The Laptop Buying Guide: What You Need to Know

Buying a new laptop is rarely a treat; it's a necessity we often put off doing until our current computer is on the verge of total collapse. And even when you're ready to buy a new laptop, you can't simply go in and pick up the first one you see. Finding the right one is a lengthy process of researching, studying, and reading reviews that can leave you feeling totally overwhelmed.

And that's where our laptop buying guide comes in. Below, we'll venture to answer all of the most common questions laptop buyers have, from simple queries like "What size screen should I get?" to the more complicated questions, such as "How much RAM do I need?" and "What kind of processor should I get?" To find out what you really need to know, scroll through this laptop buying guide.

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Operating Systems

Your operating system determines a lot about how you'll interact with your new laptop, so it should always be one of your first buying considerations. While there are several operating systems to choose from, we'll break down the pros and cons of the three you're most likely to see: OS X, Windows, and Chrome.







































































	PROS	CONS	BEST FOR
OS X	Great for photo and video editing Easy to use, especially if you're already familiar with Apple products More secure against viruses	Not compatible with touchscreens Limited software choices No real gaming capabilities Typically significantly more expensive than other options	Hardcore Apple fans Designers and creative types People who want a more streamlined interface
Windows	Wide variety of programs Plentiful support options Compatible with touchscreens Best option for gaming	More prone to viruses May require more support Fewer options for free, open-source software	Gamers Office workers Price-conscious shoppers
Chrome	Very easy to use Wide range of free apps One-step setupa	No gaming Only works with an internet connection Not compatible with common software (i.e. Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, etc.)	Extremely budget-conscious people People who want a supplementary computer or laptop Basic internet capabilities

Screens

Your screen's specs impact your computing experience almost as much as your OS does. Thankfully, though, the average user only really needs to consider two key traits: size and resolution.

Size

Most laptops come in about three main size ranges: 11"–13", 14"–16", and 17"–19". The 11"-13" screens are what you're most likely to find when looking at netbooks and Chromebooks, which are constructed with portability foremost in mind. The midrange of 14"–16" is perhaps the most popular size for a screen. It's large enough to give streaming movies and TV shows a worthwhile canvas, but it's not so big that it's a pain to carry around. Laptops in the 17"-19" range are generally recommended for people looking to completely replace their desktop or who regularly need to work in multiple programs at once and need a screen big enough to accommodate that.

Resolution

Your laptop's resolution will determine the image quality on your screen, which means there's very little reason to settle for less than 1080p, with the most common resolution being 1920 x 1080 (or full HD). Some laptops still come with a 1366 x 768 resolution, which just won't be able to compare to full HD: your whites will look duller and dimmer and text will be more difficult to read. You can, however, save a bit on cost if you're willing to forego the benefits of 1080p. Alternately, if you intend to use your laptop for gaming or high-quality visual editing, you might want to upgrade to a 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160. Apple also makes screens they call Retina displays, which produce a smoother image thanks to smaller than average pixels.

Extra Consideration: 2-in-1s

One of the latest developments in laptops, 2-in-1s convert from fully functional laptops to portable tablets, giving users the best of both worlds with a single device. The benefits include everything from increased flexibility and 4K screens to dynamic touch screens you can use even in laptop mode. Cons may include smaller hard drives and more cramped keyboards. That said, they're a pretty good bet if you find yourself in need of a tablet and a laptop at the same time!

Shop 2-in-1 laptops, starting at $299.

Processors

Everything you do on your laptop—from streaming music to beating your Candy Crush high score—is made possible by the processor (AKA the CPU). And the faster the processor, the more you'll be able to do at once. When evaluating the performance of a laptop, consider how many cores the processor has: 




















	SINGLE CORE	DUAL CORE	QUAD CORE
Ideal User	Buyers on a budget	Most users	Multitaskers
Best For	Browsing the web, social media, email, video chatting	Movie streaming, casual gaming	Video editing, playing modern 3D games

Memory and Storage

Did you know? Laptop memory (measured by RAM) and storage aren't exactly the same thing. Storage is the easy one: it's the amount of space a laptop has for your stuff. So when considering storage, think about how much stuff and what stuff you need your laptop to hold. Is it just documents, or will you be uploading photos and video? How much space will your favorite games take up? On average, 250–350GB of storage will be plenty of room for most users.

As for RAM, let's start with a brief explanation of what it actually is. RAM is the dynamic memory your laptop uses to quickly write and rewrite data. This is the space on your computer that allows your favorite programs to run. According to Laptop Mag, you need the following amount of RAM:


























ACTIVITY	AMOUNT OF RAM NEEDED (GB)
Office Work	2–8
Web Browsing	4–8
Media Streaming	4+
Photo Editing	4–8
Gaming	8–16

Wireless Connectivity

Every laptop should be compatible with WiFi, but some can also connect to cellular networks such as 4G LTE—just like a smartphone. This lets you stream movies, download apps, or stay on top of developing work situations even where there's no WiFi. If your laptop doesn't have LTE capabilities, you can purchase modem that can get you online via your USB port and a plan from your wireless provider.

Battery Life

As laptops have improved, so too has their battery life. The days of your machine dying after an hour or two might be over, but it still helps to know ahead of time how often you plan to work away from a power source and what kinds of features can drain your battery quicker. Battery life varies quite a bit from laptop to laptop, with some staying powered from 5–10 hours and others going all the way up to 17 hours. Just remember that the following things can cause your battery to wear down quicker:

• Having a high-resolution screen (4K)
• Streaming movies or music
• Using WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities
• Playing graphics-heavy games that require lots of storage
• Having a 2-in-1 screen

Accessories

Even the best laptop can be made more useful—or more fun—with the right accessories. Always check for compatibility, however. Some laptop accessories will work with a wide range of models (most mice, for example), but others, such as cases or keyboards, may be limited to a specific model or brand. Here are a few popular accessories:

• Cases (from $5.99)
• External speakers (from $12.99)
• Mouse (from $6.99)
• Headphones (from $7.99)

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