There are many things to consider when shopping for that laptop, however the two most important specs will be your processor and your RAM. Here I am going to explain some of the fundamental characteristics of both so that you can make a better choice when buying a laptop.
PROCESSOR (CPU)
Intel, the world’s largest semiconductor maker, has begun the process of transitioning to a line of quad-core processors. Its range is branded as Core i3, i5 and i7. If you’re looking for a bargain, you can pick up their older Core 2 models, but you’d be better off sticking with their latest range.
You might also consider a processor from Intel’s rival AMD, which has an attractive lineup of products branded as Turion II and Athlon II. If you’re a budget shopper, these processes are worth considering and will do for most tasks. The big difference between processors made by AMD is that they are simply not as fast as those made by Intel and tend to drain battery life.
The most important task is determining exactly how much processing power you need. In general, the Core i3 or i5 are suitable for most people. However, if you do a lot of video editing, you’ll need a more powerful processor. Gamers in particular believe they need a powerful processor, but in practice they can get away with a slower chip.
Quad-core chips still cost a lot, and they also tend to drain battery life pretty quickly. You can identify a quad-core chip by the Q indicated next to the machine’s model number. If you use your laptop as your main machine and don’t take it on the road, or if you’re a gamer or video editor, the quad chip box becomes more compelling.
The processor decision becomes more complicated when you order a custom laptop from a manufacturer. As a general rule, you should avoid the most expensive chipsets on offer and go for the second or third cheapest chip. The price increase is usually proportional to the performance. You shouldn’t spend more than $150 to upgrade a processor. If you’re just surfing the Internet or doing word processing, even a dual-core processor is more than adequate.
RAM)
4 GB of RAM is the standard memory offered by most manufacturers, even in low-end laptops, and that’s really all you need. Starting prices for a laptop with 4 GB of RAM are under $500. In the past, manufacturers used to make consumers pay through the nose when upgrading memory while placing custom orders. More recently, this practice seems to have changed, with only Apple still doing it.
If upgrading your memory to 4 GB costs you less than $90, which is what it costs separately, then you should definitely upgrade. Upgrading beyond 4 GB is going to be expensive, and the only real reason to do it is if you’re editing video, and even then it’s not absolutely necessary when you compare it to the cost. For a desktop, spending an extra $100 isn’t a big deal, but for a laptop where it will cost you an extra $300 for 8GB, it’s just not worth it unless your laptop is your primary video editing device.