WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A
LAPTOP
Buying a
computer means wading through a bunch of tech specs revolving around processor
models, amount of RAM, the difference between integrated and dedicated graphic
cards, hard disk capacities, solid state drives, screen sizes and whether you
should opt for touchscreen or not. Well, don't worry.
JUST READ ON…
PROCESSOR
The
capabilities of a laptop depend considerably on the processor you choose. A
good processor will allow you to run more tasks simultaneously , and will be
able to run advanced software. In laptops, you have a choice between Intel and
AMD processors... For internet browsing and basic productivity: Intel Atom,
Celeron and Pentium processors and the AMD A4 are budget offerings that are
adequate for running basic tasks like working with documents and spreadsheets.
Atom processors are usually found on smaller netbooks that are generally built
for Internet surfing and e-mailing.
To
extract greater productivity out of your laptop, choose between Intel Pentium
and Celeron, or the AMD A4 that can also run HD movies. Between the Pentium and
Celeron, opt for the former as it works 30-60% faster than the latter in
certain tasks. All of the above + photo editing: Here, you can choose between
the Intel Core i3 and the AMD A6. Both support Full HD videos and entry-level
PC games. All of the above + high-end gaming: If you have the budget, go for
Intel's Core i5 or the AMD A8, which boast of better multitasking and work well
for video rendering, and high-end gaming.
All
of the above + 3D graphics and video rendering: The Intel Core i7 and AMD A10
sit right on top of the processor pile. Buy these for heavy-duty processing
tasks, extreme multitasking and for future-proof gaming.
NOTE:
It should be noted that processors come with different clock speed, which is
denoted in `GHz'. This means not all Core i3, i5, or i7 processors are
identical, so opt for the highest clock speeds and greater number of cores
wherever possible for best performances in that category. Secondly, always buy
laptops with processors from the most current generation. For instance the `4'
in the Core i5 4300M processor denotes fourth generation, while the `5' in the
Core i5 5300U denotes the fifth and most current generation.
RAM
A
good processor defines the capabilities of a laptop, but it needs to be
supported by an adequate amount of RAM. This component temporarily stores data
during processing tasks. For example, more RAM enables web pages to load faster
and will ensure that games, high-end software like photo and video editors will
run without any hitches.
For
productivity, you will need between 2 and 4GB RAM, though we recommend a
minimum of 4GB.
If
you're going to be running photoand video-editing software, go in for 6GB.
When
it comes to multi-tasking and gaming, opt for 8GB.
For
extreme gaming and processintensive tasks like video editing and 3D rendering,
we would advise anything between 12 and 16GB RAM.
NOTE:
Most machines are preloaded with 2 or 4GB RAM, but you can install extra RAM
from your laptop manufacturer .This, of course, will cost extra.
GRAPHIC
PROCESSOR (GPU)
All
Intel-based laptops come with an integrated graphics processor. In the latest
versions, these are either called Intel HD Graphics (5000, 5500 or 6000) or the
newer Intel Iris HD Graphics 6100. The AMD A4, A6, A8 and A10 processors are
called APUs (advanced processing unit) that include a graphics proces sor.
These are more than sufficient for most tasks, including Full HD movie playback
and entry-level gaming.
But
for high-end gam ing, you will need a dedi cated graphic card with at least 2GB
dedicated memory .Here, you can look for GPUs carrying the Nvidia GeForce GTX,
GeForce GT or the AMD Radeon brand names.
STORAGE
Most
machines come with 500GB hard drives. This is enough to store hi-res images and
even Full HD movies.But if you plan on installing computer games or working
with video files, we would recommend at least 1TB storage.
You
might have also noticed that some laptops come with SSDs or Solid State Drives.
These boast of faster read, write, and load times than a hard drive. If you're
looking for a laptop to use for work and while on the move, opt for a machine
that augments its hard drive with an SSD, as this allows for quicker boot-up
and wake times.
DISPLAY
Depending
on your usage, you will also need to fix on screen size... Pick a display of
11-12 inches found on netbooks if all you need to do is browse the web and
send e-mails. Such devices will give you better battery life and are easier to
carry on travels.
If
you intend to use the laptop for presentations, spreadsheets, and the
occasional movie, then 14to 15.6-inch screens should serve you well.
For
use with graphics-editing tools, video-processing software, or games, buy a
laptop with a 17-inch display .
Before
buying, make it a point to check the display's viewing angles, colour
reproduction and whether it is matte, glossy or anti-glare. For this, carry a
pen drive with high-resolution pictures and movies. Use these to judge the
brightness and contrast levels of the laptop screen, as well as its viewing
angles. Most laptops come with TFT LCD displays, which are good enough for
basic usage. However, they suffer from narrow viewing angles and are not suited
for graphics work. Gamers and digital artists should stick to IPS displays,
which offer better viewing angles and render a wider range of colours.
Avoid
glossy displays if you are going to be working in the outdoors as they are
reflective and distracting. A touch-enabled display is usually glossy , so make
sure it is bright enough to overcome reflections.
EXTRAS
FOR AN EXECUTIVE MACHINE
Before
buying, check for an HDMI port that will let you connect your laptop to a large
screen device for presentations. If possible, opt for a machine that comes with
a backlit keyboard, as this will also help you see the keys when making your
presentations in a dark room, or while working in low-light environments.
Savio
D'Souza and Ashutosh Desai TOI2MAY15
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