Here is how to choose the right laptop for data use. Purchasing a laptop can be confusing. Finding it can be challenging, even if you are fully aware of what everything implies and are sure of what you desire. Finding the desired model on the manufacturer’s website can be frustrating.
This article is intended to assist you in navigating the maze of contemporary laptops. The section that follows covers each significant component you’ll need to be aware of when looking for your next computer. We attempt to provide straightforward explanations by dissecting the technical language.
How Do You Buy the Right Laptop For Data Use?
- Choose Your Operating System First
- Knowledge of Processor Names (CPUs)
- Do You Need a Lot of Processing Power?
- How Much RAM Is Required for your work?
- Support and warrantyÂ
Choose Your Operating System First
Before you start looking at laptops, choose the operating system (OS) that works best for you. You may decide the hardware you require by considering the applications you need to run and the operating systems on which those applications operate.
There are four main operating systems for computers. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Here is a description of each:
Windows
This venerable operating system still functions well but no longer receives much attention. This is the best option if you require Microsoft applications like MS Office, Access, or Outlook. Additionally, Windows laptops are available in a wider variety than any other OS.
macOS
Apple’s operating system is a little more user-friendly than Windows’, but it is also closely tied to the company’s hardware. If you don’t own an iPhone or iPad and your alternatives are only MacBooks, it probably isn’t your first choice.
Chrome OS
is a good option if you can complete the majority of your laptop-related duties through a web browser. If you’re on a limited budget, Chrome OS is another something to think about because Chrome laptops, often known as Chromebooks, are among the least expensive (and least powerful) you’ll discover.
The drawback is that programs like Microsoft Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite won’t function. You may be able to install some apps, such as Office, that were designed for Android phones and tablets on your Chromebook, but I’ve found that they frequently perform poorly.
Linux
You can install Linux on virtually every piece of laptop hardware ever made if you don’t need Microsoft Office and don’t mind a learning curve.
The problem is that well-known programs like Microsoft Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite won’t function. Alternatives like LibreOffice, Darktable (a substitute for Adobe Lightroom), and GIMP are free and open source (Adobe Photoshop replacement).
Knowledge of Processor Names (CPUs)
Once you’ve decided on an operating system and have a general concept of the apps you’ll use, you can determine the minimal hardware requirements.
We advise starting by examining the processor, often known as the chip or the CPU.
In essence, there are just two manufacturers of laptop processors: Intel and AMD.
Intel processors
The Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 are Intel’s top processors. Core i3 processors are the weakest, and Core i9 processors are the strongest.
The word “Core” is typically omitted from names since it becomes monotonous.
Intel uses cryptic strings of numbers and letters within each of these chip lines to provide additional details on the features and release date of that chip.
A laptop manufacturer’s website can list the processor type as Intel Core i5-10510U.
Let’s dissect it. As indicated by the first numerals (“10”), it is a chip from the 10th generation. The i5-9510U is a ninth-generation chip or one that is most likely one to two years older.
The next two or three digits (“510”) are performance-related. The chip’s power increases as these values rise. But only within that chip line is this true.
Compared to the Intel Core i7-10350U laptops, the Intel Core i5-10510U is only somewhat more powerful than the Intel Core i5-10210U.
The i7 chip always outperforms the i5, and the gap between them is wider than that between any two chips from the same chip series.
Intel uses the letter “U” at the end of the chip name (in our case) to identify its purpose. The letters you’ll see at the end for laptops are Y, U, and H.
You need only be concerned about the Y series chips, which are tuned for battery life.
That’s advantageous if you routinely spend a lot of time away from a plug, but the additional battery life degrades some performance.
While U chips are “power efficient” but not “very” efficient like the Y series, H chips are performance-optimized.
The AMD processors
Just like Intel’s, AMD’s processor nomenclature is challenging to understand.
The “3” in AMD Ryzen 5 3600X stands for the generation (how old it is; older is better), and the “6” is for the processor’s power.
This example would be a medium-powered chip with a “6,” whereas a weaker chip would have a “3” or a “4”. (slower).
The effects of the next two numbers are minimal. High performance is indicated by the “X” at the conclusion. The letter U stands for ultra-low power, among other things.
Do Intel and AMD CPUs differ significantly from one another? My testing of dozens of both each year has led me to the conclusion that… it depends.
An Intel i5 and a Ryzen 5 are generally identical outside of extremely specialized benchmarks. When you’re doing activities like browsing the web or editing documents, they’re similar. The Intel i3 and Ryzen 3 are equivalent to the Intel i7 and Ryzen 7, respectively.
The other area where there is a difference in graphic performance. In my tests, AMD’s integrated graphics typically outperform Intel on graphics-intensive tasks like playing games or video editing in both benchmarks and real-world usage.
Although AMD still has an advantage, Intel’s most recent generation of CPUs has greatly narrowed that gap. If you’re a gamer or video editor, an AMD computer might be advantageous for you, but a specialized graphics card is probably what you want.
Do You Need a Lot of Processing Power?
If you’re a normal user who uses a web browser, Microsoft’s Office Suite, and perhaps even some photo editing software, we advise a laptop with an Intel Core i5 eighth-generation or later processor. The display for that would read “Intel Core i5-8350U.”
If you can afford it, upgrading to an Intel i7 chip will make your laptop feel faster. You will need to weigh your needs against the greater power’s frequently shorter battery life.
An i7 (or i9) CPU would be used in a laptop for gaming, for example, but an i3 or i5 is typically sufficient for less demanding tasks.
The AMD Ryzen 5000 series will also be enough for the ordinary user, but the Ryzen 7000 is a welcome upgrade again at the expense of battery life.
How Much RAM Is Required for your work?
More is better, right? Your laptop employs random-access memory, or RAM, to store data while the CPU works with it.
Consider RAM to be your desk. Your workstation needs to be large enough to accommodate everything you’re working on right now.
Things tumble off of a desk that is too small, making it impossible to work on it. Similar to this, if your RAM runs out, you won’t be able to complete creating your video or open any more browser tabs. Your laptop will eventually freeze and require a restart.
The typical Windows user shouldn’t need more than eight gigabytes of RAM, but increasing it to 16 GB will significantly increase your laptop’s functionality (and is a necessity for gaming).
Before purchasing, you should check to see if the RAM is soldered to the motherboard. You won’t be able to upgrade the RAM yourself if it is soldered.
Again, you’ll need at least 16 GB of RAM if you’re creating software or editing videos, both of which demand a lot of RAM. If you have the money, you’ll probably be pleased with 32 GB.
Chrome OS calls for fewer processors. In a Chromebook, 4 GB of RAM is usually plenty, but increasing it to 8 GB will allow you to open more tabs without negatively impacting performance.
When choosing RAM, look for DDR4 next to it. The term “double data rate” is used. Fast DDR4 RAM is what you need.
DDR3 RAM is outdated and less used today. The majority of laptops feature DDR4 RAM, but manufacturers will indicate the type along with the quantity on their websites, so it’s important to double-check before you buy.
Final thought
Therefore, if you want to buy a laptop for your data work, you must consider the amount of RAM, the speed of the processor, and the price. This will help you identify the best laptop for your needs.
