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The Complete Guide to Buying a Laptop in Adelaide

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Laptops have replaced desktops in almost all homes due to the ease of portability and increased performance. Every year new and improved versions get released from almost all major brands. In case if you haven’t bought a new laptop for a few years and are looking to upgrade your laptop, you might surely be wondering what has changed. If you check online, there are plenty of options for operating systems, size, performance, and price. Here is the complete guide to buying a laptop in Adelaide.

Things to consider when buying a laptop

  • Operating System
  • Display and Its Size
  • Storage
  • RAM
  • Processor
  • Connectivity and Ports
  • Battery
  • Usage
1.Operating System

An operating system is system software that can control the laptop hardware and communicate with the other software and hardware present and is sort of a bridge between you and the laptop. The operating system also manages all the files, documents, and memory on your laptop. Most laptops today come with preloaded OS, so it is important to do your research before making a purchase.

There are majorly 2 types, Mac and Windows with 3 additional ones with lesser popularity and acceptance.

  • Windows: The most used OS in the world on any computer or laptop. The latest version is Windows 10.

  • Mac OS: The OS developed by Apple for Macbooks and iMac. More focus is given to security and performance. macOS Big Sur-11.4 version is the latest in the market.

  • Chrome OS: OS developed by Google in the recent past.

  • Linux: Open source OS and supports many programming languages suitable for coders.

  • DOS: Disk Operating System is a command-line OS that runs from a hard disk drive

2.Display and Its Size

Since you will inadvertently spend much time looking at the screen, having an ideal size and display quality is a must. A minimum resolution of 1920x1080, which is full HD and 14 inches size is preferred if you are into binge-watching. But keep in mind that the bigger the display and size, the more power it will utilize and drain your battery quicker. Also, a factor to decide is if you need a touch screen or not. Considering the repair cost will also be beneficial. Laptop repairs Adelaide can assist with any type of screen repairs.

 3.Storage

Laptop storage usually consists of 3 types: HDD, SSD, and SSHD. Depending on the usage, file size and budget the choices would change.

  • HDD: Hard Disk Drive (HDD) can store large amounts of files and usually come with a capacity of 1 or 2 TB.
  • SSD: Solid State Drive is extremely fast compared to HDD and is, therefore, costlier too. It is a newer technology and can easily process actions using large files without lag. Storage may not be as much as HDD though.
  • SSHD: Solid State Hybrid Drive is a culmination of SSD and HDD. High-speed performance and better storage. It is relatively slower than SSD but faster than HDD.
4.RAM

Random Access Memory is a form of computer memory used to store working data and machine code and can be read and changed in any order. Higher RAM is required to support multitasking while running different programs on the laptop simultaneously. 4 GB RAM is usually enough for light users and for heavy users like gamers and video editors, 8 or 16 GB is preferred. The price will also increase with higher RAM.

5.Processor

The processor is one of the most important aspects of any laptop. It is the CPU of the laptop and determines the productivity of the laptop. Higher processor speed allows multitasking without lagging and quick response of applications.  Intel and AMD are the only important players in the market at the moment and almost all laptops share either one of them.

  • Intel: Developed and marketed by Intel Corporation, Intel Core processors are streamlined midrange consumer, workstation and enthusiast computers CPU. They are highly revered for their performance and reliability. Based on the generation, they are named Core i3, i5, i7 and so on. The latest one is core i9
  • AMD: Advanced Micro Devices processors are relatively cheaper than Intel processors and have been gaining traction with their new Ryzen Series Processors. AMD CPUs require more power to operate compared to Intel CPUs.
6.Connectivity and Ports
  • USB Ports: Thinner laptops tend to minimize the number of ports available. Ensure to check for the number of ports for plugging in USBs and if the laptop has USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports.
  • HDMI ports: Connecting to an LED TV for viewing streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon, ensure that suitable HDMI ports are available.
  • Audio Ports: Usually laptops come with both an audio port to connect a headphone and microphone jack or a uni-jack. Newer models may only support Bluetooth headphones.
  • Memory Card Slot: If you are into photography or video editing and need a memory card reader on the go, check for laptops that contain this slot. External memory card readers which can be connected to the USB ports are also available.
  • Ethernet Ports: Heavy gamers using wired LAN may find it difficult to use WiFi. So check for its availability as well.
7.Battery

Higher battery capacity is a must for people who travel often without the availability of charging ports. Under normal circumstances, up to 8 hours of screen time is available for most laptops. Heavy gaming laptops may not have much battery life.

8.Usage

Last but not least, the type of Laptop to buy will depend on your usage. For light users who just use the laptop for binging or checking their emails, going for a high specification laptop is overkill. For heavy users, having a dedicated Graphics card with higher RAM is better to use without lag.

The Best Laptop to buy in 2021

The best laptops in Adelaide currently are Apple, Samsung, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Depending on the usage and budget, the choice may differ from one another. However below mentioned are a few must-have factors in 2021.

Operating System: Mac OS or Windows

Processor: Quad-Core Intel i7 or i9

Processor Speed: between 3.50 to 4.2 GHz

Screen Size: 14 inches or above

Display : 1920x1080 or above

RAM: DDR4 or the new DDR5 with at least 4 GB.

Storage: SSD for higher speed

Graphics Card(for gamers): NVIDIA RTX 2070 or higher