- If you plan to buy a new laptop this year, be careful. Many things have changed—not only in the laptops but also in what people need.Years ago, laptops with basic features were mainly used for official work, like data entry and programming. Back then, people weren’t too concerned about which laptop to buy. Today, however, the requirements have increased, and so have the available options. Even buying a laptop for business has become more challenging.This post covers the important factors to consider when buying a laptop in 2022.
Operating System
The operating system is one of the key factors to consider. You can choose between Microsoft Windows and Apple’s macOS. Before deciding, make sure the OS fits your needs.
- Windows-based laptops offer a wide range of choices, with manufacturers producing them at different price points. The price and quality vary by brand and model. For instance, HP laptops tend to cost more than Acer models. Gamers and business owners often customize Windows laptops for their needs.Windows also has a larger software library compared to macOS, with many tools for business and game development. Another advantage is frequent software updates that add new features. On the hardware side, Windows laptops offer plenty of options and upgrade opportunities.
- macOS: Apple prioritizes design and simplicity, offering a user-friendly and stable operating system. Its ecosystem is consistent, and the support system helps users quickly resolve issues.Apple laptops are expensive due to their elegant design, great displays, and premium build. The cost increases with additional storage. Macs are fast, but they don’t usually feature high-end graphics chips like some Windows laptops. Additionally, Mac components aren’t upgradable, so users are limited to the specs available at purchase. Designers and photographers often prefer macOS for its media-editing software and proprietary office tools.
Types of Laptops
We won’t dive into specific brands or models but will focus on broad laptop categories.
- Entry-Level Laptops: Also called budget laptops, these come with basic features for standard tasks. They offer decent build quality, ergonomic keyboards, and touchpads at a low price. However, they have limited RAM and graphics, making them unsuitable for multitasking or heavy browser use.
- Mainstream Laptops: These laptops offer better hardware than entry-level models, though without premium features. They come with solid graphics chips, great displays, and long battery life. You’ll also find models that are lightweight, portable, and powerful.
- Premium Laptops: Premium laptops feature the best displays, top-notch processors, and long battery life. They also come with superior build quality. While these laptops can be expensive, you can find models with fewer features that still fit your budget.
- 2-in-1 Laptops: This category includes convertible and detachable designs. Convertible models can flip the keyboard behind the screen to function as tablets. Detachable laptops feature removable keyboards, transforming them into ultra-thin tablets. Although versatile, 2-in-1 laptops tend to be heavier and more expensive.
- Business Laptops: Businesses require powerful laptops to handle complex tasks and large data files. Business laptops may not look stylish, but they offer excellent battery life and tough shells. They often include larger displays with accurate colors and advanced security features, such as biometric validation. Many business users prefer these laptops for their durability and professional software packages.
Gaming laptops: If you are a gamer, you should browse the section on gaming laptops. These laptops are very different from the laptops discussed above in this post. The gaming laptops come with high-end processors and graphics chips. Other than this, you will find enough RAM to run modern games.
The only disadvantage of gaming laptops is that they are bulky. And it’s because these laptops have to accommodate desktop-like hardware and larger screens. Other than this, the battery life isn’t great on gaming laptops.
Once you decide on the operating system and the laptop type, check the hardware components and place the order.