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Refine Your Search Reset Manufacturer Manufacturer or Model Display Size The display size is the laptop’s screen size, measured diagonally in inches. Type Laptops and notebooks are classified into categories, each tailored to meet the needs of a certain type of user. Price Operating Systems Battery Life The battery life is the length of time (in hours) that the laptop can function after a full battery charge. Processor Speed Storage Capacity Hard drive capacity measures how much data can be stored on the laptop or notebook. Popular Searches |
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- Smart Rating
- Hard Drive Capacity
- Battery Life
- Laptop Type
- Display Size
Guide to Choosing Laptops
Annually, there are hundreds--even thousands--of laptop models released, which can make your search for your new notebook overwhelming. Here, find the highest rated laptops based on data compiled from three of the most trusted computer sites on the web. To help you refine your search, first consider your intended purpose for the laptop. If you'll be carrying it around with you, you'll want to look for a thin, portable notebook, but if you'll be editing HD video, you want to focus on processing power and memory. If you are still unsure of exactly which specifications you need, check out the Laptop Type section below for further details on different options. With 1,309 laptops to choose from, we can help you find the best one for your needs.
How to Find Laptops
Smart Rating
The smart rating takes into account technical specifications as well as a weighted average of review scores from the following expert sources: CNET, PC Magazine, PC World, and Laptopmag.com.
Fact: Based on the TechCrunch database, the best Laptop computer is the Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch with Retina Display (2012) Laptop, which has an overall rating of . This laptop also received ratings from the following expert sources: 4 out of 5 from Cnet.com, (unknown) from PCWorld.com, 4.5 out of 5 from PCMag.com, and 4 out of 5 from LaptopMag.com.
Hard Drive Capacity
Hard drive capacity measures how much data can be stored on the laptop or notebook. Unless you have a considerable media library, most laptops will contain more than enough internal storage. If you are unsure of the storage you will require, there are several ways you can estimate your future storage requirements. If you already have a computer, start by checking the amount of storage you are currently using.
For those who are purchasing their first computer, Consider these guidelines to help you estimate your future storage requirements:
Don't worry if you are still unsure how much internal storage you will need. Should you find that you did not purchase a laptop with enough internal storage, you will always have the option of purchasing an external hard drive or using an online back up and storage service at a later date.
For those who are purchasing their first computer, Consider these guidelines to help you estimate your future storage requirements:
- 1,000 Megabytes (MB) is equal to 1 Gigabyte (GB) and 1,000 GB is equal to 1 Terabyte (TB).
- Large high-resolution photos will typically use between 2-3 MB of storage each, while smaller thumbnails can typically be compressed to about .2-.5 MB.
- A two-hour Standard Definition movie will typically use between 2-3 GB of storage, while its High Definition counterpart would use between 3-5 GB.
- Advanced video games can use up to 5-7 GB of storage each.
Don't worry if you are still unsure how much internal storage you will need. Should you find that you did not purchase a laptop with enough internal storage, you will always have the option of purchasing an external hard drive or using an online back up and storage service at a later date.
Battery Life
The battery life is the length of time (in hours) that the laptop can function after a full battery charge. The battery life of your laptop or netbook is an important consideration if you value portability.
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Laptop Type
Laptops and notebooks are classified into categories, each tailored to meet the needs of a certain type of user.
- All-Purpose Laptops are ideal for the average computer user. These laptops will usually have a processor speed between 2-3 GHz and a display size between 12-16 inches. Additionally, all-purpose laptops will typically offer 250-500 GB of internal storage and include 2-4GB of RAM installed. Consider these if you seek to balance portability and performance.
- Desktop-Replacement Laptops are best for the user who wishes to replace a desktop computer with a laptop. These laptops offer processor speeds similar to the all-purpose laptops, typically falling between 2-3GHz, but the display size is normally larger, ranging from 16-19 inches. Desktop-replacement laptops will normally offer between 500-1500 GB of internal storage and come with 4-8GB of RAM preinstalled. These laptops tend to be a bit larger and heavier, and also have a shorter battery life than their all-purpose counterparts, but compensate with a lower price tag and larger display.
- Gaming Laptops are intended for users who plan to use their laptop to play computationally demanding video games. These laptops will offer processor speeds between 1-3GHz, with display sizes ranging between 12-18 inches. Gaming laptops typically offer between 250-1500GB of internal storage, with 2-4GB of ram preinstalled. What truly distinguishes these laptops is their upgraded video and sound cards, standard on most models. These machines will always run a version of Windows OS.
- Rugged Laptops are made for the user who will be exposing the laptop to harsh environments. These laptops will typically come with shock-mounted hard-drives and spill resistant keyboards. Rugged laptops should only be purchased if there is a specific need for such, as they are much heavier and more expensive than any of the other laptops.
- Budget Laptops are a good option for the user who is looking to get the most value out of the purchase. These laptops will fall between $450-850 and offer a wide variety of features, but you have to be willing to accept some trade-offs. For instance, you may be able to get a faster processor speed if you are willing to sacrifice internal storage, or vice versa. Try sorting the results based on the feature that is most important and you will certainly find a budget laptop that will work for you.
Display Size
What to Watch for in Laptops
If you are an average computer user, hoping to run simple tasks, surf the Internet, and listen to music, then avoid spending much more than $1,000. Avoid spending the extra money for a processor speed you won't utilize or a memory space you won't fill. If, however, you find yourself wanting a more specialized computer, there are still ways to curb costs. Don't fixate on storage space, for example, because you can always add memory to your computer, purchase an external hard drive, or use an online backup service to store documents, music, videos, and photos.
Popular Laptops
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All listings in this comparison represent the base model with basic features. Prices listed are subject to change by manufacturers and retailers.
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