How to Find the Best Notebook for Your Needs

Purchasing a notebook computer can be daunting sometimes, even though you know the features of a notebook computer and precisely know your requirements. You can feel frustrated in choosing multiple options from the vendors’ sites. First, you need to be clear for what purpose you are purchasing a notebook computer. The evaluations for notebook computers depend on features like operating systems (OS), CPUs, and processors. It will be helpful to know whether you require a notebook which can run a heavy job or for gaming purposes, or you want to use it for multimedia purposes to watch movies. 

The following lists to know what the ideal notebook for you will be.

• Operating System

Before picking up your choice, you should know which operating system (OS) is suitable. You need to find out which software you need to work on and which operating systems that software requires to run on. These things can help you plan what hardware you require. You have four major options for operating systems of notebook computers. It would help if you tallied each of its pros and cons.

• Windows: If you need Microsoft apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook, then it could be the best choice for you.
• MacOS: Apple’s MacOS is more user-friendly if you are a beginner compared to Windows, but it goes only with the Apple manufacturer and its recommended software. If your only choice is MacBook and you own an iPad and iPhone, you can only go for this operating system.
• Chrome OS: Chrome OS can be your choice If you do most of your tasks in a web browser of a notebook computer. Chrome notebooks, also called Chromebooks, are the most affordable, although it is not so powerful. So, you can consider this OS if you’re low on budget. Some Android apps like Office and Microsoft Office often do not operate well on Chrome, although you can download them. 

• CPUs

The first thing you need to know about the notebook is its processor, also called the chip or the CPU. Two companies manufacture processors. Those are Intel and AMD. You can find out the minimum specifications of hardware you require as soon as you are aware of which OS you need to run your software.

• Intel Processors

The Core i3 is considered the least powerful, and the Core i9 is considered the most powerful among other processors like Core i5 and Core i7. Intel has coded strings of letters and numbers within every chip line. You can make better decisions on purchasing if you know how to decode the code. 

Usually, the primary numbers, for example, 10 in Intel Core i5-10510U, refer to the Intel processor or chip generation. The i5-9510U should direct that the chip belongs to the ninth generation or a year older. The performance is indicated by the following two or three numbers (“510”). The higher these numbers are, the more powerful the chip is. At the end of the chip string of name, the letter “U” refers to Intel’s purpose for the individual chip. The U chips are meant for “power-efficient”, and the Y series chips are meant for optimised battery life.

• AMD processors

Deciphering AMD’s chip is as tough as Intel’s. Like Intel processor, from the name AMD 5 3600X, you can decode every letter and number. The number “3” means the generation, which indicates how old the chip is. If the number is higher, it means it is from the latest generation and can perform better. The next two digits do not affect the nature of the chip. The “X” written at the end of the number refers to high performance. If you get other letters like U at the end, it indicates ultra-low power.

• RAM

Your notebook computer holds the data while the processor runs the data behind. Its complete form is Random-access memory; It is considered that the more you have RAM, the more accessible your work would be. If your RAM runs out, you cannot load any browser tab or complete your job. Your notebook computer would start freezing up, and you need to restart it every time.

An average Windows user should have at least eight gigabytes of RAM. However, if you upgrade it to 16 GB, your notebook can become more capable. Before you purchase, you need to find out whether the RAM is fixed to the motherboard and if so, you cannot improve the RAM yourself.

 In the case of Chrome OS, it requires less RAM. With Chromebook, you can get your work done with 4 GB of RAM. However, if you upgrade it to 8 GB, you can open multiple tabs through your browser. It would not slow down your other functions.

 

Conclusion:

Considering the above criteria for a notebook computer, you can choose as per your need and the type of software you need to run in that notebook. Hopefully, this article could help you to have a better understanding.