How Do I Know Which Laptop Is Best For Me

How Does The Above Tool Work

How to Buy a Laptop: 3 Things to Know Best Buy

The above tool goes through nine steps of questions that help give you a better understanding of the type of computer to purchase. Based on how you answer each question, the available types of computers are given or subtracted weight. At the end of the questionnaire, the computer with the most weight is the recommended computer. Examples of the types of questions asked in the questionnaire include the following.

How do you plan on using the computer?
What computer are you experienced with the most?
What type of smartphone do you use?
Do you need a mobile computer?
Do you want a device with a touch screen?
Do you need a keyboard?
Do you want to build your computer?
What price range are you looking to spend?
How much memory do you want?
How much storage?

Additional questions may be asked in addition to the above questions depending on how other questions are answered.

Best Time To Buy Your Laptop

One of the most common questions about buying a new laptop is when to shop to get the best deals. Theres no strict rule for securing a cheap but good laptop. But there are a few different ways you can time your purchase window to find a good deal. Consider these timelines if youre in the market for a new laptop.;

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: These two dates in November are probably the most obvious ones for finding amazing deals. However, act fast, as laptop supplies tend to run out quickly. If you wait for the post-Thanksgiving rush, it may be hard to get the laptop you want, so you may not want to wait too long.

You can get ahead by heading online beforehand to see where the best deals and shortest lines will be. Doing your research in advance is a smart strategy.

Back-to-school season: Many retailers offer lower prices to help accommodate students who need new laptops for school. The fall is a great time to shop if you want to get a more affordable device with a steep discount, even if you arent a student heading back to class.

A couple of months after a big release: When a company is preparing to release a new model, they typically lower the price of older generations of laptops. Both manufacturers and retailers do this in an attempt to deplete stock, so there is both physical space to display new releases and customer demand for it.

Editors’ Recommendations

Techcessorizing: 4 Ways The Asus Zenbook Completes Your Look

Boring black and glossy plastic the standard-notebook landscape may look a bit mundane. But we realize that your laptop is just as much an accessory as your favorite tie clip or handbag, and that’s why the ASUS ZenBook’s distinctive concentric circle patterns and classically subdued metallic finishes right the fashion wrongs of its peers; it plays nicely with your apps, your Wi-Fi and your wardrobe.

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What Laptop Should I Buy Quiz In 2021

Laptop Finder Quiz will help to decide What laptop should you buy in 2021.

A unique feature of LaptopList.com;is this;Laptop Finder Quiz. Participate in the short quiz, answer each question with single or multiple options about screen size, price, features, intended use type, etc and get a list of recommended laptops by our system.;

The Recommendation list has a;unique URL;and you can;Bookmark,;;and;save the link;for later use.

How Do I Tell If My Cpu Clock Speed Is Good

How To Cool Down Laptop? (100% Offical Guide)

Good question. Again, the cliff-notes version is that higher numbers are usually better. However, due to thermal restrictions, processors with more cores tend to operate at a lower clock speed. This is why having a PC with more cores might not always offer you the best level of performance.

So, whats a good clock speed look like?

Well, this is going to depends what youre doing with your PC. Some applications run single-threads, others are designed to utilize multiple. For uses where the latter is the case like video rendering and some gaming experiences, having more cores is going to offer up an enormous improvement over having faster ones.

That said, for more everyday things like web browsing, an i5 processor with a higher clock speed is probably going to offer more bang for your buck than a beefier i7.

In a hypothetical world where everyone could afford it, maybe wed all own PCs with the best Intel Core CPU available. However, in the world we actually live in, not everyone needs that high-end performance and not everyone can afford it. For most people, opting for a higher clock-speed over a higher core-count will do just fine as an alternative.

Recommended By Our Editors

The;Battery capacity history;section shows how the capacity has changed over time. On the right is Design Capacity, or how much the battery was designed to handle. On the left, you can see the current full-charge capacity of your laptop’s battery, which will likely decline over time the more you use your device.

This leads us to the;Battery life estimates;section. On the right, you’ll see how long it should last based on design capacity; on the left, you’ll see how long it’s actually lasting. A current, final battery-life estimation is at the bottom of the report. In this case, my PC would last 6:02:03 at design capacity, but will currently hold out for 4:52:44.

If you don’t like what your battery report has to say, these easy tips can help you squeeze longer battery life out of your current laptop.

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Choose Your Form Factor

In the changing world of laptops, knowing what to buy can be a complex process.

Everyone wants the best performance, but what about price? How big a screen can you get before you sacrifice portability? How many ports do you need, and what size hard drive will do the job? Do you want a hybrid? Do you need a touchscreen for Windows 8, or can you go without?

Your best weapon before you go shopping is to be informed. To help, we’ve created this guide with a few pointers on what you’ll need to consider before buying a laptop.

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When Good Laptops Go Bad

Every laptop is susceptible to accidents and system failures. Keep an eye open for longer than usual warranties, and check to see if the manufacturer offers an international warranty rather than local â particularly useful for travellers.

We recommend, if available, paying for a good three-year warranty with express service. Try getting it direct from the manufacturer rather than dealing with in-store warranty extensions. Note that Apple’s warranty is called AppleCare and includes a considerable cost: be aware of this before going in.

How Much Ram For Tablets

Computer Basics: Getting to Know Laptop Computers

Tablets are not expected to deal with heavy-duty software tasks, so their RAM needs;tend to be pretty;low similar to a lot of smartphones.

However, as multi-tab browsers and more complex software continue to make the transition, tablet needs are becoming more and more similar to laptop needs. Current spec options typically range from 2GB to 16GB of RAM, with other considerations like battery life and processor speed often being of greater consideration.

With something like the iPad Mini, which touts 3GB of RAM, its design is more focused on its vibrant display and long battery life. Meanwhile, Apples latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro has 6GB of RAM to accommodate the 2-in-1 crowd, although the new 2021 models will ship with 8GB or 16GB. Microsofts Surface Go 2 has a default 4GB with an option of 8GB because it falls somewhere between a laptop and a tablet our reviewer was not entirely won over.

Ultimately, this gives us a guideline for choosing tablet RAM:

4GB is OK for lightweight users.
8GB is a better fit in most tablet cases.
16GB if you plan to use a tablet as your primary PC.

Remember, tablets are generally complementary devices that reside between your smartphone and your PC. If youre leaning more toward a laptop replacement, buy a tablet configuration with the RAM youd need for any other desktop or laptop.

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Find Your Pc Gaming Goals

The first thing any would-be gaming PC purchaser needs when embarking on this journey is to realize what their actual goals are. Here are some of the most important things to consider.

Am I buying a PC just to play one game, or do I intend on playing many?
What are these games?
Are those games graphically demanding?
Do I want to have a future-proofed PC that can play triple-A titles with high-end graphics for years to come?
Do I intend to do anything other than play games on my PC, such as streaming or video rendering?
Do I want to play games on the go, do I travel often, or will I want a more permanent rig at home?

Each answer to a question will change which type of computer youre looking for. If you intend to primarily play an older game like Overwatch or Rainbow Six Siege, you wouldnt need something incredibly powerful to run your game, even at the highest graphical settings. If you want to dive into newer games, like the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077, Control, Final Fantasy XXIV, and more, youll need a beefier setup. If you travel a lot, there are strong contenders for gaming laptops. And if you want to multitask to stream or work, youll want a computer with a specific type of processor.;

Ask yourself all of these questions, figure out exactly what youll want to do with your new computer, and take note of them all. Once you have your list of notes, move onto the next step.

How Many Cores Do I Need

Every laptop we sell has at least a dual-core processor. This allows it to handle several things at once so you can move quickly between different windows, with more apps and tabs running at once. Quad-core processors are great for running demanding software quickly, such as photo editing and music production programs. Modern creative software is optimised to run best with multi-core setups.

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Where To Buy A Laptop

When buying a laptop, make sure you’re handing your money over to a reputable seller. Check the retailer’s returns policy and pay attention to customer feedback and reviews. For more details on shopping online safely and arranging refunds for faulty products, see our advice on shopping online.;

Currys PC World, Argos, John Lewis and Laptops Direct are some of the most searched-for laptop retailers at the time of writing. Weve included links to these retailers handpicked because of their stock availability, best value price or warranty options.;

What Is Turbo Boost Why Does It Matter

The Intels Turbo Boost tech allows a processor to dynamically increase its clock speed as the need arises. The maximum amount that Turbo Boost can raise clock speed at any given time is dependent on the number of active cores, the estimated current consumption, the estimated power consumption, and the processor temperature.

To translate: Intels Turbo Boost monitors how you use your processor to determine how close the processor is to the maximum thermal design power, then raises the clock speed accordingly. Basically, it lets you get the best of both world when it comes to clock-speed and core-count.

Most modern Core i5 and Core i7 Intel CPUs will support Turbo Boost 2.0. What’s more, some offer the Turbo Boost 3.0.

This doesn’t replace Turbo Boost 2.0 but instead augments it. Intel claim that this enhancement works out to around a 15% increase in performance on X-Series processors.

So aside from clock speeds and core-counts, theres one another major differences youll want to note before picking between an i3, i5, i7 and i9 processor.

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Mac Windows Or Something Else

The operating system should be your first major consideration. While traditionally that debate was dominated by Apples MacOS and Microsofts Windows, Googles Chrome OS is now a very popular alternative typically offered on much more affordable laptops.

While there are certainly comparable hardware and features offered with these platforms, there are some stark differences between them that are important to consider.

Power Without The Plug

While you might have a two- or three-year warranty on your laptop, your battery is generally only covered for one year.

Two specs to look for in laptop batteries include capacity and the number of cells. Typical batteries have a mAh rating of between 2000mAh and 6000mAh â higher is better. Cells are the actual compartments where power is produced, and can range from four to 12 â the more the better. Keep in mind, though, that this may cause the battery pack to stick out from your laptop in potentially awkward positions.

Some laptops don’t have easily-swappable batteries, in an attempt to cut down on physical size and to lengthen battery life. Be aware of this â when your battery dies, you may need to take your laptop in for a service, rather than simply swapping the battery out yourself.

On the other hand, some can take a second battery, either by replacing the optical drive or by placing a shim on the bottom. Check your accessories before you buy.

What Is The Clock Speed

This is measured in GHz, and determines how fast the processor runs. A higher clock speed means your laptop can load software and files faster and that it will run smoother during normal use.

Some processors feature Turbo Boost or Turbo Core technology, which increases the speed of the processor to match the task at hand. This means the laptop consumes less power during light computing tasks, which reduces power consumption and increases battery life.

How Can I Get My Software

What To Do If Your Laptop Is Plugged In But Not Charging

Home Delivery: Choose your software and have it delivered, just like you would any other item.

Collect in store: Reserve online and collect your software in any of our stores.

Buy now and download straight away. Just click Buy Now for Download on the product page of any applicable software. If you delete the software or reset your PC just log into your Currys PC World account to download it again.

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Choose The Right Size

Before you look at specs or pricing, you need to figure out just how portable you need your laptop to be. Laptops are usually categorized by their display sizes:

11 to 12 inches: The thinnest and lightest systems around have 11- to 12-inch screens and typically weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds.
13 to 14 inches: Provides the best balance of portability and usability, particularly if you get a laptop that weighs under 4 pounds.
15 to 16 inches: The most popular size, 15-inch laptops usually weigh 4 to 5.5 pounds. Consider this size if you want a larger screen and you’re not planning to carry your notebook around often. Laptops with 16-inch displays are rare but Apple might get the trend started with its 16-inch MacBook Pro.
17 to 18 inches: If your laptop stays on your desk all day every day, a 17- or 18-inch system could provide you with the kind of processing power you need to play high-end games or do workstation-level productivity.

The Screen Is The Window Into The Soul

Screen quality is finally becoming important in laptops. Thanks to Apple, almost everybody seems to be racing to release something with an in-plane switching screen these days. This means better colour and viewing angles than typical laptop displays, which are known as twisted nematic . If you can afford a laptop with an IPS screen, we absolutely recommend it.

Another factor to consider is resolution. A huge majority of laptops ship with a resolution of 1366×768. While this looks fine on 11.6-inch laptops, by the time you get to 15.6-inch, it tends to make everything seem comically large, and images tend to lack detail. A new rash of Windows 8 laptops have sought to address this, offering full HD IPS screens on everything from 12.5-inch to 15.6-inch screens. There are 11.6-inch laptops that run full HD as well, but things tend to feel a little cramped there.

Then, of course, there’s Apple’s amazing Retina displays, available on its 13.3 and 15.4-inch MacBook Pros. To give you an idea of how much is crammed into one of these displays, a 15.6-inch, 1366×768 screen manages to fit about 100 pixels in each square inch. At 2880×1800, the MacBook Pro Retina 15.4-inch fits in around 220. This high amount of pixels per inch has been given the rather descriptive name of HiDPI.

Text is amazingly crisp on a Retina, or HiDPI display.

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Bring Out Your Inner Neat Freak With The Asus Zen Aio Pro

Between work, family and personal commitments, life can be busy enough your desk shouldnt have to be. Whether youre a Sheldon Cooper type and even your label makers label has its own label or simply appreciate neatness, then the ASUS Zen AiO Pro is perfect for you. We designed the Zen AiO Pro to look sleek and streamlined and clear visual clutter ready to satisfy your inner neat freak. The result? Youll be able to get your job done quicker, easier and with less stress.