In 2019, Black Friday sales soared over $7.4 billion.
One of the reasons people spend so much money on Black Friday is because that’s when some of the best deals are, especially for electronics.
Laptops are no exception. So if you’re thinking about treating yourself this Christmas, keep reading to see our laptop buying guide, which can help you make the best decision this holiday season.
1. Size
One thing to consider is the size of the laptop. Size does matter, and it will largely depend on what you’re planning to use it for. The size is something that you can’t upgrade or fix later, so you need to make sure that you take your time to decide on this one.
Laptops can be as small as eleven inches, but they can be as large as seventeen inches. Most laptops carry three standard sizes:
- 13.3-inch
- 15.6-inch
- 17.3-inch
However, there are some brands that sell laptops that are out of the standard size, which may be perfect for you. For example, some of them come in 11.6-inch, 12.5-inch, and 14-inches
When you think about the size of the laptop, you’ll mainly have to consider how often you will take it somewhere with you. If you’re going for a laptop that you’ll never be at a desk with, you should get a smaller, lightweight one so that you don’t have to carry it around with you everywhere.
However, if you’re going to be gaming or not taking it everywhere, you should get a bigger laptop. That way you’ll be able to have better hardware in it to ensure that your computer runs smoother and faster.
2. Operating System
The operating system is something that you also won’t be able to change once you purchase a laptop.
The operating system is what will create the interface for your laptop when you use it. It will also be in charge of storing your files and organizing them for you.
There are three main ones to choose from Windows, macOS, or Chrome OS. When you choose one, it will largely come down to what your personal preference is, but there are some pros and cons to each.
Windows
Windows is one of the most common operating systems and is probably the one that most people are familiar with.
This operating system comes on a lot of cheaper laptops and computers, and it’s very popular on Microsoft computers as well.
Windows 10 is the latest release of this operating system, and it made a lot of improvements from the previous Windows 7 and 8.
Windows 10 is constantly updated and improved, to make sure that your information and laptop is safe from other viruses and malware.
macOS
If you want a Mac operating system, you’ll have to buy an Apple product, like their MacBook. It only comes with these products, which means that the laptops will be expensive as well.
The interface is really easy to use, and many people like the similarity between that and Windows 10. However, if you’re used to using Windows, you might find it difficult to switch to macOS. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible though.
However, the Mac operating system isn’t made for touch screens, so you won’t be able to use this system and have a touchscreen laptop.
Chrome OS
Lastly, Chrome OS is only found on Chromebooks. This is Google’s operating system, and it’s secure and safe as the others, but it doesn’t have as many of the features as some of the other ones do.
It looks and operates more like Windows rather than Mac, and the only app for browsing you can use is Chrome.
This is a great operating system to have if you only need something that you’re going to use for basic computing tasks like checking your email or sorting files.
3. Durability
Next, you should think about the durability of a laptop. You want one that’s going to last you a long time, especially if you’re going to be spending a lot of money on it.
If you’re going to have a laptop that you take with you everywhere, you’ll need something that can handle that, especially if you accidentally drop or damage it.
There are some laptops out there that are designed to handle a little bit of extra wear and tear. They come with rugged designs to ensure that they last as long as possible even if you spill something on them.
You should also ensure that the laptop has good cooling and heating system. If you’re on the go a lot, you most likely won’t have access to your external cooling system.
4. Screen
When you look for options, you’ll also want to consider the sizes of the screens.
Since the screen is the main thing on the laptop that you’ll be staring at, you want something that doesn’t strain your eyes or is difficult to look at.
You’ll have to consider what resolution you want, but this will largely depend on what you plan on using the laptop for. Some screens also come with an anti-glare film on them to help reduce the glare. This can be even more helpful if you’re going to be gaming or editing video or images.
Some screens also come as touchscreens. This can be helpful if you’re designing or drawing a lot on them, but you may be alright without that feature.
5. 2-in-1
If you do want a touchscreen laptop, you might want to consider getting a 2-in-1 laptop. This laptop doubles as a laptop and a tablet. It does come with a keyboard, but in some models, the keyboard detaches or folds behind the touch screen.
These are great for people who need a lot of versatility from their devices. But they’re usually not the most powerful device that you can find on the market.
They’re normally pretty lightweight, but they can also be expensive without having great specs.
6. Keyboard
If you’re going to be typing a lot, you’ll want to make sure that the keyboard feels comfortable to you.
If it’s not comfortable or ergonomic, you could face carpal tunnel issues down the line. Some keyboards like to put the keys so close together that you hit multiple keys at the same time which can easily be frustrating.
At the same time, you don’t want to find a keyboard that has the keys too far apart, or you won’t be able to type as quickly or easily.
You’ll also want to test to see how responsive the keys are when you click them. If you have to press them really hard to get it to type, your fingers will likely get a good workout, which can cause your hands to get tired over time.
While shopping for laptops might be convenient online, once you’ve narrowed down some of your options, you should go see them in person to test the keyboard out for yourself.
7. Battery Life
While you can replace the battery eventually, you should try and find a laptop that has decent battery life.
If you’re planning to be away from a charger for a while, you’ll need something that can last at least eight or nine hours. While the manufacturer will tell you how long it should last, keep in mind that running larger software programs all at the same time can drain your battery much faster.
8. Budget
The last thing in this laptop buying guide that will help you narrow down which laptop to choose is your budget.
You’ll be able to find some really cheap laptops online, but they’re likely old and could have something wrong with them. If you want something that’s going to last a long time, you should spend a little bit extra.
If you’re trying to spend around $150 to $259, you can get a Chromebook or some other type of Lenovo Ideapad laptop. These won’t be able to do a lot, but they should be able to handle basic tasks.
If you want something that is a little more in the middle range, you can get something for around $250 to $600. This will get you something with decent specs, although most of them will come with hard drive storage rather than a solid-state drive. This might make your computer run a little bit slower.
If you really want to spend a bit more money, you can find the best laptops for over $900. These laptops are very powerful and come with the best of the best. If you’re going to be running games or photo-editing apps on the computer, you should likely buy one of these.
Discover More On a Laptop Buying Guide
These are only a few things to consider when coming up with your laptop buying guide, but there are many more specs that you should keep an eye out for.
We know that sifting through all the new laptops can be exhausting and overwhelming, but thankfully we’re here to help you out!
If you enjoyed our ultimate laptop buying guide, make sure that you explore our website to find more articles just like this one!
