Choosing a laptop that suits our needs can be quite an odyssey. There are many styles of buyers: people who like to play, those who need to work, those who are looking for portability because they have another computer at home, those who want the latest in technology, those who simply want to use it for the basics or those who want it all. at the same time.
Therefore, before starting, it is necessary to take some time to think in detail about the main applications that we are going to give it, at least during the first months. This is important and it is good to be realistic, given that the price and size can be two serious drawbacks for making a bad decision.
What should we take into account when choosing a good laptop for us?
To help you decide, we are going to break down the types of users and the benefits that must be taken into account depending on each profile.
The worker
We could say that there are two types of workers: itinerant workers (such as salespeople or executives); and professionals, who tend to move little with their laptop.
Travelers should focus above all on autonomy and small size, even at the expense of power. For this reason, some laptops seem designed for this profile, called “ ultrabooks ” that are around 11 to 13 inches, have a not inconsiderable power, and consume very little, given that they incorporate all the latest advances in energy saving.
Professionals are usually considered those who, for example, are dedicated to graphic or video design, or who are generally looking for some power to speed up their daily lives. In this case, it is possible that choosing a laptop is a mistake and a desktop computer will help them not only save, but also get more for less. But if you need to buy a laptop, what you would look for would be the opposite of a mobile worker: a screen as large as possible, between 15 and 17 inches, a dedicated graphics card, and a processor that does not have to be necessarily low consumption. In short, more than a laptop, we would talk about a “movable” computer due to its less manageable size.
The player
Similar to professional workers, the player must look for power. But, in this case, the screen should not be so important. Most gamers prefer to connect their computer to another external screen while playing, so it is better to look for 15-inch laptops, which are more common and to be able to get the best value for money in graphics card and processor, which are the two key components. when determining the quality of the gaming experience.
Leisure use
Finally, we have the one who uses the computer for those leisure moments. In this case, two fundamental elements must be taken into account:
The screen must be 14 or 15 inches since it is the most common. This will mean that the price will be lower compared to other alternatives with more exotic sizes.
In general, power does not influence the purchase decision, since we are not going to make intensive use of the system, but RAM is important. Nowadays, less than 8Gb of RAM is not enough and will cause our computer to slow down in a very short time.
What should a good laptop have?
Regardless of the use we are going to give it, there are three things that we must take into account if we want to buy a good laptop in all cases:
The processor and graphics card are not interchangeable. This means that if we are gamers or professional workers we have to understand well what processor and graphics we are buying because we will only have one opportunity with no option to upgrade.
Laptops tend to get knocked around because of so much movement. Therefore, a laptop with a magnetic hard drive is a mistake since the probability of breakage is very great. Since solid-state hard drives came out, they have been the perfect companion for these computers.
The operating system: this is a matter of taste and experience. Deciding between Mac OS, Windows or even Linux would be enough for an entire article explaining the differences. But generally, it is a very good idea that the computer comes pre-installed with the operating system we want, since if it presents problems under warranty, we will have an easier time providing evidence, including the possibility that it could be a software defect, relieving us of our responsibility.