There are plenty of top-notch tech
products on the market this year. We'll help you find the best ones in eight
categories, including tablets, smartphones, and all in one PCs.
Laptops Buying Guide
The Big Picture
Before you go shopping for a laptop PC,
dedicate a few minutes to thinking about exactly what you’ll need from your new
laptop and how you'll be using it once you take it home.
Laptops span a wide range of possible
types, from massive desktop replacements that serve as communal living room PCs
to ultra-light systems designed for business travelers constantly on the go.
Between those extremes lie a myriad of choices, but laptops usually have
several common elements that you need to consider: performance, expandability,
battery life, and connectivity.
Are you looking to replace a desktop PC,
with all its functionality? Will you be using the machine while you’re on the road?
Do you intend to play hard core games, watch movies, or edit digital photos and
video on your portable rig? Or will you be using it mostly for surfing the Web
and for handling basic productivity applications?
Are
you looking to replace a desktop PC, with all its functionality?
Are you a home-video editor? If so, you'll
want a high quality CPU and, possibly, strong GPU performance. Will you be
connecting the computer to your home entertainment system? Note that options
such as Intel’s WiDi or Miracast will make integrating your laptop into your
HDTV or A/V system much easier.
Windows 8 adds new wrinkles, such as touch capability. Knowing how you plan to use the
system will simplify your buying experience.
If you are purchasing a laptop at retail,
you’ll encounter a modest array of models with preset features. If you're
shopping online, you’ll be able to customize your machine (within whatever
limits the manufacturer imposes). Either way, having a clear understanding of
the features and specs will help you make the most appropriate choice.
However, prior to examining a laptop's
performance specs, and well before you commit to buying it, try to spend some
hands on time with the machine. Is the keyboard comfortable and logically laid
out, or is it cramped and confusing? Is the touchpad responsive, without being
twitchy? If you’re looking at a Windows 8 system, does it offer a touchscreen
or at least a touchpad with edge detection?
Now let's look at the most important
individual components and factors.
The Specs Explained
CPU: The key
specs to consider in connection with the central processing unit are the clock
speed, shared cache, core count, and thread support. Higher clock speeds often
deliver only minor incremental improvements in performance; sometimes moving to
a larger cache will have a bigger effect. A greater number of cores shifting
from a dual-core to a quad-core CPU, for instance will also increase power
consumption, heat, and fan noise while reducing battery life.
A person looking for a photo editing system
might be well satisfied with those trade-offs. On the other hand, a perpetually
on the go business traveler whose laptop mostly handles videoconferencing,
email, and document sharing might be better served by a smaller, quieter laptop
equipped with a dual-core CPU and a longer lasting battery.
A
greater number of cores shifting from a dual-core to a quad-core CPU
Memory: We
recommend that you plan on at least 4GB of memory for a modern laptop. Don’t
skimp, because you won't be able to add memory to an Ultrabook or similar
ultraportable systems such as the MacBook Air. If you must economize, bear in
mind that a larger amount of memory delivers more bang for the buck than a
faster CPU.
Screen: A
laptop equipped with a 14-inch display is not inherently better than one with a
13-inch screen. A bigger display doesn’t necessarily provide more capability you
need to look at the whole package. What’s more, screen resolution is as
important as screen size.
Too many business-oriented laptops offer
15-inch screens with a native resolution of just 1366 by 768 pixels. Some
laptop displays provide the same resolutions available on HDTVs: 1280 by 720
pixels (commonly marketed as 720p, this resolution is too low for a 15 inch
laptop), or 1920 by 1080 pixels (which is commonly marketed as 1080p).
You should consider the type of panel
you're buying, too. If color accuracy is crucial to your work, choose an LCD
panel based on IPS (in-plane switching) technology. If you’re a gamer, you may
prefer the fast response time that a TN (twisted nematic) panel delivers.
Battery life: Evaluating battery life is tricky because, whereas battery tests
tend to be standardized, the way people use their laptops is anything but. A
laptop that can reliably run office programs for 8 hours between charges might
last barely 3 hours when displaying video. Bigger batteries weigh more, too.
Evaluating
battery life is tricky
Connectivity: Every laptop now includes some form of Wi-Fi, but the lightest,
thinnest systems might lack a wired Ethernet port. Such a port can be
especially important for college students, as some campuses have Wi-Fi in
classrooms, but only wired connections in dorm rooms. Bluetooth is handy for
connecting input devices, such as mice particularly if the system provides only
two USB ports. Bluetooth is also useful for pairing your laptop with some
printers and smartphones.
Weight, and how it's distributed: Lighter is usually better, unless it comes at the expense of
durability. Examine how the weight is distributed across the laptop, too,
especially if you'll often be carrying the laptop with other gear or if you'll
be juggling it in tight quarters.
Discrete graphics: Serious gamers will want a discrete graphics processing unit, since
integrated graphics hardware limits any laptop’s game performance. But beware
of low-end GPUs whose performance may not be any better than the graphics core
integrated into a modern CPU. GPUs are also becoming important in other
applications optimized for parallel processing, such as media encoding.
System storage: Solid-state drives are fast, but they provide far less capacity
than similarly priced mechanical drives. Digital media enthusiasts might prefer
the latter, unless they're toting portable storage. Many current-generation
laptops combine a small SSD that acts as persistent cache for a larger
hard-disk drive, for the best of both worlds: This arrangement offers fast boot
and resume times and quick application loading, plus a goodly amount of
storage.
USB ports and flash memory card readers: Though having a generous number of USB ports is desirable, you
might want to trade one or two of them for a flash memory card slot and
Bluetooth. USB 3.0 ports deliver much faster throughput (with USB 3.0 devices,
at least) than USB 2.0 ports do, so look for those. Another nice to have
feature is USB charging, which lets you charge your smartphone, tablet, or
other USB-enabled device while the laptop is sleeping.
USB
laptop connection, 3 x USB ports and DC adapter input
Buying Tips
Take your time: Don't rush to a website,
click an appealing laptop, and head straight for the checkout. Instead, take time
to consult our hands on reviews and user reviews of that machine, which
may reveal problems with your choice that you hadn't considered.
Comparison shop for the best deal: If a
particular model's reviews look solid and the system meets your needs, shop
around, even if you intend to buy direct from the manufacturer in the end.
Bargain sites, such as Slickdeals.net and TechBarqains.com. might have coupon
codes that can yield hefty discounts.
Look into an extended warranty: If you travel
frequently, or if you’re buying a laptop for a student, consider purchasing an
extended warranty. Such protection can be a sensible precaution for a machine
that must endure on the road use. On the other hand, if your new laptop will
spend its life shuffling from room to room inside your home, you probably don’t
need an extended warranty.
Don't delay setup: When the laptop arrives,
unpack it immediately and test it to confirm that everything is working
properly. Some manufacturers’ policies sharply limit the period for returns and
exchanges, so the sooner you discover a problem, the easier time you’ll have
resolving any difficulties.
