How to avoid mistakes when buying a laptop

Long gone are the days when a laptop was a luxury item. Now this is a fairly affordable device that you can quite afford. But, despite all the advantages of laptops (compactness, mobility, lightness), in contrast to desktop computers, they are more difficult to repair. A broken keyboard or PC monitor is much easier to replace than it is on a laptop. And it's not just about the difficulties of repairing. Finding the right part for a laptop is more difficult. Therefore, it is very important to choose a laptop, although the task is not easy. Here are some tips to help you.

Decide on the size

Choosing the right laptop size is important not only because of the screen diagonal. It also determines the size of the keyboard, touchpad, and weight of the device. Choose too small - you will face the inconvenience of work, too large - you will have to carry unnecessary weight in your backpack behind your back.

Try to remember how you used the computer before. Do you sit behind it at home or do you usually take it on the road? In the first case, you can stop at a larger diagonal, for example 15, 6 or 17 inches. In the second, you should choose a more compact model - 12 or 13 inches. Pay attention to weight too: some 13-inch models can be heavier and larger than their 17-inch competitors.

Be honest with yourself. Understand your needs and choose the right device. Keep in mind that when traveling, tablets are even more mobile than small laptops, unless you need a keyboard.

Pay attention to the connectors

If your last laptop was purchased a few years ago, then you probably expect to see a new USB, card reader, headphone / microphone jack, Ethernet, and a couple of video outputs. But times have changed, and connectors are gradually dying for the sake of compactness and design.

Standard laptops come with three USB ports, video out, headphone / microphone combo and Ethernet. Some models have more, but in some they save in size by removing the Ethernet connector and leaving only two USB ports.

If you do not connect peripherals to the laptop, for example, external hard drives or a mouse, then you will not even notice the absence of any ports. But if you are going to use external devices, then check the availability of these or those connectors in advance.

2 in 1 is not the best choice

The release of Windows 8 for PCs gave rise to new types of devices - transformers, which combine a tablet and a laptop. By detaching the keyboard, you get a portable tablet, attaching it back - a full-fledged laptop. Or is it still defective?

The main disadvantage of transformers is their price. A good option will cost you much more expensive than a laptop of the same parameters. Plus, transformers are not the best tablets and certainly not the best laptops for the money. If you take a model with a large screen, you will get a good laptop, but a huge and uncomfortable tablet, with a small one, you will get a convenient tablet, but the laptop will turn into a netbook. The most correct choice would be to buy a separate tablet and laptop. Despite the fact that it will cost you more, there are no good and inexpensive transforming alternatives yet.

Is Windows 8 evil?

We have already questioned the quality and suitability of Windows 8, and it makes no sense to scold it again. One has only to say that the new version of the operating system from Windows is more sharpened for a finger interface, so owners of laptops without a touchscreen practically do not need it.

Many people think that buying a new computer is necessary with Windows 8 on board, because it is newer, which means better, but this is not so. You can still buy a Windows 7 laptop. Moreover, you can buy a computer with Chrome OS. It's going to be a very extravagant choice after Windows, but Chrome OS has its merits too.

You don't need more resolution than Full HD

All modern high-end laptops come in Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution or even higher. Many laptops with 2K (2560x1440) or even 4K (3820x2160) resolution can be expected in the near future. But is such a permission even necessary in modern realities?

It's all about content. Videos, programs and games all have to be optimized for such a huge resolution. There is no such content now. Well, or practically not. Therefore, buying a laptop with a resolution higher than Full HD is a look into the future. To a very distant future.

Despite the fact that with the increased resolution the picture on the monitor screen will be clearer and of higher quality, Windows has problems with a pixel density of more than 200. The thing is that the graphics in Windows are sharpened for certain pixels per inch and an increase in the number of pixels will entail a decrease in the size of all objects: icons, fonts, menus, and so on.

Windows will need a global update to support 2K and 4K monitors. Until then, it is worth staying away from such permissions. Full HD is enough for a clear and beautiful picture. Unless you're a pixel hunter.

Output

Compare buying a laptop to buying a car. You need to assess your needs and eliminate excesses that will only get in the way. As with your car, your laptop will keep you company for the next few years or more. Take your time, make a list of the items you need, and double check each item. It's worth it!