DocAndersen
I was making my cellular device picker list and was reminded that many people also need to find and use laptops. I was pushing this column off for a while, but then I realized why? It is fresh in my mind and something at least one person wants, so here we go, how to pick a new laptop. First off, when considering a laptop, it is important to be honest with yourself. That is honest both ways. Honest in what you will do with the computer.
- Processor: i9, i7, and i5 chips are normally the options when you consider buying a laptop. It should be noted that i5 chips are likely to run the coolest. Therefore, you can have the laptop sitting on your lap. I9 chips run the hottest and frankly, and I can’t have on my lap for more than 30 minutes. But the three chips offer many capabilities that have to be considered before thinking about anything else.
- I9 the fastest chip you can get today. Speed is critical if your name is Alex and you render graphics every day. Or if you are an artist and create on your laptop. I9 chips are also critical if you are a developer or an infrastructure person that runs more than one computer on your laptop (via VMWare Workstation or Hyper-V).
- I7 is now the middle of the road chip fast enough for most processing
- I5 is the chip that is the coolest but much closer than the i7 or i9 is
- Battery – I’ve been prompted recently to read about graphene batteries, they are coming
- LiIon batteries are the standard today. They get hot. Most of the device fires came from overheated LiIon batteries
- Graphene batteries are coming but are not in laptops today
- Memory, the two things that slow a computer, the first is the processor and the second is the memory. Most computers use physical memory to load applications and the operating system. It is important to remember that, as you can quickly consume 8015 gigabytes of Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer
- The speed of the memory matters, but not as much as the processor
- Adding more memory will speed up a computer.
- Hard drive – ah, the great debate!
- There are two distinct types of hard drives, SSD or sold state drivers and the more traditional hard drive.
- What you care about if you are not buying an SSD drive (Solid-state) is the speed in RPM of the drive.
- 5400 rpm is slow
- 7200 RMP is the middle ground now
- 10,000 RPM is the high middle speed
- 15000 rpm is the fastest traditional hard drive today
- SSD drives are the fastest overall
The speed of your processor, memory amount, and hard drive speed will determine what you can can cannot do with your laptop.
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Question of
do you have a laptop today?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
is your laptop more than a year old?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
do you have 8 gigs or more of memory?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
is your computer slow today?
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Yes
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No
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Oh, how great!!! Your article is just related to my current laptop situation – going to change this device because of its service life expiration. It works too slowly now, surely will buy SSD. The speed of my PC was growed so high with it!!!
It is something to consider – memory also helps with speed!
A timely post. I have been considering buying my own as I am using the one being used by the pharmacy. Just that, like Suvie, the cost of this thing is enough for something that gives me joy ?. Do we place value to joy? Do we trade joy for usefulness? That is my conundrum ?
well then today’s column will help!
My laptop is less than a year old and is working well as of now.
that is good to hear – I am trying to help people with what to consider. What did you end up getting a year ago?
My mac book pro is good but more than 4 years, got it in 2014. It still goes but I have noticed sometimes it is slow due to amount of photos on it.
there are some free disk optimization programs that help with that!
I have another column today talking about other things to do!
Very interesting. I bought a laptop in 2017 but I prefer to use a regular computer because the screen is bigger
understood, I have a large screen connected to my work laptop for that very reason!~
Very interesting. Such a great idea
I am going to talk about output options and other things today!
Ok. I will be aware of your new articles
it is up now! thanks!
My laptop got burned up. I use desktop but mostly smartphone. I will buy a new one but I need much storage space. SSD doesn’t provide a lot of space unless one buys an external disk. I’m still confused between SSD and traditional one.
Now you are getting into an interesting area!
The concept of storage design! SSD is fast, and great for operating systems to run on.
external storage is also good if you are storage files but not applications.
more coming today, thanks for the comment!
Thank you. I’m looking forward to more of this. I love technology especially around IT or ICT.
thanks – more is coming today! I love this stuff!
Q: DO YOU HAVE A LAPTOP TODAY?
Yes (5 votes) – 63%
No (3 votes) – 38%
Q: IS YOUR LAPTOP MORE THAN A YEAR OLD?
Yes (4 votes) – 67%
No (2 votes) – 33%
Q: DO YOU HAVE 8 GIGS OR MORE OF MEMORY?
Yes (2 votes) – 50%
No (2 votes) – 50%
Q: IS YOUR COMPUTER SLOW TODAY?
Yes (5 votes) – 83%
No (1 votes) – 17%
I have a Lenovo laptop for 4 years and have been thinking about buying a new one for a while now … I have a reputable reseller and I go to him and he advises me what is best for me … I need a simple computer for everyday use and I don’t think about giving it more than 300 eur
i understand the price point, there is a balancing act, cost, value and what we need. More coming today!
I agree … I really don’t need a high-end computer for 1000 euros
you can spend a lot more than 1000 euros on a really high end computer!
I believe only such a computer is for you that you need, dear friend
i actually don’t have such a computer, I use cheaper ones!
I wouldn’t even consider rendering on a laptop- it is one of the most punishing things you can do to your system and they tend to take a long time. my renders would most likely fry a laptop
i suspect you would burn out most laptops with your renders. There are some newer ones that have a dedicated graphics card that might be able to handle it.
more coming today!
laptops don’t have enough room to breathe
some of the newer ones actually have better air flow.
but i can see where that would be the case.
you can get one of the new fan cases, that allow the laptop more room for air.
still can’t beat the flow on my desktop. my cable fu isn’t the best, but it is still pretty slick…
i would agree with that.
I started out in the laptop world with a Mac Powerbook. I remember asking the Apple guy, this can sit on my lap?
Sure he said.
it literally was so hot.
Then I moved to a Compaq toaster oven. Even hotter than the Macbook.
I had a good friend that fell asleep watching a movie with the laptop in his lap on a plane ride to Europe. He had second-degree burns on his legs when he woke up.
how’d he sleep through first degree burns?
we were flying business class, he had 2, or 3 drinks before passing out.
okay. that makes more sense
Hello and I am happy for you and a new lap top.
Actually I am just trying to help a couple of other Virily users that asked for a how do I pick a laptop!!
I love the photo of the twins. I used to have a laptop I used for watching and listening to YouTube so I would not have to do it all on my PC which I use to work on. However, now I have no laptop and I do not really need one but perhaps I will consider it so my PC can get a rest after a long day of work and I can turn to a laptop for entertainment.
if you are looking for a small (and cheaper) entertainment system, consider a tablet! Cheaper, and much better at the entertainment component!
More coming today!
Love love love that photo. My aww for the day.
well glad to give you your Awww today!!! thanks Carol!!!
Very helpful info. I will definitely use them when buying my next laptop.
i will add more tomorrow or Wednesday depending on the snowstorm tomorrow!
These are very useful, as I have been delaying getting a new laptop for a long time. Mine is over 5 years old and I honestly don’t know whether to consider it crap or great for still working decently for my needs.
i would say if it is still working it is a great computer!
I will add more in a couple of days,
Looking forward to seeing them! You know I am not very advanced when it comes to technology, my main focus right now is for the computer to be light weight.
my work computer is very light weight and I can easily carry with me.
That’s awesome! Do you care about brands or just focus on the specifications?
That is an awesome question.
Yes and no!
1. If, it is a computer that is going to be moving around a lot and in many different locations than i would service plans become important. that cuts down to only two vendors.
2. if it is a living room, home office, porch computer, then it becomes more about only functionality.
There are many more parts to consider. but that gives you a couple of why or why not specific brands.
I see, thank you for the clarifications!
what computer brand has the best service where you are?
I honestly have no idea about that. I picked this one based on the specifications and it’s the only one I have ever picked myself.
specs are a good starting point. I am publishing one more in this series today trying to help!
I am looking for the fastest lap top now a days
what are you using it for? you may need memory more than processor!