Picking the Best Laptop Configuration

by Nico S. on 2012-09-18
When you buy a laptop online, you’re given the choice of picking out which configurations you’d like. They seem fun at the beginning, but you’ll get confused as you advance through the website.
It’s a lot fun tricking out your laptop, but the cost isn’t worth it. You can always find a perfect balance between price and performance.
So when you buy a laptop online, here are some things you have to think about first:
Processor
The processor is probably one of the most important parts your computer has. It’s responsible for running the computer.
When choosing a processor, make sure you get the ones that deliver faster performance. That means you’ll be able to render videos, and create content faster. For laptops, Intel provides you with plenty of choices. For workstations, an i7 works best. For gamers, an i5 or i3 should suffice.
GPU
The GPU (graphics processing unit) is responsible for all the visuals that are projected by the display. Resolution, settings and other visuals are maintained by the processor. Instead of calculating programs, the GPU processes graphics.
High end GPU’s today feature low power consumption, yet deliver better performance than previous generations. If you can purchase these kinds of GPU’s then you don’t have to worry for a long time.
Right now, there are only two brands that offer dedicated GPU’s: NVIDIA and AMD. These two companies often duke it out for the best GPU. NVIDIA offers amazing driver support and performance at a high price. AMD on the other hand, offers the same performance for a cheaper price, but the support is a bit problematic.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with these two because they deliver the best when it comes to visuals.
RAM
RAM is a big deal because it is responsible for multitasking. It helps keep your computer running smooth by filling itself up with bits of data about programs you opened.
When you open these programs again, they load even faster because you don’t have to do a cold start up.
When picking RAM, most offer 4 GB for consumer laptops. Higher – end laptops tend to offer 8 GB and above. I advise you to stick with 8 GB since that is plenty for a lot of users.
Storage
Storage is where you keep all of your files. Without it, you basically can’t get any work done. Even Windows needs to use storage!
If you want amazing performance, then you can go with solid state drives. They’re faster and cut boot times but at the expense of price and capacity. Traditional hard drives have capacities bigger than solid state drives but they’re slower.
Conclusion
Here are the biggest things you need to consider when shopping for a laptop. Don’t just dive in without knowing what parts you should get first!
Before you purchase a laptop, make sure that every part is well researched. Find out what works for you while keeping in mind what you can afford. That way, you can maximize your laptop’s performance and your money.
TThomas Sagan is a resident blogger of Cash for Laptops. His love of video games led to his passion for desktops, and eventually laptops. Occasionally, he tinkers with his computer too. During his college days, he was a writer for his college paper, focusing on music and film. These days, you’ll find him studying hard for his MA in Communications and passionately playing Team Fortress 2.





