Choosing the best laptops in this 21st century might be a bit tedious work for some people because of the different types of brands of laptops available.
In this article, I will walk you through how and why to choose the best laptop from a list of brands and versions.
In choosing the best laptop to use, first consider the following things; the Operating, CPUs Graphics Cards, Processor, RAM, Storage Space, and many more.
Things To Consider Before Choosing the Best Laptop
Laptop Brands
There are several laptop brands in the market, each with its strengths and weaknesses. The “best” brand often depends on individual preferences, budget, specific requirements, and even subjective factors like design aesthetics. Here are some popular laptop brands and reasons why they might be considered the best by some users:
1. Apple (MacBook):
MacOS operating system: Known for its stability, security, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Premium build quality: Apple laptops typically feature sleek designs, aluminum unibody construction, and high-resolution Retina displays.
Excellent customer support: Apple has a robust warranty program and a reputation for providing reliable customer service.
2. Dell:
Wide range of options: Dell offers laptops catering to various needs, from budget-friendly to high-performance gaming and professional-grade workstations.
Build quality: Dell’s premium XPS lineup is acclaimed for its premium materials and craftsmanship.
Customization: Dell allows customers to customize their laptops with different configurations to suit their specific requirements.
3. Lenovo:
Legendary durability: Lenovo’s ThinkPad series is renowned for its rugged design, spill-resistant keyboards, and MIL-SPEC durability standards.
Innovation: Lenovo often introduces unique features like the Yoga series’ 360-degree hinges for convertible laptops.
Business-focused: Lenovo targets business users with features like robust security options, ergonomic keyboards, and extensive warranty and support packages.
4. HP (Hewlett-Packard):
Versatility: HP offers a broad range of laptops suitable for various purposes, including everyday use, business, gaming, and multimedia.
Value for money: HP laptops often provide competitive specifications at affordable prices.
Design diversity: HP’s lineup includes a sleek Ultrabook, powerful workstations, and stylish convertibles to cater to different tastes.
4. ASUS:
Gaming prowess: ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) laptops are highly regarded in the gaming community for their powerful performance, innovative cooling solutions, and gamer-centric features.
Innovation: ASUS is known for pushing boundaries with unique designs, such as the dual-screen ZenBook Duo series and the compact yet powerful ROG Zephyrus gaming laptops.
Affordability: ASUS offers a wide range of laptops at various price points, making them accessible to a broad audience.
5. Microsoft (Surface):
Premium design: Microsoft’s Surface lineup features sleek, minimalist designs with high-resolution touchscreens and detachable keyboards.
Portability and versatility: Surface devices are often praised for their lightweight build, 2-in-1 functionality, and support for stylus input, making them ideal for productivity on the go.
Integration with Windows: Surface devices are optimized to work seamlessly with Windows 10, offering features like Windows Hello facial recognition and compatibility with Microsoft Office applications.
Operating System
When we talk about the operating system, it serves as a parent ground for the computer system to work on. This is to say that, let’s assume you have a house you have built recently, the land on which the house is built serves as an operating system.
Know that, every operating system has its weaknesses and strengths. Thinking through what software you need to run and which operating systems it runs on will help you determine your needed laptop.
There are four major computer operating systems.
1. Windows:
When we talk about windows, was invented by Microsoft company. The Windows operating system has been popular among many users of IT who use laptops such as Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc. Even though it is somehow confusing for the IT illiterate it’s easy to use when you have at least a little knowledge of IT. It’s the best choice if you need Microsoft apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook.
2. Linux
Even though Linux is popularly used it has some weaknesses. This is to say, that popular apps like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite don’t support Linux. However, there are free, open-source alternatives like LibreOffice, Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement), and GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement).
3. MacOS:
MacOS comes with a faster refresh rate. Compared to the Windows operating system, it normally freezes when it gets a virus but hardly will MacOS freezes.
But it’s tightly coupled with the company’s hardware. Your buying options are limited to MacBook. Since Apple uses its chips, MacBooks are a different beast altogether.
When we come into the field of Graphics design and video editing, MacBook gives out the best maximum screen pixels and resolution to make the design smooth, real, and nice
4. Chrome OS
Chrome Operating system (Chrome OS) is purposely made for Chromebook laptops/tablets and Chromebit’s (USB dongle PCs). Chrome OS designs are based on Linux which is primarily to work with Cloud storage, even though some on-device storage can be used for offline work.
The main Con is that apps need to be available from the Chrome Web Store, though recent model Chromebooks can also run Android apps, adding an extra layer of versatility.
Chrome OS devices are known for simplicity and security (no backup or malware worries), relatively low hardware overhead (CPU, etc), and long battery life.
Chromebooks are popular in some schools, as many cheaper models are available and their minimal configuration offers easier centralized administration and security.
Chrome OS laptops can do pretty much everything that most people want to do, without being weighed down by the complexity and excessive add-ons and bundled software that often comes with Windows devices.
Storage Space
Storage devices also play important roles when we come to How to Choose the Best Laptop, This is to say that, the files and applications one may use need to be stored which in most cases are offline Unless the person wants to store them online (Cloud storage).
It is important to choose more spaces that can help you reduce the additional cost of upgrading it.
New models of laptops which have slim bodies nowadays, make somethings hard to change their internal components, especially the storage device unless by expect or done with extra caution.
So to prevent this, Buy a storage device with more space will be the best solution
When we come to the types of Storage devices, we have SSD (solid-state drive and HDD (Hard disc drive).
- SSD is so far the best option I would recommend to users because, it responds faster than HDD, in terms of opening Applications and running multiple software at a time.
- The SSD also does not crush or spoilt easily as compared to the HDD
- The SSD also has a longer lifespan as compared to the HDD
In my point of view, I would recommend one to choose a laptop with enough storage and the type should be SSD.
If you don’t have enough money to purchase the SSD types of laptop, alternatively, you can buy an HDD laptop with a low storage device and an external Hard drive for keeping your less priority files.
RAM
Random Access Memory popularly known as RAM, is what the laptop uses to hold data while the processor does things with it. Let’s assume the RAM is a desk or table. All the things you’re working on right now should be able to fit on your desk. If your desk is too small, things fall off and you can’t work on them. In the same way, if you run out of RAM, you won’t be able to open any more browser tabs or finish compiling your video. Eventually, your laptop will freeze up and need to be restarted.
Generally, 4GB (gigabytes) of RAM was considered a low starting point for a laptop, but things have changed nowadays. 8GB is considered a normal amount. Having more memory may be useful for programs that can make use of larger amounts of memory, or for running more programs at the same time. Tablets and other mobile devices are a different story due to the way they’re engineered and they may use much less RAM if they’re running on mobile operating systems such as Android or iOS or iPadOS.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the “best” laptop brand is subjective and varies depending on individual preferences, requirements, and budget constraints. It’s essential to consider factors such as performance, build quality, design, customer support, and ecosystem compatibility when choosing a laptop brand.
Frequently asked questions about choosing the best laptop
1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a laptop?
When choosing a laptop, it’s important to consider factors such as the operating system, CPU, graphics card, RAM, storage space, display quality, battery life, and portability based on your specific needs and preferences.
2. How do I determine which operating system is best for me?
The choice of operating system depends on your specific requirements. Windows is widely used and compatible with a wide range of software. MacOS is known for its stability and integration with other Apple devices, while Linux is popular among tech enthusiasts and developers due to its open-source nature.
3. What should I look for in terms of CPU and graphics card?
For general use, a mid-range CPU such as Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 should suffice. If you’re into gaming or graphic-intensive tasks, consider a laptop with a dedicated graphics card from NVIDIA or AMD for better performance.
4. How much RAM and storage space do I need?
For casual use, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage should be sufficient. However, if you plan to run demanding applications or multitask heavily, consider 16GB of RAM and higher storage capacity, preferably in the form of an SSD for faster performance.
5. What are the key considerations for display quality?
Look for a laptop with a high-resolution display (at least 1080p), good color accuracy, and adequate brightness for your usage scenarios, whether it’s for content creation, media consumption, or everyday work.
6. Is battery life an important factor to consider?
Yes, battery life is crucial, especially if you need to use your laptop on the go. Look for laptops with all-day battery life or consider a model with fast-charging capabilities for added convenience.
7. How important is portability in choosing a laptop?
Portability is important if you need to carry your laptop frequently. Consider a lightweight and slim design if you prioritize portability, but make sure it doesn’t compromise on other essential features.
8. Should I prioritize a specific brand when choosing a laptop?
While brand preference is subjective, consider factors such as build quality, customer support, and after-sales service when choosing a laptop from a specific brand.