As technology grows, the features and design of the laptop evolve as well. You have to know What are the Specifications of a Good Laptop That is why we have to know the changes in constantly growing technology. The manufacturer is developing better CPU, RAM, design, and other features in a laptop. International companies like Intel are always working to make their processor as fast as possible to meet user needs and the latest trends.
What are the Specifications of a Good Laptop?
There are many things to consider when buying a laptop. Choosing the right product will also depend on different factors. Whether you’re using your laptop for school, college, work, gaming, or just daily tasks, there are a wide variety of products available without spending a fortune.
Buying a laptop is a time-consuming process. We should spend our hard-earned money on that satisfying laptop. Most people got confused when buying a new laptop, as there are many manufacturers with the same type of hardware and software configuration for a laptop in a particular price range.
Before buying a laptop, many people research on the web for a particular laptop. But still, they are confused because they are overloaded with information. What they really should need is a laptop buying guide. A guide to buying a laptop will help you decide to buy a laptop.
It will tell you what are the specifications of a good laptop. As there are many components (hardware and software) in a portable system, we have examined all the features of a good laptop keep in mind before making a decision.
1. Choose an Operating Systems Windows 10, Mac, or Chrome OS
This is not an easy question to answer, especially if you are not familiar with Macs and PCs. But this quick overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform should help.
Most laptops come with one of three operating systems. Windows, Chrome OS, or macOS (for MacBooks only). Picking the right one is a personal preference, but here’s a quick rundown of what each one offers.
Apple macOS
All MacBooks come with Apple’s latest desktop operating system, macOS Big Sur. In general, the operating system offers similar functionality to Windows 10, but with a different version of the interface that replaces an application base at the bottom of the screen with the Start menu and the Microsoft taskbar.
Instead of the digital assistant Cortana, Mac users get Siri. They can also transact with Apple Pay, receive calls or text messages from their phones, and unlock their laptops with an Apple Watch. However, macOS is not made for touch, because no MacBook comes with a touch screen.
The latest macOS Big Sur operating system brings iPad apps to Mac (and iPad and iPad’s apps can run natively on Mac M1), as well as great improvements to both the Safari browser and Siri.
Chrome Operating System
It is found in low-cost Chromebooks, such as the Samsung Chromebook 3. Google’s operating system is simple and secure, but more limited than Windows or macOS. The user interface looks a lot like Windows with an application menu, a desktop, and the ability to drag windows, but the main application it uses is the Chrome browser.
The downside is that many of the “web applications” you use don’t work particularly well offline. That’s changing though, as all new Chromebooks, including the high-end Google PixelBook, can now run Android apps.
If you need a device for surfing the web and checking email, browsing social media, and chatting online, Chromebooks are very portable and tend to offer good battery life at low prices.
They are also extremely popular with schools and parents because they are difficult for children to infect with malware and they are more functional than most tablets.
If you need a Chromebook, look for one with at least 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. 1920 x 1080 resolution is preferred and 4K is better but very rare. Pay more to get a 2-in-1 if you plan to use Android apps.
Also, Check out the Top 10 Best Chromebooks Under $100 Dollars with Expert Buying Guide.
Windows 10
The most flexible operating system, Windows 10, runs on more laptop models than Chrome OS or macOS. Windows laptops range in price from under $ 150 to several thousand dollars and offer a wide range of features, from touchscreens to fingerprint readers to dual graphics chips.
Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship operating system, provides several enhancements over Windows 7 and 8, including the ability to switch between tablet and desktop modes, a revamped Start menu with Live Tiles, and the digital assistant Cortana.
Since its launch in July 2015, Windows 10 has also added several enhancements, including the ability to use follow-up questions with Cortana, search your email using natural language, and use your stylus to doodle almost anywhere.
Windows 10 laptops are great for students, researchers, and business users, and they’re the only machines gamers should consider. Also, check out Is Mac more User Friendly than Windows? Step by Step Guidelines.
2. 2-in-1 Laptop
Many laptops fall into the category of 2-in-1 laptops, hybrid devices that can switch between traditional clamshell mode, tablet mode, and other positions in between, such as a tent or stand modes. 2-in-1s generally come in two different styles detachable with screens that come out of the keyboard completely, and flexible laptops with hinges that fold back 360 degrees to change modes.
Most of these systems are far better for one purpose than the other, with the backs dubbed as laptops first and the detachable ones offering a superior tablet experience.
However, if you don’t see the need to use your laptop as a whiteboard, you will generally get more bang for your buck with a traditional laptop.
Also, check out Top 7 Best Cheap Touch Screen Laptop our Expert Picks.
3. Screen Size
Different laptop screen sizes are 13 inches 15 inches and 17 inches Before looking at the specs or pricing, you need to find out how portable you need your laptop to be. Laptops are generally classified by their screen sizes:
1. 11 to 12 inches. The thinnest and lightest systems out there have 11 to 12-inch screens and typically weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds.
2. 13-14 Inches. Provides the best balance between portability and ease of use, especially if you are purchasing a laptop that weighs less than 4 pounds.
3. 15 to 16 inches. The most popular size, 15-inch laptops generally weigh 4 to 5.5 pounds. Consider this size if you want a larger screen and don’t plan to carry your laptop around frequently. Laptops with 16-inch screens are rare, but Apple could start the trend with its 16-inch MacBook Pro.
4. 17 to 18-inch. If your laptop sits on your desk all day, every day, a 17-inch or 18-inch system could give you the kind of processing power you need to play high-end games or perform productivity at a premium. workstation level.
4. Keyboard and Touch Panel
The world’s most impressive specs mean nothing if the laptop you’re buying doesn’t have good ergonomics. If you plan to do a lot of work on your computer, make sure the keyboard offers solid tactile feedback, plenty of key travel (the distance the key goes down when pressed, usually 1-2mm), and enough space between the keys.
If you are buying a Windows laptop, make sure it has Precision touchpad drivers. Look for an accurate touchpad that doesn’t give you a jumping cursor and consistently responds to multi-touch gestures, like pinch-to-zoom.
If you’re shopping for a business laptop, consider purchasing one with a pointing stick (also known as a knot) between the G and H keys so that you can navigate the desktop without lifting your fingers from the home row of the keyboard.
5. Choose your Processor
Notebook components like the processor, hard drive, RAM, and graphics card or graphic chip can confuse even laptop fans, so don’t feel bad if the spec sheets sound like an alphabet soup. These are the main components that you need to pay attention to.
1 CPU. The “brain” of your computer, the processor has a huge influence on performance, but depending on what you want to do, even the least expensive model can be good enough.
2. 11th Gen Intel CPU. Intel introduced 1st Gen Tiger Lake processors that will power the next generation of notebooks. You can read about these processors in more detail here.
In short, Tiger Lake, a 10-nanometer chip, offers enhanced integrated Iris Xe graphics with speeds up to 4.8Ghz and Thunderbolt 4 compatibility.
The new EVO brand sets benchmarks for the best laptops, including a minimum of 9 hours run time. battery.
3. Intel Core i9. Replacing the Core i7 as Intel’s high-end CPU, Core i9 processors provide faster performance than any other mobile chip.
Available only on premium laptops, workstations, and high-end gaming rigs, Core i9 CPUs are only worth their premium price if you’re a power user using the most demanding programs and apps.
4. Intel Core i7. A step up from the Core i5, models with numbers ending in HQ or K use higher power and have four cores, enabling even faster gaming and productivity. There are also Core i7 Y series chips that have lower power and performance.
Keep an eye out for CPUs that have a 10 in the model number because they are part of Intel’s latest-generation Core Series, 10th and 11th generation, and offer better performance.
5. Intel Core i5. If you are looking for a mainstream laptop with the best combination of price and performance, get one with an Intel Core i5 CPU. Models that end in U are the most common.
The ones with a Y in the name are energy efficient and perform worse, while the HQ models use more power and appear in thicker gaming systems and workstations.
Intel’s newest 11th Gen Tiger Lake CPUs have four cores and a host of useful features, including Wi-Fi 6 support, Thunderbolt 4 integration, and better artificial intelligence.
6. Intel Core i3. Performance is just one step below the Core i5 and so is the price. If you can upgrade to a Core i5, we recommend it.
7. Intel Xeon. Extremely powerful and expensive processors for large mobile workstations. If you’re doing pro-level engineering, 3D modeling, or video editing, you might want a Xeon, but you’re not getting good battery life or a lightweight laptop.
8. Intel Pentium / Celeron. Common in laptops under $ 400, these chips offer the slowest performance, but they can if your main tasks are light web browsing and document editing. If you can pay more to get a Core i3 or i5, you will be better off.
9. Intel Core m / Core i5 / i7 “Y Series. Low power consumption and low heat allow systems with these processors to run without a fan. The performance is better than the Celeron, but a notch below the normal Core U series.
10. AMD Ryzen 4000 and Ryzen 5000. A new chipset that is designed to compete with the Intel Core i5 and Core i7. We have found that the Ryzen 4000 and Ryzen 5000 chips outperform the equivalent Intel Core processors.
For example, the Ryzen 5 4500U CPU offers roughly the same performance as an Intel Core i7 CPU. Not only do you get great performance and endurance, but Ryzen 4000 and Ryzen 5000 equipped laptops have They tend to be cheaper than their Intel counterparts.
11. AMD A, FX, or E series. Found in inexpensive laptops, processors from AMD (the company calls them APUs rather than CPUs) provide decent performance for the money that is good enough for web browsing, media visualization, and productivity.
12. Apple M1. Apple’s first custom silicon chip, the ARM-based M1 chip crushes the competition when it comes to raw endurance and performance. Also, check out Everything you Need to Know about Graphics Card, RAM, Core.
6. Storage
Hard drives used to be all the rage, but these days they are out of favor, especially for thin and light laptops. This is because they can be slow, somewhat bulky, and produce noticeable heat and noise.
A solid-state drive (SSD), on the other hand, offers much more speed than a hard drive, runs quietly, and can be installed in a form factor that doesn’t add too much to the weight and bulk of a laptop.
As a result of these clear benefits, most OEMs have adopted SSD storage as the standard for laptops.
Use an SSD for your new laptop and you will love the speed with which you can load programs, access your data, and also how quickly you can start your system.
The only problem is that SSDs don’t offer that much raw capacity. Additionally, SSD storage is also typically more expensive in terms of dollars to gigabytes than traditional hard drives.
You could end up stuck with a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB size drive and it costs a lot more than one would cost with a 1TB or 2TB hard drive.
To compensate, many laptop and PC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) now combine a smaller SSD with a larger hard drive.
This allows consumers to reap the speed benefits of keeping their operating system on SSD storage while still having adequate storage space for the rest of their data.
If you go for something with this dual-drive setup, you’ll generally want an SSD with a minimum of 256GB of storage and a secondary drive with no less than 1TB.
Alternatively, if your laptop only has one SSD at its disposal, you’ll want to make sure it includes no less than 512GB of storage space.
Newer and faster laptops also have NVMe solid-state drives that are even faster than traditional SSDs, but also more expensive.
If you’re going to buy a new laptop in 2020, you’ll want one with an SSD. However, with that said, don’t feel too pressured to spend more on the latest model here.
While it is true that the newer SSDs have better speeds than previous models, the biggest benefits you enjoy here are more related to the fundamental advances that SSDs offer over traditional hard drive storage.
7. Graphics Chip
If you’re not playing PC games, creating 3D objects, or editing high-resolution video, an integrated graphics chip that shares system memory will be fine, especially the latest Iris Xe graphics from Intel. However, if you have any of the above needs, a discrete graphics processor from Nvidia or AMD is essential.
As with CPUs, there are high-end and low-end graphics chips. Low-end gaming or workstation systems today typically have Nvidia MX450 or GTX 1660 GPUs, while mid-range models have RTX 2050 or RTX 2060 and higher-end models have 30-series chips like the ones.
RTX 3070 or 3080 GPUs. Nvidia maintains a list of its low-end to high-end graphics chips. Nvidia’s rivals AMD is Apple’s preferred provider for graphics cards, although you shouldn’t buy a MacBook to play games.
AMD released the Radeon RX 5600M and Radeon RX 5700M GPUs last year. AMD also maintains a list of its graphics cards.
8. Ports
While the absence of ports is generally not a deal-breaker when choosing a laptop, getting the connections you need directly into the system is helpful, rather than having to carry a large number of dongles. Most mainstream laptops will have USB 3.0 ports and HDMI output for video.
However, an increasing number of laptops are using USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports that are compatible with USB Type-C. Getting Type-C is a definite advantage because you can use it to connect to universal chargers and bases.
If you can wait, USB 4 is coming soon with faster transfer speeds and the ability to daisy-chain 4K monitors with a single cable.
Other useful connections include SD card slots, headphone jacks, and Ethernet ports especially if you’re a gamer.
9. Connectivity
If you need to use your laptop on the go, consider purchasing a laptop with 4G LTE or 5G support. You will have to pay for a data subscription plan, but this will allow you to access the internet away from a router.
If you want a laptop with the latest and greatest connectivity options, look for one with Wi-Fi 6 support. Wi-Fi 6 offers higher theoretical throughputs and a more stable connection than 802.11ac.
We also suggest looking for a laptop with Bluetooth 5, the latest standard offering enhanced connectivity with Bluetooth-enabled devices such as mice and headsets.
DVD / Blu-ray Drives – Few laptops come with optical drives, because all software and movies are downloadable, although we’ve kept track of laptops with DVD drives.
However, if you need to read/write discs and your laptop of choice doesn’t come with a built-in DVD drive, you can always buy an external one that connects via USB for less than $ 20.
10. Battery Life
If you’re shopping for a big, bulky laptop or gaming rig that you’ll use only at a desk near an outlet, you don’t have to worry about battery life.
However, if you plan to use the laptop on your lap, even if you are at home or work, you will want at least 7 hours of stamina, with more than 8 hours being ideal.
To determine the expected battery life of a laptop, don’t take the manufacturer’s word for it. Instead, read third-party results from objective sources, such as our reviews.
11. Plan According to your Budget
These days, you can buy a usable laptop for under $ 200, but if you can budget more, you’ll get a system with the better build quality, higher performance, and a better screen. This is what you can get for each price range.
The least expensive laptops are Chromebooks, which run Google’s browser-centric operating system, or lower-end Windows systems with minimal storage and slower processors, such as the HP Stream 11 and Dell Inspiron 11 3000.
Use them as secondary computers only or give them to children. For under $ 600, you can get a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or AMD A8 CPU, 4-8GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive.
However, at this price, most laptops don’t have an SSD, a Full HD display, or a long battery life. There are some notable exceptions, such as the Acer Aspire E 15 and the Asus Chromebook Flip C434.
As you get over $ 600, you’ll start to see more premium designs, like metallic finishes.
Manufacturers are also beginning to add other features as you move up the price ladder, including higher-resolution displays and SSDs.
Lenovo IdeaPad 530s and Asus ZenBook UX333FA are great examples of laptops that offer all of these benefits for less. Above $ 900: In this price range, expect laptops that are more portable, more powerful, or both.
Expect higher-resolution displays, faster processors, and possibly discrete graphics. Lighter and more durable ultraportables, like the Apple MacBook Air and Dell XPS 13, tend to cost more than $ 1,000 though you can get the Dell for less if you don’t opt for a touchscreen.
12. Consider the Brand
Your laptop is only as good as the company behind it. Accurate and timely technical support is paramount, Last year, Apple took the top spot, followed by the big story of the year. Razer, while Dell rounded out the top three. The stand is only part of what makes a notebook brand worth its money.
You should also consider how the manufacturer compares to the competition in terms of design, value and selection, review performance, and other criteria. In our 2020 Best and Worst Laptop Brands Report, HP ranked first, followed by Asus and Dell. ‘
We’ve also rated gaming laptop brands, with MSI taking the top spot and Acer and Alienware rounding out the top three.
13. Biometric Security
Fingerprint readers are great for logging in on mobile devices and the latest Windows 10 operating system makes more use of them with its Windows Hello system.
People can guess your password, but few can forge a fingerprint. To keep the contents of your laptop safe, a laptop with a fingerprint reader is often the best way forward.
Fortunately, this feature is a fairly common inclusion in many modern laptops from major OEMs like ASUS, Dell, and HP.
Some have even integrated the fingerprint sensor into the keyboard, making it feel like a more cohesive part of the package rather than a screw-in one.
Also, some brands have even gone one step further and introduced FaceID-style facial recognition technology that allows you to unlock your laptop at a glance.
As with Android phones, a distinction must be made here between devices that are based on a 2D face unlock model and those that offer full 3D biometrics.
It’s great to see modern laptops continue to raise the bar on this particular front, even if the degree to which it matters is largely personal preference.
For most people, a standard fingerprint sensor will provide more than enough peace of mind.
14. Build Quality
No matter how careful we are, most laptops will inevitably find themselves dropped, thrown, and hit by the rigors of everyday use. For that reason, it is worth checking how many tests a laptop has undergone (the manufacturer usually boasts about it) or if there is some kind of certification that you can put your trust in.
Modern laptops are often ruggedized to resist rain and dust. Some are built especially for brutal educational environments and come with military-grade protection certifications. The most common of these you will see is MIL-STD 810G.
MIL-STD-810G is a standard used by the US military to indicate a minimum guaranteed level of durability. Compatible products have passed a series of 29 independent tests that measure resistance to shock, heat, cold, humidity, and more.
Although originally developed as a way to obtain government contracts, MIL-STD-810G has become increasingly common in consumer technology in recent years.
For one thing, it’s good for consumers that most of the major manufacturers have adopted the same language and standards for measuring durability.
However, on the other hand, the reality is that having a product that is MIL-STD-810G compliant doesn’t always translate into the kind of robustness you’d expect it to have.
For those reasons, it’s best to use MIL-STD-810G as a starting point when it comes to thinking about the durability and build quality of your next laptop. It shouldn’t be your only consideration.
A better way to tackle the problem is to look at the design of laptops and the specific claims that are being made around durability.
Is the manufacturer talking about drop tests or spill resistance that go beyond the usual MIL-STD-810G spiel? It’s probably a good sign.
As ubiquitous as MIL-STD-810G is as a standard, it’s often unclear how rigorously manufacturers are applying to stick to the spirit of the thing.
And if you want to make sure your next laptop can take a hit or two, its Brands that go one step further are worth looking at.
15. LTE, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet?
When it comes to buying a laptop, a big question to ask yourself is Should you buy a laptop with LTE? Unlike laptops with built-in network cards, LTE laptops can connect to mobile data signals.
That means that instead of having to connect to a wireless network at home, in the office, or at Wi-Fi hotspots, your laptop can connect directly to a mobile ISP to access the Internet.
The main benefit of this is that you can use your laptop anywhere. outdoors, traveling by bus, or even on the beach. If that convenience sounds good, this option may be perfect for you. However, there are some caveats.
LTE technology is in the category of high-end notebooks, so you will pay for the privilege. Also, just like with your phone, you will need to have a data plan or purchase prepaid data to use your LTE.
And as such, your experience will be influenced by the speed of your laptop’s network connection and the amount of data on your plan.
Conclusion
Before buying any laptop you should keep in mind these 15 specifications of a good laptop. If you have these features of a laptop in mind, you can easily buy the latest and greatest for any purpose of use. But these characteristics are common to consider for all laptops or gaming PCs.
Therefore, you need to know the requirements of the specification list of the laptop before you buy it. Then you can select the best laptops from many brands. I hope this article is helpful for you.