Laptop Buying Guide

A larger display (14 inches and up) provides more space for your content or movies and is easier on the eyes as they often have higher resolution. Smaller displays (10-12 inches) usually save battery life and weigh less, often they have lower resolutions so the content displayed can be less crisp.

A larger screen with higher resolution display is ideal for photo and video editing, seeing applications side-by-side, and improves the readability of text. For daily computing, full HD, or 1920 x 1080 resolution is plenty and helps you keep your budget in check.

If you're buying a 2-in-1 laptop that can pull double-duty as a tablet, a touchscreen is a must. It's also starting to become standard on traditional laptops, where it can be a handy option, but touchscreens can have an impact on battery life, as well as a glare due to its glossy surface.

Ports, like USB 2.0 and 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, Thunderbolt, and Ethernet are how you connect accessories like monitors, printers, external storage, and even external graphics cards. How many and which type of ports you need depends on the accessories you'll want to connect simultaneously. When in doubt, remember that you can use WiFi and Bluetooth for audio devices, printing, networking and many other tasks.

Regardless of whether you need a laptop for basic tasks, or a high-performance machine for demanding activities, you'll find models that put an emphasis on keeping weight to a minimum. Keep in mind, sometimes prioritizing weight will mean compromising on other features. Ultralight laptops will have fewer ports, and may not be designed for easy memory or battery upgrades or replacements.

You'll find that some laptops are more appealing than others. Whether it's the materials used, the feel of the main hinge as you open it, or the precision of the laptop keys as you type, we all have preferences when it comes to design.