We all use laptops these days. And we use them for different purposes, such as for working, writing academic paper, and gaming. Laptops have become a part of our life, and yet none of us seems to discuss how to buy our first laptop the right way. And you may have many questions on your mind now. Are the low-end laptops worth your money? And how long does a laptop last? What are RAM, GPU, and graphic memory for?
Don’t worry. We will answer all of those questions in this article. By the time you finish reading this, you should be more confident in choosing your first laptop.
Determine the Function that You Will Need the Most
Before we discuss the specs that you need from your laptop, you should determine what do you want it for. Is it for gaming? Are you going to do some graphic designs? Are you going to learn about video editing? Or are you using your laptop only for basic office tasks?
Gaming laptops are probably marketed as high-end laptops. But the ones for graphic designers and video creators require more or less the same specs. And this is why many people believe that gaming laptops can also fulfill what a graphic designer or video creator needs. Since you are a beginner here, I’d say that such a statement is not entirely correct. If you are going to deal with complex 3D designs or visual effects, then you may need Acer Predator Helios 500 or any other laptop with more or less the same specs.
Think About the Size and Weight of the Laptop
The size and weight of your laptop will affect your overall experience when using it. For instance, if you are a university student, you need a laptop that is slim and light enough to slip through your bag together with your books, phone, and other stuff. But you can’t expect that slim model to accommodate heavy-duty tasks. Therefore, if you need the laptop to design 2D or 3D graphics, the screen should be at least 15.6 or 17.3 inches wide. This means an increased size and weight of the laptop.
Pick the Right CPU
The CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It’s a component in the laptop that processes tasks. The most recent the series is, the better the performance. For instance, Core-i7 was the most widely used CPU in high-end laptops in 2019. But the 8th gen of Core i5 was also released in last year’s fall. And don’t let the numbering fools you. Core-i7, the 7th gen, is not better than Core-i5, the 8th gen. You need to pick your CPU based on how many cores and threads are there. And also, look for the boost clock.