How to Choose the Right PC for you – Guide
Computer buying is a confusing exercise. Even if you know exactly what you want and what it all entails, finding it can be challenging. even browsing manufacturers’ websites to try to buy the model you want is a chore.
Computer systems are complex and can be difficult to understand. This tutorial will help you navigate the maze that is modern computers. When looking for a new computer, there are several important components you need to know about. We have cut out the jargon and try to explain things in layman’s terms.
First, choose your operating system
Before you buy a laptop, it’s important to know which operating system (OS) is best for you. Knowing what software you need to run and what operating systems that software runs on will help you determine what hardware you need.
Windows is the most popular operating system. It has a wide range of applications and support from hardware manufacturers. Windows 10 is the latest version. MacOS is designed for users who want a simple, intuitive interface and access to many professional applications. It runs on Intel-based Macs and some older Apple products. Linux is used by many large organizations because it offers a wide range of features and support from hardware manufacturers. It can be installed on almost any computer, including tablets and smartphones. Android is the most popular mobile operating system. It has a wide range of applications and support from hardware manufacturers. ..
Windows is a robust operating system that doesn’t get much pressure anymore. It’s the best choice if you need Microsoft applications like MS Office, Access or Outlook. There are also more windows laptops to choose than any other operating system.
Apple’s MacOS is a little friendlier to beginners than Windows, but it’s closely tied to the company’s hardware. It’s probably not your first choice if you don’t have an iPhone or iPad and your options are limited to MacBooks. Be sure to read our guide to choose the best MacBook.
Chrome OS is a good choice if you can do most of your laptop tasks in a web browser. Chromebooks are also among the cheapest (and least powerful) laptops you’ll find, so it’s worth considering the OS if you’re on a tight budget. However, some applications, like Adobe’s Creative Suite or Microsoft Office, don’t work well on Chrome OS. Some apps, especially Office, can be installed on your Chromebook using an Android phone or tablet, but I found that Android apps usually don’t work well. ..
Linux is a Unix-based operating system that can be installed on almost any laptop hardware. However, popular applications like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite don’t work. There are free open source alternatives like LibreOffice, Darktable (Adobe Lightroom replacement) and GIMP (Adobe Photoshop replacement).
Understanding Processor (CPU) Names
To determine the minimum hardware specs you’ll need, we recommend looking at the processor.
Intel and AMD are the two most popular laptop processor companies. ..
Intel processors
The processors from Intel are Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9. The most powerful is the Core i9.
Intel releases new chips with unique cryptographic sequences of numbers and letters. By understanding these sequences, you can make better buying decisions. ..
The Intel Core i5-10510U is a laptop manufacturer websites may list the processor type.
Intel has announced a new 9th generation Core i5 processor, the i5-9510U. This chip is a significant update over the 8th generation Core i5 processors, which were released in 2017. The 9510U offers improved performance and battery life over its predecessor, as well as support for new technologies such as 10-nanometer processors and Intel’s Optane Memory. ..
The next two or three numbers (510) are related to performance. The higher these numbers, the more powerful the chip. However, this is only true within this chip line. For chips in other chip lines, the differences between chips are much smaller.
The lyrics in the final song of the Intel chip name are “U” in our example. The letters you will see in the final are Y, U and H. The only ones you need to worry about are the Y series chips, which are optimized for battery life. However, battery life can degrade performance if you tend to be away from the plug for long periods of time. H chips are “energy efficient” but not “extremely” efficient like the Y line.
AMD processors
AMD’s chip naming system is as difficult to decipher as Intel’s.
In the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X name, the “3” is the generation (how old is it; the taller the better) and the “6” is how powerful it is. A “6” would make this example a medium power chip, while a 3 or 4 would be weaker (slower). The next two numbers don’t have much impact at all. The “X” in the final indicates high performance. Other letter designations include U for ultra-low power.
There is a big difference between Intel and AMD chips, in my experience. Generally speaking, an Intel i5 is indistinguishable from a Ryzen 5, apart from very specific benchmarks. However, there are some key differences that can affect performance. For example, an Intel i7 is similar to a Ryzen 7 in terms of performance when browsing the web or editing documents. Additionally, an Intel i3 and Ryzen 3 are also similar in terms of performance, but they may be more suitable for tasks such as gaming or working on small projects.
AMD’s integrated graphics tend to outperform Intel’s latest series of chips on graphics-intensive tasks – think about editing video or playing games.
How much processing power do you need?
If you’re a typical user running a web browser, Microsoft’s Office suite, and maybe even some photo editing software, we recommend one laptop with an eighth generation or later Intel Core i5 processor. This would display something like “Intel Core i5-8350U”.
An Intel i7 chip is a great upgrade for a laptop and can become yours if you can afford it. A laptop with an Intel i7 chip usually feels more energetic and has extra power, which usually means shorter battery life. However, it is important to balance this with your needs when choosing a game laptop as an i3 or i5 will do just fine for most tasks.
For the average user, the AMD Ryzen 5000 series will suffice, but for those who want an upgrade, the Ryzen 7000 is a great choice – again at the cost of battery life. ..
Final note
How to Choose the Right PC for You: A Guide ..
