Choosing the Ideal Laptop for Your Needs
Discover the key factors in choosing the perfect laptop that suits your budget and needs. This guide highlights trends in laptop sales, recommended models, and tips for making an informed purchase. Whether you need an affordable device or a high-performance machine, find the best options to fit your requirements.
Choosing the Ideal Laptop for Your Needs
While smartphones have absorbed many functions traditionally performed by laptops, the latter still lead in various tasks, especially for professional and heavy-duty use. Despite shifting consumer preferences, laptop sales have remained steady in recent years.
Rise in sales of budget-friendly laptops
According to The NPD Group, Inc., a U.S.-based market research firm, sales of laptops under $300 grew by 19%. This indicates a growing demand for affordable portable computers.
Decline in mid-range laptop sales
The same research shows a slight 4% decrease in high-end laptops priced above $700, but sales of mid-range models between low-cost and premium units fell sharply by 19%. Consumers are increasingly choosing either low-budget options or high-performance, premium devices. Mid-tier laptops often don’t meet the needs of either group adequately.
When to purchase a new laptop
The optimal time to buy is when your current device requires a significant upgrade or shows signs of failure, such as a blue screen of death.
- HP Spectre x360 Starting at $1,049.99
Processor: Intel Core i5
Battery life: 10 hours
Size: 12.79 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 3.26 pounds
Pros: Long-lasting battery; sleek design
Cons: Gets warm quickly; less comfortable as a tablet - Lenovo ThinkPad T470 Starting at $873
Processor: Intel Core i7
Battery life: 17 hours
Size: 14 inches
Weight: 3.5 pounds
Pros: Excellent battery; Thunderbolt 3 port; sturdy keyboard
Cons: Dull display; quiet speakers - Asus ZenBook UX330UA Starting at $699
Processor: Intel Core i5-7200U
OS: Windows 10 Home
Battery life: 10 hours
Size: 12.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds
Pros: Affordable; decent battery; good audio
Cons: Touchpad uncomfortable; no USB-C charging - Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA Starting at $499
Processor: Intel Core m3-6Y30
Battery life: 9 hours
Size: 11.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Pros: Fast performance; 1080p display; budget-friendly
Cons: No USB-A ports - Dell XPS 15 Starting at $999.99
Processor: Intel Core i7
Battery life: All-day
Size: 14.6 x 9.27 x 0.45 inches
Weight: 4.6 pounds
Pros: Strong performance; long battery
Cons: Webcam quality could improve
