Unfortunately, the one product class still not widely available in waterproof form is the laptop. This is due to a large number of reasons, such as a laptop requiring far too many openings (ports, vents, etc.). It is also due to the larger size of laptops compared to mobile phones. Obviously, ensuring that a larger device is waterproof is going to cost more money.

In time, we will probably see waterproof laptops available to the public at large. Until then, you can make use of this guide to protect your device if you end up spilling water or coffee on it.

Step 1: Turn Everything Off

Laptops can last a long time if they are properly cared for. However, water damage to laptop can quickly cause problems with numerous components. Even if it does not render the laptop completely useless, you will still need to replace the parts that have been damaged. That is, of course, if it is even possible to replace those components in the first place.

As such, the first thing that you should do when your laptop sustains water damage is to turn it off. This means completely turn it off (no sleep mode) and remove any peripherals that may be attached to your device through any of the ports.

As long as you manage to turn off your device immediately in the aftermath of the spill, chances are that you will be able to save it. The most common problem that occurs in this scenario is that the keys start to feel ‘sticky’.

This won’t happen if you have a spill-resistant keyboard, as most of these keyboards can handle up to 60 CCs of water. We also tell you how to fix sticky keys later on if your laptop does not have such a keyboard.

Step 2: Don’t Use Rice

This is a very common mistake made by users when their devices get wet. Sure, rice can be used to absorb moisture quickly. However, there are three problems when it comes to using rice to dry out laptops.

The first is that the rice cannot access the water that may have entered the device. For example, using the rice will be a bad idea if you want to protect your laptop’s battery from water damage.

The second problem is that while rice is good at absorbing moisture, there are better ways to protect your laptop anyways.

The last problem is that rice can get inside the device. If that happens, the rice will simply compound the problems that you have.

Here is what you should do instead of using rice:

Step 3: Remove the Liquid from the Laptop

As long as you managed to turn off the device in time, the laptop’s water damage will be minimal. Now, you need to remove the liquid from the laptop.

To do this, turn the laptop over and gently rock it from side to side. This will allow the vast majority of the water to get out through the numerous vents that exist on almost every laptop.

You also want to use a dry cloth to remove the liquid that may on the outside of the laptop. This is especially true for the keyboard, as that is where water damage seems to impact usability the most. For this, we would not recommend a microfiber cloth. Instead, use a cloth that can absorb water in a better manner.

Step 4: Dry Out the Laptop

Drying out the laptop is in itself a two-step process. The first step involves using a can of compressed air or a hairdryer. Remember that whichever method you use, you should hold the can/hairdryer at least 15 cm away from the laptop.

On top of that, make sure that you use the lowest setting on the hairdryer, both in terms of heat and the speed of the fans. If the air hits the laptop at too high a speed, you risk disconnecting wires and damaging components.

It is best to dry the internals of the laptop using this method for at least 5 minutes. The longer you do it the better. Once you are finished, you can leave the laptop to dry out on its own.

It is best to leave the laptop in a warm place, but never under direct sunlight or close to a heater. We recommend drying the laptop for 48 hours before you turn it on.

Step 5: Clean the Keyboard

By now, you should be able to turn on the laptop. Hopefully, everything is fine at this point. However, you may need to clean the keyboard as some of the keys may be sticky.

To do this, use a little bit of isopropyl alcohol spray on each key. Before you do this, you must completely turn off the laptop once again. Even though isopropyl alcohol is a cleaning agent, it is a liquid too. Using it on the keycaps when the laptop is on may risk further damage to the device.

Make sure to aim the spray in a manner that it goes down the key cap. After that, press the keycap repeatedly for a few seconds and the problem should be solved (repeat if it isn’t, only using a small amount of alcohol at a time).

You can also take a look at our detailed guide on how to clean a laptop keyboard. Cleaning your laptop’s keyboard regularly will help avoid any problems with sticky keys.

Conclusion

Remember that the most important that you can do when you have spilled water on your laptop is to turn it off instantly.

Alternatively, keeping food and water away from your tech devices is an easy way to ensure that spills never happen in the first place.

iPad has a Microsoft Office version. It includes a web browser. It can watch and listen to various media types (except maybe for ancient formats).

iPad can also edit almost every kind of media. It even has games. And in terms of processing, it has become quick enough that it’s no longer irritating.

Many individuals would be astonished at how well the iPad may satisfy their requirements. The apparent exception is programmers.

But it’s never lived up to that promise since Apple can only accomplish so much with a tiny tablet. There are no USB ports or SD card readers. The most recent iPads feature only one charging port and no headphone jack. Because they run the Apple operating system (OS), you cannot install vital software packages such as Windows, content creators, or others that you may require for a business.

How to use an iPad as a Laptop

Apple’s newest iPads, together with attachments like the magic keyboard and software upgrades in iPad OS, have transformed the company’s tablets into proper desktop and laptop alternatives.

However, there are a few things to consider if you intend to use the iPad as a replacement for a laptop. Here are some suggestions for replacing your Mac book or any other laptop with an iPad, whether for business, education, or general use.

Get a Real Keyboard and Mouse

Long, the lack of mouse functionality was the biggest impediment to the iPad functioning as a PC or laptop alternative. However, Apple’s recent iPad OS update adds external mouse and touchpad functionality to the iPad, allowing you to utilize a desktop or laptop-style cursor for the first time.

However, before you purchase a mouse and start clicking, you should definitely get a keyboard as well. You may use your own Bluetooth keyboard to type on your iPad, but you might also acquire a keyboard case that doubles as a case & tend to make the iPad seem more laptop-like than normal.

Learn How to Manage your Windows

Learning well how to organize your application windows is maybe the most annoying aspect of using an iPad as a laptop substitute.

Window administration is simple on a laptop, but on an iPad, you’ll be dragging and sliding programs to different places on the screen to maintain your multitasking habits.

The iPad’s Split View functionality allows you to run two programs side by side. You can run up to 3 apps at once and drag and drop objects such as images and email attachments among apps.

Get a Stand

When you’re using your iPad as your main computer these days, you’re undoubtedly in terrible posture—perhaps bent over with your neck angled downward.

Working like this for a few days is OK, but doing so for an extended amount of time will result in a stretched neck, an aching back, and an overall unpleasant sensation.

So you’ll need a stain for your iPad to make it easier to operate.

For More Versatility, You Need a Hub

If you really want to link a wide range of gadgets to your iPad, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that there’s only one port. What is the solution?

A USB-C hub that not only connects devices like USB sticks or video cameras to your iPad but also supercharges it when combined with the appropriate external peripherals.

Adding your iPad to an Ethernet hub provides a connected connection for lag-free conversations. You may also connect your beloved wired keyboard instead of purchasing a wireless model.

By attaching your iPad to a secondary screen, a hub may also provide you with much-needed screen space.

Can you use an iPad for University Instead of a Laptop?

There seem to be three primary reasons why the iPad is superior to a laptop for college use.

First, the college workflow consists of reading textbooks, taking notes, and creating papers. The iPad is superior in all of these areas, especially with a pen.

The second purpose is for backups and assistance. If your device is damaged, it is simple to replace it at an Apple Store with Apple Care. Whereas a laptop may be replaced in minutes, an iPad can be restored from a backup in minutes.

Portability is the third reason. It is simple to move an iPad from one location to another at a college/university.

Is the iPad Pro Better to use as a Laptop?

The iPad Pro offers incredible features and, depending on the application, may partially replace laptops. However, due to operating system limitations, it will not totally replace the laptop just yet.

But overall, it has amazing features. You must like the iPad Pro, and it has great reviews. You can pull it out of the keyboard case whenever you want to read and swiftly put it back in to take notes or compose an email.

While MacBooks utilize macOS, iPads have their own operating system called iPadOS. The most recent versions of both of these operating systems are closely aligned, yet they still contain significant variances.

For the most part, iPadOS works more like a smartphone than a laptop or desktop computer. The distinction in operating systems will be most noticeable in the apps. On the iPad, mouse and keyboard functions and shortcuts operate differently.

Applications on the iPad function similarly to apps on the iPhone. They are often more restrictive than macOS programs.

Conclusion

Never replace a laptop with an earlier iPad, especially one that isn’t suitable with the magic keyboard or a similar keyboard case. These iPads will continue to feel like tablet devices, with low storage and computing capability.

But, when we analyze our need for a laptop, we may discover that the sort of job we do does not require the use of a laptop at all. We might be able to get by with a powerful tablet like the iPad Pro.

Much of the possibility of replacing a laptop is dependent on the sort of job we conduct. So, while iPads can replace some computers, they cannot yet totally replace a MacBook.

Most people go for budget laptops when trying to save money. These budget laptops are mostly used or second hand. However, in this situation, you’ll need to know what to look for when purchasing a used laptop.

Purchasing a second-hand laptop can be a fantastic option. You get a properly operational machine for a fraction of the price. However, buying a used laptop comes with hazards, and just like buying a new automobile, there are some inspections and safeguards you should conduct.

This article has everything you want to learn before purchasing a used laptop. But first, we will look at some of the valuable advantages of a used laptop. Let’s find out!

Advantages of Second-hand Laptops

The first benefit of acquiring a used laptop is its dependability. Even while modern computers on the market offer greater capability, the chance of unanticipated defects cannot be ruled out. Only after the product has been utilized in the actual world do the defects become apparent.

Furthermore, because used devices (when refurbished) are rigorously examined and verified, any bugs or problems that may have been identified and rectified for you may have already been detected and corrected.

Buy a used laptop if you wish to help the environment’s long-term sustainability. Second-hand laptops offer all of the new features and qualities of new laptops but are less expensive.

Now, it’s time to move on to the things that need to be looked at before buying a used laptop.

Inspect the Laptop Body

If you have the opportunity to view the laptop in person, a complete exterior examination is required. You must ensure that the laptop frame is clear of fractures and marks of impact. Look for any lost screws, weak hinges, or other anomalies.

Sometimes the laptop looks OK, but you may have no idea what type of interior problems there may be, which may limit the laptop’s lifespan.
So, that can be classified as a disadvantage but do your best to find faults before purchasing it.

Test the Keyboard and Trackpad

Because the keypad and touchpad are the most frequently used components of desktops, both must work properly.

Examine the keyboard for damaged buttons, pay focus to the arrow keys, and see if you’re comfortable typing on it. If you’re a smooth typist but commit too many mistakes, it could be a good idea to test out other laptops.

Look out for the trackpad’s supported motions and give them a try, such as pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe, etc. If you have mouse keys, make sure they’re straightforward to use.

Test the Ports and CD/DVD Drive

Experiment with all of the accessible USB ports, earphones jacks, Ethernet ports, HDMI, SD card slots, as well as other inputs. Most of these are directly connected to a motherboard, which is expensive to replace. Despite CDs and DVDs are no longer in use, many older laptops still include a CD/DVD drive. Test to see whether they work if you think you will need them.

Check the Amount of RAM

Although Win 10 requires a least 1GB of RAM to function, you should never use less than 4GB RAM (in fact, at least 8 is required for most demanding tasks). It will slow down the laptop and affect the system’s overall performance.

It’s doubtful that you’ll discover a laptop with less than 4GB of RAM. However, if you do and you’re interested in it, go search up the price of new RAM modules. Several older RAM modules might be rather pricey.

8GB of RAM is an excellent starting point. This should be sufficient to maintain your machine working smoothly with most software apps and Windows 10/11.

To view the hardware details, type msinfo32 in to run box and hit enter. You can also check it by right-clicking on This PC and accessing the Properties tab. It will show you the device specifications and show you the Installed RAM.

Confirm the OS is Genuine

We know that the hardware is your laptop’s physical body, but the software is its brain. When purchasing a laptop, you should ensure that the operating system is functional, active, and authentic.

If you use an unlicensed laptop operating system, you are more likely to experience flaws, viruses, hacks, and data corruption.

The Windows 7 operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft. The company suggests purchasing a new laptop and upgrading to the latest operating system. However, even if you’re comfortable working on an ancient operating system, you should nonetheless verify its validity.

Software Checks

There are several software tests you must run. Firstly, ensure that the installed OS is legitimate, as previously suggested.

Examine the software licenses provided with the laptop and ensure that almost any product keys are made accessible to you. Request the device’s original program Disc, recovery CD, backup media, and drivers.

Check the Screen Condition

The next critical step is to ensure that the display is in proper working order. Examine the screen for flickering, discoloration, clarity, and damaged pixels.

Watch a video and check to see whether the watching angles are sufficient. Before buying a product, it is helpful to compare it to other laptops as well.

Check Wireless Connectivity

Nobody likes a laptop that can’t access Wi-Fi, so ensure that you can quickly access Wi-Fi connections. Examine Bluetooth’s performance as well.

Additionally, check the Wi-Fi cards as well. Typically, the laptop has a great range and forms a connection even if the device is at a considerable distance. However, a faulty Wi-Fi card will not catch a signal if the device is in the next room.

Examine the Speakers and Webcam

The majority of laptop cameras are mediocre. Still, having a lousy functional camera is preferable to having no webcam at all.

Although it is doubtful that laptop users utilize its speakers, it’s still a great idea to examine how loud they can get. Sometimes the laptop speaker may have a problem, and the sound becomes muffled or distorted quickly.

Battery Health

In most circumstances, you might not be able to do a comprehensive battery test. However, you can get a clue how long the battery will last by navigating into the power control settings of the installed operating system and looking at how much capacity the battery can retain as well as the battery health status.

Also, ensure that the battery charges correctly and does not deplete too quickly. Otherwise, request a discount to obtain a replacement.

Get to Know the HDD or SSD Health

A hard disc drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) is installed in a laptop. Regardless of which one the laptop has, both serve as a massive storage system and data reader/writer. These discs keep your information also when your device is turned off.

Use tools like SSD life to monitor the health of your SSD. Look to HD Sentinel if you’re using an HDD. It would help if you also looked at the company’s credentials as a faulty HDD.

It is OK to have a few IO faults on the record. You shouldn’t need to hunt for a new laptop just yet. If there are too many negative sectors, search for alternatives.

Conclusion

When you decide to buy a second-hand laptop, contrast the offered price to the cost of it when it was brand new. If you intend to update the hardware, thoroughly investigate the pricing so that you really can take an educated decision about whether you should buy new or used.

Additionally, consider and check the above components when buying a used laptop. Besides this, you can also check the cooling fans, motherboard, etc.

SD cards and eMMC storage have a lot in common. It’s all flash memory, yet eMMC storage can’t compete with an SSD, just as an SD card can’t compete with a fast solid-state drive.

Are you deciding between an eMMC or SSD laptop or simply want to learn more about the advanced technology? This post will teach you all you need to know about eMMC vs SSD.

The article begins with a comprehensive overview of eMMC. After that, it goes into SSD and its characteristics. Finally, the features of eMMC and SSD are compared. Read on to find out!

What is eMMC?

In reality, four major storage kinds spring to mind when it comes to laptop PC storage: SSD, HDD, Hybrid hard drive (link here) and eMMC. But, how well do you know them?

In principle, eMMC is a variation of MMC, which is a memory card standard for solid-state storage. MMC comes in a variety of forms, including DV-MMC, MMCplus, RS-MMC, and MMCmobile, MMCmicro, MiCard, SecureMMC, and eMMC, among others.

Mobile devices such as cellphones, entry-level computers, digital cameras, tablets, and even some removable devices employ eMMC.
Although corporations rarely create MMC slots (SD cards are more prevalent), eMMC is still commonly utilised in consumer electronics as the primary form of integrated storage in portable devices.

The eMMC flash memory system is a low-cost flash memory system. Its built-in controller is compatible with Android and Windows phones, as well as low-cost PCs. Rather than a more expensive solid-state storage device, such as a solid-state drive, it can be presented as a bootable device in the host interface.

The flash memory and flash memory controller are both integrated on a similar silicon chip in eMMC. It’s made up of an embedded storage system that includes a MultiMediaCard interface, a master controller, and flash memory. In addition, the eMMC pricing is low, making it a cost-effective storage device.

What is SSD?

SSD is the abbreviation for a solid-state drive. It’s also known as a solid-state disk or a solid-state device.

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of storage device that uses integrated circuits to store information permanently. SSDs have the best performance and the highest price when compared to other storage formats. Furthermore, SSDs are more resistant to physical damage.

SSDs also have a quicker read/write speed, a quieter working mechanism, and reduced power consumption. As a result, people who have high needs for computer performance and suitable money are more likely to choose an SSD laptop.

Despite the fact that the price of SSDs is falling over time, the cost of each unit of storage (up to 2018) still outweighs hard drives. It is expected that this cost advantage will last for another ten years.

eMMC vs. SSD

This section contrasts the essential features of a storage device to understand eMMC vs SSD further.

Storage Size Range

The first and most crucial SSD vs eMMC comparison is that eMMC storage has a lesser storage range than SSDs. For instance, eMMC storage is available in 32GB and 64GB capacities. There are also 128GB and 265GB eMMC storage options.

This means that devices using this form of storage don’t have a lot of storage alternatives.

SSD storage, on the other hand, comes in considerably bigger capacities. SSD storage typically ranges from 128 GB to many terabytes.

Price

The pricing difference between eMMC and SSD is the ultimate comparison. eMMC-equipped devices, phones, desktops, and tablets are significantly less expensive than those with SSD drives.

On the other hand, SSD drives make up for the price difference with their vastly speedier performance.

Expansion or Replacement Options

Another essential feature to consider when comparing eMMC vs SSD is expansion or replacement with a bigger disc.

If you recall, we explained that eMMC is embedded directly to a device’s or computer’s motherboard in the eMMC explanation. This makes replacing or upgrading it extremely difficult, if not impossible.

However, most devices with eMMC storage, on the other hand, may include a microSD card port. This slot may be used to expand the device’s external storage.

Data Transfer Speed

The data transfer speed of SSD vs eMMC is the next significant comparison.

eMMC storage is divided into multiple standards, the most recent of which is 5.1A. It has a maximum transmission rate of 400MB/s.

It is not awful in terms of average transfer speed for other forms of storage. Nevertheless, there are additional elements that influence the performance of a storage device than data transmission speed.

SSDs, on the other hand, may transport data at speeds ranging from 400MB/s to over 3,000MB/s. SATA SSDs have a data transmission rate of roughly 400MB/s, which is comparable to eMMC storage.

Conclusion

To summarize, eMMC has a lower price point and a smaller footprint than SSD, but its performance is significantly lower. SSDs, on the other hand, are more expensive but offer substantially higher performance and better durability.

If your budget permits, a solid-state drive (SSD) for your laptop is advised for a better user experience.

While eMMC is ideal for low-level computing, such as browsing the web or watching videos, it is insufficient for more demanding tasks.

If you’re a power user in need of a faster computer and don’t mind paying a little more, SSD is the way to go. It’s excellent for gaming as well. SSD prices are steadily decreasing, making them more appealing to most users.

It’s fairly common for a laptop to appear to be not charging even when the charger is plugged in.

As a laptop user, you should know how long a laptop lasts and keep an eye on your device charge percentage at all times. When the battery level falls below 20%, it’s time to pull the charger out and start recharging your machine.

If your laptop battery is not charging when plugged in, this is what you can do. These suggestions can benefit you whether you have a Dell, Lenovo, HP, or another laptop.

Before moving to the useful tips that you can apply, first, we look at why your laptop is plugged in and not charging?

Why Does My Laptop Say Plugged in But Not Charging?

Before you can start fixing your laptop that won’t charge, you must first understand why it started malfunctioning in the first place. Devices require hundreds of functional parts to work optimally, so when one fails, you’re left scratching your head, unsure why.

While there are many factors that might cause your laptop battery to lose charge, we’ve narrowed the most common causes to three: power cable problems, software failure, and deteriorating battery health.

Power Cable Problems

Carrying your laptop from one place to another involves bringing your laptop charger as well. Your cable might be twisted out of shape in its early days due to wrapping it up for convenient packing and putting it down in weird ways to fit a far-away socket.

To effectively power your laptop, several key components must function together. Many laptop chargers have a two-in-one AC adapter. One component connects to the power and the other to your device.

If both are properly connected, and yet the charging light on your laptop does not glow, you may have a defective or broken cable.

Software Failure

Windows 11 has proved to be among the most self-contained operating systems in the development of the personal computer. It can identify internal problems and perform critical upgrades to ensure that all of your software is updated. However, it is possible that it (and older versions) may overlook something.

It’s conceivable that your laptop’s settings are configured to turn off at a low level or to go into sleep mode after a few minutes of inactivity. Though these settings aren’t really “malfunctions,” they just give the impression of being one.

When your laptop’s drivers get outdated, software issues emerge. Your laptop may refuse the power from your AC adapter due to an outdated driver. For this type of issue, reinstalling the battery driver is a simple and quick solution.

Deteriorating Battery Health

Laptop batteries, like any other piece of tech, do not last eternally. One of the most prevalent causes of a laptop battery’s failure to charge is its age. An old laptop battery suffers the same issues like an old computer in terms of retaining a charge.

Did you notice that your laptop begins to overheat when charging? Does it quickly lose the charge and takes longer for the battery to fully charge?

If that’s the case, each of these problems is a definite indicator that your battery is on its way out. Is it bad to keep your laptop plugged in all the time? Find out here.

Check to See Whether You’re Connected

Check the essentials first before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting. Make sure the charging wire is securely plugged into the charging port on your laptop.

Then double-check its connection to the electrical outlet—if the present one isn’t working, try another socket. If you’re using a power strip, try connecting to the wall outlet directly instead.

Also, double-check the connection where the cable connects to the AC adapter brick. If someone stumbled over it or it was stretched for an elongated period, it may be loose.

Confirm It’s the Correct Port

Contemporary devices are changing at a faster rate than ever before. The advent of the USB-C connector was a watershed moment since it is currently found on the great majority of modern laptop computers.

Although beginners to the port may be puzzled by its multi-purpose capabilities, these ultra-thin ports are ideal for ultra-thin computers.

Computers with two USB-C ports are likely to have certain capability designations that you may not be aware of.

In general, one USB-C connector is for charging, while the other is for data transfer. There will be no charging if your laptop charger is connected to the data transfer port rather than the charging port.

Remove the Battery

Check to see if your laptop’s battery is still functional. If your laptop has a detachable battery, remove it from the computer fully. You may usually accomplish this by tugging on a few tabs on the machine’s underbelly.

If you’re not sure how to do anything, look for directions for your individual model in the manual or on Google.

If your computer isn’t already dead, you should always turn it off before removing the battery. Unplug the charger as well as any other connected devices.

After removing the battery, press and hold the power button for a few seconds to discharge any residual charge in the system, reconnect the charger and attempt to turn your laptop on after that.

If everything functions fine, the issue is most likely with your battery. Make sure the battery compartment is cleaned; if necessary, wipe off any foreign material.

After that, reinstall the battery in its container and double-check that all of the connections are aligned. If this doesn’t work, your battery is most likely dead, and you’ll need to replace it.

Update Battery Drivers

Sometimes all your Laptop needs is a quick re-up on outdated drivers to go back to its peak performance. To update the battery drivers on your Windows 10 laptop, follow these instructions.

• Open the Quick Access menu by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
• Open the drop-down menu under Batteries and right-click Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery.
• Select Update Driver from the new selection window.

“How do you want to search for drivers?” This is something Windows will ask. Then you’ll be given a choice to let Windows search for relevant applications automatically or manually browse your laptop.

After you’ve updated your laptop battery drivers, reboot it and attempt charging it again.

Seek Help from a Professional

When you’ve tried all of your options available and tried every troubleshooting suggestion and technique, getting expert help is your best chance. Taking care of your laptop’s battery is essential.

At the end of the day, laptops are extremely complicated machines that occasionally need a professional touch when it comes to repairing and configuration.

Contact the manufacturer of your laptop to speak with a qualified specialist who may be able to help you with your specific make and model.

A failing battery might make what would otherwise be an excellent laptop unworkable. This is a frequent issue among laptop users, and there are a variety of solutions available.

If you want to get the most out of your device battery, simply be cautious about whatever recommendations you choose. Most laptop users, especially gamers, want the best performance possible to enhance their gaming experience.

It is just not entirely true that keeping a laptop plugged in for an extended period of time would harm it. Still, other variables, such as heat, should be avoided to avoid battery damage.

All laptop users, at some point or another, consider the same doubt: is it bad to keep your laptop plugged in?

Let’s find out!

Keeping Laptop Plugged In

Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are the two most common types of laptop batteries. Despite the fact that they are two separate technologies, they both generate power through the flow of electrons. This continuous flow is also required to keep the battery in good condition.

The following assertions are valid for both types of batteries, at least in terms of contemporary laptops.

• It is impossible to overcharge a battery. If you leave a battery plugged in all the time, there’s little risk of it overcharging. It will stop charging as soon as it reaches 100% and will not restart until the voltage falls below a specific threshold.
• A battery will be damaged if it is fully discharged. Allowing the battery to run dry for a lengthy amount of time might cause it to go into a deep discharge phase.

It’s possible that you’ll never be able to charge it again as a result of this. There are several methods to jump-start a dead laptop battery.

So, do we infer that you should leave your laptop plugged in all the time as a result of this? That’s not the case.

Batteries for Laptops

Lithium-ion batteries, as previously mentioned, are used in the majority of devices. Lithium-ion batteries, unlike nickel-based batteries, do not have a “memory effect,” which means that discharging and recharging will eventually affect the battery’s long-term life.

Because your battery will simply stop charging once it reaches full capacity, leaving your laptop plugged in will not harm your battery.

It is preferable to avoid entirely discharging lithium-ion batteries before recharging them to full capacity. It is known as “deep cycling,” and it is only helpful for nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries.

You should, however, do a deep cycle once or twice a month to re-calibrate the battery. This permits the battery monitoring mechanism to display battery life and charge with accuracy.

Heat Can Damage The Battery

While having your laptop plugged in all the time isn’t harmful to its health, too much heat can destroy a battery over time.
Keep in mind that the high temperatures aren’t only due to the climate.

When you use processor-intensive apps like games or when you have many programmes open at the same time, you will generate more heat.

If your computer becomes too hot when plugged in, remove the battery and store it somewhere cold to avoid heat damage (obviously it will not be possible in most cases. However, this is the best way to conserve the battery health if it is important to you).

Is It Necessary to Remove the Battery?

If heat is a risk, it poses the apparent argument. When running your laptop on AC power, should you remove the battery entirely?

Obviously, with the huge increase in the number of laptops with sealed batteries, this isn’t practical.

When it comes to whether or not they can be replaced, the answer appears to differ from one manufacturer to the next.

According to Acer, you don’t need to remove the battery when using AC power, but you should do so if you won’t be using it for many days. When Apple first released laptops with detachable batteries, it urged users not to remove them.

It all ultimately comes down to the device’s power control configuration. When a battery isn’t there, some may limit the power exactly as they do when low battery level. It’s possible that you’ll end up with poor performance as a result of this.

If you do decide to remove the battery, make sure you safely store it. This generally entails a charge of 40 to 80 percent and storage at room temperature.

Battery Care

Battery care for laptops or any other device remains essential for its performance and longevity.

While doing a deep cycle, charge your battery to maximum capacity and then let it rest for two hours to cool down after charging.

Once your battery hits 5%, unplug your power cable and set your computer’s power savings settings to hibernation.

When your computer goes into hibernation, wait around five hours before plugging in the power line and letting it charge to full capacity again.

Conclusion

While keeping your laptop plugged in will not harm it in the short term, the battery’s capacity will most likely be depleted in the long run due to factors such as heat. That is, if you solely use it on AC power.

Similarly, suppose you use it on battery power. In that case, you’ll get through the discharge cycles of the battery a lot faster than they should. Meaning the reduction in battery life. That’s not ideal either.

As a result, the best option is a hybrid of the two: operate it on battery power on specific days and keep it plugged in on others. And whatever you choose, keep in mind that it shouldn’t get too hot.

Kidding aside, laptops are inherently more fragile than desktops, and one of the reasons is that we tend to carry them anywhere, even in the bathroom; and sometimes they get dropped, sometimes you spill the coffee while reading a funny thread on Reddit, you know the drill.

But what’s even more aggravating is that in recent years, laptops are not actually built to last. This phenomenon is called planned obsolescence, and it layman’s terms, it means that “they don’t make them like they used to”. The same is true for cars, software, appliances, you name it, as in they are made fragile and often unrepairable by design.

This kind of sucks, but what can you do. Laptops are built with an inherent vulnerability, in such they tend to overheat (it’s a feature, not a bug, ok?), and they are often taking punishment, whether they deserve it or not.

How Long Do Laptops Last?

How long should a laptop last depends on a few factors. First, the type of laptop comes into play. There are three main types of laptops: consumer-grade, gaming and business-grade. Usually speaking, business-grade laptops are the most reliable, as they are made to last, due mostly to the nature of the buyers (corporate types).

Gaming laptops are also built pretty well usually speaking (there are exceptions to that rule), because they must take abuse on a daily basis, and they must not overheat (get slow) under load.

The second factor is the brand of the laptop. Needless to say, some are better than others, and in this regard, Apple-made laptops are some of the best. The same goes for Dell’s high-end Latitude/XPS/Alienware lines, Lenovo’s Thinkpad T series, HP’s Probook/Elite book series, Asus ROG series, and so on and so forth.

To give you an example, it’s highly unlikely to hear laptop fan noise in a MacBook Pro; or in a Mercedes Benz S Class (just kidding).

Thirdly, the lifespan of a given model is directly affected by what you are using it for, and, most importantly, how you treat your machine.

A few educated guesses for our readers

Consumer-grade laptops are the most common, and they are usually the cheapest of the bunch, being designed for let’s say “casual” use, such as light work maybe, sending emails, cruising the web etc.

Generally speaking, a consumer-grade laptop comes with one year warranty, which doesn’t necessarily mean it will self-destruct after its 366th day of use.

However, if you are curious enough to take a look inside a cheap laptop, you will discover that the components inside are 2nd-3rd tier. It must be noted that an expensive consumer-grade laptop can be built with quality parts.

You must also understand that due to the nature of the global economy, which we abhor by the way, the laptop you just bought today may not be exactly the same as the one you will buy after a month, even if it’s the exact make and model.

The parts inside may vary from “batch to batch”, as different companies (suppliers) make different components, and parts may vary even if the specs are the same. And the same goes for quality, obviously, depending on the part manufacturer.

After all’s said and done, a consumer-grade laptop will cost you between $700 and $1300, and the life span may vary between 2 and 5 years. This is a general estimation, not a rule, let’s be clear about that.

Business-grade laptops carry a 3 years warranty in most cases (or more), and they are designed better, built better and with high-quality parts, that compared to consumer-grade laptops. Needless to say, batches are more consistent quality-wise, and business laptops are mostly viewed as workhorses, i.e. tough, powerful and reliable.

Business-grade laptops also arrive with shock resistant/water resistant features, they have reinforced casings (fiberglass, magnesium), unlike plasticky consumer-grade machines, and can withstand being knocked, bumped and even dropped. To put it simply, they are built to last, but you will have to pay between $2000 and $3000 for the privilege (even more in some cases). The main benefit is the longer life-span, which is 7 to 10 years on average, especially for a $3000+ machine.

Gaming laptops are designed for a different breed of human, the gamer respectively. In this regard, gaming laptops are like racing cars, in such they are designed to provide you maximum performance for a few laps.

As in, the star that shines twice as bright lasts half as long. Or, to put it bluntly, if you want to play the latest games on max-settings, then you can expect a shorter life span. If you don’t mind slower FPS rates and lower-res, your machine will last longer.

It’s important to mention that a gaming laptop will become obsolete anyway in 2-3 years due to advances in complexity of games.

If you want a future-proof gaming laptop, you will have to spend over $3000, so you can still be playing 4-5 years later. A $1000 gaming laptop will provide you about two years of gaming. Double the amount spent, and you’ll get double the time.

Speaking of reliability in gaming laptops, this is difficult to estimate, as you must put into equation both graphic settings and whatever else you’re going to do with your machine.

What Causes Laptops to Break?

The next logical question is what causes laptops to fail? There are many reasons besides planned obsolescence: heat is one of the main enemies, especially in gaming laptops, as well as spills, knocks, drops, pressure (when you sit on them, okay fatty?), cold and plenty more.

Also, there are some parts that have a shorter lifespan compared to others, like batteries, motherboards and RAM modules.

Some cheap laptops come with soldered RAM modules, i.e. when RAM fails, your laptop gets totaled. The same goes for batteries, as in there are laptops with non-user-replaceable batteries. This takes us to the planned obsolescence thing we told you about earlier: unrepairable laptops.

Signs That You Need A New Laptop

At some point, you will begin to “feel” that you need a new laptop. There are specific signs that you need to spend money on a new machine, and even if you can try to squeeze a few extra years out of your laptop, you’ll only get frustrated in the end.

An aging laptop will begin to slow down: when boot time is way longer than usual and applications take hours (or at least that’s what it feels like) to open up, it’s time to upgrade. Another sign that your laptop is a relic is that you cannot install the latest OS.

Each time Apple or Microsoft release a new OS, they have higher hardware requirements compared to previous versions. As in, minimum supported specs are increased a bit, and if your laptop doesn’t cut it anymore, it’s time to say goodbye.

Displays are also prone to failure more than other parts, and if you find yourself squinting at your screen, you may need glasses or an upgrade. It’s up to you to decide. Regular crashing is another side of an aging laptop, as well as a battery that doesn’t hack it anymore.

Most Reliable Laptop Brands

If you want to know the most reliable laptop brands, here it comes: Apple, Lenovo, HP, Microsoft, Samsung and Dell. It’s worth mentioning that usually speaking, Macs last longer than PCs, due to their internal compatibility, as in the drivers and individual components are designed to work together, while other companies use a mix of manufacturers and brands, which translates into inefficiencies and incompatibility issues, shorting the life-span of the laptop.

How long do laptop batteries last?

It all depends, but usually speaking, batteries are the first to “give up”. The life span of a battery depends on its capacity, chemical composition and the way you’re using the laptop on battery power.

Lithium-Ion batteries are better than NiMH varieties, a larger capacity battery will last longer than a smaller one; also, if you’re using your laptop to stream videos on battery power, it will drain it quicker than using it for internet browsing or word processing, and so on and so forth.

As a general rule, a laptop battery will take 500 charge cycles, and if you’re in doubt, check out BatteryInfoView to see where yours stands.

How to Prolong Your Laptop’s Lifespan

• Take the charging cable out when your laptop is fully charged
• Open up your laptop and clean it thoroughly every 3 months
• Use a laptop cooling pad to help it run at lower temperatures
• Keep food and liquids away from your laptop
• Upgrade your laptop where possible (more RAM, or add an SSD)

Seriously speaking now, even if you’re the OCD kind of person, and you take care of things seriously, sometimes it’s surprising how fast things go downhill, and here I am talking about a laptop running slow.

Now that we’ve established the frame of reference, let’s take a look at the question “why is my laptop so slow”, right after a short commercial break.

To begin with, you must understand a few things. First, your Windows OS (most laptops run on Windows except from MacBooks and Linux people) is designed to efficiently manage the resources of your laptop, things like drive space, RAM, CPU performance etc. between all the software that’s currently running on your machine.

The number of things that can go wrong and slow down your PC are virtually limitless, but here’s some of them:

Quick Check List of Issues

• you don’t have enough RAM (or you’re running out of RAM)
• you don’t have enough disk space (SSD/HDD)
• your laptop’s OS is installed on ancient tech (HDD instead of SSD)
• there are too many programs running in the background
• there are too many startup programs
• your OS is not up to date
• your hardware runs on outdated drivers
• viruses or malware
• you failed to adjust your OS settings to match your hardware capabilities, i.e., you use special effects and visual features not compatible with life (kidding, but you got the picture)

Ways to Speed Up Your Laptop

Free Software Maintenance Tools

Now, if you’re looking for a quick fix, there are a few (free) software tools out there that can help you with speeding up your laptop, with you still being completely ignorant about the causes. We are talking about things like CC Cleaner, IOBIT’s Advanced System Care, or Glary Utilities, to name just a few.

If you’re the DIY type, keep reading, because you’re in for a real treat.

Restart your machine

So, let’s see how to fix a laptop running slow by employing old school methods. The most obvious thing to do if your laptop has been running for a long time and speed is not what it should be, is to restart it. The thing about restarting your PC is that it would free up both RAM and the swap file on the HDD/SSD from all data that’s not being used, yet it’s still there, cluttering your system.

Basically, a fresh start and closing all the programs running on your laptop will refresh the RAM and the swap file, which is used when the RAM is filled up with “garbage”. Also, a restart will make sure that all the background processes are “killed”, and it would allow eventual Windows/software updates to be installed. To make a long story short, a restart would be a great idea to begin with, as it takes care of a number of bugs that your laptop may be suffering from, including memory leaks, which cause your software to eat up all the RAM.

Stop programs running on startup

After restarting the laptop, if you notice a ton of applications starting up automatically, well, here’s there’s another problem: too many apps/programs running at startup will definitely slow down your laptop. What you must do is to disable startup programs that are not vital for your machine.

The vast majority of software installed on your machine will run automatically at boot, but obviously, you don’t need that. To disable start programs, you’ll have to use the Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DELETE), and then click on the Start-up tab to see what programs are enabled and what’s the impact on your laptop’s performance and boot time. You can click Disable and prevent a program from starting up automatically in the bottom right corner.

Find programs that eat up resources

Another thing that can mess with your laptop’s performance is programs running in the background. If there are too many programs running in the same time, your CPU will call it quits and yes, your laptop will become slow like old people climbing the Everest. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open the Task Manager and check out what programs are running in the background, how much processing power and how much RAM they are taking. Basically, look for programs that eat up resources.

You can close undesired programs directly by selecting them and then clicking End Task, but it would be a good idea to use a search engine before doing so, so you don’t accidentally close something essential for your OS.

Adjust or disable graphics and animations

Remember how we told you about failing to adjust your OS settings to match your hardware capabilities? The thing about Windows 10 (and Windows 7 actually) is that it comes with eye-candy visual features and special effects, like cool animations and shadows, which incidentally eat-up processing power like there’s no tomorrow, especially if you own an older laptop.

Disabling “special effects” will definitely improve your laptop’s performance. Go to the Windows search bar, type Performance, click Enter and select ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows.’ On the Visual effects tab click ‘Adjust for best performance’ and then ‘Apply.’

Check for viruses and malware

Malware (as in computer viruses and such) can also slow down your laptop. If your laptop suffers from programs randomly crashing or you’re seeing pop-up ads, this means your laptop has a bad case of electronic Covid-19 and it needs a vaccine. Fortunately, Windows 10 comes with built-in tools to mitigate this problem: type Security into the search box and click Open. Next, select Virus & threat protection and then click Quick scan. If your Windows is up to date, you should have no significant problems with removing malware.

Upgrade your hardware

Upgrading your hardware is always a good idea, especially if your laptop is running on an old-school HDD. Getting an SSD instead will dramatically improve performance, provided the OS is installed on the respective SSD. Another hardware issue that degrades performance in laptops is the amount of RAM installed. Upgrading RAM memory, especially if your laptop has less than 4GB (even 4 GB is not enough to run Windows 10 or even Windows 7), would make a significant difference in how your machine works.

Update your OS, drivers, and apps

While we’re taking upgrades, always remember to keep your OS up to date. More precisely, keep an eye on Windows Updates and install the latest drivers updates and software patches. Failing to do that may slow down your laptop over time, as Windows and driver updates can provide performance improvements. Go to the Settings menu from the Windows Start menu, then click Update&Security.

Delete unnecessary files

Another reason for which a laptop may become “unstable” and slow is a full hard drive. Make sure you have at least 500 MB of disk space available, empty your Recycle Bin, remove unwanted/unnecessary programs from the Control Panel, clean your Downloads folder, find and delete temporary files, and finally, clear the cache and cookies on your web browser; by the way, software like CC Cleaner or Glary is great for regular maintenance.

Go full HAM

Finally, if everything fails, try to reinstall your OS, and by that, yes, we mean go for fresh Windows, the mother of all upgrades. Nothing works smoother than a laptop with fresh Windows, it’s like fresh driven snow or something. Keep in mind to reinstall Windows before resorting to buying new hardware, and back-up all important files before proceeding.

A few more tips

We’re almost there, but let us close with a few “insider” tips: keep your laptop clean, as accumulated grime and dust may lead to overheating and an overall sluggish experience (read this while you’re at it), remove unused browser extensions, restart regularly, run fewer simultaneous programs if not absolutely necessary, and reinstall Windows at least once at every 2 years.

Seeing your laptop shutting down randomly for no reason can be a frustrating experience. It could be that your laptop is overheating and shutting down or that your laptop keeps shutting down due to a technical glitch in some software or hardware that can be hard to pin down. This can be an issue in a high-end premium laptop down to the budget laptops.

Luckily, with the help of this article, you’ll be able to not only pinpoint a possible source of the problem but also find yourself able to remedy a situation in which your laptop keeps shutting down.

Laptop Overheating and Shutting Down

If you hear a lot of laptop fan noise, the culprit may be that it is overheating. This could be possible because you’ve left it on an undesirable surface for way too long and that has caused parts of it to accumulate damage that is now almost second nature to the laptop.

This can happen primarily because of dust and dirt damaging the laptop’s fans, which is what physically contributes to the fan noise. The dirt and dust disallow the fans to be effective, meaning heat isn’t dissipated as it should. When your laptop overheats, self-protecting mechanisms shut it down to prevent physical damage that can blow out its parts, possibly permanently.

Try Using a Cooling Pad

To mitigate the effect of a laptop overheating, or to eliminate it entirely, you can use laptop cooling pads or coolers. Without these, your system will continue to function in a highly stressed state day after day, and not only will it keep shutting down, it might even contribute to a system failure that would be hard to remedy.

Keep Your Laptop Ventilated and on an Even Surface

We also talked about an “undesirable” surface; this means surfaces that aren’t even, surfaces such as your bed, or in your lap. These are the worst places to use your laptop: even though it can be tempting to make use of the portability of your device for increased ease, it shouldn’t become a habit. Even on a table, if your laptop is prone to overheat, try to use it propped up with a lap desk or a portable cooling stand. You could even stack some books as if in a square donut formation and rest your laptop on that!

Bad Drivers Causing Accidents

Yes, you read that right. Every process in your laptop that’s being run by any hardware uses a driver to operate smoothly. A driver that’s outdated or improperly installed can wreak havoc on your system in several ways and can even force it to shut down.

The worst offenders in particular are the GPU drivers. The Graphics Processing Unit is responsible for everything from seamless gaming to quality Netflix visuals, as well as for graphical image processing software and video editing.

GPU drivers need to be very carefully installed. Make sure you have the GPU drivers that come from the manufacturer of your GPU, otherwise you can find your laptop shutting down randomly. Take note if you’re using a dual-GPU (as most laptops do), with an integrated Intel card and a dedicated card from AMD or Nvidia. In this case, you should update both of the drivers.

How to Update my Drivers

To check and install drivers, head on over to your laptop’s Device Manager by right-clicking Start and selecting the option.

Here, find the appropriate device. Your GPU will come under the ‘Display Adapters’ menu. Here, in the Details tab, you’ll find the HardwareID field. Copy this ID. Now, go to the Drivers tab and uninstall the driver.

Remember that some adapters may cause your computer to stop working properly. For example, although unrelated, you should not uninstall your network driver until you have downloaded a new one. Otherwise, how would you get a new driver?

Now, write the details of the driver in Google and find the exact name and details on the GPU manufacturer’s official website. Download and install the latest drivers available and, if this was the problem, restarting your computer now should do the trick!

Remember that you can also simply download the GPU driver by heading to the manufacturer website and entering your GPU model. However, the aforementioned process is necessary for other drivers (as the issue may not be related to your GPU only). Simply find the device that you want to update the driver of and follow the process.

Update the SSD Firmware

If the problem still isn’t fixed, you might need to update your SSD firmware to stop your laptop from shutting down randomly.

Let’s say you have an Intel SSD. Navigate to the SSD toolbox, click on Firmware Update, and hit the Update button. You might be presented with a Firmware Update Warning. Read this carefully, then click Run, and restart your computer.

If this doesn’t work either, you have exhausted most of the basic troubleshooting options that you had. Taking it to a professional is a safer bet rather than frustrating yourself any further. Tinkering with the hardware of the laptop without experience could damage the components. In some cases, they may not even be repairable, causing you to purchase them new (or even replace your laptop).

This article will delve into why a laptop fan making noise might be worrisome or might not be something to worry about. In either case, do not panic. Regardless of whether you have a budget laptop or a shiny new top of the line Alienware, this can happen to you.

The fan can especially begin to make noise if you have a tendency to push your computer. For example, if you use a laptop for video editing or gaming, there is a greater chance of this issue coming up.

Remember that this article deals mainly with issues in which the fan is making a noise it should not make. If you fan is simply too loud due to overheating, check out some of the best laptop coolers to keep your laptop cool and the fan noise down to a minimum. On top of that, cooler parts tend to last longer, potentially prolonging the life of your laptop.

Let’s look at the different types of laptop fan noises you may encounter, through which you can narrow down what yours is.

Laptop Fan Making Grinding Noise

This one is the easiest to fix. If you find your laptop fan making a grinding noise, there are two possibilities. If you installed your fan yourself or had your laptop fixed recently, it’s possible you installed it against the polarity (+-). In case your connector keeps you from mixing that up or that you’ve checked and that’s not the case, this is a sign of a dead fan. A dead fan should be replaced at the earliest; taken to a trusted shop and exchanged for a new one, possibly installed by professionals who have experience doing this.

It’s also possible that the problem is with the heat sink, but the important thing to note is that this requires you to take it in for a check-up, tuning and replacement.

If, however, you find the laptop making grinding noises only at start-up, then it’s possible that this is an issue with the bearings, which is much easier to fix; but we still don’t recommend opening up your laptop on your own (if you can) and potentially messing up something else in the process (unless you have a lot of experience doing this).

Laptop Fan Making Rattling Noise

If you find your laptop fan making rattling noises, you might not need to replace it just yet. It’s possible that your fan is obstructed by wires or dust, even if partially. This is also true if you find your laptop fan making buzzing noises.

Look for a tutorial on how to disassemble a laptop that is specific to your make and model, open it up and get to the fan.

You now need to oil the fan. For this, a single drop of sewing oil will do, but first you might need to remove a plug or a sticker on the back of the fan. Drop the oil in, check for anything obstructing the fan, and then close it back with the plug and/or sticker as carefully as possible.

Of course, if this doesn’t work, it’s best to replace the fan.

It’s also important not to toss your laptop around. If you carry it around, invest in a special-use messenger bag, but try not to keep it in a backpack where it might rub against a different kind of fabric day in and day out. Excessive dust can get inside the laptop and cause issues with the fan in some cases.

How to Fix Laptop Fan Noise

There are a few “best practices” you can employ. Knowing how to reduce laptop fan noises doesn’t require a deep technical know-how of computers and how they work, but simply remembering to do a few checks every time you use it will help keep your laptop stable and in good running condition.

A laptop fan making noise more than you expect it to simply means that it’s overworked and overheated. Some of the advice given before applies. It might be that your laptop has accumulated too much dust, or that it’s too old and a lot of the brackets inside the casing are causing problems. You need to make sure to keep your laptop ventilated; don’t let it heat up on a surface, but instead, keep it elevated by placing something soft and stable under your laptop to prop it up, or by utilizing coolers and cooling pads. Be careful, however, that the surface is hard, like a desk, and not your lap or your bed.

It could also be a software issue, which means that using a solution also from the software side will help. Open up your installed programs to see what’s running on your laptop. It might be that you have a ton of very heavy and CPU-intensive software installed that can’t run very well on your laptop’s specifications and it’s causing a burden to be offloaded through the fan having to work hard to keep the laptop cool. Malware is also a possibility – a computer software solution such as Advanced SystemCare will let you check for all these aspects.

Conclusion

Finally, you can adjust your Power Options to “increase battery life and reduce performance”, as well as making sure you have the latest BIOS. However, this will not be ideal for people who game, edit videos, and generally push the laptop to its limits.

In most cases, you should be able to fix the noise on your own. However, if you find things to be a bit complicated, you should take your computer to a professional so that they can properly investigate what the issue is.

Platform

Windows and Mac OS are the most common platforms for PCs, and Chrome OS is a lesser-known option. This is the first thing you need to choose since this software is literally what makes your laptop run. While other features are probably more important, you should first decide which OS you want and then look for a laptop.

Windows is the most popular OS and appears on the biggest range of devices. It’s more flexible as well, with the most amount of software available. Apple laptops have the Mac OS which is great for users in the Apple universe.

Google’s Chrome OS is available on cheaper laptops like Samsung Chromebook 3 and in some 2-in-1 laptops. It is simpler but also more limited than its competitors, with some of its apps not working offline.

Processor

The CPU, the “brain”, is going to affect everything. Intel’s Core lineup is by far the most popular, with premium models like the Core i9 for gaming and other demanding tasks, and Core i7 which offers a lot of performance but for a lower price.

AMD’s Ryzen chips are close competitors to Intel’s Core family, outperforming them in many benchmarks. AMD also makes APUs for low-cost laptops, which are good enough for surfing the web and such. Intel’s Pentium processors are similar but slightly better.

Intel’s Xeon is designed specifically for professional tasks like 3D modeling or video editing, but these come in heavier laptops with terrible battery life. They should only be bought if you have a specific use for them.

Graphics Card

Unlike desktops, laptop graphics chips can’t be upgraded later on. If you play a lot of games or edit videos, you will need a discrete graphics chip, either from AMD or NVIDIA. NVIDIA’s RTX 20s series is the latest and is usually used in the latest high-end gaming laptops. Some laptops use the older GTX 10s series, which are cheaper but less powerful.

AMD has a wide range of low and high-end chips too, but Nvidia generally tends to outperform AMD in the discrete graphics department. Remember that if you don’t use your laptop for the tasks mentioned above, then the graphics chip that comes integrated with the system memory by default should be sufficient.

Memory and Storage

The more RAM (or simply memory) that a laptop has, the more work it can handle at a given time. 8 GB is usually enough for most users, but you can get consumer laptops that go up to 32 GB if you’re going to be performing more memory-intensive tasks.

Unlike RAM, more storage space means that your laptop can hold more data even when it’s not being used, including videos, music, etc. Most laptops these days use SSDs for storage, which is faster than the traditional HDDs, although they are more expensive and thus have less space. Premium laptops often have both SSDs and HDDs so that you get the best of both worlds.

If you have a lower budget and don’t need as much internal memory, then you can get a laptop with traditional hard drive storage and call it a day. External storage drives are also an option.

Hardware and Battery Life

It doesn’t matter how good your laptop’s specs are if it doesn’t have good ergonomics, i.e. a good touchpad and keyboard. Same goes for battery life; what good is a premium laptop that dies on you whenever you’re working on something important?

Make sure the keyboard is good, as in the keys have enough distance between them and are solid enough (keyboards with key travel tend to be more ergonomic). Similarly, the touchpad should be of good quality so you don’t have to deal with a jumpy cursor, and you can utilize multi-touch gestures. Glass touchpads are known for their accuracy and feel, and are the best option for most people as long as money is not a factor.

Screen resolution

You’ll be looking at your laptop screen for hours, so the screen ought to be worth it, right? Viewing angles are important, and IPS displays tend to be best for most users. Be sure to look up screen resolutions for whatever model you’re considering.

Regardless of the kind of work, you’ll be doing, try going for full HD (1920×1080) at the very least, unless you’re picking a low-budget laptop. Certain models offer 4K resolution and better HDR and color gamut. These laptops are perfect for photographers and videographers. However, like all good things in life, they cost more as well.

Size

Most popular laptop brands like Dell, HP, etc., offer three common laptop display sizes; 13.3-inch, 15.6-inch, and 17.3-inch. Some brands also have options outside this range, with 11.6-inch, 12.5-inch, and 14-inch displays.

Smaller laptops are more portable so if that’s what you want, go for a Windows model because those tend to be lighter. These won’t have the same specs as bigger laptops though. 2-in-1 laptops are also a good portable option. Gaming laptops tend to be the bulkiest, so be prepared to carry some weight if you want to play games on your laptop.

Pricing

When it comes to price, we can sort out laptops into three neat little categories. The first would be entry-level laptops, which are the most affordable and get the job done for the most casual users. These will be light on RAM and graphics, but there are some pretty good budget-friendly options here.

Next, we have more mainstream laptops, which is where you’ll get more bang for your buck, so more features and more options to choose from as well. And lastly, we have premium laptops, which include luxury items like the MacBook Pro. These laptops are best for power users, but not worth it for general use.

Conclusion

Overall, just remember to research before you buy, because laptops are a big investment. Don’t go for the cheapest straight away when there might be better options within your budget, and don’t overpay simply to get a laptop that you do not need.

It’s good to keep your future needs in mind as well. Check for compatibility with ports and hardware, and pay special attention to things like the battery. If possible, shop at official stores (like Apple has) where you can get a real feel of the product before you buy it.

Fortunately, if the picture in your mind seems to flicker between different channels, we’re here to help.

Which laptop can be considered ‘worth it’ in upgrading or putting in the extra bucks? Which laptop will work best for your needs? Which laptop size do you really need?

It’s not just the inches that are relevant to the discussion anymore (as in different flat-screen TVs), since the various sizes of laptops actually bring with them different features possibilities and limitations.

Let’s say there are five things you should consider: budget, screen resolution, portability, battery life, and power.

The Budget: Get Cost-Conscious

No new purchase starts without money, or, more accurately, without an appraisal of just exactly how much money we’re talking.

Cheaper won’t necessarily mean smaller, and the pricing of ultrabooks has been an issue for over 7 years now. This is mainly because ultrabooks are considered a premium product and usually have very robust hardware for their size. Not only that, smaller laptops in general have better build quality as they usually target high-end consumers.

Not to mention, when it comes to a laptop, it’s better to look at it in terms of getting your needs met in the lowest possible cost combination instead working from the ground up in terms of money – this saves further expenses down the line.

This means you can opt for a laptop as closely tailored to your needs as possible, saving on extraneous cost – and, since laptops are a buyer’s market, you can rely on competitive pricing to get you your best possible deal whether what you opt for is an 11-inch or 17.

Screen: Size vs. Resolution

The common 13-inch vs. 15-inch problem holds within it another debate: the question of 4k vs. 1080p (or 1440p). Laptop screens, as we previously discussed, are not judged simply on the criteria of physical dimensions, but by screen resolution as well.

For most people in the world today who use their laptops on a regular basis (even if just primarily for either work or entertainment), the minimum requirement is a 1080p screen.

It fits more information in a single glance, gives clearer images and picture quality, and is much easier on the eyes, as well as allowing multitasking through stacking windows side-by-side.

Luckily for us, the more that technology progresses, the better the bottom-line gets. 1080p (or “full HD”) screens are now more affordable than ever – less than 400 dollars on average, and that’s just us looking at a comparison of official first-purchase price quotes.

A go-to for many people is Dell: their price-performance matrix means you can get something with an 8GB RAM, 7th Gen i5, 15-inch LED-backlit display laptop with a 256GB SSD (a huge deal) for a little under just $600.

Portability: Take Your World With You

A smaller screen translates to bigger possibilities in portability.

A 17-inch laptop is pretty close to a desktop and would be harder to lug around for students or professionals who need to network or work on the go in different offices, cafes, and in meetings with clients. Gamers, of course, wouldn’t hear of anything else.

Let’s say we’re talking about the best laptop for graphic design: while you’d want to be able to see your work up close and enlarged, it’d be harder to actually take your laptop with you when you move around for inspiration or last-minute revisions.

As such, you can zoom in and see different parts of something much clearer on a smaller display while it’s still high-definition, but you wouldn’t necessarily be able to pack up and take a 17-inch with you in your backpack.

Our recommendation? An ultrabook! Models keep changing through the years with newer and faster processors and more features, but these are generally lightweight and battery-oriented without any of the bulk that’ll slow you down.

Battery: Don’t Get Stranded!

Arguably, all other factors are moot points if your laptop doesn’t have enough battery to facilitate you. Generally, larger screen laptops have a more powerful battery. However, smaller screens often use less power, which often leads to them having a better battery life.

Smaller laptops are best if you only plan to do simple tasks such as using Microsoft Office and surfing the web. Their small screen size allows them to efficiently utilize the battery and make sure it lasts at least an entire workday.

Of course, if you’re a gamer, nearly all of this advice goes out the window since the most powerful laptops are large and the battery drains quickly. This is because of the high performance GPUs, large screens, and the processors utilized by these laptops. However, gaming laptops should still last at least a few hours if you are doing standard tasks such as surfing the web.

Power: Your Laptop is Only as Good as its Lowest Common Denominator

Finally, a holistic view and a reminder for focus on other things as well, apart from just your screen – meaning the peripherals, power, and performance.

Once you have chosen your screen (according to what you want to do on your computer), it is best to take a look at all the other specs in order to make sure your laptop does not slow down unnecessarily due to its components failing to keep up with your needs.

Whether you’re planning to buy a laptop for programming or gaming, you need to evaluate your needs before you head to the store. Programmers often prefer medium-sized laptops (15-inch) for their versatility. Gamers, on the other hand, are spread out all over the place. Serious gamers go for larger laptops while more casual gamers prefer the portability of smaller screens.

Conclusion

Even if you’re read none of the article so far, here is our rundown:

• 1080p HD is worth it and affordable
• Battery life is crucial (6 hours minimum, 8+ hours should be preferred)
• 13-inch models for maximum portability, such as for students and artists
• 15-inch models if you take the laptop to work but don’t move it much, or if you want a high-quality entertainment system
• 17-inch models if you treat it like a desktop or have needs for gaming. Most laptops are marketed as “gaming laptops” directly and have their own ballgame

Lastly, forgoing USB ports is NOT recommended. Case in point: having only USB-C ports and no USB-C devices is probably not a good idea, so mix and match until you arrive at the perfect combination. Laptops with larger screens have more ports, so a 13-inch ultrabook may not be for you if you are planning to connect a lot of devices to your machine.