Technology is constantly evolving, and this can make it hard to keep up with all the changes. Laptops can be a large financial investment, so it is important to know a thing or two about them before you commit to a purchase.
Here are five rules to follow the next time you are seeking out a laptop, either for personal or business use.
Decide How You Will Use It
This is the number one tip on this list because it has the potential to save you the most money. Far too many people spend money on a laptop that is far too powerful for their needs. If you just want something to browse the web with, do some basic office-type tasks, and watch streaming videos, you should be spending money in the low-to-mid hundreds, not the thousands.
The biggest numbers do not mean the best performance either. Most consumers need a laptop that can handle multitasking, whereas some more expensive laptops are aimed at a specific task like video editing. This actually makes them slower when browsing the web while listening to music and scrolling through social media apps than their cheaper counterparts.
Battery Life
Many people make the mistake of overlooking battery life on a laptop, but it is important. You may have the intention of working with easy access to a mains power outlet, yet you cannot guarantee you will always be close to one.
Laptops are designed to be mobile, and you will be using yours when on the move at some point. Look for a full day’s work, 8-10 hours, from a full charge.
Powerful Integrated Graphics
Streaming media, surfing the web, and playing games all require a powerful graphics processing unit to give you a better and more immersive user experience.
Laptops used to struggle in this area, but modern laptop PCs like those available at Lenovo.com use Intel Arc technology to give integrated graphics chips a high-quality performance without adding battery drain. The displays they power are also capable of producing incredibly clear images and video.
Look for Security Features
Our personal computers hold a lot of our personal information, and this tends to be even more true of laptops. Desktop PCs are more of a family affair or a work thing, whereas your laptop is your personal device, and you will keep sensitive information on it.
When buying a laptop today you should always look for features like fingerprint or facial recognition. This allows you to set very specific levels of security for sensitive files or account profiles.
Ports and Wireless Connectivity
While you use your laptop you will probably connect many things to it, both wirelessly and through USB or video ports. You should bear this in mind when searching for your next personal laptop. Bluetooth connectivity is a handy feature for a laptop to have, letting you connect a range of wireless devices like mice and keyboards, as well as speakers for better sound when streaming music and video.
Follow these five rules and you should be able to get your hands on the right laptop for you, at the right price. Make sure you aren’t going to pay for features you don’t need.
