7 most important things to consider before buying a Windows laptop

Due to the wide range of options available, choosing a Windows laptop can be a challenge. However, if you clearly outline your requirements before you buy, things will be much easier. Since you are about to buy a laptop that you will own for a long time, it is essential to consider all the important aspects to find a suitable device.

To make it easier for you to determine your needs, TipsMake has compiled a list of questions you need to answer when looking for the perfect Windows laptop.

1. How much do you want to spend on a laptop?

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Windows laptops come in a variety of price points, some within reach of those on a tight budget and others costing thousands of dollars. Determining your budget in advance will help you better filter out devices that fall within a certain price range and meet your needs.

Therefore, before you start looking for a laptop, you should decide how much you can afford. Once the price has been decided, move on to the next step.

2. What do you intend to use your Windows laptop for?

After deciding on a budget, ask yourself what you plan to use your laptop for. Do you want a laptop for business, work or study? Do you want a laptop for specific needs such as gaming, graphic design, etc. or want to own a versatile machine that can be used for many tasks?

Your buying goal also affects other factors that you need to consider in your next steps, such as your device's battery life, hardware specifications, device portability, the brand you choose, etc. So think carefully about your needs and determine the plan to work with your laptop.

This step also decides which apps you want to have on your PC first. For example, would your laptop be useless without a word processor on it? If so, it might be worth looking into laptops where Office comes pre-installed or comes with a few months of Office 365 use.

Clearly defining your needs can eliminate the need to buy a new computer, if you find some reason why you don't need a laptop. You can choose a different device instead.

3. What hardware specifications are most important to you?

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Once you have determined the purpose of buying a laptop, you should analyze how powerful its hardware is to meet your needs. Is there a specific purpose you hope your laptop will fulfill? If that's the case, you may need to prioritize some hardware components over others for your system to function properly.

For example, if you're buying a gaming laptop or planning to do graphics-intensive work on it, make sure the GPU is powerful enough to handle the workload. Likewise, buying a laptop for work or study does not necessarily require a GPU, but a more powerful processor and RAM. Based on that, list the specifications your device needs to function at its best.

4. How long do you need your laptop battery to last on a single charge?

Even the best laptop in the world cannot serve the user well, if its battery does not last long and runs out at the worst time. After taking into account the first 3 factors, you should ask yourself how long the laptop will last on a single charge so that it doesn't have to be recharged as often.

In cases where you can't connect your device to a power source for a long time, such as when traveling, you should aim for a device that can last all day on a single charge. Conversely, battery life shouldn't be a concern if you plan to use the device primarily at your desk, such as at work, or for gaming, where you can plug it in every time you use it. use.

However, make sure the battery lasts at least long enough to get you through power outages or outdoor excursions.

5. What size and weight of laptop best suits your needs?

Portability is another factor to consider when buying a laptop. The lighter and more compact the laptop, the easier it is to move. In case you always carry your laptop in your pocket when traveling, you should buy a laptop that is light and compact to easily put in your backpack.

Dedicated laptops, such as gaming consoles, are often heavy and have wide screens, making them bulkier and harder to move. Therefore, when considering the impact of portability on how you use your laptop, consider size and weight before spending money.

6. Which brand should you choose and what warranty options are there?

Laptop brands cater to the needs of different audiences. However, not all manufacturers specialize in every category; each is known for creating the best laptops for a specific purpose. For example, gaming laptops Acer, Asus, MSI and Gigabyte have a competitive advantage over other competitors.

Thus, based on the purpose you need the laptop to determine which brand specializes in designing laptops for that industry and choose the brand accordingly.

Besides that, you should consider how reliable the warranty options the brand offers. By choosing a laptop with a good warranty, you can rest assured that your money has been properly spent and won't have to resort to independent repair shops if your laptop breaks down. Make sure the laptop you buy is warranted for at least a year or two.

7. What type and number of ports do you need on your laptop?

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Just as it is essential to own a long-lasting laptop from a trusted brand, with high portability and high-end hardware, your device must also have ports. connection you need. Ethernet, HDMI, and USB Type-C ports are some of the ports you definitely need on your laptop. So if your use case requires these ports, choose a laptop with them.

Obviously, you can always buy an external adapter to connect devices using ports that laptops don't support; However, that will add to the cost and take up space on your desk.

Lesley Montoya

Update 27 June 2023