Replacing Your Slow Laptop

If you find yourself wondering why your laptop is so slow often, it might be time to consider getting a new one. Whether you use your laptop for work, gaming, watching movies, or studying, a slow laptop will ruin your experience. Given enough time, even the most well-maintained laptop will wear down.  

Finding the right laptop is easy if you know what to look for. Here are five essential tips to keep in mind when looking to replace your laptop.

Consider the Screen Size

Depending on what you intend to use it for, the screen size of your laptop will vary. Unfortunately, there is no definition for the right size of a laptop. Laptops come in different sizes, some being portable desktops (looking at you, Alienware). There are screens as small as 11 inches, while larger ones can be 21 inches and more.

If you’re into gaming or watching movies/TV shows, then choosing a laptop with a large screen size will be the best choice for you. But if you’re looking to use it for work or studies, you should take a look at models that are smaller than 18.5 inches.

Operating System Choices Exist

Though many OSs are out in the market aside from iOS and Windows, such as Linux and Ubuntu, most laptop users tend to use either Apple or Windows. Other than iOS, which is exclusive to Apple products, other laptops brands offer the user flexibility to install most commercial operating systems. Macbooks can only interact with other Apple products due to integration exclusivity,
Another new player in the market similar to Apple is Google’s Chromebooks which run on the proprietary ChromeOS. Windows OS is the go-to choice for most laptop users as it’s universally familiar and isn’t gate locked to any particular brand. It also offers high levels of customization, unlike other commercial OS like Linux, which requires advanced user knowledge.
   
Screen Types Make the Difference

When it comes to visual quality, the screen type of laptops matters a lot. Different brands use different technology for visual fidelity. Currently, the three types of screens popular in the market are OLED, LED, and LCD. OLED screens have self-illuminating pixel technology and better visual clarity from any given angle, making them the best type of laptop screen. But that doesn’t mean LED and LCD screens are a slouch either.

While a touch screen is a must for smartphones and tabs, the same isn’t applicable for laptops that use a keyboard and touchpad/mouse for navigation. As a result, this shouldn’t be that much of a priority for you unless you’re hell-bent on buying the high-end cutting-edge laptops.

Battery Life is a Huge Factor

Depending on how frequently you’re going to use your laptop, battery life is an essential factor to consider when buying a laptop. Laptops with more giant screens tend to run out of charge quickly, which can be a nuisance- you don’t want your laptop to die on you on the road or the couch. So make sure the laptop you choose has enough juice to last you through the day.
Smaller laptops tend to consume less charge, so many people tend to choose smaller laptops with high specs than larger laptops with the same specs. However, screen size isn’t the only factor to consider- running heavier applications like games or Adobe Photoshop can consume a lot of charge.

Consider Going to a Repair Shop

Before you make the final decision on your laptop purchase, take your laptop to a repair shop first and have it checked. Chances are, with a couple of tweaks and repairs, your laptop can regain its lost performance and last you a couple of years longer. Doing so can help you save money on a new laptop purchase for the time being.

These service providers often will do their best to bring your device back to regular functionality unless it’s past that point. Computer repair shops can also change defective parts that are slowing down your laptop’s performance. Repairs can end up being expensive, but not as expensive as buying a new laptop.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time Pondering

Replacing your slow laptop might be something you’re not willing to commit to, given the current state of economic affairs, but neglecting to do so will cost you in the long run. So if you’re more or less confident that it’s time for your laptop to retire, go for it. Unfortunately, with the rise in prices of desktop and laptop components, you might end up paying up a lot more the longer you wait.