What laptop to buy?

Compact enough to take with you everywhere, but also versatile enough to run the most demanding applications; And is that a laptop is the best tool to do serious work or play at home and even on the road.

While tablets and smartphones are already popular, most people find that everything from writing a research paper to playing a video game works much better on a laptop. If you are one of those who go with a model of 4 or 5 years ago and you don't know which laptop to buyDon't worry, here are some essential guidelines that will guide you through the entire process.

There are a wide variety of sizes, features and prices, so choosing the right laptop that best suits the needs of each user is a challenge. That's why you need find out what your own needs are first. To do this, you can follow these eight steps that we offer you and that will help you define each one of them with greater and better precision.

What laptop to buy according to its use?

Surely you are clear about the use that you are going to give the laptop, for that reason, below we have compiled the guides that we have so that you can choose a computer based on that:

• Portable to work
• Laptop for graphic design
• Portable for programming
• Portable for video editing
• Portable for kids
• Cheap Gaming Laptops
• Laptops for Students

What laptop to buy according to its characteristics?

If what you are looking for is a laptop with a specific feature but you still don't know which one to choose, below you will find our guides so that you can choose correctly:

Screen size

Before deciding anything, you have to find out what need for "portability" do you have, that is, if you travel a lot with your computer on your back, if you hardly move it around the house, and so on; as this will define what the ideal laptop will be for you and from then on you will know which laptop to buy. Laptops are generally classified by their screen sizes:

• Small laptops: The systems thinner and lighter They have approximately 11 to 12 inches of screen and weigh between 1 and 1,5 kilos. However, in this size, screen and keyboard will be a little too narrow for the needs of some users.
• 13 inch laptop : Provides the best balance between portability and ease of use. Laptops with 13- or 14-inch screens generally weigh between 1,5 and 2,5 kilos and fit easily on top of your legs while still offering the generously sized keyboards and easy-to-see displays. If you are willing to pay a plus, they can also be found extremely light systems with these screen sizes, including the 1,2 kilos Dell XPS 13 and the 1,3 kilos the 14-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
• 15 inch laptop: The most popular size, 15-inch laptops are usually quite bulky and heavy with 2,3 to 3 kilos, but also they cost less. If you're not planning to carry your laptop around often or use it on your lap, a 15-inch system could be a good deal for you. Some 15-inch models come with DVD drives, but you'll save weight by looking for a model that doesn't.
• 17 inch laptop: If your laptop stays on your desk all day and every day, a 17 or 18-inch system could offer you the kind of processing power you need to play high-end games or do all the productivity at the workstation level. Due to its thickness, the notebooks in this size can have high voltage quad core CPUs, very powerful graphics cards y multiple storage units. Of course, do not think about taking these systems of more than 3 kilos anywhere.

Higher resolution means better image quality. A laptop screen comes in various resolution ranges that are measured in pixels (horizontal x vertical).

• HD. 1366 x 768, the standard resolution in lower-end notebooks. It is enough to surf the Internet, e-mail and basic tasks on the computer.
• HD +. 1600 x 900, this resolution is fine for occasional gaming and watching DVD movies.
• Full HD. 1920 x 1080, this resolution allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and play video games without losing any detail.
• Retina. 2304 x 1440, 2560 x 1600, and 2880 x 1800. It can be found on Apple's 12 '', 13.3 '', and 15.6 Mac notebooks, respectively.
• QHD (Quad HD) and QHD +. With 2560 x 1440 and 3200 x 1800 resolution, respectively. The high pixel density creates a lot of detail. Ideal for photography, video or graphics professionals, this is why you can find a lot in the best laptops for graphic design. Also for those who spend many hours playing.
• 4K Ultra HD. The 3840 x 2160 resolution has four times more pixels than Full HD. Create rich colors and images to view and edit graphics that look almost life-like.

But not only the resolution is important when answering the question of which laptop to buy. You should also pay attention to the different types of panel as they directly influence the image quality we obtain. Here is a selection of the main types:

• IPS It is an evolution of TFT-LCD panels. Improves fields of vision and has a shorter response time. They were also created to improve all of this on smaller devices, such as mobile phones.
• TN they are panels with a fast response time, which makes them good candidates for games. They are panels with a low manufacturing cost, but they do not have good viewing angles although their color range has improved in recent years.
• OLED They are screens that offer better color contrasts, something that has a lot to do with the fact that blacks are purer. Furthermore, they are flexible, allowing manufacturers to create devices with designs that can include curves. Regarding the autonomy, it can be increased if black backgrounds are used, since the pixels that are turned off do not consume energy.
• LED they emit a light source that is composed of a semiconductor material that has two terminals. The first models appeared in the 60s, but not on screens. Its best asset when it comes to monitors is that they have a very long useful life and are resistant.

But so that you know which laptop to buy, we will show you below the main components that you will have to take into account.

Budget

What is your budget? Nowadays you should know that a minimally usable laptop can be obtained for less than € 450, but if you can invest more money in it, you will be able to obtain a system with a superior quality, a strong resistance and a better visualization.

• Laptops under € 500The least expensive laptops are Chromebooks, which run on Google's operating system-centric browser, or low-end Windows systems with minimal storage and slower processors, like the HP Stream 11. Either one can become a good secondary equipment or for the kids, especially if you buy one of the small laptops like the Chromebooks that tend to last a long time (8 hours or more) on one charge. For less than € 500 you can get a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor or AMD A8 CPU, 4 to 8 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive, all respectable features. However, at this price, most notebooks have cheap plastic chassis, low-resolution displays, and weak battery life.
• Laptops under € 1.000: As you go above $ 500, you'll start to see more high-quality designs, such as the metallic finishes. Manufacturers are also beginning to add other features that are out there to move up the price ladder, including a better audio and backlit keyboards. You may also be able to get a screen with a resolution that is 1600 x 900 or 1920 x 1080 and a flash cache.
• Laptops over € 1.000: In this price range, you expect laptops that are more than portable, more powerful, or both. Waiting higher resolution displays, faster processors, and possibly discrete graphics. Lighter, more durable ultrabooks like the 13-inch MacBook Air and a few others tend to cost more than $ 1.000. High-end gaming systems and mobile workstations typically cost that up to $ 3.000 on some occasions.

Processors

When you think about buying a new laptop, you have to consider the processor as if it were the brain of the machine. It works in combination with the system memory. The power of the processor determines the complexity of the software you can use, how many programs you have open at the same time, and how fast these applications can go. Most use processors from Intel or AMD. We are going to see the most common in detail.

Intel processors

Many people when they wonder what laptop to buy, they think directly of this brand since it is the fastest thing that comes to mind. Intel processors are the heart of every modern MacBook and are found in most Windows laptops too. The ones that continue to be seen the most are those of various nuclei (Intel Core):

• Core: Intel leaves behind the nomenclature of its trademarks Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9 to make way for a new line of products under the designation Intel Core Ultra for its desktop processors, based on the Meteor Lake microarchitecture, that is, the 14th Generation. In the laptop field it will simply be Core 3, Core 5 and Core 7.
• Core i7. One of the best consumer processors from Intel. They are used to choosing more serious and demanding users in its use. For example gamers, graphic designers, photographers or video editors. It excels at seamlessly handling multitasking and demanding multimedia creations for high-definition 3D projects.
• Core i9: It is one of the most powerful Intel processor. It is chosen by the most demanding professionals, among whom we have gamers who do not want surprises in the form of lag, jerks or sacrificing visual effects in video games, especially when sharing their gameplays. It is also chosen by professionals in the multimedia industry because it can move the most demanding video editing programs with ease.
• Core i5. The mid-range of Core processors, and in fact one of the most widely used and most common. Many users when they think "what laptop do I buy", this is the first processor model that comes to mind. It has enough power for most tasks and multitasking, so you can play the game you wanted or that game while sending a few emails.
• Core i3. Within the Core processors, the i3 model is the most basic range. More than suitable for non-demanding day-to-day activities such as messaging, the Internet, and productivity tasks. It also works smoothly for activities like listening to music and so on.
• Celeron: The Celeron processors are intended for everyday use, for entry-level computers and equipment with slightly more modest resources, which will also be noticeable in the final price.
• Core M. A processor designed for slim models like the ultrabooks more basic. It gives enough power to let you surf the internet or send emails without drastically including the autonomy of your device.

In other cheap laptops you will also see processors like Intel Pentium or Celeron. These can be suitable for texting, internet, and productivity tasks. But if when considering the purchase of a new laptop you want to consider speed and multitasking, these capabilities are limited unless you look at the models above.

AMD processors

This brand of processors has two most common and used categories. FX and A-Series. Like the Intel Core chips, these processors include a graphics processor built into it. In order from best to worst we find the following:

• Ryze. Large number of processors so you can do it all at the same time and without fissures.
• Athlon- Among entry-level processors, which will give you the best possible performance.
• A-Series. For those who want cheap equipment and basic computing.
• E series. Similar to Intel Celebron and Pentium processors. When you think about which laptop to buy, these are probably not the first to come to mind, although they are valuable for activities with limited speeds. There are no problems in using them for casual models in things that do not require a lot of technology.

There are variants in the processor classes. Laptops designed with great battery life typically feature a low-volt processor version of the listed processors, which translates into reduced speed.

For those of you who are dedicated to design or gaming, in your search for a new laptop, you have to go for those that have a dedicated graphics and video memory. Having separate resources for your graphics allows you to have a much faster and smoother rendering of these while watching movies or doing any related activity.

The hybrids between tablets and laptops More expensive ones often use Intel's Core M CPU, which is faster than Atom's, but not as fast as the company's Core (Core i3, i5, i7 or i9). If you buy a Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7, try to get the latest generation that is Intel 2020th ​​generation, available already from the beginning of XNUMX.

When it comes to performance, don't settle for less than an Intel Core M processor for slim systems or a Core i3 / AMD A Series CPU for mainstream laptops. If you are spending more than € 500, ask that at least the CPU be Intel Core i5, which is capable of dynamically increasing its clock speed when higher performance is needed. Power users and gamers should settle for no less than the Core i7 system, preferably a quad core chip.

Operating System

This is not an easy question to answer, especially if you are not familiar with both Macs and PCs. But this quick overview below of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform should help you.

Chrome OS

Found in cheaper and lighter laptops like the 11.6-inch Acer C720 and the HP Chromebook 14, Google's Chrome OS is of the simplest and safest platforms that exist in the current market, but you may also feel a bit limited in terms of functionalities. The user interface looks a lot like traditional Windows with an application menu, desktop, and the ability to drag windows around it. The default main window you will use is the Chrome browser and most of the "applications" are simply shortcuts to web tools.

Because it is primarily a browser, Chrome OS it is unlikely that you will be infected with malware or viruses And, if you've ever surfed the web from another computer, you'll feel right at home with a platform that's familiar. The downside is that there are few offline apps and the ones that do exist don't always work well. However, if you need a device for surfing the web, checking email, social media, and chatting online, HP Chromebooks are inexpensive, highly portable, and have a long battery life.

Windows 11

Windows laptops are typically more affordable than Macs (starting at under $ 400) and offer a much wider range of design options from more than a dozen major vendors. Unlike Apple, Microsoft and their partners allow users to purchase notebooks with touchscreensas well as convertible designs that allow you to easily transform from laptop to tablet mode.

If you are used to the Windows interface, but you have not yet tried the Windows 10 version and do not know which computer to buy, you may be in for a major surprise. The new operating system has replaced the Start menu with a mosaic-style, full-screen start screen, sometimes featuring easy-to-use, touch-based applications. However, Windows 10 still has a desktop mode to run all your existing applications and can be booted directly from it. It's also not difficult, with some utilities and tweaks, to add a Start menu and make the desktop look a lot like Windows 7 again.

Some Windows laptops provide business functions such as smart card and biometric verification and management of Intel vPro systems.

MacOS

Apple MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros offer a easy to use operating system on macOS. In fact, some users may find macOS easier to navigate than the latest and bolder version of Windows 10. MacBooks offer iOS-like features as a launch pad for their applications, with superior multi-touch gestures, and with the ability to manage iPhone calls, in the case of having one.

MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros also tend to outperform most Windows machines when it comes to industrial design and the touchpad. While Windows PCs offer more software options, Apple makes it easier to find and install programs via the Mac App Store. However, Apple laptops have a starting price of € 800.

Which laptop to buy according to the brand?

Your laptop is only as good as the company behind it. A accurate and timely technical assistance It's fundamental. This last year Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), came first, followed by HP y Samsung.

Below you have a selection of guides in which we analyze each laptop brand and show you the best models that each one currently has:

• Best laptop brands
• Acer laptop
• Apple laptop
• ASUS laptop
• CHUWI laptop
• Dell laptop
• HP notebook
• Huawei laptop
• Lenovo laptop
• LG laptop
• Medion laptop
• MSI laptop
• Razer laptop
• Samsung laptop
• TECLAST laptop
• Toshiba Dynabook Notebook
• Xiaomi laptop
• Honor laptops
• Realme laptops
• Surface

Technical support is only part of what makes a laptop brand worth its money value. You also have to consider how the manufacturer competes with the competition in terms of design, quality and selection, testing, and other criteria. Apple usually takes first place, followed by Lenovo and ASUS.

Which laptop to buy according to the type?

In the same way that there are hundreds of combinations that you can make with everything we have mentioned here, choosing a laptop sometimes gets much easier for some when they realize that there are specific models and lines of computers for what they are looking for. in this way the search is reduced a bit. The most prominent are the following:

Gaming laptops

They are laptops specifically designed to be able to play for what they are models powerful gifts. They have advanced processors like those already mentioned and graphics cards that allow faster and smoother gameplays. They also highlight the musical capabilities and the size of the screens to help bring the game to real life.

Some also include the typical keyboard with lights and interesting extras to make the sessions much easier and fun. Still, these intensive features usually tend to heat up the computer and drain the battery, as well as being heavier than normal. You simply have to consider whether you are going to change it place or you are going to have it anchored somewhere in your house.

2-in-1 laptops

When you ask yourself which laptop to buy, sometimes what you are looking for is the power they give you but you would like the portability of a Tablet. That's when it's interesting to consider 2-in-1s (aka convertibles or hybrids). These devices have versatile touchscreen capabilities that can be turned into a tablet in no time. They provide the perfect angle for presenting at work or following your favorite show on the couch.

Chromebooks

Originally those laptops that Google created. Today's Chromebooks come in a wide variety of specifications, sometimes with really powerful configurations. What varies between a Chromebook and the rest is the use Chrome OS. The Google-owned operating system that is designed to run most applications from the cloud. By doing this, Chrome OS reduces the need for hard drive capacity, allowing them to be thinner and lighter.

With typical computers, storing more and more data causes the device to slow down over time. Chromebooks eliminate this since most programs are stored online and work through the browser. Of course, this means that Chromebooks are meant to be used primarily with an internet connection. Google has recently encouraged app developers to work offline. But of course in this case you need a good internet connection, but for those who use it constantly and are reading this guide to choosing a laptop, this is an alternative efficient and affordable.

Ultrabooks

Ultrabooks have really been referred to as an umbrella term for those ultra-light notebooks. However, it is originally a word used for Intel laptops. These models eliminate currently less used parts such as CD slots or ports, but using more powerful processors. We can say that they are pure models of maximum productivity and less entertainment, although of course it will depend on the use you want to give it.

Other aspects to consider when knowing which laptop to buy

If you want to know what laptop buy, you have to know that the characteristics of laptops such as CPU, hard disk, RAM and card graphics can confuse even laptop fans, so don't feel bad if the technical data sheets of specs seem more like alphabet soup to you than anything else.

What you really need depends on what you plan to do with your portable device. More intensive tasks like 3D games and high-resolution video editing programs require more expensive components.

RAM: When it comes to memory, or RAMeven the cheapest laptops have 4GB nowadays, so don't settle for less. If you can get a system with 6 or 8 GB, you will be better prepared for high-end applications and a lot of multitasking. Gamers and advanced users should look for 16GB of RAM.

HDD: For most users, a fast unit is more important than a big one. If you have the option to choose, opt for a hard drive between 7.200 rpm and 5.400 rpm. Even if you have multiple movies and games on your hard drive, a 320GB should provide more than enough space, but 500GB or 750GB drives usually don't cost much more. In the case of wanting to buy an external hard drive, we recommend doing a good search. Today you can find 1TB models on the market at a price that is the dream of many. For less than € 50 you have storage everywhere. And more considering that today the whole subject of movies and others are seen in streaming. Whether it is 500GB, 2TB, or 3TB.

flash cache: Sometimes some Ultrabooks and other notebooks come with 8, 16 or 32 GB of cached flash that you can use to increase performance. Although not as fast as an SSD, a flash cache will help you boost load and boot times, while allowing you store all your data on a large hard drive.

Solid State Drives (SSDs): These units cost a little more than traditional hard drives and have less capacity (usually 128 to 256 GB), but can dramatically improve performance. You'll enjoy faster boot times, faster resume times, and faster execution times. Also, because SSDs don't have moving parts like mechanical drives, failure is much less unlikely. If you are interested, here you can see the best laptops with SSD

Touch screenWindows 10 is just more fun and absorbing with a touchscreen, but if your laptop isn't a hybrid with a flexible or swiveling screen, you can probably live without it. Although you can get a touchscreen system for € 450 today, the price difference between similarly configured systems with and without a touchscreen is € 80 to € 130.

Graphic chip: for the most part, a integrated graphics chip (one that shares the memory system) is going to be good for basic tasks, including browsing the web, watching videos, and even playing some top games. But a discrete graphics processor of AMD or Nvidia (which has a dedicated video memory) will provide a better performance when it comes to the most demanding games. What's more, a good GPU can speed up video playback on sites like Hulu, as well as speed up video edition.

As with CPUs there are two high-end and low-end graphics chips. Nvidia maintains a list of its graphics chips from low to high end just like AMD does. In general, workstations and gaming laptops will have the best GPU, including dual graphics on more expensive systems. Below you have a selection of the most popular graphics that laptops have:

• Intel Graphics It is Intel's proposal for Integrated Graphics Processors (IGP). They are included in the same CPU and present in all types of computers, but especially in mid-range equipment.
• NVIDIA one of the most famous brands in the field of graphics cards and GPUs. They have options that adapt to all needs and it is common to see their cards in powerful equipment such as those used for video games.
• Radeon It was a famous brand for its GPUs and chipsets. At present it is owned by AMD and, like Intel Graphics, it is present in all types of devices, but already with its new names, among which we have Radeon or

DVD / Blu-ray drives: Many notebook computers nowadays come less and less with optical drives. That's because you can download more software and download or stream video from the web. Unless you burn the discs or want to watch Blu-ray movies, you don't need one of these units and you can save quite a bit of weight to carry.

Take into account the battery life

Even if you're only moving your laptop from your desk to the couch and bed or from your cubicle to the conference room, battery life is an important issue. Nobody wants to be chained to an outlet, even if there is an outlet within reach. If you're going to buy a 15-inch laptop, find yourself at least 4 hours of endurance since in general tend to be short-lived. Those planning to move around should choose laptops that offer more than 6 hours of battery life, with an additional 7 hours being the ideal option.

If you have the option, pay more for an extended battery, you won't regret it. Please note that some laptops (such as the MacBook Air) have a long battery life but they have the characteristic of sealed batteries, which is not easy to update by yourself.

To determine the life expectancy of a laptop battery, don't take the manufacturer's word for it. Instead, read third-party results from objective sources (our website). Your current battery life It may vary depending on the brightness of the screen and the tasks you are going to perform (videos eat more energy than surfing the net).

Ports and connectivity

Laptops typically give us several options to be connected to the Internet as well as to other devices. Most of these have the latest versions of Bluetooth or internet standards so you can sync your smartphone, speakers, or other portable devices.

If you travel frequently, consider a laptop that is networked via 4G LTE so that you can connect to the internet without using Wi-Fi.

In addition, it is interesting that you have the following ports that are used to connect to the TV, cameras or other devices:

• USB 2.0. Connect external hard drives, game controllers, mobiles, MP3 players and other accessories.
• USB 3.0. They transfer data much faster than USB 2.0, but only if they have been used with USB 3.0 devices.
• USB Type-C. It delivers great speed and versatile power, using identical connectors that work in both directions. The adapters that exist allow for interesting video and compatibility.
• Thunderbolt. Very fast transfer for files between devices that have Thunderbolt. If you are looking for a laptop with certain connectivity, I would go for Thunderbolt if I had the money.
• HDMI. You can connect a projector or HD screen to your TV screen.
• Card slots. To connect the cards of your cameras and thus transfer photos and videos.

Conclusion

 

Knowing which laptop to buy is not always easy. Although our guide has been very extensive, we hope we have helped you to get out of doubts and be able to make the simplest choice.

In any case, if you still have doubts, you can always leave us a comment and we will be happy to help you choose your new computer.

Although surely, the factors that most determine the answer to which laptop to buy are the price and the size of the screen. From those, we will choose or discard but it is a good starting point if you do not know which laptop to buy.