Did you know that over 70 percent of people who live in metropolitan areas use public transportation to go to work? And experts believe that as cities continue to improve their public transportation system, more people will stop using their cars to work.
Of course, there are many benefits of commuting to work, but one of them is getting a head start on work.
That’s why many commuters use their laptops as they travel on the subway or train. Are you a commuter thinking about buying a laptop? If so, in today’s post, we will teach you how to buy a laptop, as it can be challenging to do without the proper knowledge.
How Much Does a Laptop Cost?
Since there are so many types of laptops, it can be a real hassle knowing which one will suit your needs. So, let’s start by breaking down the four laptop options: entry-level, mid-range, high-end, and 2-in-1. To know more about cost click at laptop under 2000.
Entry-Level Laptops
An entry-level laptop will usually cost around $550 or less. Despite the low-cost price, these laptops can help you get basic tasks like web browsing or Excel. People who purchase entry-level laptops aren’t tech-savvy and don’t use their laptops daily.
Here are some basic specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-8145U
- GPU: Intel UHD 620
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
As you can expect, an entry-level laptop only has low-end hardware, like minimal RAM or CPU power. So, if you plan to use this laptop for graphic design or gaming, then you’re going to have a lot of problems, as it can’t handle programs like Photoshop or Call of Duty Warzone.
But, if you only plan to use standard document programs like Word or Excel, then this is the perfect type of laptop for you.
Mid-Range Laptops
A mid-range laptop can cost anything between $700 to $1,200. As you can see, it’s quite a difference in price range compared to an entry-level one. But, if you’re able to put in the extra cash, you’ll get a laptop that can not only do your basic tasks but also do other things like video editing and gaming.
Here are the specifications for most mid-range laptops:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U Quad-Core
- GPU: Intel UHD 620
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Additionally, a mid-range laptop has better battery life, so you won’t have to worry about charging it too often. On top of that, most mid-range laptops have extra RAM slots or the possibility of installing a secondary GPU, which means you can further improve it. Therefore, you should get a mid-range laptop if you plan to use it throughout your day, not only during your commute.
High-End Laptops
As you can expect, you can find a high-end laptop under 2000 dollars. But, if you can invest that much money, you’ll get a laptop that can compete even with the latest desktop PC.
In addition, these laptops can handle anything you throw at them, from Adobe Dreamweaver to the newest Battlefield game, especially if they have the Intel Evo platform sticker on them.
Here are the specifications for most high-end laptops:
- CPU: Intel Core i9
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Additionally, a high-end laptop has an amazing battery life, some of them lasting over 14 hours! The only major downside of a high-end laptop is that they’re quite large and bulky since they carry lots of hardware. So, it may not be comfortable to use if the subway or train you use gets packed with people.
2-in-1 Laptops
In more recent years, laptop manufacturers have designed a laptop that turns into a tablet, which is why they’re called 2-in-1 laptops. The price range of a 2-in-1 laptop varies greatly, so you can expect to pay anything from $300 to $1000.
These laptops are perfect for people who need to constantly use their laptops, no matter where they are, since they can fold into a tablet.
Here are the most common specs:
- CPU: Intel i5
- GPU: Iris Xe
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
As you can imagine, since it’s essentially a “high-end tablet,” a 2-in-1 laptop doesn’t have all the powerful hardware a conventional laptop has. So, while you can perform most of the standard tasks, you may not be able to do more advanced ones, like editing or gaming.
Additionally, most 2-in-1 laptops allow you to use a stylus pen, so if you ever get tired of using your finger, you can switch over to the stylus pen.
Now that you have an idea of the price range for most laptop styles, let’s look at another important aspect to learn when learning how to buy a laptop: operating systems.
Operating Systems
Perhaps the most important aspect of buying a laptop to consider is the operating system. The main reason this is important is that each OS (operating system) works differently. On top of that, each OS has been tailored to suit a specific user, so knowing which user you are is essential.
Let’s take a look at the four most common operating systems: Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux. But, of course, there are other operating systems in the market, but these are the best in terms of user-friendliness, usability, and adaptability.
Windows
Perhaps the most versatile operating system is Windows, as it’s user-friendly and comes packed with useful programs. For example, most Windows laptops have Microsoft Office installed, which has programs like Excel or Word.
Additionally, learning how to use Windows is quite straightforward, so you won’t have to stress too much about learning how to use it properly.
The downside of using Windows is that many hackers create viruses that can easily break through the laptop’s defenses since it’s so widely available. But, fortunately, you can purchase a state-of-the-art antivirus to protect your Windows laptop, but it won’t be cheap. But, it’s well worth the investment, since it’ll protect your laptop from dangerous viruses.
macOS
Apple stands above the rest since it has made a sleek yet easy-to-use OS. Additionally, if you have other Apple devices, you can sync them with a laptop that has macOS. This OS is perfect for graphic designers as Apple has made the macOS the ideal companion for editing software like Photoshop or Dreamweaver.
The only issue with the macOS is that there aren’t many programs that work on it other than editing software. So, if you’re an avid gamer, you may want to look for a different OS, as the macOS is quite limited in terms of games. But, the good news is there is a way you can install Windows onto it, which can be useful for those who want the best of both worlds.
Chrome OS
Most 2-in-1 laptops use Chrome OS, as Google has designed it to work flawlessly on them. This OS is unique since it favors web-based apps and applications found on the Playstore. While that means that most apps won’t take up space, it also means that some programs won’t work on it.
For example, instead of using Microsoft Office, you’ll need to use Google Docs, as most Microsoft programs don’t work on Chrome OS.
A huge benefit of using the Chrome OS is that it syncs with your Android phone or tablet, and you can even have the same apps on it. So, you don’t have to worry about downloading your favorite apps onto it, as it does so automatically.
Linux
The most obscure OS, without a doubt, is Linux, as only a handful of people use it. Nevertheless, it’s very popular among programmers since it provides the perfect test environment for programs in development. Additionally, most tech experts consider Linux the most secure OS in the market, as it’s very hard to crack.
But, as you can expect, there are several downsides to using Linux. For example, you can’t install almost all traditional programs like Word or Photoshop, even though you can use a couple of free alternatives. On top of that, the learning curve is quite high as the UI and shortcuts are not as easy to learn.
Learning How to Buy a Laptop Is Easier Than You Think!
As you can see, knowing how to buy a laptop is easy once you know what to look out for. But, of course, picking the right laptop can take time, so be sure to research thoroughly before buying anything. So, don’t wait any longer, and start searching for a new laptop today!
Did you find our ultimate guide helpful? If so, be sure to check out our other tech-related guides, as we’re sure that you’ll find them as useful as this one!
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