The laptop can be used for a variety of purposes. It has a different design. Even the OS installed on such devices is completely different. Most of the users who want to get a modern device at an affordable price are wondering how to choose a laptop for home. The concept of a budget price is ambiguous and differs significantly among those who take such a criterion into account. Since the financial budget of buyers is not the same for each consumer, it should not be tied to a specific cost. To choose a quality product, you should follow the recommendations.
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Principle of operation and device
The question often arises as to which laptop to choose. Any laptop for work and gaming applications includes a wide variety of components. For example, a case made of plastic or aluminum, a monitor, keyboard, battery, microprocessor, RAM and others.
It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the basic specifications of the notebook. Knowledge of the principles of operation of the device in question will give an understanding of the key indicators of this device. Any data in a computer is processed by a microprocessor. In addition, it uses RAM - the more its amount, the more software it is possible to run (and more pages can be opened in the browser).
User files (audio, documentation, video content, etc.) are stored in permanent memory - a hard disk, solid-state drive, or a combination of each of these devices is used as it. In gaming applications and during installation, a video card will become an important component of the product in question. Today, an integrated graphics adapter is often used. The image will be displayed on the monitor, although if the corresponding port is present, it can be displayed on the TV. Text entry and software control is carried out using keys and a touchpad.
Autonomous operation of the device is provided by the battery. However, the period of this work mainly depends not on the capacity of the battery, but on the optimization of the OS, the type of monitor installed and a large number of other factors.
Selection options
To choose an inexpensive laptop, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with its technical parameters. It is worth focusing on the microprocessor - the number of its cores, clock frequency, and developer. The best chips in terms of parameters are produced by Intel, but the components of this manufacturer will significantly increase the price of the device - therefore, in some cases, it is advisable to take a closer look at AMD.
RAM
The second key indicator will be RAM. 4 GB is suitable for the user only in the situation when a netbook is selected. In other situations, you need to purchase a device that is endowed with at least double the amount. For modern video editing, this is not always enough.It is possible to initially buy a device with the smallest amount of RAM, and in the future, if there are free funds, to additionally buy a similar amount. However, in this case, you need to clarify how many slots for RAM are integrated into the device, and how many memory strips are installed.
CPU
The microprocessor is considered to be one of the key components of the device that directly affects the performance and power consumption of a laptop.
The processors that are used in the fixtures are designed with a lower power consumption in mind. In view of this, the product can operate autonomously for more time, the noise of the cooling system is reduced due to the reduction of heat generation.
Microprocessor frequency - the higher this indicator, the higher the speed of the product. In order to function with office documentation, a frequency of 1.6 GHz will be sufficient, for gaming applications, working with graphics, etc., you will need to purchase a microprocessor with a frequency of 2 GHz. It should be noted that the frequency comparison is required only between processors of 1 family.
The number of cores will affect the computational ability of the microprocessor. Medium-priced products are equipped with 2-4 cores, high-end models - 6-8 cores (in particular, it is important for a gaming and professional laptop).
The 2 main microprocessor developers are Intel and AMD. For complex tasks, the most common Intel processors: Core i3 - 2-core, suitable for old software and gaming applications, Core i5 / i7 - for modern versions, the number of cores is 2 or 4.
In addition, you can find products with Core i9 - the most “advanced” and expensive microprocessor, which has 6 cores.
The microprocessor class is largely determined by performance. Therefore, it is optimal to choose CPUs of new generations, even with a lower frequency.
There are a variety of microprocessors that are designed for ultra-compact devices. They are distinguished by the lowest power consumption, but they are significantly inferior in power to other products. There are enough devices with such processors to solve the most simple tasks, for example, working with software and the Internet.
Hard drive and / or SSD
It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with how many gigabytes of information are obtained to be stored in the device. For example, when the user often plays, he will need a product with a 1 TB hard drive. When a user plans to install game applications or is limited to only one, then you need 500 GB.
In addition, today it is possible to consider the option of purchasing a computer with an SSD drive. Such a product is expensive, but it will delight you with virtually immediate loading of the OS and various software.
It is possible to consider a device with a combination of HDD and SSD. In such products, the OS is installed on a solid state drive, and the files and, often, are stored on the hard drive.
Display
Monitor resolution is also an important metric. The minimum resolution today is HD. Lovers of gaming applications and watching movies should make the benchmark on laptops with a Full HD monitor resolution. When the user follows the technological progress, it is possible to purchase a laptop with a 4K screen.
Gamers need to take into account the frame rate too. The higher the value, the smoother the image will be. The emphasis is on the technology of creating a monitor. IPS panels can have an extremely wide view and good color rendition. TFT monitors have slightly worse parameters, but they have the shortest recall period, which will attract many gamers.
Video card
The video adapter will be responsible for processing 3D graphics. The higher the performance, the more complex game applications you can play and the higher quality settings you can use. The laptop is equipped with an integrated or discrete adapter.
The integrated adapter is built into the microprocessor, which will make it possible to significantly reduce its price and increase the period of autonomous operation. The power of modern integrated video adapters is enough for many users, the lack of performance is felt only by those who play demanding applications. The user does not need to additionally select an integrated card, since he receives it in conjunction with a microprocessor. It should be noted that the newer and faster the microprocessor is purchased, the more efficient the integrated adapter will be.
Discrete graphics is a separate module that requires additional space in the device's case and increased cooling to avoid overheating. Directly because of this, discrete adapters are installed mainly in large-format laptops with a diagonal of 15.6 inches or more. The use of such an adapter will significantly increase the price of the device and worsen its autonomy, but when a gaming device is purchased, it will not be possible to do without such a chipset.
Battery
The larger the battery capacity, the more the device will work without an outlet, but the heavier it will be. In many situations, it is impossible to select the battery capacity, since the developer offers only 1 option for a specific product. Based on this, when the battery capacity does not suit the user, you will need to choose another product.
In addition to the battery, the type of microprocessor (standard or low-voltage), the presence of a discrete adapter and an SSD drive will affect the period of autonomous operation. When 1 product is produced in different variations of equipment, this will allow you to choose a device with a suitable performance and within the budget.
operating system
You should also focus on software. The installed OS will play an important role. It should be borne in mind that installing any version of Windows will cost the device developer a significant amount. Directly because in the cheapest devices there is no OS - they are installed free Linux or DOS. This means that after purchasing the device, the user will need to find Windows somewhere and install it.
When it comes to MacBooks, they are supplied with their own OS. It is theoretically possible to remove it by installing Windows. However, this is not recommended since Mac OS X is a stable system. You just need to adapt to it, then the user will not have to go back to Microsoft.
Other components
Other components of the device should also be of interest, but less so. For example, it is initially impossible to find out about the comfort of the keyboard - it is only possible to estimate the dimensions and location of specific keys. Only after a week of active typing is it possible to find out if the keyboard is considered comfortable. The webcam resolution is also a secondary parameter.
Much more important is the number of connectors located at the ends of the device. You will definitely need HDMI, and the number of USB ports is at least 4. It is optimal that more of them have a high-speed USB 3.0 interface. But Ethernet is actually not required today - it is unlikely that wired Internet will be used when Wi-Fi is present.
Top laptop manufacturers
The question often arises of how to choose an inexpensive but good laptop. First of all, most buyers focus on the company that manufactured the device. Often, an unpopular Chinese developer will not inspire confidence - there is a risk that his product will break soon. Better to choose a laptop from the following companies:
- Apple - makes expensive MacBooks that run Mac OS X.
- Lenovo is the largest and most popular developer of products from China, which are often sold at low prices.
- Toshiba is a Japanese manufacturer that is trying to build monitors of its own production into its own equipment.
- DELL is an American company that has been making fixtures for many years.
- Acer - the developer creates laptops in various price segments, including expensive gaming products.
- ASUS - often the manufacturer produces inexpensive laptops that are optimal in terms of a combination of price and quality parameters.
Types of laptops
In terms of internal components, virtually every device is quite similar to its counterpart. But experts are trying to divide laptop computers into different categories.
Screen size
Often, these devices differ in the diagonal of their own monitor, which is measured in inches. When the diagonal does not exceed 11 inches, then this device is called a netbook. It is primarily intended for study, short-term functioning with documentation and opening pages on the Internet. Its performance will probably not be enough to perform any other setting.
The most popular are laptops with monitors, the diagonal of which ranges from 13-15 inches. They are quite productive "working machines", the transportation of which will not create a large number of difficulties.
Specialists buy laptops with 17-inch monitors. They look massive, but the data from such a monitor will be much easier to perceive. In order to view a video, you do not need to connect the device in question to a TV - 17 inches will be enough for comfortable viewing of content.
Design
In addition, the considered devices may differ in their own design. For example, 4-5 years ago the word “ultrabook” came into use. Thus are called portable computers, the mass of which does not exceed 1.5-1.7 kg. In addition, such a device must be ultra-thin, as a result of which there is no hard disk in the middle - the information will be stored only on the SSD-drive.
Also, devices with a rotating monitor are now extremely common - their monitor has a touch layer, which will greatly simplify control.
In addition, there are so-called “Chromebooks”. Such devices are widespread in the United States and several other countries. They are equipped with the smallest set of components, and they use Chrome OS as an OS. It turns out that the operation will take place in the browser, and all media files will be saved in the "cloud". Of course, without access to the Internet, such a device will become virtually useless.
A separate category of products is gaming laptops. They are distinguished by a rather high cost, significant massiveness, and thickness - but this does not stop fans of gaming applications in any way.
Which laptop to choose
In the process of choosing a laptop computer, the user needs to think about what kind of tasks this device will have to solve. In this regard, it is necessary to take into account the advice of experts that will help to make the selection of the appropriate device:
- When a user needs a laptop only periodically to work with documentation and solve non-difficult tasks, you should think about purchasing a netbook that costs significantly less.
- If you plan to use a laptop instead of a desktop PC, then you will need to shell out a decent amount by purchasing a device with a 15 or 17 inch screen, a spacious hard drive and a powerful microprocessor.
- When a device is needed for work, a device is purchased that will definitely not slow down and spoil the user's nerves. You will need a productive fixture with a 17-inch monitor. They can be either a laptop with a Windows operating system or any MacBook. It is optimal to buy a device with a low weight.
- When a device is purchased for a child under the age of 10, then you should look for a product with a low weight and low cost. Although today it is not recommended for children to purchase a laptop, it is optimal to look after a tablet.
- When you need to choose a laptop for children aged 10-16, you will need a device with a production microprocessor and video adapter, since the child will definitely want to use a laptop for gaming applications.
- When a device is required to use capacious gaming applications on an ongoing basis, then you should purchase a gaming device. It will be able to pull absolutely any modern applications, and if necessary, it can also solve other tasks - for example, editing video content.
How much do laptops cost
To choose a quality laptop, you need to familiarize yourself with the price range. The cost in modern devices is completely different. For example, the price of netbooks can start at 15,000 rubles. However, it should be borne in mind that for a similar amount, the user receives the simplest device, which will periodically annoy with its own brakes. Yes, the monitor of such a device has an extremely low resolution.
High-quality devices for home use will cost from 30,000 rubles. Such a device has a capacious hard drive, a fairly efficient microprocessor and 8 GB of RAM. In theory, on this laptop, the user is able to edit video files, but the solution to such problems will be given to the device with significant efforts. When the consumer agrees to charge 5-10,000 rubles. from above, then instead of or as an addition to the HDD, it receives some supply of solid-state memory, and the monitor resolution will increase to 1080p.
Adding with extremely high quality components will cost the user 50-60,000 rubles. It will have a powerful video adapter and an extremely powerful microprocessor. This device has been used without any significant remarks for a long period of time.
When a consumer wants to get a real workstation or a gaming device, then you will need to pay 80-140,000 rubles. With such a device, it is possible to forget about the brakes. There are products with a higher cost, but their purchase should be considered only by successful specialists.
People often wonder how to pick a good laptop. To find out how to purchase a quality product, you should read these recommendations.
