It lies in the list of tasks that will have to be solved on it. For modest office documents, a netbook will be enough, which will cope with such tasks with a bang. More serious requirements are put forward for multimedia systems where you plan to listen to music and watch movies. If you need a mobile gaming PC or such a device should be much better. Therefore, first of all, you need to decide what you need a laptop for and what you will do with it. It is the answers to these questions that determine how technical specifications, and the final cost of the device.
Appearance
Let's start answering the question of how to choose the right laptop with the simplest - appearance. The body must be matte. Due to this, the initial quality is preserved much longer; it is more resistant to the appearance of dirt, scratches on it are almost invisible (which cannot be said about the glossy coating). Although quite rare, there are still such mobile PCs with a cut-off keyboard. It’s also better not to buy them. It is not very convenient to work on it, and the technical specifications leave much to be desired. That is, it is necessary to have an extended keyboard with a number block on the right. The last factor to pay attention to is the location of the touchpad. You will often have to work on it. Therefore, it should be in the most convenient place for you.
Screen
The larger the screen diagonal, the more comfortable it is to work. But this reduces the operating time of the built-in battery. The minimum diagonal that experts currently recommend is 14.1 inches. If there is more, it will be better. The second important factor, which also plays an important role in how to choose the right laptop, is its resolution. More the better. For text, 1024 x 768 will be enough. But for games or graphics packages there should be a minimum of 1920 x 1080, that is, HD quality. The last point to pay attention to is the type of matrix installed. The most common are TN (outdated option) and IPS (this solution is more preferable).
Filling
It is necessary to choose based on future tasks that will be solved on a given computing device. For example, let's find out how to choose a laptop for school. For text, spreadsheets, and basic programming, a low-performance processor with integrated graphics will be sufficient. It can be either from Intel - Celeron (or Pentium) or from AMD - A series CPU. It must have at least 4 GB of RAM and one hard drive 320 GB in size. But if more serious tasks are to be solved, for example, volumetric 3D modeling, then you simply cannot do without a Core i5 and an external video card of the GeForse 650 or Radeon 7790 series. At the same time RAM the minimum should be 8 GB, and there should be two drives - SSD for the system and HDD for user data. The size of the first must be at least 128 GB, and the second - from 320 GB.
Battery
Battery capacity only affects 2 things: duration battery life and the weight of the mobile computer. The larger the first parameter, the heavier the battery, the more weight the PC has. The minimum time without recharging today should be 4 hours. The best laptops in this regard provide up to 12 hours of battery life.
Manufacturers
Now let’s figure out which brand to choose, that is, which brand. The largest number of mobile PCs are sold under the Lenovo brand. But quantity does not mean quality. It’s better to overpay and buy a device from brands that have proven themselves in this market segment: HP, Asus and Samsung. Acer, Dell and LG have slightly worse quality. But these are still devices with a sufficient level of quality. And it is their products that are best to pay attention to when choosing a laptop.
Conclusions
Within the framework of this article, basic recommendations were given on how to choose the right laptop. First of all, you need to decide on the range of tasks to be solved, and only then pay attention to the price and technical characteristics. After all, the last two factors directly depend on the first, and this should always be taken into account when choosing.
Purchasing any equipment requires a serious approach, because it will serve us for many years. When choosing a laptop, it is not enough to be guided only by its physical characteristics
(size, weight and ergonomics), it is important to pay attention to technical parameters.
Depending on the purpose for which you are purchasing a laptop, these indicators may vary, thereby narrowing the range of suitable models. Let's move on to considering specific indicators that will play a decisive role when choosing a model.
The most important parameters of laptops:
Screen size and matrix
Obviously, working on a laptop with a large screen will be quite convenient. The display with a diagonal of 15.4 - 17 inches is perfect for watching movies and working with text documents. But if you often have to take a laptop with you on trips, then a bulky model will create a lot of inconvenience. In this case, a model with a 10-12-inch display would be much more convenient. In this case, you need to pay attention to the screen resolution. For office models, the XGA extension will be sufficient, but if you plan to work with graphics or spend a lot of time playing games, then the WUXGA extension will be most preferable.
Speaking about the characteristics of the display, we should mention the properties and purpose of the matrix. It is the matrix that is responsible for the image quality, at the moment the matrix can be manufactured using one of three technologies. The most accessible, low-cost technology is TN (Twisted Nematic). A display made using the TN principle will have low power consumption and good response time, but the overall picture quality leaves much to be desired. Due to low color rendering and contrast, watching movies or working with graphics will be very difficult. Most suitable parameters for a home laptop has a display made using MVA (Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment) technology. In this case, the contrast will be at the level, the color rendition will be excellent, and the viewing angle will be quite suitable for working with video and graphics. The best matrices are those made using IPS (In Plane Switching) technology. Due to their rather high cost and high energy consumption, they have not received due popularity and are used mainly for professional purposes.
Regardless of the type of matrix, manufacturers can use additional coatings to improve picture quality. They not only increase image brightness, but also protect against glare. If the monitor is matte and has a purple tint, it means that it has a reliable anti-glare coating and can be considered completely safe and comfortable for work.
Battery
Since one of the main advantages of a laptop is its mobility, the operating time is from battery becomes one of the most important factors when choosing. Most models are designed for 2 hours of operation under average load, and the most common type of battery is Li-Ion. For some models, an operating time of 8 hours is indicated, but it is worth understanding that in this case we are talking about a load below the average. If you want to insure yourself in case your laptop suddenly turns off, it is better to immediately purchase an additional battery.
CPU
The most important part of any PC, including a laptop. The main indicator of a processor is the clock frequency; it determines the number of operations that the processor can perform per unit of time. The higher the clock frequency, the faster the computer will perform. A model with a frequency of 1 GHz is suitable for the office, but for running games and graphic editors The clock frequency must be at least 2 GHz. Intel models remain the permanent leaders among processors, providing, along with high clock frequency low energy consumption. They don’t lag behind them either AMD processors, attracting buyers with low cost compared to Intel.
Undoubtedly, you should give preference to a model with a high processor clock speed. After all, software development does not stand still, and after a couple of years the frequency indicator, which was considered optimal at the time of purchase, may not meet the requirements of modern programs.
Motherboard
The fact is that this is one of the few devices that eliminates the replacement procedure. The motherboard is built into the laptop during assembly, and you cannot replace it. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the presence of additional slots that allow you to expand RAM. If motherboard provides at least one slot (it is better to have two), then you will have enough opportunities for upgrading.
Winchester (hard drive)
This is the main storage medium, the volume of which directly determines the amount of data that can fit in your laptop. If a 40 GB hard drive is sufficient for office computers, then for a home laptop the volume should be at least 200 GB. The parameters of the hard drive also affect the cost of the model, but a large hard drive will save you from additional expenses in the future. You don't have to buy additional removable drives and spend money on flash drives in order to save an archive of photos or record your favorite movies. Changing the hard drive is not always possible, because hard drives, which come with laptops, have different characteristics than hard drives for PCs.
RAM
This is another indicator characterizing the performance of the model. For comfortable full-fledged work, the laptop’s RAM must be at least 256 MB. If you plan to run resource-intensive applications (new games or graphics programs), then the minimum RAM should be 512 MB. If the motherboard has slots for memory cards, then in the future you can easily upgrade your laptop and install as much RAM as you need.
Video adapter
Absolutely all laptops are equipped with a built-in video card, parameters which affects both the cost and capabilities of the model. The more powerful the video adapter, the higher the image quality, and the more opportunities for working with video and photo resources. It is worth noting that video card parameters are one of the most important indicators for fans of computer games.
Sound card
As for the sound adapter, there are no specific differences. Absolutely all laptops are equipped with a standard sound card that allows you to play any audio files. Sometimes a laptop may have built-in speakers, but they have very little power and cannot replace a full-fledged audio system. If sound card provides an audio output, you can connect speakers or headphones to your laptop.
Keyboard and touchpad
If you work a lot with text documents, then your laptop keyboard should be as comfortable as possible. Here it is worth paying attention to the size of the keys, which may be smaller than on a standard keyboard due to the compactness of the laptop. Sometimes part of the keyboard can be full-size, and the other part has a reduced key format, which is also not very convenient.
Instead of the usual “mouse” manipulator, laptops have a special touch panel; when purchasing, you need to test it for sensitivity. Some models may have a small joystick, which is also quite convenient to use. But if these devices seem unusual to you, you can always buy a regular mouse and work with a familiar pointing device.
Communication capabilities
Modern laptop models certainly have a built-in modem, standard network card, as well as a Wi-Fi module. Thanks to these components, you will be able to connect to the Internet (including using wireless technologies), connect the laptop to local network and, if necessary, expand its capabilities.
I/O Ports
The presence of ports allows you to connect to a laptop additional devices. Naturally, the more ports, the more devices you can connect. There must be a USB port (it is better if there are at least three). This is a universal port used to connect most different devices: keyboard and mouse, printer, scanner, flash drives, as well as removable memory media. If your laptop is equipped with a Bluetooth module, you can easily connect cell phone, wireless keyboard and mouse, which are very popular. The PCMCIA port allows the connection of a number of peripheral devices: additional RAM, fax, modem, hard drive and other devices.
Case parameters and weight
The weight and size of a laptop is influenced by the set of components, display parameters and the material from which the body is made. If you plan to use a laptop at home, then weight will not play a decisive role in your choice. But if you often have to take it with you on trips, then you should think about purchasing a mobile lightweight model, the weight of which should not exceed 5 kg. It should be understood that a metal case is much more reliable than a plastic one. Only he can ensure the safety of internal devices.
These are the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing a laptop model. If you have any doubts about a particular indicator, you should seek advice from specialists. Only they can help you understand the variety of computer innovations and make the right choice.
Choosing a laptop for work is a pressing problem for a person who is forced to spend a lot of time at the computer and combine this with constant travel. In order for you to be able to work comfortably, we have formulated recommendations for selecting such a laptop, which will certainly pay for itself again and again.
What to rely on when choosing?
What should you pay attention to when choosing a laptop for work? Below are the main technical characteristics that you should pay attention to when choosing a laptop:
- Hard disk capacity
- RAM
- CPU frequency
- Video card
- Opening hours
- Availability of connectors for different purposes
If you don’t want to go into details, we offer you the optimal assembly of laptops for work:
What should be the size of the hard drive?
This parameter is especially important for designers, photographers, music video directors, etc. If you work mainly with office documents, then a large hard drive will only unjustifiably increase the price for something you will never use.
Hard drive capacity can be divided into three categories:
- 0-160 – work with documents.
- 160-500 – working with documents, working with images and videos in a small volume, watching and storing movies and music, computer games.
- 500-3000 – professional work with complex video and photo tools. Large amount of movie and music storage. Ideal for gamers, designers, architects, video makers, programmers.
For reference: a text of 40 pages fits in 150kb. On a regular laptop (500GB) you can fit around 3 and a half million documents, 40 pages each.
What kind of RAM should it be?
RAM is an equally important component. It largely determines how “fast” your laptop will work. This is where all the information that is used by the laptop at the “current moment” is stored.
Which choose a laptop for working with office documents? Laptop with at least 1400 MHz.
Integrated or discrete video card?
The video card is responsible for the quality of graphics. To watch TV series on the Internet, you will need a video card from almost any laptop. If your work involves image or video processing, or you are going to play modern demanding games on your laptop, then you need to choose a more powerful video card.
Most laptops use “integrated graphics cards” which help save power consumption. Such laptops are cheaper, but their parameters are quite sufficient for all basic purposes: office work, watching movies and various videos, playing games (at medium and low settings). Most Intel models have just such video cards. If you want to choose a cheaper laptop for work, we recommend that you pay attention to laptops with built-in graphics cards from Intel.
Discrete video cards (they are not built into the chipset) have more powerful performance, but they also cost more. In this case, it makes sense to overpay if you often work with graphics applications or videos, or if you are an avid gamer. Now on the market, the best of this series are considered to be ATI (AMD) Mobility Radeon series video cards and NVIDIA GeForce series.
If you want to learn more about it, follow the link.
If the nature of your work involves constant travel or you simply have nowhere to charge your laptop, no matter where you are constantly away from home, then stock up on models with larger batteries that can withstand at least 6 hours of battery life. If you just want to work while lying on the sofa or in a chair on the balcony, where there is an outlet nearby, then you can take a less “hardy” laptop. Recommended time is at least 6 hours.
What connectors does a laptop need?
Determine for yourself what will need to be connected to the laptop during work. Mouse, external hard disk, a couple of flash drives - this already requires at least four USB ports. Do you like to use an additional monitor? Check for the correct connector. 
What else is important to check before finally choosing a laptop for work? We recommend that you test the laptop in use immediately upon purchase. Try typing some text and see how comfortable the keyboard is. Read something from the monitor to determine if your eyes are hard on you or if you are getting tired. Listen to the sound through the speakers. Also check availability optical drive- some models are already produced without it.
Recommended characteristics of the optimal laptop for work
In our opinion, the most optimal criteria for choosing a laptop for work will be :
- Hard disk capacity: 160 – 500
- RAM: 4GB
- Processor frequency: 2GHz – 3GHz
- Video card: integrated from Intel
- Working time: at least 6 hours
- Availability of connectors for different purposes: 4 usb, Hdmi, monitor connector
Additional purchases: In addition to a laptop for work, we recommend immediately purchasing the following items: mouse, bag or case, installation disks With software, napkins for the monitor. I hope we helped you figure out how to choose a laptop for work.
Any laptop user dreams that his gadget has maximum power, works quickly, smoothly, without creating any problems. So what determines the performance of laptops?
The speed of a laptop can be influenced by many different factors, including its configuration and proper maintenance, as well as proper operation of the equipment. We will tell you how to make your device much more productive and faster.
Firstly, the main attribute of good laptop performance is its processor. This is a microcircuit hidden in a plastic or ceramic case. Different types laptop devices have various characteristics: number of cores, memory capacity, clock speed, etc. The larger the laptop's capacity and higher its frequency, the better it will perform.
If quite recently no one had heard of the concept of “multi-core processor”, now modern processors have two or more cores, and as a rare exception to the rule - the cheapest computer models, not the most popular. The more cores a processor has, the higher the performance will be. of this device. Do not forget about the need to maintain the processor; you must use good thermal paste for it and carry out regular maintenance, which increases both the performance and life of the laptop.
The second, no less important component that plays a role in performance is RAM. When you turn on your laptop, your data is loaded from the hard drive into RAM, and only then does the processing of information begin in central processor. Any program or tab opened by the user is written to RAM and only when you express a desire to save some information, the recording goes to the hard drive. Therefore, a large amount of memory is important for the smooth operation of a laptop. But, if you need, there is an opportunity to increase the RAM. Laptop components are sold everywhere; you can easily upgrade your laptop, giving it a second life.
In addition to RAM, you need to take a closer look at video memory, and here, a discrete video card would be an excellent choice.
The cooling system plays a vital role in the performance of a laptop and the normal course of its functioning processes. When buying a laptop, choose a model with good performance. The user should do regular maintenance of the laptop's cooling system to ensure that it does not overheat during prolonged use.
So, to summarize: if you need to buy a powerful laptop, pay attention to the parameters of the processor, RAM, video card, carry out regular maintenance of its main components, clean the cooling system, change the thermal paste on time, and your laptop will not let you down, serving faithfully for many years.
