The first-ever laptop, the Osborne 1, was released back in 1981 but it looked very different from the laptops that you’ll see today! Back then only a handful of people had laptops. And the devices they used were very limited in the functions that they had to offer.
This is far from the case now. In fact, now 79% of American households have at least one computer in them and we use these on a daily basis. They help us to stay connected, to work, to shop, to learn, and to keep up-to-date on the world around us.
However, to do this efficiently at home or on the go you need to find the best laptop to suit your needs. Your laptop features will ensure that it can stay up to speed and deliver all the functions that you need on a daily basis. So what exactly should you be looking out for?
If you’re shopping for a new laptop, read on to find out exactly what you should look for in a high-performance laptop!
1. A Screen Size That Works for You
When it comes to finding a laptop that works for your lifestyle, size matters a lot. Finding the right-sized screen for you depends a lot on what you are planning to use your laptop for.
Most standard laptops have a screen size of between 13 and 15 inches. This works well for word processing, browsing the internet, and watching films or TV.
If you work in media or film and need to process a lot of images in one go then you might want to opt for a bigger screen. Larger screens are also ideal if you want to use your laptop for gaming.
However, if you are looking for a laptop for a fast-paced lifestyle on the go, then something smaller and lightweight could be best. The original laptop, which weighed in at 24.5 lbs, was far less portable than today’s models, which average around 2 lbs! So if you travel around a lot with work then finding a small, lightweight device won’t be difficult!
2. Decent RAM
Your computer’s RAM (or random access memory) is a vital part of its overall performance. This determines how quickly your laptop can process data while you are using it. The more RAM you have, the quicker it will be.
This is especially useful if you often have to multitask on your computer. Opening multiple applications and working on different documents at the same time requires more power from your RAM. Provided that you have enough of this, you shouldn’t have any difficulty getting all of your jobs down in one go.
The lowest amount of RAM you can get is 4GB. However, if you are planning on using a lot of different software that will require a lot of power, you should look for at least 8GB of RAM.
3. Excellent Screen Quality
On average we spend more than seven hours looking at screens every single day. Because of this, you want a high-quality screen that will reduce your chances of straining your eyes.
Glossy screens, for example, have a tendency to reflect light, which can make your visibility poorer. This is a common problem with touch screen laptops in particular.
For a great quality image on your screen, you also need to look for a good resolution. If you’re looking for an HD screen then you need 1920×1080.
Judging screen quality in person can be a lot easier than online. So, if possible go into a store to check out your options or read online reviews before buying your laptop.
4. OLED Displays
Your screen’s resolution will have a big impact on its quality. However, it’s also important to look for certain display specifications. OLED displays are used in the majority of smartphone screens and massively improve the image quality on them.
In particular, these screens improve the color quality available on your laptop. So if you are going to use your laptop for photography, filmmaking, or gaming this is an absolute must.
5. Brilliant Battery Life
Of course, the major benefit of using a laptop is that you can take it anywhere. However, for this to work it needs to have a decent battery. This ensures that you don’t have to slug your charger around with you.
Often manufacturers will boast ultra-long battery lives when selling laptops but it’s important to be wary of this. A battery will last much longer if it isn’t being used much but this doesn’t tell you how well it will function on a daily basis.
Because of this, it’s important to check online reviews of battery life from real people. You should also take a look at the battery rating, which is given in either Watt-hours (Wh) or milliamp-hours (mAh). The higher the rating number, the longer the laptop’s battery will last.
6. A CPU That Will Work for You
Like its RAM, a decent CPU (or central processing unit) is essential for a fast laptop that runs smoothly. All laptops will come with a central processing unit but if you want one that really delivers then look out for Intel’s CPUs.
Their Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 are used in the majority of new laptops. You’ll find Core i3 in most entry-level laptops, while Core i7 delivers high-level performance.
If you’re looking for something really next level then it’s also worth checking out Intel Evo. So what is Intel Evo? This latest laptop platform combines expert software and hardware to offer features that have been optimized to suit your needs.
7. Up-to-Date USB Ports
Nowadays there are loads of great ways to share data with one another. You can use the Cloud, share via email, or AirDrop files to your friends. However, you don’t want to rely on wireless ways of sharing and backing up your data.
This is why having 3.0 USB ports is essential. You can use these to plug in:
- External hard drives
- Printers
- USB sticks
- Computer mice
- Keyboards
A lot of slimmer laptops no longer come with USB ports so make sure you check for these before you buy.
8. A Solid State Drive
Your computer’s drive is responsible for storing your software, applications, and files. So you need a drive that you can rely on.
There are two types of drives that you can choose from: hard drives or solid state drives (SSDs). Both have their benefits. However, if you are looking for a laptop that runs quickly and is easy to transport then as SSD is the best choice for you.
Solid state drives work quickly and silently. They’re also small, thin, durable, and lightweight so are used in most slim laptops. This makes them ideal for use on-the-go.
9. A Quality Keyword
If you are going to spend long periods of time sitting and writing at your keyword, you want to make sure that it is easy to use. This will massively impact your day-to-day experience of your laptop.
The ideal laptop will allow space for full-sized keys rather than squashing them in together. Each of your keys should travel a little with your downstroke and give you a snappy response when you let it go. This will make hitting the right keys easier and prevent them from sticking.
A backlit keyboard will be much easier to use in dimly lit environments. While you might not experience these very often, getting a laptop with a backlit keyboard will make it easy to use no matter where you are. This handy feature shouldn’t cost you more than a standard keyboard, so it’s worth looking out for!
10. Biometric Security
Your laptop is a hub of personal information so you want to make sure that you keep it secure, especially if you are using your laptop for business. This is why looking for a new laptop security features are vital and biometrics are the latest great security feature.
Biometric security features include facial or fingertip recognition. They allow you to securely store your passwords in your laptop for easy use without compromising your security.
You can save your passwords, however, to authorize them you will need to use one of the biometric security features. So even if someone steals or hacks a laptop with passwords saved on it, they won’t be able to use these without passing the biometric security features.
Make the Most of Your Laptop Features Today
When it comes to finding the right laptop features for you, it’s important to keep in mind what you’ll be using your laptop for. These top ten features will help you find a laptop that will keep up-to-date with all of your needs. So keep them in mind and you can’t go wrong!
We share new, brilliant technology news every day. So keep scrolling now for more tips, advice, and inspiration.
To understand about Solid State Drive (SSD) industry, Read here
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