Laptop Buying Guide

Here's how to choose your next productivity companion!

Looking for an upgrade or something that's more portable? We've gathered some tips for you to consider before purchasing your next laptop.

Laptop Buying Guide geek news

Which platform are you most comfortable with?
Windows, Mac or the new Chrome OS? If you've been an avid Windows user for years you might find it difficult to transition into a Mac-powered device. Choosing an OS is a personal choice and make sure to look up the pros and cons of each of these platforms.

Do you want to jump on the 2-in-1 bandwagon?
Many options are now available in the market when it comes to 2-in-1 devices. They are the typical tablet and laptop hybrid with a detachable or foldable keyboard. Most of these systems are much better at serving one purpose than the other, with bend-backs being laptops first and detachables offering a superior tablet experience. Another advantage of a bendable laptop is that they have a superior battery life compared to other hybrid and classic clamshell laptops.

Which size is best for you?
Laptop sizes range from 11-18 inches in width and those who are into hardcore graphic and video editing or programing may prefer a larger laptop since smaller devices typically have a less-superior quality of screen resolution and processing power. However, there are now smaller devices with quality processors being released and if you're all about portability, an 11-12 inch laptop can easily fit in your bag or briefcase.

Consider the keyboard and touchpad.
I've read that these two aside from the internal features are crucial especially with regards to productivity. It is recommended to look for an accurate touchpad that doesn't give you a jumpy cursor and responds consistently to multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. If you're buying a business laptop, consider getting rone with a pointing stick (aka nub) between the G and H keys so you can navigate around the desktop without lifting your fingers off the keyboard's home row.

Which are the right specs for me?
This is especially important since components such as processor, hard drive, RAM and graphics chip can be a factor to your workload's productivity. It doesn't hurt to ask technicians too. But if you're not playing video games or creating 3D graphics, there's no point in grabbing a device with a high-end graphics chip.

Is the battery life of what I like worth it?
Don't worry, today's devices offer the best battery performance compared to products released 5 years ago. If you are to splurge, make sure it offers exceptional battery life!

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