Choosing the best laptops in this 21st century might be a bit tedious work for some people because of the different types of brands of laptops available.
In this article, I will walk you through how and why to choose the best laptop from a list of brands and versions.
In choosing the best laptop to use, I mostly tell my clients to first consider the following things; the Operating, CPUs Graphics Cards, Processor, RAM, and Storage Space.
Things To Consider Before Choosing the Best Laptop
Laptop Brands
There are several laptop brands in the market, each comes with its strengths and weaknesses.
The “best” brand often depends on your individual preferences, budget, specific requirements, and even subjective factors like design aesthetics.
Here are some popular laptop brands and reasons why you should check them out:
1. Apple (MacBook):
I’ve always found the MacOS operating system to be incredibly stable, secure, and seamlessly integrated with my other Apple devices.
One thing that stands out to me about MacBooks is their strong security system. It gives me peace of mind knowing my data is well protected.
Another feature I appreciate is the sleek design of Apple laptops.
The aluminum unibody construction feels premium, and the high-resolution Retina display is always sharp and vibrant, making it a pleasure to use.
Whenever I run into any issues with my laptop, I know I can count on Apple’s robust warranty program.
Their customer service is top-notch, and I’ve always had a reliable experience when I needed support.
2. Dell:
When we move to Dell laptops, I’ve noticed that Dell offers a wide range of laptops to cater to different needs, from budget-friendly options to high-performance models designed for gaming and professional-grade workstations.
One of my favorites is the premium XPS lineup, which is highly praised for its premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship.
The build quality really stands out, and the attention to detail is impressive.
Another great thing about Dell is that they allow me to customize my laptop with different configurations, so I can tailor it to my specific requirements.
Whether I need more processing power, better graphics, or additional storage. It’s all about getting exactly what I need.
3. Lenovo:
I’ve always admired Lenovo’s ThinkPad series, known for its rugged design, spill-resistant keyboards, and MIL-SPEC durability standards.
It’s built to last, and I feel confident that it can handle the demands of both work and travel.
One of the things I appreciate about Lenovo is how they innovate with unique features, like the Yoga series’ 360-degree hinges.
These convertible laptops allow users to switch between laptop and tablet mode effortlessly, making them incredibly versatile.
Lenovo also really caters to business users, offering features like robust security options and ergonomic keyboards.
On top of that, their extensive warranty and support packages ensure that I’m always covered in case of any issues, giving me peace of mind.
4. HP (Hewlett-Packard):
I find that HP offers a wide variety of laptops that suit many different needs, whether it’s for everyday use, business, gaming, or multimedia.
One thing I appreciate is that HP laptops often come with competitive specifications at prices that are quite affordable.
Their lineup includes sleek Ultrabooks, powerful workstations, and stylish convertibles, all designed to cater to different tastes and preferences.
4. ASUS:
I’ve always heard great things about ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) laptops, especially in the gaming community, where they’re known for their powerful performance, innovative cooling solutions, and gamer-centric features.
And yes I testify to the fact that is true, in my time in college, playing game on the ASUS laptop was very cool and best.
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What stands out to me about ASUS is how they push boundaries with unique designs, like the dual-screen ZenBook Duo series and the compact yet powerful ROG Zephyrus gaming laptops.
Another thing I appreciate is that ASUS offers a wide range of laptops at different price points, making them accessible to a broad audience.
5. Microsoft (Surface):
I’ve always been drawn to the sleek, minimalist designs of Microsoft’s Surface lineup.
The high-resolution touchscreens and detachable keyboards make it easy to adapt to different tasks, whether I’m typing away at my desk or sketching on the go.
One of the things I love most about Surface devices is how lightweight they are.
They’re perfect for productivity on the move, offering that 2-in-1 functionality that lets me switch from laptop mode to tablet mode in an instant.
Plus, the stylus input is incredibly responsive, which makes it feel natural when I need to take notes or create something on the spot.
What makes these devices stand out is how seamlessly they work with Windows 10.
Features like Windows Hello facial recognition make logging into my laptop effortless, and the compatibility with Microsoft Office applications means I can get straight to work without any hassle.
Operating System
When we talk about the operating system, it serves as a parent ground for the computer system to work on. This is to say that, let’s assume you have a house you have built recently, the land on which the house is built serves as an operating system.
Know that, every operating system has its weaknesses and strengths. Thinking through what software you need to run and which operating systems it runs on will help you determine your needed laptop.
There are four major computer operating systems.
1. Windows:
When we talk about Windows, it was invented by Microsoft company. The Windows operating system has been popular among many users of IT who use laptops such as Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc.
Even though it is somehow confusing for the IT illiterate it’s easy to use when you have at least a little knowledge of IT.
It’s the best choice if you need Microsoft apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook.
2. Linux
Even though Linux is popularly used, it has some weaknesses.
This is to say, that popular apps like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite don’t support Linux.
However, there are free, open-source alternatives like LibreOffice, Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement), and GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement).
3. MacOS:
MacOS comes with a faster refresh rate, which I really like about MacOS.
Compared to Windows, my Mac rarely freezes even when it gets a virus, whereas Windows tends to freeze more often. T
his makes using MacOS a much smoother experience overall.
However, MacOS is tightly coupled with Apple’s hardware, which means my buying options are limited to MacBooks.
Since Apple uses its own chips, MacBooks feel like a whole different beast, providing a unique performance that’s hard to find elsewhere.
When it comes to graphic design and video editing, I find that MacBooks deliver the best possible screen pixels and resolution, which makes my designs look smooth, lifelike, and incredibly detailed.
It’s the perfect setup for anything creative.
4. Chrome OS
Chrome Operating system (Chrome OS) is purposely made for Chromebook laptops/tablets and Chromebit’s (USB dongle PCs).
Chrome OS designs are based on Linux which is primarily to work with Cloud storage, even though some on-device storage can be used for offline work.
The main Con is that apps need to be available from the Chrome Web Store, though recent model Chromebooks can also run Android apps, adding an extra layer of versatility.
Chrome OS devices are known for simplicity and security (no backup or malware worries), relatively low hardware overhead (CPU, etc.), and long battery life.
Chromebooks are popular in some schools, as many cheaper models are available and their minimal configuration offers easier centralized administration and security.
Chrome OS laptops can do pretty much everything that most people want to do, without being weighed down by the complexity and excessive add-ons and bundled software that often comes with Windows devices.
Storage Space
Storage devices play an important role when it comes to choosing the best laptop.
The files and applications I use need to be stored, and most of the time, they’re stored offline unless I choose to store them online through cloud storage.
Offline storage is important for quick access and the ability to work without relying on an internet connection.
Whether it’s a solid-state drive (SSD) or a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), the type and amount of storage can impact my laptop’s performance and how smoothly everything runs.
It is important to choose more spaces that can help you reduce the additional cost of upgrading it.
New models of laptops which have slim bodies nowadays, make somethings hard to change their internal components, especially the storage device unless by expect or done with extra caution.
So to prevent this, Buying a laptop with more storage space will be the best solution.
When we come to the types of Storage devices, we have SSD (solid-state drive and HDD (Hard disc drive).
- SSD is so far the best option I would recommend to users because, it responds faster than HDD, in terms of opening Applications and running multiple software at a time.
- The SSD also does not crush or spoil easily as compared to the HDD
- The SSD also has a longer lifespan as compared to the HDD
In my point of view, I would recommend one to choose a laptop with enough storage and the type should be SSD.
If you don’t have enough money to purchase the SSD types of laptop, alternatively, you can buy an HDD laptop with a low storage device and an external Hard drive for keeping your less priority files.
RAM
Random Access Memory popularly known as RAM, is what the laptop uses to hold data while the processor does things with it.
Let’s assume the RAM is a desk or table. All the things you’re working on right now should be able to fit on your desk.
If your desk is too small, things fall off and you can’t work on them.
In the same way, if you run out of RAM, you won’t be able to open any more browser tabs or finish compiling your video.
Eventually, your laptop will freeze up and need to be restarted.
Generally, 4GB (gigabytes) of RAM was considered a low starting point for a laptop, but things have changed nowadays.
8GB is considered a normal amount. Having more memory may be useful for programs that can make use of larger amounts of memory, or for running more programs at the same time.
Tablets and other mobile devices are a different story due to the way they’re engineered and they may use much less RAM if they’re running on mobile operating systems such as Android or iOS or iPadOS.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the “best” laptop brand is subjective and depends on your personal preferences, requirements, and budget.
I’ve learned that it’s important to consider factors like performance, build quality, design, customer support, and how well the laptop fits into the existing ecosystem.
Whether you’re looking for power, portability, or specific software compatibility, these aspects will help guide your decision.
The right choice often comes down to what best suits your needs, if you prioritize speed, durability, or value for money.
You can also check our article on HP EliteBook x360 1030 G2 Specifications
Frequently asked questions about choosing the best laptop
1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a laptop?
When choosing a laptop, it’s important to consider factors such as the operating system, CPU, graphics card, RAM, storage space, display quality, battery life, and portability based on your specific needs and preferences.
2. How do I determine which operating system is best for me?
The choice of operating system depends on your specific requirements. Windows is widely used and compatible with a wide range of software. MacOS is known for its stability and integration with other Apple devices, while Linux is popular among tech enthusiasts and developers due to its open-source nature.
3. What should I look for in terms of CPU and graphics card?
For general use, a mid-range CPU such as Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 should suffice. If you’re into gaming or graphic-intensive tasks, consider a laptop with a dedicated graphics card from NVIDIA or AMD for better performance.
4. How much RAM and storage space do I need?
For casual use, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage should be sufficient. However, if you plan to run demanding applications or multitask heavily, consider 16GB of RAM and higher storage capacity, preferably in the form of an SSD for faster performance.
5. What are the key considerations for display quality?
Look for a laptop with a high-resolution display (at least 1080p), good color accuracy, and adequate brightness for your usage scenarios, whether it’s for content creation, media consumption, or everyday work.
6. Is battery life an important factor to consider?
Yes, battery life is important, especially if you need to use your laptop on the go. Look for laptops with all-day battery life or consider a model with fast-charging capabilities for added convenience.
7. How important is portability in choosing a laptop?
Portability is important if you need to carry your laptop frequently. Consider a lightweight and slim design if you prioritize portability, but make sure it doesn’t compromise on other essential features.