Laptop Computer Review

Laptops are portable and keep all the functionality of a desktop. They make it possible for you to take your computing life anywhere you go. If you're a business professional, laptops allow you to take your work with you. For a student, a laptop is a great option for taking notes (but not Facebooking) while in class. With screen sizes varying from 13 to 17 inches, you can easily read articles, type papers or watch lectures online.

The best laptops offer high-definition webcams and built-in mics for video chats. These devices also feature high-resolution displays so you can view high-def graphics and movies. You'll also find loads of storage space for storing pictures or video. Some laptops even boast enough power to edit movies or work with graphic software like Photoshop and Illustrator. With so much available on these portable devices, anyone can find some use for these laptops for work or play.

In our evaluation of the best laptop computers, the top three are the HP ENVY 17, the MacBook Pro and the Dell XPS 15. Also, take a look at our articles on laptop computers for more in-depth information regarding these computing devices.

Laptop Computers: What to Look For

When you're deciding which laptop is best for you, you need to determine the type of tasks you will most frequently perform with your computer. If you plan to use your laptop to check email, browse the internet and listen to music, you don’t need anything too powerful. However, if you plan to edit videos, design graphics, store many files or documents and access information online, you want a device with adequate hard-drive space, enough RAM and a strong processor. On all the laptops we reviewed, you can choose to customize certain features – such as more RAM, bigger hard drives, or a different processor – if you determine you need to upgrade from the base model.

Below are the criteria we used to evaluate laptop computers.

Performance
The best laptops feature a fast, powerful processor. You also need an operating system that performs well and is user friendly. If you plan play games on your computer, a powerful graphics card is essential. Be aware, though, that graphics cards in laptops are integrated, and while they are powerful enough to run the most basic graphics when playing video games, the card can't be removed if you want to upgrade it.

Look for laptops with at least 6GB or RAM (as more RAM equals quicker loading times), because you don’t want to wait around all day for files to download or applications to open. In addition, a long battery life will let you spend hours on your laptop without having to plug in. The best laptops offer up to 7 hours of battery life on a single charge, even with moderate use.

Design
The main purpose of a laptop computer is portability, and each computer offers different physical dimensions, so it is vital that you make sure it is portable enough for you without sacrificing the desktop functionality. Laptops also offer a vast selection of display features, and the screens on these devices ranging from 13 inches to 17 inches. The top laptops are also Energy Star qualified, meaning they have energy-efficient features.

Feature Set
The top laptops on the market generally include several connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These take portability to the next level. You can use the Bluetooth for listening to wireless earphones and Wi-Fi for accessing the internet in places like coffee shops and other locations with wireless connections. In addition, you will find most have options for a webcam and a built-in microphone for video chats or web conferences. Several laptop computer models also include a few extra features, such as a Blu-ray Disc drive, built-in security features or an extra HDMI port if you want to hook up to an external, high-def monitor.

Warranty & Support
Wear and tear happens to electronic devices no matter how well you take care of them. Before you buy, look at the warranty for the device. Most computers feature a one-year warranty, but some may offer more, along with extended warranty options. Also, if problems occur, you need a company with customer-service representatives you can contact who will help you resolve your issues. Many manufacturers offer email, phone and live chat support to help you when technical problems arise.

If you combine all of these elements into one computing device, you will have the ultimate laptop computer. Portability, design, power, speed and hard drive space will all come together to give you the laptop that is the best fit for you needs.

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