Operating Systems
The opera
·
OS X
Installed exclusively
on Mac computers, OS X boasts an elegant and easy-to-use interface to
complement Macs' sleek aesthetics and impressive battery life. Macs have
historically had fewer issues with viruses and malware. However, MacBooks start
at a higher price point than other laptops, and no Mac model to date includes
touch-screen functionality.
Windows is designed
specifically around an intuitive touch-screen interface (though it can be used
with a traditional mouse and keyboard), expanding your navigation options. It
also features a new task manager, streamlined file management and a suite of
built-in apps.
·
Chrome OS
Featured exclusively
in the Chromebook line of mobile computers, this OS runs custom apps and
cloud-based programs rather than traditional software. It's great for surfing
the Web, keeping up with your e-mail and social networks, and sharing your
photos with friends and family, rather than more data-intensive tasks like
video editing and hardcore gaming.
Screen Features
· Screen SIZE
Laptop screen sizes
range from about 11 to 17 inches. A larger screen is ideal for gaming, watching
movies, photo and video editing, and viewing documents side by side. Keep in
mind, a big screen can increase the overall size, weight and power consumption of
a laptop.
· Resolution
Higher resolution
equals better picture quality. Laptop screens come in a range of resolutions
(measured in pixels, horizontal x vertical):
·
HD: 1366 x 768 resolutions is standard on
mainstream laptops. Good for Web-surfing, e-mail and basic computing tasks.
·
HD+: 1600 x 900 resolutions is great for casual
gaming and watching DVD movies.
·
Full
HD: 1920 x 1080 resolutions
allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and play video games without losing any
level of detail.
·
Retina
display: 2304 x 1440, 2560 x
1600 and 2880 x 1800 resolutions are found in Apple's 12", 13.3" and
15.6" laptop displays, respectively.
·
QHD
(Quad HD) and QHD: With
2560 x 1440 and 3200 x 1800 resolutions, respectively, the extremely high pixel
density creates crisp detail and sharp text, ideal for professional photo and
graphics work as well as high-def movies and games.
·
4K
Ultra HD: 3840 x 2160 resolution
boasts four times the pixels of Full HD, creating rich colors and images for
viewing and editing incredibly lifelike images and graphics.
· Display types
Different display
technologies yield different colors and brightness levels. Many laptops employ
LED backlighting, which can display bright colors without draining the battery.
If you plan to use your laptop to watch movies and shows with a friend, choose
a display with an IPS panel for wider viewing angles. Screens with a glossy
finish generally provide richer colors and darker blacks, while matte displays
will reduce glare if you frequently work outdoors or near windows.
· Touch screens
Touch-screen laptops
make navigating on your computer more intuitive. Tap to select, hold and drag
to move items, swipe to scroll and pinch to zoom, just as you would on a
smartphone or tablet. Currently available on many Windows laptops and select
Chromebooks.
Processors
Your laptop's
processor is like its brain. Working in combination with system memory, the
power of the processor determines the complexity of software you can run, how
many programs you can have open at the same time, and how fast those programs
will run. Most laptops feature an Intel® or AMD processor.
· Intel® Processors
Intel's processors are
at the heart of every modern MacBook and the majority of Windows laptops. Most
prevalent are Intel's Core ™ series of multicore processors:
·
Core
i7: Intel's
top-of-the-line consumer processor. The choice of "power users" like
hardcore gamers, graphic designers, photographers and videographers. It excels
at serious multitasking and high-demand multimedia creation for projects in 3D
or high definition.
·
Core
i5: Mid-grade Core
processor and one of the most common Intel processors currently in use.
Powerful enough for most computing tasks, and multitasks well so you can stream
the big football game while looking up stats and sending e-mails.
·
Core
i3: The entry-level
Core processor, more than adequate for everyday e-mail, Internet and
productivity tasks. It's also fine for common activities like listening to
music.
·
Core
M: A processor designed
for ultraslim devices, providing plenty of power for day-to-day surfing and
e-mailing without being a major drain on battery life.
In value-priced
laptops, you'll also see Intel's Pentium® and Celeron® processors. These are
adequate for basic e-mail, Internet and productivity tasks, but their speed and
multitasking capabilities are limited relative to those of the Core family.
· AMD Processors
AMD has two categories
of processors that are most common:
FX and A-Series: Like Intel's Core chips, these
processors include a graphics processor built into the same chip. In order from
top-of-the-line to entry level, they include:
·
FX: Best Buy-exclusive powerhouse for
serious gaming and heavy multitasking
·
A10: AMD's flagship chip, with blazing
quad-core speed and exceptional graphics performance
·
A8: Improved graphics performance enables
immersive 3D gaming in HD
·
A6: Smoother video streaming and enhanced
photo quality
·
A4: Responsive performance for music, photos
and video
E-Series: Similar to Intel's Celeron and Pentium
processors, these are value-oriented chips with limited speed and multitasking
capabilities. They're appropriate for basic computing tasks like e-mail, Web
surfing and word processing.
Variances exist within
processor classes. Laptops designed for exceptional battery life often
incorporate an ultra-low-voltage version of the listed processor, which usually
sacrifices processing speed.
For heavy graphics
work or gaming, choose a laptop with a dedicated graphics card and video
memory. Having separate resources for your graphics allows for faster, smoother
processing while you're watching movies, playing games or multitasking.
Memory
Random-access memory, or RAM, is important
because it helps your processor tackle multiple tasks at once. A minimum of 2GB
is required for basic computing, but 6GB or more is recommended if you're into
graphics and advanced photo or video editing. Most laptops have 4GB–8GB
pre-installed, and some have up to 32GB. If you think you might need more
memory later, choose a model that lets you expand the RAM.
Internal Storage
Traditional hard disk
drives offer larger storage capacities, but add to a laptop's weight and
thickness while generating heat and noise. Alternatively, solid state drives
(also known as SSDs or flash storage) are much lighter, faster, cooler and
quieter than hard drives — but they're also much more expensive per GB, so
typically provide less storage space. Some laptops feature a hybrid drive,
which combines a hard drive with a solid state drive for the benefits of both.
· Hard Disk Drives
Traditional, mechanical
hard disk drives are the most common type of storage because they're relatively
inexpensive and offer huge capacities. However, they also add significantly to
a laptop's weight and thickness, and generate both heat and noise. They come in
two standard speeds: A 5400 rpm drive is sufficient for day-to-day Web surfing,
e-mailing and document creation, but a 7200 rpm drive transfers data more
quickly and may be worth considering if you regularly work with large files.
Solid-State Drives
Solid-state drives,
also known as SSDs (or, in Apple's case, "flash storage"), are many
times faster than hard disk drives, but typically offer far less capacity. SSDs
also offer tremendous advantages in physical size, weight and power efficiency,
along with negligible heat production and noiseless operation, making them an
ideal choice for ultraslim, ultralightweight laptops. And unlike hard disks,
SSDs have no moving parts to wear out.
Some laptops employ an SSD for all storage.
Others dedicate a smaller SSD to house the operating system and applications
(enabling faster start-up) and add a traditional hard drive for general data
storage.
Battery Life
Manufacturers'
battery-life claims range from just a few hours up to 12 hours or more.
Laptop enhancements — such as increased
processing power, larger and higher resolution screens, faster hard drives, or
the addition of an optical drive — will drain your battery more quickly.
Ports and Connectivity
Laptops typically
provide several options for staying connected to the Internet as well as to
other devices. Most laptops provide the latest wireless standards plus
Bluetooth capabilities so you can easily sync your smartphone, speakers and
other portable devices.
If you are a frequent
traveler, consider a laptop that connects to the 4G LTE network so you can
access the Web even when you're not near a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Keep an eye out for
the following ports that are commonly used for connecting to TVs, cameras and
other devices:
·
USB
2.0: Connects external
drives, gaming controllers, smartphones, MP3 players and other accessories.
·
USB
3.0: Transfers data faster
than USB 2.0, but only when used with USB 3.0 devices.
·
USB
Type-C: Provides blazing
speeds and versatile power, featuring connectors with identical ends that plug
in upside down or right-side up. Adapters allow for video as well as backward
compatibility.
·
Thunderbolt: Ultra-high bandwidth for fast data
transfer between devices featuring a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort connection.
·
HDMI: Connect a projector or display HD media on
your flat-screen TV.
·
Media-card
slots: Transfer photos from
your digital camera or camcorder.
Written by Thalhatou Yahya
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