Prior to looking at the price of a laptop, it is important to consider its intended use. A second thing you should do is research the specs to avoid making a costly mistake.
When there are so many laptops to choose from, it can be difficult to select the one that best suits your needs.
Some people may value a 4K screen. Others may want a high-performance CPU to gain a competitive advantage in games, especially now that gamers are also using game cheats and hacks to gain the same. In addition, getting value for money can be challenging since new technologies don’t always mean better performance.
Despite the popularity of standalone smartphones and tablets, most people realize that everything from typing a research paper to playing video games works better on a laptop.
If there is something the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is to have multiple streams of income. Thanks to technology, you can now work from home in the middle of the night with the best laptops out there.
This post outlines the average price of a laptop and some tips to help you pick the right one.
Average Cost of a Laptop – Price of a Laptop
Consumers purchase laptops for an average of $700.
Those on a budget can expect to find an inexpensive laptop for $300 to $700. Mid-size laptops weighing 6 to 8 pounds typically have mediocre battery life.
If you need to replace a desktop, you might want to look into a laptop with a larger screen, which is more advantageous but will require a lot of care e.g., learn how to clean a laptop screen. A mid-range desktop replacement laptop with a dual-core processor, 2GB memory, and average battery life will cost $700 to $1500.
For frequent travelers, ultra-portable laptops cost between $1,100 and $2,200. Invest in a slim model that weighs less than 4 pounds and offers long-lasting battery life for all the hours you spend traveling.
Slim and light laptops are designed for business users who want a combination of portability and performance. Expect to pay $800 to $2000 for a laptop that weighs 4 to 6 pounds but isn’t too thick.
Multimedia users and gamers need a high-end desktop replacement laptop with a powerful processor, such as the Intel Core 2 Extreme, and at least 2GB of RAM. Prices range from $1,500 to $3,000.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laptop
Here are the most important things to consider when buying a laptop.
Size
When choosing a laptop, you will need to pick the size that is the right fit for you. Laptop sizes start from 11.6 inches all the way up to 17.3 inches.
Typically, if portability is a priority, you would choose a small-sized Windows laptop. Smaller laptops tend to be lighter and thinner. A laptop size between 12.5 inches and 13.3 inches and a weight between 1Kg and 1.5Kg should be ideal.
In contrast, small-sized laptops do not support the same high-performance Intel Core CPUs or discrete graphics cards found in their larger counterparts.
Screen Quality
You will probably be staring at your laptop for long hours, so opt for a screen that’s easy on your eyes. For this, you will need a screen that is comfortable to look at.
Consider whether you want a touch screen on your next laptop. As you may have seen in 2-in-1 laptops, touch screens have become very common, they make certain tasks much easier. But they can sometimes add a glossiness to the display.
A laptop screen that utilizes in-plane switching technology offers the best viewing angles and user comfort.
If you’re a gamer, make sure to check the refresh rate. You’ll get a competitive edge with a faster refresh rate.
Keyboard Quality
Ideally, you want a keyboard that has a comfortable layout with full-sized keys and some space around arrow keys.
Make sure the keyboard is backlit so that you can see what you are typing, especially in dimly lit areas. In addition to being useful, backlit keys can drain batteries, so keep that in mind.
Battery Life
In reality, a laptop’s battery is often quite different from what it says on the box. How long the battery lasts will depend on factors such as the brightness of the screen and the type of programs running.
Check the battery’s rating in Watt-hours or milliamp-hours. The higher the number, the longer the battery will last.
CPU
Intel core processor offers the best performance when it comes to multitasking and multimedia tasks.
Those who are looking for excellent performance should consider Core i7 systems. However, with this type of system, the heat produced by the laptop can be a concern, especially if you plan to use the laptop on your lap for a long time.
Laptops with i9 Core Processors are more powerful than laptops with i7 Core Processors.
AMD’s Ryzen Mobile Chips can make laptops a little cheaper than Intel’s counterparts and can represent better value for money.
RAM & Storage
The best option for power users is 16 GB RAM. If you’re a gamer, you’ll want a laptop with 32GB or more.
As a result of more RAM, more applications can be run simultaneously and more data can be accessed by the system at once.
Check if your laptop has dual or single-channel RAM. Dual-channel laptops are more desirable than those with an equivalent amount of single-channel memory clocked at the same transfer speed.
Operating System
Windows is the operating system of choice for most users. The macOS and Linux do have their niche, however.
Google’s stripped-down Chrome OS requires the smallest amount of power, which is why it powers low-cost Chromebooks that may have battery problems.. For those who use web-based applications, such as Google Docs, Cloud Storage, and Video Streaming, using Chromebooks would be ideal.
Web Camera
Now that video conferencing is on the rise, it’s time for the Web Camera to shine. Make sure you know where your Web Camera is located. The camera on PCs is now below the screen instead of above, so you get a bezel-less display.
Conclusion
When buying a laptop for the purpose of running a business, you should determine how much value it will bring to your company. The investment will be worth it if it will increase productivity dramatically.
Consider a less expensive model that will satisfy your needs if you only need an extra laptop for basic tasks.
