DocAndersen
The last in my picking a new laptop series (I promise). First of all, I wanted to talk about the differences between a laptop and a desktop before launching into the final piece on the things to consider when picking a laptop. Desktops are often used by people that require more capacity. I have two in my house, one that is a virtual server and the other that is set up as a VR workstation. In both cases, the requirements are for video cards with lots of video memory. For someone like the community artist Mr. Ledande, he needs a desktop because most laptops wouldn’t have the ability to deliver the graphics crunching he needs for this renders.
Output- most laptops sold today have an HDMI output. Why do you care>? Well, laptops like desktops used to offer the first VGA and then DVI video out. Most people then would go and buy an external monitor for their computer. Desktops do not normally have a built-in monitor. VGA is the oldest video connector and, in the modern world, the least capable. DVI allows you to share content, but not at the 4k level unless you have a massive video card in your computer. HDMI, however, allows a laptop or desktop to connect to a monitor or now, with HDMI, a Television. It means you can purchase a TV for your living room and, when needed, use it as a monitor for your laptop.
USB – The Universal Serial Bus or USB is a standards-based output and input port for your computer. USB 1.0 allows you to daisy chain (a daisy chain means that there is one connection to the computer, but many devices connected to the chain). You can, in theory, connect an infinite number of devices to a single USB port. All you do is add a USB hub. As long as the hubs can see the original computer port, you can add USB devices. But, it is important to note the following:
USB 1 and 2 have white connectors on the computer (when you look in the port, there is a piece of plastic with a conductive imprint on it) for these the plastic is white.
USB 3 has a blue or orange plastic piece. Make sure if you want o keep that new laptop for more than a couple of years, that you have eaten at least 1 USB 3 port.
Over the last three days, we’ve gone through several technologies to consider. Thanks to all hat read all three! I will leave you with my top-level advice.
- SSD drives are faster than other drives. But you only need SSD for the OS and Applications you lost. External USB drives will help for photos and other video storage.
- Get the fastest processor you can afford today. It used to be that a processor would last around 18 months before it was way out of date. That isn’t the case anymore. If you are going to pay a little more, get a faster process now.
- (combining the first two, is a faster computer right away)
- Finally, memory and USB. I would aim for eight gigs of ram, and if possible, get a graphics card (many laptops off this now). Just these two things will speed up your laptop as well.
- (all three together will increase your laptop speed a lot)
- Finally, the last thing – get a USB 3 port. It helps you later!!! USB 3 has a significant speed increase over USB 2. If you are going to use an external hard drive in the future, this is your best option!
Links to the Series
https://virily.com/virily_poll/picking-your-next-laptop-expanded/
https://virily.com/virily_poll/on-choosing-a-new-laptop-what-to-consider/
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Question of
I am so glad Doc is done with this!
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Yes
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No
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Question of
do you also want a touch screen on your laptop?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
what about a video camera?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
what about an external keyboard and a mouse?
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Yes
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No
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I have learned quite a lot on the three posts about computers. I would prefer a laptop that is not touchscreen enabled. I’m informed as a writer and graphic designer.
as a graphic designer do you use a Wacom or other digital art tablet?
Q: I AM SO GLAD DOC IS DONE WITH THIS!
Yes (2 votes) – 22%
No (7 votes) – 78%
Q: DO YOU ALSO WANT A TOUCH SCREEN ON YOUR LAPTOP?
Yes (3 votes) – 38%
No (5 votes) – 63%
Q: WHAT ABOUT A VIDEO CAMERA?
Yes (4 votes) – 50%
No (4 votes) – 50%
Q: WHAT ABOUT AN EXTERNAL KEYBOARD AND A MOUSE?
Yes (5 votes) – 71%
No (2 votes) – 29%
thanks to everyone that participated!
A touch screen laptop? No, thank you. I like my screen clean and shiny ?
You can always get electronic wipes! But I do understand touch screens are interesting.
I am not just a fan of seeing finger prints all over the gadget’s face as is common with our cellphones and tablets
add some tape, some pixie dust and someone else’s phone and you have fingerprints to use. Not sure what pixies would do with fingerprints…
CSI ??? i used to watch that series
i loved the original CSI.
pixies as crime scene investigators sounds scary!
My laptop has touch screen , it is foldable and can be used like a tablet. I enjoy it.
my work laptop is like that. It is very useful! i use it for notes often in meetings!
remember when USB 1 was blisteringly fast?
i do sadly when a 5400 rpm drive was state of the art.
i don’t even own a drive that slow anymore!
I remember when SCSI was blazing fast!
don’t get me started on my 300 rpm floppy drive
i had an Apple IIc, had to add an external floppy drive. Because constantly swapping with one 3.5 drive was insane.
i do still miss Dr J vs. Larry Bird from the APple II days!
for myself, missing the Ultima series…
that is one I forgot about. Did you ever play Sim Earth? I was addicted until life said no mass (my daughter was born).
never really got into the sims, but they looked fun
Sim Earth was my fav. My daughter still plays the Sims but never played Sim Earth.
it is a bit too macro for most
most likely,
but I like games that let me design.
I still love Age of Empires!
it is a good thing I don’t do RTS, or I’d be doing that instead of art
Very useful tips again! I can’t work on a laptop without a proper mouse, haha.I think having a touch screen on a small laptop/netbook is usefull, but I wouldn’t need it on a bigger one.
that HDMI port makes everything large! i have my work laptop connected to an HDMI port on the back of the TV in my office. it becomes multi-purpose and 40 inches of the monitor!
Thank you so much for the very interesting information. I very much like to read such information. I never know when I’ll use them. I already learned a lot from your posts.
thank you so much, that was nice of you to say!!!
Like I said, I need a simple computer, dear friend …. but this post is very interesting
it is all about trying to help people!!!
And in this post there is a lot of useful information … I just wrote down a few …. they will come in handy when buying a new computer …. thanks for such a comprehensive explanation
i am happy to help my friend!
I really have to thank you again, dear friend
I could do with some computer advice and what to get as I am not really very well informed about technology and appreciate this type of post, thanks so much Doc.
i am happy to help! it is my small service to this great community!
I really like the Apple or Macintosh computers best.
I would also get a desktop but the one time we went to Australia we were burgled and my desktop was taken with other things.
So have not bothered to get another desktop since. I now know who stole it, but that was a person around our village who also stole from other neighbours and caused a lot of trouble due to drink and drugs and gang associations…a sad situation which does not negatively affect the ones robbed but the person themselves.
sadly crime is often bad for both sides, but sometimes it is much worse for the criminal. Desktops are nice if you are doing a lot of drawing and things like that.
i do like the MacBook Pro very much!
I used a desktop for many years. Love the laptop as it is so versatile and can b e taken fro room to room and in a briefcase. I used to take it to my Dad’s to show his pics on my computer. He loved them.
i was showing my mother pictures on my laptop from the family history project. She said I want that as my Christmas present.
so I made a hard drive for her!!!
Very good list here, I do not prefer touchscreens though. I am so used to doing things the old way lol. Pretty photo!
touch screens are definitely personal preference!
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. So far, Gen 4 is what’s affordable for us for my daughter who’s entering high school year 11-12. My husband uses Gen 3 at his work as an IT. So, Lenovo looks reliable.
Thank you for your review. I needed my IT husband to translate some of the technical things you wrote. 😀
that is a nice laptop!!! yeah Lenovo has good and bad. I have one (their table top pc) that my wife loves, And two laptops that were really bad.