10 Things to Consider Before you Buy a Laptop

Plan to get a new laptop? Chances are you are in the market for one that meets your need. Even if you have all the money in the world to spend on a shiny new laptop, there are just too many different types to choose from. How then do you decide which laptop is best for you? At the end of this guide, you should be able to answer that. Before taking out the wallet though, you might want to consider a few of the following features:

Size

Laptop sizes range from about 13 to 17 inches. If portability is a major concern, you’ll want to go for something smaller, like a netbook. These tend to be thinner and lighter than their larger counterparts, and nowhere near as powerful. But if you plan on using your computer to get some work done, you might want to stick with one that has a standard 15.6″ laptop. On the top range of the spectrum are the 17.3-inch desktop replacements, which typically boast beefier specs in addition to their larger sizes.

CPU

• Intel: The most common of the two processors, the Intel Core family of processors comes in several variants: the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9, with the i7 and i9 offering the best performance, and the i3 serving as more of an entry-level option. For most computing tasks though, the Core i5 is more than capable.
• AMD: AMD Ryzen processor offers a healthy battery life and multitasking ability. If it comes with Radeon Vega Graphics, it offers stunning visuals and is particularly good for gaming. Options here include Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 3.

RAM

Sometimes called main memory, the RAM (Random access memory) enables the computer system to store data that it is actively using. For a laptop to handle multiple tasks, it needs a RAM. This is measured in gigabytes. The amount of RAM you’d need is dependent on what you intend to do with the laptop. 8GB is more than enough to handle most basic tasks like web browsing and word processing. But if you plan on doing some photo or video editing, then you might want to consider getting between 16GB – 32GB of RAM.

Hard Drive

There are two main options to be considered when choosing a hard drive. The first type is the HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which is found in most older models. They start from around 250GB, and can go all the up to 2TB. The second type is the SSD or solid-state drive, which performs significantly faster than the traditional HDD. Sizes for these start from 32GB, with 512GB and 1GB options being more commonplace nowadays.

Battery Life

This determines how long you can use your laptop without connecting it to a power outlet. Most manufacturers claim anywhere between a few to 12 hours of battery life for their laptops. However, If you do not have regular access to power supply, you might want to buy a laptop that can last at least 8 hours.

Operating System

Most laptops come with one of the following operating systems:

1. Windows: Laptops powered by Microsoft Windows offer a topnotch user experience. It supports a large number of applications that cater to everything from simple, everyday tasks to niche, industry-specific tasks.
2. Chrome OS: These are typically found in Chromebooks. These are less expensive than their Windows-based counterparts, but also tend to perform much slower. As such, it is best suited to basic tasks like web browsing and sending emails.
3. Mac OS: Developed by Apple inc for their Mac line of computers, it is a great pick for those who value design and aesthetics above everything else.

Keyboard Quality

If you are going to be typing a lot, you need to ensure the keyboard facilitates easy typing. You’d need a keyboard that has a comfortable layout. It also needs to be highly responsive and back-lit to enable you see the keys even in a dimly lit environment.

Screen Resolution

Next you should consider the laptop’s screen resolution. The more the pixels the more detail the screen contains. Standard screen resolutions come with 1920x1080px (Full HD). You can find them here. If you look to up the quality of your screen a couple of notches, there are high resolutions available for you. You could either get the 3300x800px or the 3840x2160px resolutions which are sharper. You should consider this if you want more clarity or large view area to keep multiple windows onscreen at a time. However, most entry-level laptops come with low resolution screens (1366x768px).

Connectivity

You would definitely need to connect your laptop to external devices, amplify your music or transfer files at some point. So, you’ll need to ensure that the laptop you are about to buy has enough ports to meet your needs. Ports that support USB 3.0 are much faster than the older USB 2.0. Newer laptops also come with a Type-C USB port, which allows devices to be plugged in any direction.

Price

Laptop prices oftentimes vary depending on the configuration. That is, the build quality, processing power, memory capacity, display type etc. Before buying the laptop, it is worth weighing the available options to ensure you are getting one that not only meets you need, but also does not exceed your budget. You can always refer to our website for your laptop shopping. We offer a wide range that includes budgets laptops at affordable prices.

Below is the summary of the guide:

Basic	Web browsing, word processing
Intermediate	Web browsing, word processing, computing, graphics design
Advanced	Web browsing, word processing, computing, graphics design, audio and video editing, gaming

Qualities	Basic	Intermediate	Advanced
Size	13-14″	14-15″	15-17″
CPU	Intel / AMD	Intel / AMD	Intel / AMD
RAM	4 – 8GB	8 – 16GB	16 – 32GB
Hard Drive	32 – 64GB SSD	128 – 500GB (SSD & HDD)	500 & above (SSD & HDD)
Battery Life	4 hours	4-8 hours	8 hours and above
Operating System	Chrome OS	Windows	Mac OS
Keyboard	Regular	Regular/back-lit	Back-lit
Resolution	1366 x 768px	1366 x 768 – 3300 x 800px	3300 x 800 – 3840 x 2160px
Connectivity	USB 2.0	USB 2.0, 3.0 & HDMI	USB 2.0, 3.0 & HDMI
Price	N40,000 – N70,000	N70,000 – N150,000	N150,000 and above

For laptops with the range of N40,000 and N50,000, click here. For those within the range of N60,000 and N100,000, click here and for those above N100,000, click here.

Now that you have read this guide, you are only a click away from getting your laptop. Feel free to shop from our vast collection of laptops by clicking here.