Working iron. How to choose an office laptop and not overpay for unnecessary features

1. Choose a processor

For good performance, the laptop must be equipped with the latest generation processor, such as Intel 9th ​​generation and above or AMD 3rd generation and above. Even if you do not need heavy software like rendering programs or 3D animation, the speed of ordinary office work with such a filling will please.

Processors of the same generation can work with different performance. It depends on the clock frequency – the number of operations that the processor can perform per second. Typically, this figure for laptops ranges from 1 to 4 GHz. The higher it is, the faster the laptop works.

Pay attention to the number of processor cores. It also depends on them whether the software will slow down. For office tasks, a laptop with 2-4 cores is enough. Often run heavy programs – take a laptop with at least six.

2. Check the amount of storage and RAM

Opt for solid-state storage options to boost your laptop’s performance and enhance your comfort. If you plan to store all family photos and documents on your laptop, it is better to choose a capacity of 256 GB or more. It is important that there is free space on the drive, otherwise the laptop may take a long time to launch applications.

Check the amount of RAM before buying. This indicator is important for applications that work in real time, such as a browser, video player, games, software for rendering and creating animation. A modern laptop needs at least 8 GB of RAM. With such a margin, the laptop will not freeze and will be able to provide comfortable work.

3. Decide on the characteristics of the screen

On sale there are laptops with a diagonal of 11 to 17 inches. If the device will always stand on the table, choose a larger screen. It’s handy for any job. And if you plan to carry a laptop with you, it makes sense to look at more compact options with a diagonal of 12–15 inches, or 30–38 cm. These laptops are slightly larger than a landscape sheet in size.

Consider the screen resolution: the higher it is, the clearer the picture you will get. For everyday work, you can choose a device with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. There are also laptops on sale with a 4K display – they have a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Such models are usually needed by video editors and designers to see any little things.

If you plan to run only office programs and watch TV shows in the evenings, you can save money and choose a laptop with a lower resolution. It is unlikely that you will notice the benefits of a 4K display for everyday tasks. In addition, such screens consume a lot of energy. Because of this, the battery can quickly become unusable.

4. Pay attention to the weight of the laptop

In the case when from time to time you need to take the gadget to the office or business trips, it is better to choose a lightweight device. Pay attention to laptops weighing up to 1.3 kilograms. As a rule, such laptops are quite compact – they are convenient to carry in a backpack, large handbag or shopper.

In addition to weight, consider the thickness of the device. The thinner the gadget, the less space it will take in the bag. Laptops with a thickness of 15-17 mm will fit even in a case with documents. But laptops thicker than 20 mm are best left for home use.

5. Find out what connectors the device has

So, USB ports will be needed to connect flash drives, a wireless mouse, an external webcam, and other accessories. The presence of microSD is important if you use memory cards. HDMI comes in handy when you need to connect your laptop to a monitor or projector. A 3.5 mm jack is needed in order to connect headphones, a microphone or speakers.

Before buying, check if the laptop has the connectors you need for peripherals. Otherwise, later you will have to buy adapters or splitters if the same USB ports are not enough.

6. Refine Battery Capabilities

On average, laptops hold a charge up to 5 hours. But there are budget models that can work autonomously and for 10-12 hours. If you do not want to carry a charger with you all the time, pay attention to these options.

User habits also affect the rate of battery consumption. If you like to turn on video or music in the background, the charge will last for 3-5 hours. For those who work only with documents, the laptop will last 8-12 hours without connecting to the network.

Screen brightness, the number of applications running at the same time, idle time without sleep mode also affect the operating time without recharging. To keep track of all this and check the status of the battery, you can use the program to monitor the level of charge.

7. Understand the benefits of the operating system

Often, when changing a laptop, people choose an operating system they already know. But do not be afraid to try something new – this way you will find the option that best suits your needs.

So, to save money, manufacturers can install different versions of Linux on laptops. This free system is open source, and developers regularly change it if they notice threats. In addition, Linux does not consume so many device resources. However, it can be difficult for an ordinary user to get used to this system and learn how to customize it for themselves.

Windows devices are a good option if you are looking for a budget and versatile laptop without much pretension. Most games and free office programs are adapted for Windows. In addition, you can choose from a variety of system packages depending on your needs. Nothing prevents you from doing everyday tasks with the home version of the OS, but the extended one will have more pre-installed applications. Finally, it is easy to pick up device drivers for it.