Before buying a laptop, take note of these things

1. Go for SSD instead of HDD.

SSD makes the laptop significantly faster when booting, opening apps and transferring files. It also doesn't make the spinning noise HDDs make.

You can check by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc → then Performance → then Disk.
 
2. Having a high RAM isn't enough.

A laptop with 16GB RAM and a weak or old processor can still perform poorly. So it's important to check the processor.
 
3. Focus more on the generation of the processor rather than just “Core i5” or “Core i7.”

Never assume an i7 is automatically better than an i5. A newer-generation i5 can outperform an older-generation i7, depending on the specific processors.

When you check the model number for most Intel Core processors, the number immediately after the hyphen tells you the generation.

For example:
i7-6500U = 6th Gen
i5-8250U = 8th Gen
i7-1165G7 = 11th Gen
i5-1235U = 12th Gen
i7-13700H = 13th Gen
 
4.🔹Don't ignore battery health, especially when buying a used laptop.

To check on a Windows laptop, open Command Prompt and type: powercfg /batteryreport

This will generate a battery report showing the design capacity and full charge capacity. The bigger the gap, the more the battery has degraded.
 
5.🔹Check the screen quality, not just the size.

A 15.6-inch screen isn't automatically better than a 14-inch one. To confirm, go to Settings → System → Display → Advanced display to check the resolution and refresh rate.
 
6. Check whether the RAM and SSD can be upgraded.

Some newer laptops have their RAM already soldered, meaning you may not be able to increase it later.
 
7. Check the ports you need.

USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, SD card slot, headphone jack and other ports can make a difference depending on what you use the laptop for.
 
8. For a used laptop, test everything.

Don't just open the laptop, see that it boots.

Test the keyboard, trackpad, speakers, microphone, webcam, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, charging port, USB ports, HDMI, hinges and screen.

Open a document and test every key. Play audio through the speakers. Connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Plug in a USB device and test the carger.
 
9. Buy according to your needs.

For browsing, Microsoft Office, online classes and basic work, you don't necessarily need a high-end laptop.

For programming, heavy multitasking or professional software, you need a strong processor and sufficient RAM.

For video editing, 3D work and serious graphics work, you have to pay attention to the GPU, processor, RAM and display.

For gaming, don't focus on RAM alone. The dedicated GPU, processor, cooling system and display matter a lot.
 
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