What to look for when buying a laptop in 2013

 

Laptops have certainly had a transformation in 2013. Outdated, weighty laptops are now shunned in favour of stylish, lightweight machines. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to choose the right laptop, so we’ve put together a list of 5 things to think about before making your decision.

Security

With increased portability and stylised designs, laptops nowadays are a prime target for thieves. You input personal information into your laptop on a day-to-day basis through social media, online gaming and banking apps, and any computer-savvy thief could easily gain access to your data. If you’re concerned about your security, for example if you need a device to store important business documents, there are various laptops on the market to keep you protected.

You can buy laptops fitted with cable kits, drive locks and alarms to prevent theft, as well as fingerprint scanners that allow you to log into the operating system, so if you’re safety-conscious, buy a laptop equipped with such devices.

Touchscreen, or no touchscreen?

You now have the choice between buying a traditional laptop (screen, keyboard, touchpad), or a touchscreen. If you travel often, commuting to work or going abroad, a touchscreen laptop might be for you. It requires less ‘elbow room’, so works perfectly in a crowd or if you’re required to stand for long periods of time.

If you plan on buying a laptop for domestic use, touchscreens might just be a fancy gimmick, when in actuality they hinder your computing experience. If you’re sitting comfortably at home, leaning back in your chair, the last thing you’ll want to do is lean forward to faff around with your screen. The keyboard and touchpad (or mouse, if you prefer) are placed in a way that allows you to operate your laptop with ease from the comfort of your chair and desk. Touchscreens just aren’t designed for that.

Screen Size

Now that you’ve decided whether you want a touchscreen or not, you should think about the size of it. Smaller screens often mean better portability but lower screen resolution, meaning it won’t display as many pixels as higher res screens. Larger screens will mean the laptop will be bulkier, but generally display better. The choice is yours in the matter, just bear in mind the limitations of each size.

Which Windows 8 is for you?

Buying a laptop in 2013 means that it will come equipped with Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest Operating System. There are two types of Windows 8 – the standard OS and Windows 8 Pro. Pro comes with advanced features like Remote Desktop Connections, Windows Media Centre and BitLocker, so research the additions before deciding which one to choose. Obviously, if Windows 8 isn’t for you, you can still use Windows 7. If you commit to using Windows 8 and have a hard time adjusting to it, you can downgrade to Windows 7 if you have Windows 8 Pro by installing it on top of the existing OS.

Do you want a convertible?

Convertible laptops are on the rise. Convertibles allow you to turn your laptop into a tablet, so if you don’t want a separate tablet device to carry around, it might be for you. They are bulky, however, so if you utilise the tablet aspect often, it might be better just to buy a tablet!

We can’t predict how laptops will change in the future, but we’re currently at a time where they’re streamlined, optimised and designed to fit a modern lifestyle. Granted, there are more ‘traditional’ looking laptops out there, but they’re no longer the norm. Finding the right one for you can be a tough decision, but with the right amount of research, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit. Good luck!