, its clock speed (processing speed) should be at least 1.0GHz or higher.
+ Memory:
Typically, low-end laptops come with 128MB or 256MB of RAM; however, if you want your computer to handle more applications, it’s best to have at least 512MB of RAM. You may need to spend extra to upgrade from 256MB to 512MB, but you will see the benefits of this investment in the long run.
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+ Video Card:
For most users, a video memory (video card) can be considered an optional component to save costs. Unless you are using the laptop for gaming, there’s no need to waste money on this type of card. Ideally, your computer should have an integrated graphics card that shares memory with the system chipset.
+ Hard Drive:
If you only need to store emails, spreadsheets, and Word documents, then a small hard drive will suffice. However, if you want to store music and videos on your laptop, you should aim for a hard drive with at least 60GB or more.
+ Optical Drive:
Cheap laptop models usually only come with a fixed CD-ROM drive (non-removable and permanently attached). However, you can also use an external drive, either a CD-ROM or a combination DVD/CD-RW drive. If you are using the laptop for basic tasks, a CD-ROM will be enough. If you wish to watch movies or need to burn discs, you should use a combination CD-RW/DVD drive, which allows you to watch DVDs and easily burn CDs.
+ Screen Size:
The size of the screen should depend on the type of work you are doing. Generally, graphic tasks or spreadsheets require larger screens, while simple tasks like checking email can be done on standard-sized screens.
+ Weight:
Every bit of extra weight adds up and can make carrying the laptop for extended periods tiring. Of course, the weight of a laptop also relates to its price. Budget laptops are rarely lightweight; they only become lighter when you invest a relatively larger amount. For business users, the optimal weight range should be between 1.8 – 2.7kg.
+ Battery:
Although stated in user manuals, don’t rely too much on manufacturers’ claims that your laptop’s battery can last 5-6 hours. Only the best laptops can achieve 6 hours of battery life; otherwise, the limit is usually around 3 hours or less. The more you use entertainment applications (listening to music, watching videos, gaming…), the faster the battery will drain.
+ Networking:
Most laptop models today come equipped with networking capabilities, primarily Ethernet, followed by wireless connectivity. Your computer should have both features, as in the future, wireless hotspot access points will become increasingly common, making your Internet access more convenient and easier. Generally, your computer should have an integrated LAN Ethernet connection and wireless card.
+ Ports and Connections:
Understanding your computer’s ports will help you connect to other devices more easily and accurately. You should familiarize yourself with concepts such as: video ports; media card reader devices; S-Video output (for connecting to a TV); DVI ports (for connecting to digital LCD screens); FireWire ports (for capturing and editing digital video). Your computer should have at least 2 USB ports, 1 VGA, and 1 printer port.
What is a reasonable price?
Like desktops, the price of laptops varies significantly depending on the configuration and the manufacturer’s brand. Typically, IBM machines are more expensive than others with similar configurations. As many say, IBM laptops are only for the affluent since many models are priced exorbitantly. If your budget is limited, you might just have to admire IBM laptops starting from $1,500.
However, to encourage users to switch to laptops, since early 2005, many manufacturers have launched more affordable laptop models on the market. Specifically, low-end laptops (which only offer basic functions and are not powerful) range from $600 – $700. At this price, you can buy a good desktop, but for a laptop, you will only get an average one with normal processing power.
Higher-end models mean a greater investment. For ultra-light, ultra-thin laptops with high processing power (also known as ultraportable), the investment required is around $3,000 or more. These models usually integrate the latest, best, and most powerful technologies. As a result, their user base is not widespread, mainly targeting business people or wealthy individuals.
In general, laptops often cost twice as much as desktops when comparing prices. The price range that is generally acceptable to the majority of users when selecting relatively powerful laptop models is from $1,000 – $1,500. This is considered the most appropriate price range because at this price, a laptop still ensures technological factors and offers a wide variety of choices for users. With a budget of $700, you cannot expect your laptop to feature advanced technologies such as Pentium M chips or wireless connectivity. These technologies are typically found in laptop models priced around $1,000 or more.
