Buy a new laptop

First, decide which operating system you want to use. That partly determines what users can do with the laptop. The vast majority of laptops are equipped with Windows 10. You can use this, for example, to surf the Internet, send e-mails and make video calls. An advantage of Windows 10 is that all kinds of (free) software is available for it. Think of a photo editor, browser or computer game. Brands such as Acer, Asus, HP and Lenovo are developing affordable laptops with Windows 10.

There are also laptops with macOS. They are also called MacBooks and come from the Apple stable. A MacBook is more expensive than most laptops with Windows. MacBooks have a nice design and are more resistant to viruses. Furthermore, there is already a lot of software on a MacBook by default. Users can install additional (paid) programs if they wish.

Finally, there are also laptops with Chrome OS. This operating system from Google works fine on cheaper laptops. One difference with Windows and macOS is that users cannot install software for Chrome OS. For tasks such as e-mail, internet and video calling, users rely on Google web services. These cheap laptops are fine for simple tasks. Acer, ASUS and Lenovo, among others, produce so-called Chromebooks. For more information, read the article “All About Affordable Chromebooks.”

The screen size largely determines the size of the laptop. If you want a handy lap computer, you can consider a laptop with a screen of 11.6, 12.3 or 13.3 inches. Handy if, for example, you want to keep up with e-mail or watch a movie at the campsite. Many Chromebooks have a small screen that allows users to perform basic tasks. In addition, some compact models have a flip-up touchscreen. These so-called 2-in-1 laptops can therefore also be used as a tablet.

If you mainly use a laptop at home, a one with a larger screen is a more logical choice. Anyone who surfs the internet daily, browses web shops, edits documents and plays video games will benefit from a medium-sized screen. For example, look for a laptop with a monitor size of 14 or 15.6 inches. In addition, laptops with a 17.3-inch screen are also available. They are slightly less handy, but you do get a large image size in return. Useful for those who regularly edit photos, edit videos and watch movies.

In addition to the screen size, the resolution also plays an important role. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image. Especially with laptops with a medium and large screen, a decent resolution is nice. Most models support a full HD resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. That is more than sufficient for most computer tasks. Some users may want a screen that shows extra detail. Think of avid hobby photographers for editing images. A higher resolution also offers added value when streaming Netflix series or playing games in the highest video quality. Then consider a monitor with a resolution of 1440 × 2560 or 3840 × 2160 pixels. The latter resolution is also known as Ultra HD or 4K quality. Incidentally, laptops with such a razor-sharp monitor are expensive. In addition to the resolution, also pay attention to the finish layer. Laptops with a glossy screen may show beautiful colors, but they are also sensitive to light reflections. For that reason, there are also laptops with a matte screen.

To determine the required computing power, it is important to know exactly what the user is going to do with the laptop. The faster the built-in processor can calculate, the faster the laptop performs tasks. For example, starting a comprehensive video editor requires more power than visiting a website. You can work with any modern laptop for internet, e-mail and document editing. For example, a copy with an Intel Celeron, Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor is a price-friendly option. Do you also want to install a photo editor and simple video games? Then a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is more obvious. Editing videos and playing modern games requires even more computing power. In that case, look for a laptop with an Intel Core i7, Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor.

The working memory works closely with the processor and determines to what extent the laptop can simultaneously perform computer tasks. Fortunately, manufacturers already match the amount of RAM to the existing processor as standard. For example, a laptop with an Intel Celeron processor usually contains 4 GB of RAM, while a model with an Intel Core i7 processor usually has 8 or even 16 GB of RAM on board. Check with the intended laptop whether you can add working memory later. This is often stated in the specifications. If the laptop reacts slowly after a while, it is nice if you can add an extra memory module afterwards.

Every laptop has a storage drive on which the operating system is preinstalled. This is almost always an SSD these days. Favorable, because an SSD performs much faster than a traditional hard drive. This is because this storage type contains no rotating parts and can therefore access information more quickly. Windows (or another operating system) boots from an SSD considerably faster compared to a regular hard drive. Chromebooks and cheap Windows laptops usually contain an SSD with a small storage capacity of say 64 or 128 GB. They are unsuitable for storing many of your own files, such as your photo or video collection. More expensive laptops usually have an SSD of 256 or 512 GB. Finally, there are also models with an SSD of 1 or 2 TB.

An SSD with a lot of storage capacity is pricey. For that reason, manufacturers also offer laptops with a small SSD and a normal disk of, for example, 1 or 2 TB. The operating system is housed on the fast SSD, while you use the normal hard disk to store files. This is cheaper, while users can also digitally store an extensive photo or video collection.

Today, modern processors all have an integrated video chip. This eliminates the need for a separate hardware component to forward the video signal to the monitor. The integrated video chip is fine for showing a web page or movie. However, more expensive laptops often still have a separate video card from the Nvidia brand. These video cards are intended to display advanced games in good quality. Do you only play simple computer games like Patience? In that case, you don’t need a laptop with a separate video card.

Also take a look at the available connections. In the case of cheap products in particular, manufacturers often economize on the available connection ports. For example, you already need three USB ports to connect an external hard drive, USB stick and mouse at the same time. Most laptops nowadays also have a USB-C port. It is smaller and supports a high transfer rate. Furthermore, an HDMI output is beneficial. If you use the laptop at home, you can connect an external monitor to it. Useful for those who want a larger image, for example when editing a photo or playing a video. Furthermore, many laptops have a memory card reader. Remove the (micro) SD card from a camera or smartphone and copy the contents directly to the laptop. Every laptop has a WiFi adapter for the connection to the internet. Do you prefer a wired network connection? Then pay attention, because manufacturers are increasingly omitting a physical network port. Finally, many laptops have a bluetooth adapter. Stream music to wireless headphones, for example, or easily transfer files from a smartphone.

Every laptop has a battery. Manufacturers and shops usually state a maximum battery life in the specifications. Small laptops sometimes last up to ten hours, after which they have to be recharged. Large laptops have a mobile working time of three to four hours. Keep in mind that battery life is highly dependent on what work the user is doing. Manufacturers typically calculate battery life while performing light computing tasks. Take the stated battery life of shops and computer brands with a grain of salt.