How to choose a laptop - expert advice. How to choose the right laptop at an affordable price

Modernity does not cease to indulge a person with a variety of technological innovations. The rapid passage of time forces us to become more mobile and in any difficult situation to have at hand a reliable technical tool with which you can quickly influence the course of events. Oddly enough, a seemingly simple question: “How to choose a laptop?” - in fact, very complex.

Because the final result must meet expectations. In other words, paying tribute to a particular modification of the device, the buyer should take into account the harmonious combination of many factors. After all, the realities of the present are literally imbued with convincing facts that eloquently prove that people do not buy what they need at all, often unjustifiably betting on the wrong “horse”.

So, to all those who want to thoroughly understand such an important question: “Which laptop to choose?” - Dedicated to...

A few words of advice

The material of the article is intended to free the reader from the yoke of commercial temptations, and also help to avoid common mistakes when buying a laptop. The available recommendations are simple and easy to apply. For those who are not well versed in technical terms IT industry, this article will be a kind of revelation. And even if the information presented does not make every reader an expert, it will certainly contribute to the right choice.

Desire - laptop

Suppose you nevertheless realized that the unlimitedness of our desires and the exactingness of the circumstances of the present appeal to a trustworthy, and most importantly, an effective assistant. A stationary computer cannot meet the needs of today, since such devices lack compactness and autonomy. As a result, the question “how to choose a laptop?” in its decision, first of all, it must meet the requirements of the highest comfort.

Of course, the quality of the product is a fundamental point in the further use of the purchased device. A well-known name (brand), "authoritatively" placed on the panel of a portable PC, does not always correspond to the truth of polyphonic advertising: "Our products are exactly what you need!"

Cunning marketing techniques sometimes simply neutralize consumer freedom of choice ... Only for the above reason, even advanced users find themselves in the position of a “fabulous hero”, allegorically contemplating the cornerstone problem “what parameters to choose a laptop for?”

A few words about the subject

Of course, a compactly implemented electronic machine is still the same computer, although somewhat transformed. The fact is that miniaturization requires some "technical sacrifices". A striking example to that - netbooks. For the sake of small size, the device is deprived of an optical device for reading and writing information (CD / DVD drive). However, the main problem of compact gadgets is the efficiency of cooling systems. After all, the “powerfulness” of a laptop is due precisely to the internal electronic filling, and the operation of the processor is accompanied by considerable heat generation. By the way, a good gaming laptop is also equipped with a powerful graphics card, the performance of which also depends on the performance of the implemented cooling scheme.

The brightness level of the screen, the operation of resource-intensive programs and the number of simultaneously used communication modules directly affect the consumption of electricity. Since a portable device is, by definition, a mobile computer, the battery is the autonomous performance of a laptop. It is the manufacturability of the battery, its capacity and the energy efficiency of the system components that determine the duration of the “lifetime” of a portable device. Further - everything is much simpler.

How to choose a laptop: no room for error

In order to designate a certain benchmark of their preferences, the consumer should pay attention to a number of important issues.

• What is the purpose of the laptop?
• In what mode will it be used?
• How much money is the buyer willing to spend?

These are probably the most important selection criteria. However, a significant addition to all of the above will be a number of recommendations that will help the reader to more clearly define the boundaries of his “want” and real need.

Classification of portable computers

Laptop manufacturers offer a fairly wide range of their products. As a rule, the model range of laptops is divided into several main classes:

• Office.
• Multimedia.
• Gaming.
• Professional.

Each branch of the classification has its own distinctive features. The ultimate level of performance and operational comfort lies in the package features. Various configurations of portable PCs determine the scope of their application, and are also the basis for the user at the moment when it is necessary to choose a laptop according to the parameters.

electronic beauty

The design of the device is probably the first thing anyone who decides to buy a laptop faces. However, not every laptop that attracts the eyes of many is gold that glitters. Before you blindly believe that the object of your consumer "lust" is exactly the thing that will serve you faithfully, think carefully. Know that impulsiveness in the moment of practical choice is your worst enemy.

• The case of budget laptops is usually made of plastic: hard or soft. Relatively cheap manufacturing technology, as a rule, sins with natural consequences: fragile - cracks, soft - scratches.

• The middle price segment is a higher quality plastic of varying complexity. For example, multi-layer spraying allows you to keep the color or texture of the laptop surface for a long time almost unchanged.

• Models for professional use are, first of all, reliable devices. Therefore, in search of an answer to the question: “How to choose the right laptop?” it should be borne in mind that business-class portable devices have "titanic" properties of the case.

Competing manufacturing firms are quite resourceful. The original design and ergonomics of manufactured laptops today is truly unpredictable. So even an office laptop may well look like an extra-class device.

The structural part of the top cover interacts with the main part through special mechanisms, which, in general, is understandable. Nevertheless, quite often there are models in which the angle of inclination of the display part of the case is strictly 45 °, and this, as practice shows, is not very good. By the way, the compliance of the lid should have some degree of rigidity, and at the same time it should be opened without much effort with one hand.

Display

Agree, the video on the big screen looks much more spectacular than on the small one. At the same time, the choice of a suitable display resolution and the manufacturability of its execution depend solely on the needs of the user. If you are a photographer and do not know how to choose a laptop for work, then this paragraph should be studied thoroughly, since visual perception is the main meaning of your profession. However, the rest of the group of readers will also not be left without attention. After all, a lot depends on the type of screen ...

• IPS-matrix is ​​the most acceptable option for almost any solution. However, the characteristic "affordable" portable PC, equipped with such a display, can not have. Perhaps in the near future, the budget class of portable electronics will also be able to boast of a fantastic realism of the picture.

• The TN-matrix is ​​a reasonable compromise between quality and a favorable visual experience. Surfing the web, editing texts, watching videos and using a variety of other options is quite a competent choice for both novice and advanced users.

Which laptop to choose for gaming? This is an issue that requires a multilateral approach. However, the size and resolution of the screen, as well as the mass of visualization parameters associated with them, still have some objective preference scheme.

• The higher the screen resolution, the better!

• The aspect ratio of 16:10 is most preferred for Internet surfing, work with office applications and graphics editors.

• The optimal gaming option is a 16:9 vector indicator. By the way, for watching high-definition video, this aspect ratio is more than acceptable.

The display diagonal, in fact, is not a critical indicator of the “omnipotence” of a compact PC, but, nevertheless, it qualitatively affects the perception of information displayed on the screen as a whole: whether it is video, gaming, or viewing and editing graphic content. If you have a kind of dilemma: “Laptop or tablet, what to choose?” - then preference should be given to the device closest to your lifestyle.

Indeed, for reading e-books, viewing correspondence and running non-resource-intensive games, a miniature gadget is quite enough. It is worth noting that today some hybrid computing devices have appeared on the mobile device market, in which two representatives of portable technology harmoniously “coexist”: a tablet and a laptop. However, the functionality of one depends on the capabilities of the "partner".

Perhaps, the dear reader has heard or read that the matrix may have broken pixels. The mentioned term is quite simple in explanation - this is when the display dot does not change its color even when the image dynamics requires it. For this reason alone, you should pay attention to the quality of the displayed image.

An elementary run of the color palette diagnostics will help you identify defects in the color spectrum. It would be useful to provide for the "light" sphere of use of the laptop, if there is an essential condition for future use - bright sunlight. Most likely, a portable PC with a matte display finish will suit you.

By the way, sometimes it is worth paying attention to the acceptability of the viewing angle. Agree, not everyone will like it if a nearby person unceremoniously looks at the photos you are viewing or freely reads the confidential information displayed on the screen of your laptop.

CPU

In order to choose a laptop according to the parameters, you need to be aware of the boundaries of what you want. In other words, understand the main purpose of purchasing a device and be firmly confident that the installed central processor has the necessary computing resources to solve future problems.

Two Solutions

Well-known leaders in the design and manufacture of CPUs are Intel and AMD. For the information of those who are somewhat behind the pace of development of the IT industry in the field of high technologies, it should be understood that, despite the identity of aspirations, Intel Corporation has succeeded somewhat more in the above area. However, Advanced Micro Devices offers its customers more affordable prices for its products. And if you are faced with the problem: “Which laptop to choose for study?”, American AMD can offer you a good budget class option.

Now in order:

• For office tasks, any 2-core processor is suitable, the clock frequency of which will not exceed 2,000 MHz.

• Resource-intensive programs will require four or more cores, and 2,500 MHz will be exactly the indicator that will allow the user to effectively "crack down" on the inexorable onslaught of the endless pressure of data.

• Do not forget about the ultra-fast memory of the microprocessor. The larger the cache, the faster the data processing.

• The newer the socket type, the higher the bus frequency, which determines the speed of data exchange with the motherboard.

• Well, the last reasoned argument in favor of a productive solution to the question "how to choose a processor for a laptop?" - software of the future and the Core intel i3 processor - a promising tandem of "mutual understanding" between the software product of the relative future and the ability of the installed processor in the present. Average price and great features… The choice is yours!

Of course, for those who consider themselves a confident user, this article is not “what the inquisitive mind of an expert was looking for”, but you, dear reader, should take into account that the capabilities of a computer do not always correspond to its intended purpose. Why does a student need the colossal resources of an 8-core CPU, or who said that in order to play Warcraft, it is necessary to enlist the support of a 3.2 MHz processor?

If the buyer is counting on a long term use of equipment, then it is necessary to foresee such a moment as the unstoppable "evolution" of software ... In this case, it will not be superfluous to have a new CPU on a portable device - Intel i7. After all, upgrading the hardware of a laptop is associated with a lot of inconvenience, since in most cases it requires the intervention of a specialist.

RAM: the shortest digression for the uninitiated

Solution to the question: "How to choose a laptop for home?" should rely primarily on forethought. After all, in the future, a portable device can become an assistant to each family member or will definitely be used in a variety of ways. Therefore, the "margin of safety" of RAM computer must be appropriate.

A simple example. There are minor children in the family - they will download resource-intensive games, Small child wants to watch cartoons, the wife is not averse to talking to a friend via Skype, and the husband cannot live without online football broadcasts. As you understand, RAM must cope with all this so that the laptop does not slow down and does not hang. To date, portable computers are equipped with four gigabyte memory sticks, which, in general, is the standard equipment for a modern computer.

However, the user always has the opportunity to independently expand the amount of RAM. In order to add additional “gigabytes of responsiveness”, you need to know what type of memory is used in your device and whether the operating system is capable of working with the established potential for speed capabilities.

Graphic Integrity

A good gaming laptop is always equipped with a powerful graphics card. Modern shooters, rpg or simulators are quite voracious applications. And if the user expects to get the most out of virtual battles, then the graphics chip simply must meet the requirements of today's gaming industry.

As a rule, the average level of a gaming laptop implies the use of a one-gigabyte graphics module. Representatives of the model range have two gigabytes of video memory, and even more. Of course, the nominal volume of the video chip is not the only parameter of the productive capacity of a compact computer. If you want to get a quality solution to the question: “Which laptop should I choose for gaming?” - then you should be guided by a few more concepts:

• Memory bus width - measured in bits and is one of the important speed indicators of the graphics adapter's video capability.

• Texture fill rate - so to speak, the value of the realism of visual perception. The unit of efficiency of the image displayed on the screen, that is, the parameter that determines the number of displayed pixels per second of time.

• The discreteness of the video card makes it possible to count on a forced upgrade in the future, since the integrated graphics chips are almost impossible to replace.

• The type of video memory also affects the efficiency and speed of the graphics played by the laptop.

"Iron" data safety: SSD for a laptop

How to choose a hard drive, and what type of drives should be preferred? Quite a serious question. After all, the user must rely on the fact that his data will be securely stored, and the favorable work will be expressed in the high-speed ability of the installed disk - information storage.

SSDs are incredibly efficient and less volatile than their mechanical counterparts. However, due to a significant difference in price and a minimized nominal volume, HDD technologies often lose.

However, some modifications of laptops can accommodate two types of drives. For example, SSD - 256 GB for the operating system and 1 TB HDD for data storage today is the best option for connoisseurs of speed and relative unlimitedness in the accumulation of information arrays.

It is worth noting that for most buyers who wondered: “How to choose a laptop for a student?” the most acceptable configuration is taking into account the SSD disk. Because the mobile lifestyle of young people is highly dependent on favorable conditions of autonomy and the speed of data processing.

Laptop connectivity

The number of connectors for peripherals can be completely different. The budget class of laptops is necessarily equipped with several USB ports, and may also have COM and VGA connectors. In a word, there are a lot of configurations. However, one should consider the optimal scheme of communication connectors, which, in principle, is not difficult to do.

Internet for laptop

How to choose the most suitable model from the variety? Simple enough! The main thing is the presence of a network card. It is desirable that the device has at least one wireless module: Wi-Fi or Bluetouch.

Multimedia

To view high quality video on a large screen, your laptop must be equipped with an HDMI connector. For lower resolution, S-Video, DVI port can be used.

Extended capabilities

If it is necessary to use external drives, the user can count on a comfortable connection via the e-Sata connector. The presence of a built-in card reader will also be an absolute plus, since today literally all portable devices use memory cards of various formats.

"Non-volatile" laptop

The most important advantage of portable technology, of course, is autonomy. The type and nominal capacity of the battery determines the duration of the device when an external source of electricity is not available. The cost of a laptop often depends on the manufacturability of the applied power saving scheme.

The compactness of the device and the duration of autonomous operation are two warring camps of the general "usability war". The resolution of the screen and its diagonal are the main consumers of the life-giving energy of the battery. However, the work of a mechanical type of drives, the autonomous use of an optical drive and the number of simultaneously running programs - all this inexorably leads to a loss of energy. The only effective way to maintain "electrical independence" is to lower the brightness of the display, turn off background applications and, of course, provide for a comfortable transition to an additional autonomous power source.

Practical accessory and alternative energy source

Question: "How to choose a laptop bag?" - is directly related to the above paragraph. After all, the operating potential of the battery depends on the ambient temperature. Transporting a laptop in a shopping bag in the winter is a funny example, however, a laptop bag without insulation is almost as efficient. Although it saves from reprehensible chuckles from the outside. The capacity of the accessory should be regulated by the size of the portable device.

Reliable straps, belts and impact-protecting tabs will significantly increase the chances of getting out of a crowded minibus with an intact device. It is worth noting that some bags for carrying laptops are equipped with special additional batteries, and can also be equipped with various gadgets that are capable of generating electrical energy. Therefore, it makes sense to acquire not only an aesthetic continuation of your laptop, but also to enlist some technological energy support.

And finally: common mistakes in the selection process

Of course, the material of the article only superficially touched upon a difficult and crucial moment - the purchase of a portable device. The main criteria for the right choice have been mentioned, and, most likely, in the future you will be taken into account. However, a list of typical mistakes made by an ordinary buyer may make you take a slightly different look at the question: “How to choose a laptop?”.

• You should not buy a portable device for the sake of fashion trends. Believe me, a laptop as a banal replacement for a desktop PC loses significantly.

• You can't put super versatility into a compact laptop shell. In any case, something in it will be missing! To be honest - a lot ... So do not flatter yourself with the illusion that a "fancy" laptop is able to solve literally all life's problems.

• The diagonal of the screen must strictly correspond to the situation of use. Why carry around a heavy 17” laptop when a 15” is enough. If we assume that you need a device for viewing email, surfing the web and communicating in social networks, then it makes sense to stop at energy-efficient 12”.

• The autonomy of work can be increased, but if you knew how inconvenient it would be to use the device. The extra power will reduce comfort and add weight for transport.

• Question: "Laptop or tablet, what to choose?" - may seem a little strange. With a clear gain in compactness and ease of use, a touchscreen gadget can significantly lose to a laptop in terms of performance and functionality. However, only the price is able to dot the "and". Powerful modern tablets have long surpassed budget laptops in all respects.

Now the choice is yours!

How to choose the right laptop? - a question that is natural when there is a desire to buy a modern functional device. For a successful choice, the buyer needs to decide in advance on the parameters of the monitor, the weight of the model, and the characteristics of the battery. No less important is the choice of disk - it can be either ssd or Hdd.

To decide how to choose good laptop, it is necessary to start with the most important parameter - the weight of the purchased device. The importance of this particular characteristic is due to the fact that the device should always be with the owner.

When deciding how to choose a gaming laptop for stationary use, the issue of weight becomes secondary. However, most often this device is purchased as a portable one, so it is recommended to pay special attention to this characteristic.

When wondering how to choose a laptop for home, you should keep in mind that the vast majority of models have a weight in the range of 2-2.7 kg.

There is such a pattern that the larger the diagonal of the laptop, the greater its weight characteristic. If you need to choose a laptop according to the parameters, then you have to make a choice of a diagonal within 8-24 inches.

Currently, versions with a diagonal of 15-17 inches are in the greatest demand. Popularity is due to a successful combination of portability and impressive performance. They also have a high level of image quality, in most cases - HD.

What is a screen, is it a display, monitor or screen?

Weighing all the arguments necessary to decide how to choose a laptop for work, consumers sooner or later come to the understanding that this component of the device must be perceived as a combination of different parameters. Of these, the monitor resolution is the leader (according to the physical size of the sides of the display in pixels).

Standard version: 1024x768. Important information is also an indication of the ratio of pixels vertically and horizontally. Common options:

When deciding how to choose a laptop for gaming, it is important to know that the vast majority of all manufactured devices have widescreen monitors. It is this version that is ideal both for multimedia entertainment and for working with various graphic applications, as the review shows.

A laptop may have one of the following two types of screen:

• matte;
• glossy.

And here again it is worth referring to the data that reflects the review. A laptop with a monitor of the first type will be perfectly protected from glare. However, the same basic overview provides more detailed information.

The laptop will provide a better and more natural picture with a second type display. The choice of the diagonal is entirely determined by the statement of the key task of the consumer.

The same review will provide another help in choosing. A laptop purchased for stationary work is a model from 17 inches. The mobile model must have a diagonal of 15.

RAM, or random access memory

A detailed overview will also help to obtain the necessary information about this characteristic. The laptop in the modern version must have a minimum of 512MB. It makes no sense to save on this parameter, which is as important as the map.

After all, it is he who completely determines the speed of solving everyday problems. As the review shows, a laptop with 2Gb of memory will provide the user with the expected activity. These requirements can be applied to Asus, etc.

In the information that the review provides, a laptop with a 32-bit operating system, due to architectural specifics, cannot see memory exceeding 3Gb. At the same time, 64-bit operating systems cope with the task without any problems.

When collecting information on how to choose a laptop for a designer, you need to pay some attention to the type of memory. In this regard, it is worth emphasizing that DDR3 is 2 times faster than DDR2.

When wondering how to choose a laptop for study, you need to pay attention to the features of disk space. The same topic is relevant for solving the problem of how to choose the right gaming laptop.

In any case, it is currently possible to find a device whose hard disk sizes vary between 120-500 Gb. And at the same time, if necessary, you can easily increase the volume of the hard disk without resorting to the help of specialists.

So, focusing on a variety of information on how to choose a laptop, you need to know that disks are represented by two varieties:

• classic hard drives HDD;
• developments in diskless SSD technology.

Thinking about what is better to buy - a tablet or a laptop, what to choose for solving tasks - you need to consider that, using old HDD drives, you can store music and photos, movies, and much more on a laptop in large volume.

A 17-inch laptop can be used as a thin client, you can choose SSD drives for Internet surfing, mail and office.

Regardless of the results of solving the problem of which processor to choose a laptop with, you need to remember the advantages of SSD over HDD. The first category has greater lightness, less energy consumption, much less criticality to mechanical damage.

And their most important plus: impressive speed! There is only one minus for devices of this series: the price characteristic. It is she who sometimes forces you to start studying the topic of how to choose a used laptop. The cost of a 120GB SSD drive is around $150.

And again, a review will help: the Asus k501ux laptop and other similar models in terms of have a battery that determines the battery life of the following types:

• lithium-ion;
• lithium polymer.

The price to a certain extent reflects 2.5 hours of battery life, which is generally recognized as an excellent feature. However, not all models can "boast" of such resources.

The price is also influenced by the following factor: manufacturing companies supply batteries with increased capacity to the market, which is achieved extensively, that is, by increasing the number of device cells. With this approach, there is an increase in weight and size of the battery, which, when expanded, does not fit within the laptop.

Features and importance of the processor

A laptop for home use is purchased with maximum attention to the processor, which is responsible for the performance of the device as a whole. Currently, experts are approaching the division of this component into two subspecies conditionally: those with power and those that are not.

Thinking about which laptop is better, you need to keep in mind that Celeron and AMD Turion have affordable price characteristics. They do an excellent job with the standard tasks of processing text documents.

However, if you need a powerful model, it is better to choose the Intel or AMD brands. Currently, these models are on the wave of demand. Of these, dual-core processors are preferable, which clearly outperform single-core designs.

Periphery - what is it and how to evaluate it?

According to the data of 2017 and the previous period, the attention of consumers and potential buyers is increasingly focused on the features of additional equipment. The latter can be a 3G modem or a Wi-fi card. Reviews from successful device owners in 2017 confirm that you need to consider buying these products in advance.

The reason for such a balance when purchasing a device for work and study is that not all models available for sale have free space for regular installation of additional accessories.

In an effort to successfully resolve the issue of how to choose an inexpensive device, it is necessary to take into account the following factor: a device with a large body will have more free space. There is also a high degree of probability that space for an additional connector was provided under the cover.

Intending to purchase an inexpensive laptop, the buyer at the same time imposes rather strict requirements on it.

In this situation, you should listen to the recommendations of experts: one of the important properties of a laptop is its mobility!

And based on this postulate, it is better to abandon the built-in DVD. The “sacrifice” will pay off in full: in this case, it will be possible to save both cost and weight, regardless of whether it is an inexpensive gaming laptop or a student laptop.

In this scenario, you won't have to puzzle over the dilemma: which is better: a laptop or ... You can purchase a DVD-ROM with a USB interface at no additional cost.

Do you need one more - additional - strong argument? It's easy: how often do you have to use DVDs? Similarly, you can evaluate a working USB HDD and flash drives!

What about expansion slots?

Thinking about whether a laptop or tablet, studying the characteristics and description of each option, it is important to know that one of the most important indicators is the variety of connectors.

Regardless of what conclusions the buyer comes to when choosing a laptop, “which company is better” is a question that can be successfully solved without knowing that there are no extra connectors, as a rule, it is unrealistic.

Based on these parameters, we can say that minimum set 3x USB, desktop monitor connector, audio input / output. We also need wireless technologies that can be selected taking into account all the characteristics.

When purchasing a video card on a laptop, you must also consider that most modern models support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

All the nuances of the characteristics can be clarified when choosing and purchasing a product, which will ensure a satisfactory use of the purchase.

Classification of devices by purpose

When purchasing a used or newer laptop, it is best to resort to the following product classification:

• stationary;
• game;
• multimedia;
• as a workstation.

However, buyers of the “former xiaomi laptop” or “budget laptop” variety, or something else, should understand that this categorization is rather arbitrary.

Mobile laptop - a reliable way to the Internet

Looking for a way to get out virtual space according to the characteristics, the question is taken into account which brand of laptop to prefer, and the need to solve a wide range of tasks:

Selected Laptop Hp 250 g5, or cheap laptop Lenovo ideapad 110, Lenovo ideapad 110 15acl - among the numerous possibilities of a good choice for solving the above tasks.

When buying a Model 13 of any brand, it makes no sense to attach great importance to the configuration, since the performance of any modern version is quite suitable for solving all the necessary tasks. By choosing device 13, you can be sure, by default, that it will completely replace a model with a powerful processor, an impressive amount of RAM and a discrete card.

Devices with a diagonal characteristic of 13 are a modern development, equipped with all integrated tools for accessing the virtual. Using model 13 will allow you to enjoy Skype communication. You just need to think in advance about the webcam built into the device 13 and how to choose a video card.

The only significant note for a 13-inch laptop would be a recommendation about WiMAX networks. Regardless of the manufacturer's choice, many products include an integrated WiMAX model with the Wi-Fi wireless module to provide wireless Internet access. For a reputable manufacturer, it is important to take care of several pitfalls.

In particular, laptops have such a disadvantage as the wide variability of the WiMAX standard. Regardless of whether a laptop or computer, netbook or laptop is purchased by the buyer, each integrated module is "sharpened" for a specific provider, and it will not work with another network in any case.

Where is the best place to buy?

Obviously, in the 21st century, various online stores of digital equipment provide a greater choice at lower prices. When choosing a laptop, we recommend that you pay attention to the following trusted well-known online stores:

1. Online store number 1. The world's largest high-tech retail chain with more than 5,500 stores in 1,300 Russian cities.
2. Online store number 2. One of the largest marketplaces in the world, offering customers the lowest prices, as well as a choice of more than 100 million products from 200 thousand sellers, 20 of the most popular payment methods and delivery to more than 200 countries.
3. Online store number 3. A specialized online store for laptops with interesting prices and a large selection.

The main technical characteristics that are recommended to pay attention to when choosing a laptop for work are:

Processor performance. This parameter determines the overall speed of the laptop. If you just need a "typewriter", then you can ignore the performance of the processor. But if you need a laptop for mobile graphics processing, editing large documents (including PDF) or programming, it is desirable that it be equipped with a powerful processor. For example, the Intel Core i5 or i7 series;

P processor generation. This setting determines both the overall performance and power consumption of the laptop. The “fresher” the processor, the faster the computer will work, while at the same time heating up less and providing greater autonomy. It is desirable that the chip is one of the latest generations;

RAM. Another parameter that determines the performance of a laptop. The more RAM, the better the computer works in multitasking mode. For example, with several open tabs in the browser or running applications. The minimum required amount of RAM for Windows 10 is 2 GB. But with so much RAM, the computer will turn into a "typewriter". For better performance, you should take a laptop with 4 or more GB of RAM;

Hard disk type. If you plan to work in a “torn” mode (the laptop will often have to be put into sleep and “wake up”), then it is recommended to purchase a computer with an SSD or eMMC. In addition, these types of drives provide high speed reading and writing files. However, they are expensive. HDD - cheaper, but also slower, and working in a "torn" mode can lead to premature wear of the drive;

Hard disk capacity. The higher this parameter, the more files you can write to the internal drive and the more programs you can install. The minimum required amount is 32 GB. This is enough for the operating system and, for example, an office suite Microsoft office 365. File storage will require 128 GB or more;

The presence of a discrete graphics card. This setting determines the laptop's performance when working with graphics, whether it's image editing, video editing, or rendering 3D models. If there is a discrete graphics card, all these operations will be faster than without it.

In addition, you can pay attention to other characteristics depending on personal needs: battery life, diagonal and screen resolution, the presence of a touch screen, etc.

Best Inexpensive Laptops for Work

Despite the relatively low cost, this laptop is equipped with a discrete NVIDIA graphics card. Therefore, it provides high performance even with a fairly serious load on the graphics accelerator - for example, while rendering simple videos or three-dimensional models.

In addition, it is complemented by a large hard drive - 500 GB in the minimum configuration and 1 TB in the maximum.

As a result, it turns out to be a good “working machine” for general, non-specialized tasks.

Advantages

Discrete video card;

Intel Core i3 series processors and above;

Large hard drive;

Flaws

Unattractive design;

The complexity of the upgrade;

Short battery life;

Large, massive plastic case;

An ultraportable laptop with a small 10-inch screen, Lenovo AccuType branded comfortable keyboard and a battery that is quite good for the dimensions of the device. True, for the reduction in size had to "pay" performance. This laptop is only suitable for typing and simple web surfing.

Advantages

Very small and light - 1.1 kg;

Up to 3 hours of battery life even under heavy load and at maximum screen brightness.

Convenient keyboard;

Large hard drive;

Flaws

Poor performance (Celeron + 2 GB RAM);

There are very few ports for connecting peripheral equipment.

Great laptop for small office use. A variety of configurations will allow you to choose a "machine" for employees of various positions - from an office manager to an IT specialist or designer. The line includes both very simple and ultra-budget models, the performance of which is only enough for Microsoft Office and a browser; and very powerful, capable of "pulling" a graphical editor or development environment.

The laptop is equipped with a 15.6-inch screen. This is almost a standard diagonal for mobile computers.

In addition, the manufacturer offers the necessary drivers for third-party operating systems such as Linux or even DOS.

Advantages

Compatible with open operating systems;

Quiet fan;

Rugged, reliable housing;

Variety of configurations;

Flaws

Slow hard drive on most configurations

Inconvenient touchpad;

Limited opportunities upgrade (it is impossible to install more than 8 GB of RAM);

Difficulty in upgrading and maintenance;

Rating of the best laptops for work in terms of price-quality ratio

Productive work laptop for professionals of various profiles. Suitable for the development of simple drawings, and for writing programs, and for other purposes. In the current configuration at the beginning of 2018, it is equipped with the latest generation Intel Core i5 processor (productive, but at the same time quite economical and slightly heated); 8 GB RAM and 15.6-inch Full HD screen.

However, in this configuration, it is not equipped with a discrete graphics card. Therefore, graphics processing performance (such as editing complex images or rendering long, multi-layered video) can be very slow. So this laptop is not suitable for designers and similar professionals.

Advantages

SSD drive to increase the speed of work;

The presence of TPM, recovery mode and other functions useful for corporate users;

Flaws

Screen - TN-matrix with not very good color reproduction and relatively small viewing angles;

Not very convenient touchpad;

Flimsy, easily soiled case;

Relatively compact but powerful workhorse. The laptop is equipped with a 14-inch screen in various resolutions up to Full HD, Intel Core i3 or i5 processors, depending on the configuration, from 4 to 8 GB of RAM, and an internal SSD or HDD drive up to 1 TB.

A variety of configurations allows you to unify corporate style and equip the entire office with the same laptops - but at the same time with different technical characteristics. In the minimum version, this is a “multifunctional typewriter”, in the maximum it is already a full-fledged mobile workplace that will satisfy even technical or creative professionals.

Advantages

Various configurations;

Backlit keyboard;

Very light - only 1.5 kg;

There are high-performance versions with an SSD and a discrete graphics card;

Flaws

TN-matrix - with not the best color reproduction and small viewing angles;

Noisy hard drive in appropriate configurations;

Inefficient cooling system;

Another versatile workhorse. Unlike the previous laptop, this one comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD screen in all configurations. Depending on the modification, it runs on Intel Core processors from i3 to i7, which are complemented by 4 to 8 GB of RAM. In the vast majority of configurations - a discrete graphics card, however, from AMD. However, the cooling system is productive, which ensures good heat dissipation from components.

Regardless of the configuration, this laptop will suit office professionals of various profiles, except for people working with graphics. Powerful components, a high-quality screen and a fairly comfortable keyboard make it a good solution for both secretaries and IT workers.

Advantages

Diverse but consistently powerful configurations;

Good cooling system;

Support for non-Windows operating systems;

In some modifications, an SSD drive is installed for high speed work;

Flaws

Inefficient HDD in configurations with this type of hard disk;

Marky glossy body;

Lack of LED indicators;

TN screen - not the best color reproduction, small viewing angles;

Thin, light and highly portable ultrabook. Despite its small size, the device is equipped with very productive components - top-end processors of the latest generation, Samsung SSDs, up to 16 GB of RAM, etc. In addition, the laptop is made in a stylish metal case with a matte finish and the complete absence of any logos, and is similar in size to an average magazine.

Other highlights include an excellent TFT IPS display with excellent color reproduction and a touch surface, as well as very thin bezels; backlit keyboard and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Advantages

Attractive design;

Powerful specifications at an attractive price.

Flaws

The laptop is targeted at the Chinese market. And therefore, some firmware is not localized, including driver programs, and Windows may also ship in a non-activated state;

The laptop is equipped with a battery made using Li-pol technology, which can wear out due to high electricity consumption.

Versatile 15.6-inch laptop with high-end discrete graphics. Regardless of the specific configuration, an NVIDIA GeForce 920M graphics accelerator is installed in the computer. Of course, its performance is not enough for games - but enough for processing large and complex images, multi-layered videos, 3D models, CAD drawings and similar content.

Another important advantage - in the top configuration, this laptop is equipped with a 2 TB hard drive. This space is enough, for example, to store a complete 1C database or a whole collection of highly detailed 3D models.

Advantages

Powerful graphics accelerator;

Powerful yet quiet cooling system

performance;

Large hard drive;

Flaws

No configuration with Intel Core i7;

Small amount of RAM. However, you can install more RAM yourself to increase performance;

The screen "blinds" under direct light;

Not the latest processors (maximum - fifth generation);

Lenovo G510 (Core i7 4700MQ 2400 Mhz)

Versatile 15.6 inch laptop. Well suited for computing (programming, 1C management, technical support, other IT areas), and for working with graphics. It is equipped with a not very productive, but at the same time energy-efficient discrete graphics card AMD Radeon HD 8750M.

The device is focused primarily on the corporate and IT-segment. Therefore, it is equipped with many practical functions for business users, including TPM, system recovery mode, etc.

Advantages

High performance thanks to the Intel Core i7 processor;

Lenovo AccuType branded keyboard;

Large hard drive;

Quiet but efficient system cooling;

Flaws

Low screen resolution (1366 × 768 pixels with a diagonal of 15.6 inches);

Plastic, relatively flimsy case;

Relatively slow hard drive (5400 rpm);

The best laptops for premium work

This is a MacBook - and, in principle, that says it all. Excellent display quality that will be appreciated by graphic designers, photographers and videographers. Comfortable backlit keyboard. Great battery life - the manufacturer claims 10 hours, but in fact it is a little less.

What's more, it's a classic MacBook Pro. Without the Touch Bar, with all the necessary connectors and a luminous "apple" on the lid - if, of course, it is necessary. In addition, Apple continues to support it, thanks to which the laptop will receive latest versions proprietary operating system Mac OS.

Advantages

High overall performance;

Full set of necessary connectors;

Excellent screen and keyboard quality;

Flaws

On some copies - not very high-quality assembly (the glossy coating of the screen peels off, two battery cells are not glued);

The complexity of the upgrade;

Mac OS operating system (requires getting used to after switching from Windows, not all familiar applications are available);

13" Windows ultrabook, flagship. Updated every year, and revisions get the most top-end hardware. Therefore, the performance of this ultrabook is at a high level - even though some configurations lack a discrete graphics card.

In recent versions, developers have also focused on User Experience. The screen has been updated - now it is equipped with very, very thin frames, which the manufacturer himself calls Infinity Edge; the keyboard has been improved - a backlight has appeared that does not hit the eyes; the size of the touchpad has been increased.

Therefore, the Dell XPS 13 is not only a productive, but also a stylish ultrabook for business.

Advantages

4K IPS screen configuration;

Up to 6 hours of battery life;

The fingerprint scanner;

Hybrid design with stylus support;

Attractive design;

Flaws

Lack of USB Type-A in the latest models;

Non-standard Windows scaling at 4K resolution;

Laptop for work which company to choose

The following manufacturers of mobile computers deserve trust:

Acer, Asus are Asian companies that specialize in devices of the middle and budget price segment. Although top models they are also represented - albeit in game series. "Working" laptops from these manufacturers are recommended for purchase with a limited budget;

Lenovo is a Chinese company that produces budget, mid-range and flagship laptops. Therefore, in its lineup there are both successful and rather mediocre models. It is worth choosing prudently, according to reviews - and preferably personally;

Dell, HP - American manufacturers of "workhorses". In their laptops, both software and hardware components are focused on the corporate segment, which guarantees high performance and data security. The disadvantage is the relative high cost;

Xiaomi has recently entered the laptop market, and they have 4 models of mobile computers. But these are portable ultrabooks with high performance, which is enough for solving complex problems;

Apple releases truly working ultrabooks. Powerful, productive, functional, with a balanced operating system. However, expensive. But if you need a full-fledged mobile workstation, especially for a designer, programmer or IT specialist, then the Apple MacBook will be the perfect solution.

Which laptop to buy for work

When choosing a laptop for work, you should first of all pay attention to the field of activity. If it is related to graphics processing, video, 3D modeling or CAD design, it is advisable to pay attention to models with a discrete graphics accelerator. Otherwise, almost any will do. The Apple MacBook Pro is also a good choice for designers due to its superb screen quality.

If you need an ultrabook - a thin, light, but at the same time productive laptop - you should pay attention to the Dell XPS 13 and Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air models. The second is about half the price of the first, but both devices belong to the "executive class".

For professionals employed in the office, IT development or similar areas, mid-range laptops from HP, Dell or Lenovo are suitable. But for employees who do not need a high-performance computer, a budget device will be enough.

It happens that a person buys a laptop "just to have it." This is not very reasonable. If you don't have a clear reason to buy, then a brand new laptop is likely to be gathering dust somewhere on a table or a far shelf.

Versatile everyday laptop

Notebooks from the middle and higher price categories fall into this category. A productive and balanced filling allows such laptops to cope with a wide range tasks, including those with not too demanding games at medium and even high settings. Thus, gamers who do not prioritize graphics can save themselves from tangible expenses for a full-fledged gaming laptop with a powerful discrete graphics card.

The best laptops of 2017 according to TechRadar:

1. Dell XPS 13.
2. Asus ZenBook UX305.
3. Razer Blade Stealth.
4. Asus Chromebook Flip.
5. HP Specter x360.
6. Razer Blade.
7. Samsung Notebook 7 Spin.
8. Acer Aspire S 13.
9. Samsung Notebook 9.
10. Surface Book.
11. HP Specter x360 15.
12. MacBook.
13. Asus ZenBook Flip UX360.
14. Apple Macbook Pro 15.
15. Lenovo Yoga 910.

Laptop Mag ranked the best laptop manufacturers based on a combination of six key criteria: reviewers' ratings, design, quality of technical support and support, innovation, range of laptops offered, and loyalty to warranty conditions.

1. Lenovo.
2. Asus.
3. Dell.
4. Acer.
5. Apple.
6. Razer.
7. Samsung.
8. Microsoft.

For serious games

Gaming laptops are very powerful and very expensive. This feature allows you to use gaming laptops for any work, including design, video editing, 3D graphics and design.

The video card is the most important part. In 2016, Nvidia introduced the tenth series of GeForce GTX graphics cards, which are not only much more powerful than previous generations, but also great for installation in laptops because they do not require a bulky cooling system.

If earlier Nvidia released heavily stripped-down mobile GeForce GTX with the letter M in the name for laptops, now you can install a full-fledged video card in a laptop: like in a stationary PC, but with slightly lower frequencies.

That is, if you buy a gaming laptop with a GeForce GTX 1050, 1050 Ti, 1060, 1070, 1080, or 1080 Ti, you'll get the performance of a desktop gaming PC with a similar graphics card.

The problem is that there are still a lot of outdated gaming laptops in electronics stores, and they cost like new, and sometimes even more expensive. The consultant may try to sell you such a laptop. Don't be tempted to buy a gaming laptop with GeForce GTX Series 10 only.

As a processor for a gaming laptop, older models of Intel Core i5 (for GTX 1050 and 1060), basic Core i7 (for GTX 1070) and older Core i7 (for GTX 1080) are traditionally chosen. The amount of RAM is usually from 8 to 32 GB.

Top 10 Gaming Laptops According to TechRadar:

1. Razer Blade.
2. Asus ROG Strix GL502.
3. Alienware 13 R3.
4. Razer Blade Pro.
5. Gigabyte Aero 14.
6. Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming.
7. HP Omen 17.
8. Origin EVO15-S.
9. Gigabyte Aero 15.
10. Origin EON17-X.

For maximum mobility

If your lifestyle or work nature forces you to constantly move around, then mobility comes first when choosing a laptop. The smaller, lighter and thinner, the better. Often these laptops are called ultrabooks.

Top 10 ultrabooks according to TechRadar:

1. Dell XPS 13.
2. Asus ZenBook UX30.
3. Razer Blade Stealth.
4. HP Specter x360.
5. Samsung Notebook 9.
6. Acer Aspire S 13.
7. Surface Book.
8. Acer Swift7.
9. Lenovo Yoga 910.
10. HP Specter.

For maximum autonomy

If a most time you spend away from the outlet, then the determining factor when choosing a laptop is the operating time from a single battery charge.

We bring to your attention the rating of the most "long-playing" laptops according to Laptop Mag. The specified operating time is valid for constant web surfing in the browser via Wi-Fi without the use of other resource-intensive applications.

1. Lenovo ThinkPad T470 - 17 hours.
2. MacBook Air 13 - 14 hours.
3. Microsoft Surface Book - 12 hours.
4. Dell Latitude 7280 - 12 hours.
5. Lenovo Miix 310 - 12 hours.
6. Dell Latitude 5280 - 12 hours.
7. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon - 12 hours.
8. Dell XPS 13 - 11 hours.
9. Dell Latitude 5480 - 11 hours.
10. Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming - 11 hours.
11. Acer ChromeBook R 13 - 11 hours.
12. Lenovo Yoga 910 - 10 hours.
13. Apple MacBook Pro 15 - 10 hours.
14. Asus ZenBook UX330UA - 10 hours.
15. HP Specter x360 - 10 hours.

Instead of a tablet

Now transformers are very popular, combining a laptop and a tablet. The design of such a hybrid allows you to unfasten the keyboard, rotate the top cover, or literally turn the device inside out so that the screen is on top. A mandatory attribute of the transformer is a touch screen. Laptops "2 in 1" are very compact, lightweight and can completely replace the tablet.

Top 10 convertible laptops according to TechRadar:

1. HP Specter x360.
2. Microsoft Surface Book i7.
3. Samsung Notebook 7 Spin.
4. Microsoft Surface Book.
5. Asus ZenBook Flip UX360.
6. HP Specter x360 15.
7. Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1.
8. Lenovo Yoga 910.
9. Lenovo Yoga 900S.
10. HP Elite x2 1012 G1.

To work on the Internet

If you only use a browser, then pay attention to Chromebook - more affordable laptops, sharpened for working on the Internet.

1. Asus Chromebook Flip.
2. Samsung Chromebook Pro.
3. Dell Chromebook 11.
4. Acer Chromebook 15.
5. Acer Chromebook R11.
6. HP Chromebook 14.
7. HP Chromebook 13.

As a more compact and aesthetic replacement for a desktop computer

A large system unit, monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers and a bunch of tangled wires do not add beauty to the interior and take up a lot of space. The laptop solves the problem easily and gracefully.

The configuration and cost of such a laptop will depend on what you usually do on the old stationary computer and what you plan to do on the new one.

For special work

This includes design, video editing, sound work, 3D graphics, engineering and other specialized activities.

The configurations of such laptops are highly dependent on the tasks being solved and the software used, and the cost ranges from tens to several hundred thousand rubles.

If you are looking for just such a professional laptop, then this guide is unlikely to be useful to you. For information about the correct configurations for narrow-profile laptops, it is better to look at the appropriate sites and forums. Only there you will find experienced professionals who are ready to help with advice.

What is worth paying extra for

Now you will learn about really useful things that justify every ruble invested in them.

Latest generation processor from Intel

There are no good laptop processors from AMD yet. Perhaps the situation will change with the advent of the Ryzen mobile line, but now the only reasonable solution is to buy a laptop with Intel Kaby Lake on board (Core i5 7xxx or Core i7 7xxx).

You can buy a laptop with a previous generation Core i5 or Core i7 (fifth or sixth) and get slightly less performance, but the trick is that the difference in cost between them is minimal or non-existent. Accordingly, it is better to choose the latest technology.

A powerful processor turns the laptop into a multitasking combine that not only works quickly, but also allows you to play not too demanding games, do video editing, graphics, and so on.

SSD instead of HDD

In order not to burden you with unnecessary words, we will simply leave here the indicators of the time required to launch some applications on a laptop with an HDD and an SSD, all other things being equal.

8 GB RAM

You've probably heard how gluttonous the Chrome browser is in terms of memory consumption, and it's not the only program that requires a lot of resources to run fast.

RAM is cheap and greatly affects the speed of the computer. Don't skimp on it.

Full HD screen

A laptop with a Full HD screen at a standard distance from it makes the pixels invisible to the human eye. Thanks to this, the picture becomes much better. Full HD fits more content, making working with desktop applications and on the Internet more comfortable and convenient. High-resolution matrices are usually made using more advanced technologies and have better characteristics than their younger HD counterparts.

Tenth series GeForce GTX graphics card

If you're buying a laptop with an eye for new games, then choose a model with discrete graphics GeForce GTX 1050, 1050 Ti, 1060, 1070, 1080 or 1080 Ti - depending on the budget.

In no case do not purchase laptops with GeForce GTX ninth series or even earlier. Save a little money and you'll end up with a much less powerful laptop without future headroom and decent VR support.

WiFi 5 GHz

Now Wi-Fi points are everywhere, but a side effect of such a ubiquitous presence is a drop in quality and connection speed. Roughly speaking, wireless routers jam each other.

The solution could be to switch to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band, known as 802.11ac.

Unfortunately, 5 GHz Wi-Fi also requires a router that supports this technology, but as a reward for spending extra, you will get super-fast and stable wireless Internet.

By the way, 5 GHz Wi-Fi support is useful not only for a laptop, but also for a smartphone.

USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connectors

USB-C is the inevitable future, sooner than you think. In the next few years, this standard will become the only universal interface for charging and connecting any peripherals to a laptop.

The symmetrical design allows you to connect USB-C on either side, and therefore the familiar “does not fit, turned over, does not fit” problem familiar to everyone will be a thing of the past.

Advanced Thunderbolt 3, in addition to being compatible with USB-C, has sufficient throughput for connecting a 4K monitor, an external drive with a read and write speed comparable to an SSD, as well as a full-fledged external video card.

What you shouldn't pay for

Not all manufacturers are distinguished by the ability to create balanced laptops. In addition, some of the features present in laptops are often frankly useless.

Backlit keyboard

A laptop is a one piece device and its screen is always illuminating the keyboard. Accordingly, additional backlighting of the keys is not needed.

The only reason to choose a backlit model or to pay extra for this modification is the habit of working in complete darkness with a minimum screen brightness.

Above Full HD screen

The possibilities of the human eye are limited. With sufficient pixel density, we will not see them from a typical distance for working with a particular device. Such screens are best known as used in Apple products.

For a laptop with a screen diagonal of 13 inches and Full HD resolution, the distance from which the pixels cease to be distinguishable is 51 centimeters. Approximately at this distance, our eyes are when working at a laptop. Thus, increasing the screen resolution, and, accordingly, the pixel density, does not make sense.

If someone is persistently trying to prove to you that QHD and even more so Ultra HD (almost the same as 4K) is cool and necessary, then either you are dealing with a consultant in an electronics store, or you are faced with a marketing victim.

In addition to meaninglessness in terms of picture quality, over-resolution displays consume more battery power and require much more resources to render the picture, which negatively affects performance.

Mandatory Intel Core i7

The latest generation Intel Core i7 is a really cool processor, but there is such a thing as sufficient performance.

Simply put, you don't need a Nissan GTR if you use your car to travel to Auchan and work on congested roads.

Core i7 is good for heavy computing, video editing, graphics work and top gaming computers. An ordinary user will not use even a fifth of its performance, but will pay the full cost.

Mandatory discrete graphics card

A separate video card is needed for hardcore gamers who want to play new games with cool graphics, as well as for individual specialists. For web surfing, office work and watching movies, there is enough power offered by the integrated graphics.

32GB RAM or more

If you don't know why you need so much RAM, then you don't need that much RAM.

If you are not a gamer, then 8 GB of RAM is enough for you, and if you play heavy games, then 16 GB is enough.

The fingerprint scanner

Now it is fashionable to put fingerprint scanners in laptops as a more convenient alternative to entering a password. Perhaps this will save you an extra second, but is it worth the money that manufacturers are asking for this feature?

Touch screen in an ordinary laptop

A touch screen is required for transformers - hybrid devices with a removable keyboard that combine a tablet and a laptop.

For an ordinary laptop, a touchscreen is not just useless, but also a frankly harmful excess that increases the cost of the device, battery consumption and sometimes worsens the quality characteristics of the screen itself.

Other guides for choosing equipment from Lifehacker.

Preface. How many people - so many opinions ... And everything that is written in this article about how to choose a laptop is just the result of my opinion and the opinion of people I know well who sell and repair such equipment.

Therefore, I took the liberty of naming the article as "practice tips". In the article I do not denigrate or whitewash specific manufacturers - this is just a subjective view ...

Good day!

Buying a new laptop, after all, is quite a significant waste for most people, and I would very much like the purchased equipment to cope with its tasks, work for a long time and without breakdowns.

In order not to regret choosing a laptop, it is highly advisable, before going to the store to buy, to read the pros / cons of specific "pieces of iron" and make a choice (i.e. go to the store to look at something concrete, not just abstract " notebook"). Otherwise, there is a risk that experienced sales consultants with their "4 cores 4 gigs" will simply sell you something completely different ...

And so, in the article I will describe the most important points that you should pay attention to in the first place. Let's start...

Choosing a laptop: 10 important points

❶ The type and design of the laptop. What to choose?

Probably, one of the most important things in choosing is to decide for what tasks you need a laptop. If for work (social networks, reading mail, working with Word, etc.) - this is one type of device, if for games - this is a completely different type.

As far as dimensions and weight are concerned, now there are both fairly large devices with 17-inch screens (more than 3-4 Kg, it is often problematic to carry with you), and quite compact ones (10-13 inches screen) and light ( less than 1 kg) intended for everyday wear. I also note that due to the small weight and dimensions, performance often suffers ...

Yes, and the design of laptops can be different: there is a classic type of device; there are models that can act both as a tablet and as a laptop (universal transformers). Thanks to the spec. hinges - on such laptops, the screen can be rotated as you like (see the pictures below).

Classic type of laptops

From myself, I note: that all these "twists" are the weak point of such devices. Quite often, laptops from these lines with fur get into repairs. damage (or with the presence of play) just in these places. Some of the most reliable laptops are classic-type devices (no unnecessary screen rotations).

I also note about the case: the case made of aluminum alloys is usually more reliable than that of plastics (it is harder to scratch, it heats up less, does not dent, and is more durable). True, such devices can cost significantly more.

In general, according to the choice of the design of the device, it is difficult to add something else, because "the taste and color ...".

❷ How to evaluate the performance of the processor, video card, RAM? How to buy the highest performance for the least money?

Perhaps this is one of the most frequently asked questions that absolutely all buyers ask. Usually, after all, how - there is a certain amount of money allocated for the purchase, and I would very much like to buy the most productive device available for it (in general, I would recommend considering the CPU from Intel i3, i5, i7 today) .

And here the most interesting begins - how to evaluate the performance of a device in a series of "ciphers" (for example, 1366x768, TN + film, Intel Core i3 6006U, 2x2 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, Intel HD 520, DVD -SMulti, WiFi, Linux)?

Let me briefly decipher my example:

1. 1366x768 is the screen resolution;
2. TN + film - matrix (you can read about it, and in general about choosing a monitor here: );
3. Intel Core i3 6006U, 2x2 GHz - processor model (I'll show you how to evaluate performance below);
4. RAM 4 GB - random access memory;
5. HDD 500 GB - hard disk size;
6. Intel HD 520 - video card;
7. DVD-SMulti - CD drive;
8. Wi-Fi, Linux - Wi-Fi support, and the laptop has Linux installed (by the way, if you buy a laptop without an OS or with Linux pre-installed, you save money).

Now about performance evaluation

As an example, I decided to take two mid-price laptops from Lenovo (screen below). How to evaluate which one is more productive?

To begin with, always pay attention to the processor (the performance of the entire laptop as a whole depends on it). The first laptop has an Intel Core i3 7100U, the second has an Intel Core i5 5200U. Most, it seems to me, will decide that i5 is faster (well, it's i5!). In fact, there are a few more numbers and letters next to "i3" or "i5" (generation and index) - performance also depends on them VERY significantly!

Now for the comparison

(in general, things are not so simple, and the information below is simplified for simple basic comparison)

On them, you can compare the real performance of one processor with another (as well as a video card, disk, RAM, etc.). For example, I entered both CPUs: the service shows that the processors have almost the same performance (moreover, Core i3-7100U in selective synthetic tests shows an effective speed of 3% -5% higher). Also, after evaluating the video cards (and the presence of an SSD drive), it turns out that the first i3 laptop will work a little faster and more responsive than the second ☺.

You can also evaluate the performance of the CPU based on the results of tests presented in the form of tables (you need to manually search for each of the processors in the table and see where it is and what test results it shows, for example, on the screen below i5-5200U - 3361). Here are a couple of sites:

One more example.

Here on the screen below are two i5 processors (7th and 8th generation). Let's compare them...

It turns out that according to the test results, the processors are approximately equal in performance, even more, the Intel Core i5-7300HQ wins by several percent. This is all leading me to the fact that evaluating the performance of the CPU by eye for an inexperienced user in this matter is a rather difficult task (and deceptive).

Here, in fact, resorting to such simple methods- it is possible, even having a superficial idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhardware, in an hour or two to select for yourself the most productive laptops (in relation to the price).

Important!

In my examples above - CPU performance was about the same. But in stores for the same price, laptops are often sold that have a difference in CPU performance of 30-50% (and more)!

Therefore, after all, go to the store to look at specific models that you have evaluated in advance (and already on the spot you can even check the honesty and competence of the seller ☺).

❸ AMD or Intel. What is better and more reliable?

The eternal dispute, which is not one dozen years old. It is believed that it seems like AMD is better for games, Intel is better for calculations. I still recommend choosing an Intel CPU for a laptop, here's why:

1. firstly, they heat up less (very important for a laptop, where everything is located very compactly, and breakdowns often occur precisely due to overheating);
2. secondly, for their cooling, a not so powerful cooler is needed, which means that the laptop will work quieter (usually it is);
3. thirdly, Intel processors are more energy efficient - this means that the laptop can more long time do without recharging;
4. fourthly, on average, laptops with Intel CPUs last a little longer (survivable ☺) than those from AMD.

And in general, today, there are much more laptops on the Intel CPU on sale than from AMD - it's easier and faster to make a choice...

❹ About the video card: what are, what is more reliable?

By performance and its evaluation - I answered in paragraph 2 of this article.

In general, there are two types of video cards in laptops: integrated and discrete.

Integrated- suitable for normal work: Word, Excel, surfing in a browser, watching movies (even in FullHD format), etc. But it will be problematic to play games and process videos on it.

No, most old games should work fine, but with new ones there will be problems... I note that if battery life is important to you, then laptops without discrete video cards work a little longer.

An assessment of the work of integrated video cards - you can look at https://www.youtube.com (for each model, there are videos from games with quantity). Well, for example, the integrated IntelHD 5500 graphics card provides 50-60 FPS in game world of Warcraft at 1366x768 on above average settings.

Intel HD Graphics 510 - 60 FPS in tanks in HD

Discrete - more productive. Mainly needed for working with 3D graphics (games).

I note that laptops with a discrete graphics card are less reliable and durable than those with an integrated one. They are also more prone to overheating, and more noisy during operation.

❺ Screen: IPS vs TN, matte or glossy. When and what to choose?

Most users do not pay any attention to the screen at all. And they do not notice any difference until they put 2 different monitors in front of them with the same picture (just below the photo shows 2 laptops with different IPS and TN matrices).

In short: the quality of the picture on the screen depends on the type of matrix. There are quite a few matrices on sale now, but the main ones are TN and IPS (among most of the rest, these are various derivatives of these).

IPS matrices display colors with the highest quality, besides, if you look from the side / top / bottom, the picture will not change or deteriorate. True, they have a minus - not all of them have a low response time, because of this, in fast games and dynamic scenes, you can observe vagueness. IPS matrices are much more expensive than TN.

TN (or TN+Film) - color reproduction is worse, but they have a low response time and are great for games. Also, if you don’t really like that someone is watching what you are doing on a laptop from the side - perhaps a TN matrix will help you - the picture on the screen is distorted, and it is only comfortable to look at it for someone who works at a laptop.

Remarque!

Also, monitors can be with different types of surfaces: matte and glossy. On glossy - brighter and richer colors, but in it you see reflections and glare. On a glossy monitor, you can only work in a room where there is no bright light that will be reflected on the screen.

Matte and glossy monitor surfaces

❻ About assembling / disassembling a laptop ...

Usually no one ever pays attention to this either. Meanwhile, after a year and a half of use (when the warranty ends) - you suddenly think that it would be nice to clean it (maybe the laptop starts to warm up). Also, you will have to "climb" into the laptop if you want to add RAM, or install / change the disk.

So, it is much more convenient to maintain those laptops on which, by removing a small protective cover, you can access RAM, a radiator with a cooler, and disks. Simply, there are also such designs of laptops in which, in order to get to the cooler, you need to completely disassemble it (even sometimes you have to remove the keyboard, etc.). In general, when assembling / disassembling, it is easy to damage something (especially if you have never encountered this before).

In a laptop with a convenient protective cover, you can independently blow and clean it from dust (without spending extra money on services), install / change disks or RAM. Moreover, with minimal risk of damaging anything.

A simple laptop cleaning example (Lenovo B70 line)

In general, there is no trend - some lines go in such a way that you just don’t understand which engineer and why he designed them like that; others - on the contrary, 2-3 screws, and you can contemplate everything you need. Moreover, many manufacturers have both successful lines in this regard, and not so much.

❼ About manufacturers: HP, Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, Acer, etc. What breaks less

In general, I hasten to disappoint that almost any equipment from any manufacturer breaks down. And I must note that in last years(in my opinion), the quality of mainstream laptops has dropped dramatically. Either manufacturers save money in pursuit of competitors, or because of the relocation of production to China, or because of something else ...

However, here are some thoughts on specific manufacturers:

1. HP - there are a lot of tempting models. As a rule, they are among the first to have laptops with a new generation of processors at affordable prices. Big choice various options layout. However! I don’t know why, but 4-5 out of 10 laptops that are brought in for repair are devices from this manufacturer (the Pavilion and Envy series stand out in particular). Very unreliable and I would recommend just avoiding laptops from this manufacturer (at least for the time being ☺);
2. Acer - this manufacturer also has a very wide selection of inexpensive and mid-range devices. However, I note right away that Acer often has problems with cooling (especially on laptops with AMD processors). As a result, because of this, overheating is often observed, bridges “burn out”, capacitors swell, and the Acer Packard Bell line does not get out of the rem at all. workshop (Aspire is better, but not by much. Besides, they are not easy to maintain).
3. Toshiba - there are not so many laptops of this brand. In general, laptops of this brand used to be of very high quality, as is the case now - it's hard for me to say ☺;
4. Samsung - in the mass sale is practically not visible for the last year or two (if there are any, they sell the "old" leftovers). Laptops, on average, are not bad (although there are certain problems with drivers and BIOS settings (everything is non-standard)).
5. Lenovo - a lot of laptops of very different price categories, there are both very successful builds and not very good ones. I would recommend paying attention to the ThinkPad line (a very good line), a little worse than the IdeaPad. As for inexpensive devices (without a discrete graphics card), laptops are quite reliable (compared to other manufacturers), as for gaming solutions - like the same Y520 series: there is a problem with cooling (despite the fact that the series is quite new, there is no longer one the laptop was in repair precisely because of the problem of overheating);
6. Asus is one of the leaders in the production of laptops. I note that among inexpensive models (without a discrete graphics card) - many laptops are simply unkillable (I recommend the X series; VivoBook is also quite worthy, although it is inferior to X☺). As for gaming models (Asus ROG, etc.), they are approximately at the average level (in terms of reliability), in terms of the performance of such devices, they are one of the market leaders. By the way, I also note that laptops of this brand are 5-10% more expensive than the same Acer or HP;
7. Dell - before, the products of this company were very reliable (now they are worse, but also at a decent level). The very reliable Inspiron 3rd and 5th line series (without a discrete graphics card on Intel processors) are rarely repaired, although the line is on sale in every store (many relatively affordable devices). Gaming models (also the Inspiron line on Intel) differ from this manufacturer in thoughtful cooling (the temperature rarely goes beyond the limits of what is permitted), however, they are noisy;
8. MSI - there are relatively few of them on sale, apparently due to the fact that such laptops are represented only by a line of productive devices. By the way, if we evaluate performance - one of the market leaders, in terms of reliability - in my opinion, they lose to Dell gaming solutions (about the same level as gaming laptops from Asus).

❽ About the required connectors: M.2, USB Type-C, microphone / headphones

Here I want to note the most, in my opinion, the most popular ports that will definitely come in handy (but, which are far from being in every laptop, like the same USB or HDMI).

M.2- this connector is required to connect SSD drives (which will provide speed several times higher than HDD). This connector is found on laptops of the mid-price category and above (as a rule, it is not available in budget ones). When buying, I recommend paying attention to its presence - because. later, many users want to speed up the work of their "friend", and by installing an SSD, you can make the laptop much more responsive and faster!

USB Type-C- the port is designed to replace all existing versions of USB. It can be used to connect flash drives, monitors, hard drives and other devices. I also note that the port allows you to quickly charge phones (for example), and provide data transfer rates up to 10 Gb / s!

And yet, on laptops there are both classic microphone and headphone outputs, and headset connector. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter which connector is installed on the laptop, but if you have the most common (computer) headphones, and the laptop has a headset jack, you won’t be able to connect them directly. To connect, immediately buy a special in the store. adapter.

Remarque!

More details on this topic in the article "One input for headphones and microphone in a laptop ke - how to connect them -

❾ About drives: HDD, SSD

There are two types of drives in laptops: SSD (solid state drives) and HDD (classic hard drives). SSD drives are significantly faster, on average 4-5 times faster! Thanks to their installation, Windows can boot in 5-6 seconds! And in general, the system starts to work much more responsive and faster.

Remarque!

For more information about the advantages of SSD and whether it is worth switching to them, see this article.:

In general, in laptops, there is usually only 1 slot in which an HDD is already installed. To install an SSD, you need to either replace your HDD or buy a special one. container and install an SSD instead of a CD drive, or use the M.2 connector.

Addition! How to connect 2 drives to a laptop (HDD + HDD or HDD + SSD drive) -

In general, I personally would recommend choosing laptops with an SSD drive: they are faster, weigh less, allow your device to last longer on battery power, and not be as afraid of shaking and vibration as an HDD (and a laptop is still a portable device). And the reliability of SSD drives is higher ...

True, it is worth noting that laptops with SSD drives are slightly more expensive than those with HDD.

❿ Where to buy and how to return the laptop back (and is it possible ...)

1) New vs used

To begin with, I’ll say that you only need to buy a new laptop, which will have at least a year of warranty (now the market average is like this). In general, I am against buying old used devices from strangers (because it is not known how the device was used, dropped / hit, etc., whether it was stolen, etc. points). As a last resort, take it through some workshop where they can diagnose the laptop.

2) Shopping

Avoid shopping in such large stores as Eldorado, M-Video, Domo, etc., where they sell anything for the home in a row (there are many minuses, but if you take it as a whole, then very often the price tags are very high in such stores, the range of choice is not so extensive, and more often there are problems with returns).

3) Remember that a laptop is technically complex product, and you can’t just change it or take it back to the store (even during the first two weeks)!

If you think that the laptop has problems, then within 2 weeks (after purchase) it can be taken for diagnostics, and if the problem is confirmed, they will refund your money or exchange the goods (I recommend always writing in the return application that demand return funds back, because there is some problem (rather than indicate that the product should be replaced with a similar one)- so, you are obliged to give an answer faster, within 10 days).

After 2 weeks after purchase - in case of a problem with the device, you will simply be repaired under warranty.

4) Can I return my laptop? if you just don't like him, but everything seems to be in order with him?

Pretty popular question. If the store goes to meet you, then there is no problem, as it were (but, as a rule, most stores do not do this). Therefore, before buying, I advise you to find out in advance whether they take back the equipment, if suddenly after testing it turns out that it did not fit (some for a fee - there is a special guarantee for extended service, and there is such a service there).

Now about how to return a laptop if the store is against it (may sellers forgive me ☺).

Firstly, you need to do this in the first two weeks after the purchase (it is possible to do this after, but it is much more difficult, only in case of already very serious problems with the device).

Thirdly, I’ll say right away that you can find something to complain about with 9/10 devices of the mid-price category:

• screen quality - very often you can find very small glare, uneven edges, etc. defects (for most users they are not significant, but they exist);
• battery - in many stores in the product description it says that the laptop will work for 4-5 hours, for example (and even the capacity is indicated) - in fact, the operating time is less;
• noise - some devices make noise during operation (grinding, squeaking, etc.);
• pay attention also to the keyboard (check absolutely all keys), all ports, etc.

Next, in the store, write an application for the return of goods, with a request to return all funds for the purchase in full (namely, funds!), Due to the fact that, for example, the device works less time than in the product description, and for you this is an essential characteristic goods. In general, it is rather difficult to refute this fact. (moreover, the batteries are actually often planted and narrower) , and most stores go to meet you (no one needs conflicts and courts (and you can still apply to consumer protection, and other instances, complicating the life of the store. So that now everything can be done online) ).

RESULTS (SHORT ABSTRACTS)

1. before going to the store and buying a laptop - select for yourself several models of devices for which you have evaluated performance, looked at reviews and roughly know what to expect;
2. in terms of reliability: choose a classic type of laptop (without unnecessary "twists") without a discrete graphics card on an Intel processor. It is also desirable to exclude manufacturers HP and Acer (a subjective view, but laptops of these brands are most often carried in for repair). Also pay attention to the warranty period (it also says a lot) - for some laptops they give not a year, but two years (for example, Asus for some lines of their laptops);
3. if you want to save: do not buy a laptop with Windows installed (this increases the cost of the device immediately by 3000+ rubles). It is more profitable to take with Linux and (especially since 2 device models are often presented in stores at once - with and without Windows). In addition, evaluate your laptop for - it is possible that some store sells the same model cheaper (or there is some kind of promotion);
4. if you are going to play: it is highly desirable that you have a discrete video card on board (although the latest integrated ones show very decent results and are able to satisfy a user who sometimes likes to drive old games);
5. if you need something powerful for games: better to opt for laptops from Dell (Inspiron) and Asus (ROG). In general, purely in my opinion, it’s better to buy a system unit with this money - it will be somewhat more productive for games than a laptop (and take a laptop that is light and compact - purely for work);
6. about connectors: it is desirable that you have M.2, USB Type-C on your laptop (the first one will help you connect SSD drives, the second one is a universal and extremely fast port);
7. about service: ideal if you have a protective cover on your laptop that allows you to quickly access the RAM, drives and cooler;
8. and last: even if you need a simple laptop for everyday tasks (document editing, browser, movies, old and simple games), I personally recommend buying a device with at least a 5-6th generation Intel i3 processor (e.g. i3-5005U is the 5th generation) and at least 4 GB of RAM. This is the minimum that will allow you to work quietly in modern Windows 10 without "jerks" and "freezes". To buy something less productive today is to be disappointed in the device later ...

Additions are welcome...

Good luck in choosing a device!