Office/Schoolwork - Mostly use the computer for word processing, research, spreadsheets, and other professional and academic tasks. Games - Playing the latest and greatest games, but still using the computer for other tasks as well. Web use - Primarily using the computer to access websites, email, streaming video, and social media. Media production - Use the computer as a workstation to record music, edit video, or manipulate images.
A laptop is portable. This is the primary reason for purchasing a laptop. Laptops can go almost anywhere you can, and they’re only getting lighter and thinner. Laptops can perform more and more tasks that desktops can. There are very few programs these days that a desktop can run that a laptop cannot. While you’re generally sacrificing some performance for portability, you still have the ability to perform most computing tasks. Laptops can save a lot of space. A desktop computer, with a tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, can take up a lot of space in your home office or bedroom. A laptop just needs a little desk space.
A laptop is limited by the battery. You can only roam so much with a laptop. Eventually, it will need to be plugged in. Can be lost or stolen much easier. Because of their portable nature, laptops can be stolen or lost much easier than a desktop. If you’re setting up an office, you’ll probably want to stock it with desktops instead of laptops. Laptops cannot be upgraded like a desktop can. This means that they become obsolete quicker than a desktop computer. While you can usually upgrade the storage or the memory, you cannot upgrade the processor or video card, which will eventually leave your laptop lagging behind. Laptops get heated very quickly if you are using it heavily. Laptops are hard to build yourself. One of the benefits of a desktop PC is that you can build it yourself, potentially saving money. While you may be able to find a few kits, nearly all laptops are sold complete by the manufacturer, which means the costs may be a little higher than a comparable desktop.
If you are considering a Mac, be aware that Macs are generally priced higher than a comparable Windows or Linux laptop.
Windows - The most common operating system available, and compatible with the most software. Mac OS X - Designed for use with Mac hardware. OS X is only available on MacBooks. Linux - This is a free operating system that comes in a variety of flavors, or “distributions”. These include Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, and more. ChromeOS - This is Google’s Chromium-based operating system. It is designed for laptops that are consistently connected to the internet, and can only run special web apps. ChromeOS is only available on specific Chromebooks, though you can get Chromium for any system.
If your business uses operating system-specific programs, that may limit your options if you intend to use the laptop for work.
Windows is the most common and compatible operating system around. Office is the de facto standard in word processing and spreadsheets. Windows will work on virtually any computer, from the cheapest laptops in the store to the most expensive. Windows is much more susceptible to viruses than other operating systems. This isn’t to say that it’s not secure, it just means that you will need to practice good habits while online. Windows has the largest game library of any operating system.
If you are a heavy Apple user, a Mac computer will integrate seamlessly with your iOS devices. Managing your apps and media is all handled natively. They are less prone to viruses. Mac operating systems are more secure than Windows, due both to architectural and population differences between the two operating systems. There are still threats if you use a Mac, just not as many. While there are more and more software options on Mac, there is still a lack of compatibility for a lot of key programs. The biggest drawback is OS X’s lack of game selection compared to Windows, though more and more Windows games are being ported over. Macs are regarded as the best place to do media editing. The video and image editing software on a Mac is unrivaled, and most musicians use Macs for recording and production. Mac hardware will cost you a pretty penny. Since getting OS X requires Mac hardware, you’ll be forced to buy a MacBook from Apple or an Apple-authorized retailer. This means you’ll be paying a premium price, but many Apple users are major supporters of the construction quality of their MacBooks. The actual price of the operating system is much cheaper than Windows.
Linux is a free operating system, and many of the programs available for it are open-source and free. You are free to try out any Linux distribution before installing it. Linux is notorious for being difficult to learn. Advances to the graphical front-end have been made by most distributions, making it easier to transition from Windows or Mac. That being said, Linux does require a bit more time invested getting used to navigating and manipulating files. Linux is one of the most secure operating systems, as everything requires express consent of the user. There are very few viruses that target Linux machines. Linux scales very well and can work on virtually any laptop. You will experience compatibility problems. The biggest drawback to Linux is the lack of compatibility between it and other operating systems. You will likely find times when you need to jump through several hoops to open a file that was simple in Windows or OS X. The gaming library on Linux is also quite limited compared to Windows, though more and more games are releasing Linux versions. Linux is not installed on most laptops available in stores. It will need to be installed later alongside or replacing your default operating system.
ChromeOS is lightweight and fast. This is because ChromeOS is essentially just a web browser. All the apps are installed inside the web browser. Because of this, most of ChromeOS’s functionality requires an internet connection (you can do some work offline, such as working with Google Docs). [2] X Research source Most Chromebooks are very inexpensive, ranging from $200-$250 USD. The exception to this is Google’s Chromebox, which starts at $825 USD. Because Chromebooks rely on Google Drive for file storage, most have very limited onboard storage. You can only use apps that have been designed for ChromeOS on the Chromebook. This means that your software options will be very limited. Google Drive provides a decent Office alternative, but you can forget installing games or programs like Photoshop. ChromeOS is best for heavy Google users. If the majority of your computer work takes place inside the Google ecosystem, then a Chromebook may be your most affordable and attractive option.
Netbook - This is the smallest laptop available, and is best suited for heavy travelers. Standard - This is your standard laptop. Suitable for a wide range of situations, and available in a wide range of configurations. Hybrid Laptop/Tablet - These are the newest style of laptops to the scene. They have touch screens and some have detachable keyboards. Desktop Replacement/Ultrabook - These are the largest laptops, and therefore the most powerful (and most expensive).
Netbooks are super lightweight, usually only weighing a couple pounds. Netbooks don’t have very powerful components, meaning they can only run basic programs such as Office and other productivity software. Because of this, however, they have much longer battery life than other laptops (up to 12 hours in some models). Netbooks have the smallest screens and keyboards. This means that typing on a netbook will take some getting used to, and you may have to sit pretty close to it.
Standard laptops come in a variety of screen sizes. The size of the screen is what determines the overall size of the laptop. The most common size for standard laptops is 14"-15". Standard laptops have limited battery life, and the more powerful the laptop, the quicker the battery will drain. Batteries will also wear out over time. Standard laptops are heavier than a netbook, which makes them harder to fit in small bags. They have more comfortable keyboards and larger trackpads.
The biggest draw of the hybrid is the touch screen. If you prefer this method of input, you may want to consider the hybrid. Hybrid laptops are typically smaller than a standard laptop, and may be able to fold over to become a tablet. Some hybrid laptops allow you to remove the keyboard and work solely as a tablet. Because of their smaller size, hybrids are generally less powerful than a standard laptop.
Desktop replacement laptops provide the most power you can get in a portable form. They can often run most of the same programs at the same levels of efficiency as a desktop computer. Because of the increased power, desktop replacements have the worst battery life. This usually isn’t an issue if it’s always plugged in at your desk, however. The large screen on a desktop replacement means that you don’t have to sit as close or squint, and also means that the keyboard will be full-sized. Some desktop replacement laptops have limited upgradability, such as the ability to install a new video card. Desktop replacements are the most unwieldy laptops, and do not travel as well. They are also the most expensive.
Toughbooks are a type of laptop that is very expensive but much more resilient than a standard laptop.
Avoid older processors like Celeron, Atom, Pentium, C-, or E-Series processors.
Retailers often disguise an otherwise mediocre laptop by stuffing it with RAM. Most users will not need more than 8 GB.
SSD is becoming standard and is preferable due to increased access speed and extended battery life. As a result SSDs are more expensive than standard hard drives for less storage. SSDs are often smaller than standard drives, meaning you may need an external drive to store all of your media files.
Some laptops now come with Blu-ray drives, which can read and write standard DVDs as well as read Blu-ray discs, which can contain much more information or HD movies.
Determine how the laptop looks in direct sunlight. Cheap screens are often very difficult to see in direct sunlight.
Craigslist laptops rarely have warranties.
If you are buying a refurbished model, ensure that the refurbishment comes with a very strong warranty.
