Laptop Buying Guide
Know the difference between entry-level, mainstream and premium Laptops before making purchase!
Entry-levelProvides basic functionality.
Look for a laptop with a basic processor with no graphic card and the standard 8GB RAM, for simple tasks.
MainstreamMost popular due to great performance and price.
Mainstream laptops with a better processor, 16GB RAM and a basic graphic card is sufficient for multitasking and for working with heavier graphics.
This allows you to play multiple games and multitask with low latency, improving your productivity.
This allows you to play multiple games and multitask with low latency, improving your productivity.
PremiumBoasts superior quality hardware and higher quality builds.
Premium laptops are usually equipped with 4K or high fresh rate screens and the latest GPU. This is suited for intensive or professional gamers.
Operating System
Windows or MacOS
Intel Processors
AMD Processor
ProcessorThe Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the ‘brain’ of a computer. Most laptops feature an Intel or AMD processor. A faster processor means apps load quickly, giving the ability to multi-task, reduce lag and slowdowns when you run processor-intensive tasks.
Best combination of price and performance. Found in most mainstream laptops.
A step up from the Core i5.
Fastest performance.
Comparable performance to the Intel Core i5 and i7.
Laptop Size
11” to 12”
Ultra-portable.
13” to 14”
Best balance of portability and usability. Most popular size.
15” and above
Desktop replacement.
Keyboard & TrackpadThere are many factors to consider when it comes to the keyboard and trackpad of a particular laptop. Always have a feel of the key travel, sounds and backlighting of a keyboard, the material and sensitivity of a trackpad, to find which suits you best.
Random Access Memory (RAM) Storage8GB of RAM is sufficient for general use. For memory-intensive uses (e.g. gaming, video editing), choose a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM.
Solid State Drives (SSD) are faster than regular hard disks, but are also more expensive.
Solid State Drives (SSD) are faster than regular hard disks, but are also more expensive.
Graphic CardA graphic card is an expansion card for your PC that is responsible for rendering images to the display. High-end GPUs are used for gaming, ray tracing and graphics production.
Battery LifeWatt-hours (Wh) refers to the power capacity of the battery. The higher the Wh, the longer the battery life. Higher screen resolutions and dedicated graphic cards generally consume more energy, depleting your laptop battery quicker.
PortsWhile USB-C ports are common in laptops, some might also require HDMI, ethernet and USB-A ports in their machines. Keep in mind the type and number of ports you need to use your laptop effectively and efficiently.
WeightOne of the reasons a laptop’s weight has dropped significantly is the replacement of a regular hard drive with faster, smaller, lighter SSD storage, which allows programs such as Word or Excel to run faster. It also provides convenience while working remotely.
