Laptops: picking made simpler… and more difficult.
By: Aaron Wells
Tags: Laptop, Computers, Office, Notebook, Electronics

Laptops: picking made simpler… and more difficult.

Photo by Michał Kubalczyk on Unsplash

This is a complicated topic so let’s douse it in the simplest way possible.

Laptops have several different key components which give them their overall computing power, software included. These components have to meet certain specifications to operate certain software.

In general the more powerful and modern a laptop’s software and hardware is, the more powerful programs it can run, and the faster it can run them. Let’s get started.

Operating system. This is the software that runs your computer.

Most people have some version of Windows, a paid OS which is the worlds most common, most compatible, and by default, the least secure.

Some people have Mac OS in one version or another. This software is paid for as well, tends to be very secure, is somewhat less compatible than Windows by volume, and because Apple desires it to be that way. This has improved a lot in recent years. Software for Apple computers tends to cost more than equivalent programs for Windows or Linux.

Linux is the worlds primary FREE operating system. Many Linux programs are also free, if not most of them. The downside to Linux is that it’s an advanced users operating system. This has improved a lot on late versions, but sometimes Linux has issues Mac or Windows users don’t. Linux primary advantages are security, system stability and customization compatibility. So much so, that some of the worlds leading security experts and programmers prefer it above all others. As you can see, I’m biased, and I run Linux Mint Ulyana XFCE. Actually, I have Linux and Windows on “Dual boot”… But let’s digress.

It is best to keep in mind that certain programs only run on one operating system or another. Many programs and games these days have cross compatibility with one or more OS. Also, some software has more than one version, so you can select the version designed to run on your OS of choice.

Also, each program has an earliest or latest version it will run on. For new software this will be an earliest hardware version, but older software might not run past a certain version. This is called a program’s “OS requirements”.

Here are the core pieces of hardware that affect computing power.

Storage

Processor

Graphics

RAM

Each of these parts must meet minimum specifications to operate certain software effectively.

It is best to check the most powerful software you desire to run, and similar software you may decide to run, and see what the hardware requirements are. These will be in a “requirements” list for the given program, game, or operating system. (if an operating system comes installed on a computer, you do not have to worry about whether it will run correctly.) When you do this, write down the highest hardware specs needed for each piece of software, and use this as your minimum requirements list. Then go laptop shopping.

Storage There are 3 types. Hard Disc Drive (HDD) Solid State Drive (SSD) and Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVME)

HDD is the slowest, least expensive per Gigabyte of storage, and actually the longest lived.

SSD does not last as many cycles of writing and deleting data, BUT, it’s plenty long lived, and it does read, write and transfer data much faster than HDD. SSD is also more compact, so a lot more storage will go in the same area. In general I recommend SSD for almost everything.

NVME is the most expensive of all 3, lasts as long as SSD, and is MUCH faster and more compact.

NVME is replacing SSD, even while SSD is still replacing HDD for most tasks. NVME uses a different hardware slot, but if it comes pre-installed you have nothing to worry about.

Let me sum up. For cheap, bulk storage and maximum shelf life go HDD, for shock resistant usage, higher performance, and good all around use, go SSD, and for maximum performance go NVME.

Processors are a bit of a funk. You see, there is no universal standard for measuring processing power. Lots of people will tell you it’s measured in Gigahertz, but this isn’t entirely true. There is also bus width, data packets, thread count, bus width of thread count, digital process routing boosters, and actual turbo boost. Assuming I got all that correct! (don’t rely on it) FORGET THAT! What you need to know, is that processors are listed as minimum requirements on software. So check software and get a processor listed as at least that powerful, preferably more so, to ensure near future compatibility with updates and upgrades, or a change of software. This is called “future proofing”. Just don’t go overboard with that, because it gets very expensive to do so. The heaviest digital lifting your laptop is likely to do, involves professional video editing, and second to that, gaming, audio editing, or multiple small programs simultaneously. I believe running certain complex simulations can actually max out a lot of modern computers, but if you are a scientist you probably know more about computers than I do.

Graphics cards, or “graphics processors” (same thing), are similar to regular processors. The only difference is, graphics handle graphics, while processors handle everything else. In fact, most processors have a graphics card of sorts built in. The thing is, if you plan do to heavy gaming, or run video editing software, you likely need an additional graphics card that plugs into it’s own slot internally. These tend to be pre-installed in many more expensive computers, especially gaming computers.

Any software should list minimum specs, and you can reference those, or consult gaming/editing communities if you get confused.

I would like to add (at my brother’s recommendation) it’s worth paying close attention and a second look at processing power. Perhaps familiarize yourself on YouTube. Why? Salesman, Websites, and advertisements will often try to sell you a better sounding processer that’s actually WORSE but cost more $$. With the really modern Intel processors for instance, some of the quad core I5s are actually superior to some of the same generation dual core Intel I7s! This is a great way to get fooled into paying more for an inferior I7 model. Also, a retailer may attempt to charge more for an older I7 than a newer I5. The newer I5 is likely superior. There are multiple gen and model I5s and I7s as you can see. In any case, the modern AMD processors tend to offer you more for your dollar than Intel, who’s business practices, offerings, and technology have been lagging lately. (That’s being polite)

RAM is like a mother trying to remember everything on her grocery list while shopping, and also keep track of the kids and car keys. Random Access Memory is the temporary memory for stuff only tracked while programs are running, or the data is relevant. Once you close programs or turn off the computer, RAM pretty much wipes itself. This means more powerful programs which have a lot of stuff going on, like that mother, are going to need a really good memory. Fact is, people used to worry about tabs, and a couple small programs. These days most comps are so good that RAM can handle pretty much all the tabs you want to. It’s video games, photo/video editing, and multiple medium to larger programs you have to worry about. Even my beloved and ancient Lenovo T430 has been upgraded to 16 gigabytes of RAM, and handles tabs like a champ.

At the end of the day, you can run “benchmark” tests on your laptop on or offline, to get an idea what your current device is capable off, or look through it’s specs. And you can do the same with laptops you are looking at online. Of course you have to look up the benchmark tests for them, but plenty of people run those, including well known websites. Finally, you can pull up YouTube and familiarize yourself with any aspect of a laptop that confuses you, or glean understanding of a given models performance. I highly recommend Linus Tech Tips, with whom I am not currently affiliated in any way.

Connection ports are critical to operating any laptop, and I feel like these are among the most underrated aspects of a laptop. Most laptops do not have enough ports for my liking, and the vast majority no longer have CD players, or even blue Ray. Still, with streaming services, flash drives, and externally plugged storage drives or USB CD players, it seems manageable. All the more reason to have lots of modern USB ports. HDMI seems to be the new standard in throwing video to a screen. I think the old VGA was primarily for projectors, and they have all the modern trimmings of a Flintstones car. In any case, if you require any special or unusual ports, you might want to double check those, and their compatibility before buying. You could also see if USB ports can be accessorized with converting devices to allow a given function from something older or specialized.

There are different standards of Bluetooth in much the same way USB ports have upgraded standards over the years, so keep this in mind when looking at new computer gear. It would be disappointing to have relied on transferring now outdated accessories over. I believe 5.0 is the current new Bluetooth standard, but many prior gen accessories should be compatible with the newer computers, and USB conversion dongles are available as well.

A holdout for me, is my 3.5 mm audio jack. It’s stupendous how much cheaper corded audio accessories are, for a given audio quality. I love my Bluetooth earbuds, but I’ll be darned If I can’t drop $15 and get perfectly good full earmuffs, and no need to pay $25 to $75 for the same thing in Bluetooth. That’s a no brainer, and I feel like new laptops, phones, and MP3 players that do NOT allow 3.5 mm audio jacks are deliberately ripping people off in cahoots with Bluetooth device manufacturers. (In Samsung and Apple’s case, they are pushing their own highly over-priced devices, and thus not including the audio jacks in their new phones) Just remember to check every single port on your potential purchase to verify which types of ports you will have, how many of each, and which exact version each port is. This can affect device compatibility and transfer speed. The main issues I usually encounter are insufficient high speed USB ports to operate everything simultaneously. In fact some laptops have only 0 through 2! I think 6 sounds great! But hey, my T430 is running a decent 4 USB total.

Battery life is pretty self explanatory. Key points. More $$ equals more battery life for a given processor, screen size, brightness setting, and usage level. More powerful processors, larger screens, brighter settings, and heavier usage equals shorter battery life. So max battery life is low usage, weak hardware, small screen, and large battery. Lowest battery life usually comes from gaming laptops with powerful processors, massive RAM, and huge fans for adequate cooling while gaming. This is because to support all this for several hours would require massive batteries, and that is usually dropped in favor of massive chargers. Gamers like to be settled into their spots anyway, and like to have drinks, snacks, power sources, desks, and free time to hand. This usually works out well. Whereas the downside is, if you simply desire a powerful office computer on the fly, you will need extra batteries.

Screens are usually quite adequate on most models, and I pay little attention to them. My primary concerns would be brightness and size. If you require unusually high quality color, resolution, extreme viewing angles, or brightness, you may need to seek a laptop more carefully.

Frames are my pet peeve. I dislike plastic, and it’s basically all there is inside of a few thousand dollars. 2 or 3 grand will usually net you a metal or carbon fiber frame, but still often fails to eliminate the external plastic look and feel. At least solid frames (shout out to my T430 magnesium alloy!) eliminate a lot of flex, and add durability.

Keyboards are a point of contention among avid fans. I love thicker, old style keyboards that have more surface texture and shape, and depress further with a distinct plunger feel to them. Modern chiclet island keys bother me, and I type much slower on them. It seems far too easy to accidentally press keys that way, and to hit the wrong keys as well. Laptops invariably ship with shallow chiclet keyboards now, and have no ability to swap up, so any preference otherwise, and you will have to pursue a high end gaming laptop, or plug in an external. You see, Gamers can be very partial about their equipment, and for this aspect, I have a bit of respect. Humans have come to except bland as the norm, and ill designed as the acceptable. I feel that is suicide to individuality and quality.

Touchpads are surprisingly good these days. If anyone misses the ancient Dell Latitudes for their funky self actuating, and glitchy touchpads, they would be very much alone. Still, have a look! They come in various sizes, textures, and sensitivities to movement (largely dictated by their size) but also adjustable in settings. You may just find one you like.

I didn’t cover motherboards, despite their central importance as the part to which all others connect, or were designed around. I ignored them for one reason. Motherboards are designed to work with all supplied components, and unless you are a geek like me, who tends to self upgrade a variety of things, then motherboards will be of little interest or consequence to you. The only thing this really affects (assuming the laptop was well designed) is the number, type, size, and series of parts you can connect into the internals for the sake of upgrades. Most recent manufacture laptops are not designed to be upgrade-able, unlike tower computers, so you will gain little here.

A few last notes. I would like to describe some preferences, and point some helpful things out.

Some laptops are easier to work on than others. Notably many Lenovos, but I’m sure the YouTube geeks would be up on that data. If you keep and repair your laptop for a long time, then ease of self repair will be important to you, and could also impact costs down the road if you pay for laptop repairs. Certain parts are more common, less expensive, or just way easier to access than on some brands or models.

I prefer thicker laptops. Why? Rigid laptops are less prone to damage, more prone to stay put while typing, and usually have side venting instead of bottom venting. This is great if you plan to set laptops on your LAP. Can’t believe manufacturers don’t understand this.

You can Dual Boot laptops if you have 2 storage modules. If you require different Operating Systems, or prefer say, Linux at home, but require Mac OS at work, you could dual boot. What is dual boot? It’s having 2 different storage modules (say SSD) in your laptop, and having one operating system on one, and another on the other. A geek has to set this up so on startup a menu shows up, and you select which operating system to use. Not all processors can be dual booted, neither do all laptops have dual storage options. 1 form of storage can be partitioned creating a digital division into 2 hard drives, but at least have a professional or qualified geek do this, that way you don’t mess up your existing storage.

Don’t buy Chromebooks! Why not? They suck! There is basically nothing but a browser on Chromebooks. There is almost no storage, little computing power, and nothing practical that can be done offline. Chromebooks and their ilk are a massive waste of dollars better spent on a refurbished laptop than a minimalist’s idea of “cloud only” computing. A cellphone with Bluetooth keyboard, internet, and a micro-SD card has more to offer.

Do consider professionally refurbished modern laptops. Often this is a way to vastly increase your computing power per dollar. To my knowledge Amazon and Best Buy online are great places to do this, but there are others.

DO back up everything on your old and new laptops. Nothing is forever despite my best and most fervent wishes.

Do plan extra $$ for any accessories you may need, including mice, keyboards, speakers, headphones, thumb drives, external drives, laptop bags, cleaning spray, spare charger or battery, and laptop insurance (if you feel like you’ll need that).

Finally DO consider modern professional Linux installs as a valid option if work does not require you to use Windows or Mac. Linux is a smaller, lighter program, and runs using less resources, including processing power, RAM, and storage. This allows Linux to operate faster on a given computer. Windows is known to invade privacy, plague you with regular and extended updates, is more vulnerable to viruses, and has no inherent benefits outside of slightly better ease of use, and greatly increased game and program compatibility. In other words if you don’t game or use Windows/Mac exclusive programs, you may save money, and avoid privacy invasion with Linux OS. At least have a look.