Laptops have multiple advantages over desktop machines; they are compact enough to carry with you, yet also powerful enough to run the applications you require for work, education and gaming. Because of these conveniences, many people are looking to buy an entry-level laptop or upgrade their current notebook; there are many machines that will suit the current technological environment as well as being budget-friendly! However, if you are thinking about keeping your laptop for quite a while (or just seeking the best value for your money), there are some key points to consider when making your new purchase – size, price, features – laptop specifications can give even the most tech-savvy buyer a headache. So, what exactly should you be looking for? Here’s a checklist we put together to help you out in selecting your next entry-level hardware.

Pick the right Operating System: Windows vs. Mac vs. Chrome OS

This is a personal preference but a very important factor to consider depending on what you want to use your laptop for – work, basic usage, gaming, design etc. – Macs and PCs have some very subtle and very huge differences. Let’s break them down 

• Windows

Definitely the most flexible operating system, Windows runs on more laptops than the other two operating systems. Windows 10 is currently the latest widely available version of Microsoft’s flagship operating system and, since its launch in July 2015, it has also added a host of improvements, including the ability to be more interactive with Cortana (the Windows AI digital assistant) to accomplish tasks and verify queries. Windows 10-based laptops are great for students, researchers and business users.

• Apple macOS

Overall, the operating system offers similar functionality to Windows 10, but with a different user interface that replaces the Microsoft Start menu and taskbar with an Apps dock at the bottom of the screen. Instead of the Cortana assistant, Mac users get Siri. They can also perform transactions with Apple Pay, take calls or texts from their phones and unlock their laptops with an Apple Watch. It is definitely an Operating system environment you want to consider if you use Apple devices and want seamless integration between your devices. 

• Chrome OS

Not as popular as the other two, ChromeOS can be found on inexpensive Chromebooks such as the Samsung Chromebook 3. Made by Google, this OS is simple and secure, but more limited than Windows or macOS. The user interface looks a lot like Windows with an application menu, a desktop and the ability to drag windows around, but the main app you use is the Chrome browser. The downside is that many of the “web apps” you use don’t work particularly well offline, so be careful when considering this environment if internet access may be an issue. That being said, if you need a device to surf the Web and check email, navigate social networks and chat online, Chromebooks are highly portable and tend to offer good battery life at low prices. They are also extremely popular with schools and parents because they are hard for kids to infect with malware and more functional than most tablets.

Choose the right screen size

It is very important that you figure out just how portable you need your laptop to be. Laptops are usually categorized by their display sizes: 11”-12”, 13”-14”, 15”-16” and 17”-18” screens. If use your laptop at your workstation all day, every day, then a 17- or 18-inch system could provide you with the kind of processing power you need to play high-end games or do workstation-level productivity. However, if you aren’t a heavy user then we recommend you look for something in the 15”-16” range. The most popular size, 15-inch laptops usually have a good weight for mobility with a larger work screen area. Consider this size if you’re not planning to carry your notebook around often.

Get a comfortable keyboard and touchpad

Let’s talk about ergonomics; if you plan to do a lot of work on your computer, make sure the keyboard offers solid tactile feedback, plenty of key travel (the distance the key goes down when pressed, usually 1 to 2mm) and enough space between the keys. You should also look for an accurate touchpad that doesn’t give you problems with the cursor and responds consistently to multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom. If you want an entry-level a business laptop, consider getting one with a pointing stick (aka nub) between the G and H keys so you can navigate around the desktop without lifting your fingers off the keyboard’s home row.

Machine specifics

• Processor

For an entry-level laptop that you can use for quite a while before you need to upgrade again, we recommend one with an Intel Core i5 processing unit: it is a good mainstream laptop with a nice balance between price and performance. If you are buying an Apple machine, then a laptop with an M1 chip (found on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro) crushes the competition when it comes to raw performance and endurance. Found on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, although at a higher price tag compared to its Windows counterparts.

• RAM

Some cheaper laptops come with only 4GB of RAM, but ideally you want at least 8GB on even a budget system and 16GB if you can spend just a little more.

• Storage Drive (SSD)

If you can afford it and don’t need a lot of internal storage, get a laptop with a solid state drive (SSD) rather than a hard drive, because you will see at least three times the speed and a much faster laptop overall.

• Display

The more pixels you have, the more content you can fit on-screen, and the sharper it will look. Sadly, some entry-level laptops still have 1366 x 768 displays, as do a few business laptops, but if you can afford it, we recommend paying extra for a panel that runs at 1920 x 1080, also known as Full HD or 1080p. 

• DVD/Blu-ray Drives

Few laptops come with optical drives anymore, because all software and movies are downloadable, though there are some you can purchase. However, if you really need to read/write discs and your laptop doesn’t come with a built-in DVD drive, you can always buy an external one that connects via USB.

Battery life

If you plan to use the laptop on your lap constantly, whether at home and or work, you will want at least 7 hours of endurance, with 8+ hours being ideal. To determine a notebook’s expected battery life, don’t take the manufacturer’s word for it. Instead, read third-party results from objective sources, such as our reviews.

That’s about it on a topical level – key points to help you select your entry-level laptop! There are various other factors to consider when looking further, such as timely and efficient technical support – luckily, our team is happy to assist with any further queries you may have to get the right notebook for you; also, who doesn’t love that new-computer smell? Treat yourself within your budget!