Laptop Categories

Laptops fall into a few different categories based on how and where they’re used. Before you begin the hunt for a new laptop, determine how you will use it.

If the laptop will be your primary computer, you may want to look at midsize models, as they offer the best size-to-performance ratio of the three types.
If the laptop will not be your primary computer, your choices may be wider.

In either case, knowing what you plan to use the laptop for will help expedite the process of shopping for one.

Evaluate Your Lifestyle

Do you spend most of your day making spreadsheets? Do you often play video games in your spare time? Will you travel frequently with your computer? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when shopping for a laptop that meets your needs. Consider:

Where you’ll use your laptop most: If the laptop will remain in the same spot most of the time, you can afford to get a larger one—that is, one with a screen of at least 15". But if you plan on bringing the laptop to and from work or just toting it around on a regular basis, then you might want to get a smaller model.
How you’ll use your laptop: Consider what you’ll be using the laptop for. Will you need it primarily for work and school, to play movies and manage photos, or to play the latest video games and perform video editing?

Laptops for Work and School Only

If you’re going to use your laptop only for work or school, you don’t necessarily need one that’s very powerful or has the best specs. In this case, you would do well with either an ultraportable or a midsize laptop. The ultraportable would give you greater mobility options, whereas the midsize would offer a performance boost.

Laptops for Heavy Multimedia Use

If you plan to use your laptop for both work and play, focus on a midsize laptop. These offer a relatively portable package with enough power to act as an entertainment hub. If you’re looking to use your laptop for its multimedia capabilities, look for a laptop with a widescreen display. Not only will you have more screen space for your work, but your movies will look better too. Midsize laptops are not very big or heavy, which is why they’re so popular among consumers.

Laptops for 3-D Gaming and Heavy Video Editing

If you enjoy playing video games or plan on doing a lot of other intensive tasks, such as video editing, that will tax your laptop’s video and processing capabilities, you should seriously consider getting a desktop replacement. The larger screen immerses you in the game you’re playing and makes cutting and joining video segments more manageable. Because they’re capable of processing so much information, desktop replacements tend to be expensive.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer