I have a saying for those that want to buy a new system - You can't afford to buy cheap. Since you will most likely spend a majority of your time using it, you will need to find the right laptop for you.
FIRST, you need to decide what you will use it for and SECOND, What your budget will be.
The Ultrabook range offers the best in portability with their small size (11"-13") and light weight. Don't be fooled, they still pack a huge punch in performance. These units run Microsoft Windows and Linux. Dell and Lenovo have some great Ultrabooks right now (see below). Another option is a Macbook Air which runs Apple OSX and boasts great performance and battery life.
Uses: Microsoft Office, Internet browsing, Music and E-Mails.
Pros: High Performance, portability and great battery life.
Cons: No DVD ROM, Small screen, upgrade options limited and limited USB Ports.
Recommended UltraBooks
Apple Macbook Air - $899.00 - $999.00
Dell XPS 13 - $700.00
Asus VivoBook X202E - $450.00
The General Laptop offers the best of both worlds: Performance and decent size.
These generally come in 15" sizes and up. They are slightly bulkier and heavier than Ultrabooks but don't be fooled - they are still very portable. Most people buy these laptops as they are great for Home, Office and recreational use.
Uses: Microsoft Office, Movies, Music, E-Mails, Internet browsing and basic gaming.
Pros: Large Screen, Full sized keyboard, cheaper than Probooks and good overall performance.
Cons: Bulky, heavy and weaker battery life.
Recommended Laptops:
HP Probook 450 - $650.00
Dell Inspiron Q15r - $550.00
Macbook Pro - $1099.00 - $2499.00
The Gaming Laptop is for those that want to play games but still cart their system around. They are generally very expensive and offer extreme performance. Battery life is limited but you can upgrade almost any component inside the laptop. The laptop outperforms any Ultrabook or General laptop.
Uses: Gaming, Movies, Music and Internet browsing.
Pros: Up-gradable, extreme performance, full sized keyboard and durable.
Cons: Very heavy, poor battery life and more expensive than all other laptops.
Recommended Gaming Laptops:
Alienware 17 - $3000.00
HP Omen 15 - $2100.00
MSI Ghost Pro3k - $1900.00
Tips
- Choose a Platform that is convenient for you: Windows, Linux or OSX.
- Choose the right size: Screen, weight ect.
- Choose a comfortable keyboard and touchpad.
- Work within your budget.
- Make sure it has a warranty.
Happy computing :)
