If you’re planning to buy a new laptop, choosing the correct one to suit your needs doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as you follow a few simple steps. There are hundreds of laptops out there to suit all budgets, so here are some tips to narrow them down:

  1. What Will It Be Used For?

Decide what applications you’ll require and then set your budget accordingly. New laptops can cost between £200 and £2,000. You can pay up to around £500 for a basic business laptop that’s suitable for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, email and office packages. If you require CAD work then you’d be looking at £1000+.

  1. How Portable Do You Need It To Be?

Your basic options are buying a light, portable, smaller laptop, or a heavier, large-screen one with a longer battery life. If you’re looking at the light, portable options, a tablet may be more suitable. Consider your needs – a laptop with a 17-inch screen wouldn’t be the best option when commuting. Some laptops can be used as a tablet, if they have a touch-screen and detachable keyboard. Weigh up your requirements before purchasing.

  1. How Long Do You Want Your Laptop For?

For most light use, a modern laptop can last a few years without any problems, although many companies normally replace their business laptops every three-to-four years. Consider too that with the rapid advances in technology, your laptop may be outdated and you may wish to upgrade before then.

In terms of battery life, how long each laptop will last when not plugged into mains power varies considerably. Normally, a low-cost laptop will run for up to four hours on battery power. If you need a laptop to last all day without charging it, expect to pay more.

  1. Do You Have Any Old Applications?

If you have any old software or a printer that won’t run on Windows 10, you may need to upgrade your office package, rather than just your laptop. With Windows 10 being stable enough to run in business, it offers a markedly quicker boot-up time than Windows 8 or Windows 7. It also promises better hardware acceleration, faster navigation and improved power management. However if you have a line of business application that won’t run on Windows 10 you would of course need to look at installing Windows 7.

  1. Do You Have Data You Want To Protect?

Whether it’s customers’ data, or other sensitive information, it pays to get a self encrypting drive that protects all your confidential data. It only takes a criminal around one minute to hack into a laptop and steal data. If you accidentally leave yours on the train, you could leave yourself open to attack. Self encrypting drives can combat this. If you want an example of how effective this is, take a look at how long it took the FBI to hack into the iPhone connected to the recent San Bernardino terrorist attack.

Get in touch with Absolutely PC when purchasing your new laptop. We can talk you through any considerations or concerns you may have, and we can also transfer data from your old laptop to your new one.