There are many different models and types of laptops to choose from, so it is important that you spend at least some time researching the various types available before making a decision.
This guide will detail the different types of laptops available in today’s market and give you an idea of which type was built for which type of user. In addition to this overview, we will also give detailed information on the networking, CPU and hard drive options available.
Here are some typical user experiences which outline the various needs that affect the way that most consumers choose a type of laptop. These “types” are not rigid, in fact it is highly likely that you will feel as if you fit between two or more categories, so it is important to think about what, where and how you will be using the new laptop.
Student
Most students are looking for laptops that are extremely portable and affordable. These types of laptops can be easily carried between classes, libraries and dorm rooms, so the new Netbook style laptops that sell for under $500 have become quite popular with students. The only downside to these mini-laptops is that they have smaller screens (10 to 12 inch) than other laptop models and are powered by single-core Atom CPUs which are less powerful.
The 13 inch thin and light laptop is another option, it’s still portable, yet a bit bulkier than the Netbook, but it gives a noticeably improved and powerful experience. The average thirteen inch laptop has a dual-core CPU and comes with an optical drive standard. A great example of the popular thirteen inch model is the Apple MacBook.
Basic requirement for student laptops: 13-inch or smaller screen size; 160GB or larger HDD; at least 1GB of RAM.
Gamer
PC gamers are some of the most intensive users in the market for laptop computers today. Traditionally, serious gamers will choose to purchase high-speed, powerful desktop computers, which can offer easy upgrades, super fast components and a more efficient cooling system. However, laptops have grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, making them more attractive to gamers.
The release of Intel’s Core 2 Quad and the Core i7 CPUs, which have the power needed to effectively run 3D games, coupled with the industry leading Nvidia GeForce N260 GPU, give even the most dedicated gamer a ton of power. Brands like Alienware offer the gamer a high-end, flashy experience with tons of customization options, are packed with the latest high-tech components and come at a price, while budget-conscious models like Gateway’s P-series feature slightly older parts, but offer a full-size 17 inch screen and lots of value.
Basic requirement for gaming laptops: 17-inch or larger screen size; 320GB or larger HDD with 7,200rpm speed; 4GB to 8GB of RAM; discrete graphics GPU.
Photographer or Videographer
Powerful processors, discrete graphics and super fast hard drives are what is required for the photographer or videographer. Especially photographers who work with High-Definition video or large-quality, high-resolution photos have become some of the most demanding laptop users.
The 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro are counted as one of the most popular models for photographers and videographers. One of the top video editing software programs, Final Cut, is only available for use on Mac laptops, while other software like Adobe PhotoShop works with all computers.
For this type of user, a 17 or minimum 15 inch screen that provides a high resolution is your best bet. Photo and video professionals should also look for a laptop that has a lot of power, including 6 to 8 GB of RAM and a large 500GB+ hard drive that runs at a higher 7200 rpm speed.
Basic requirement for Photographer / Videographer laptops: 17-inch or larger screen size; 320GB or larger HDD with 7,200rpm speed; 4GB-8GB of RAM
Business Travelers
Those who work on the go quite a lot or travel regularly for work require a robust computing experience — they need a sturdy, secure machine, as well as good security management software installed in their system in order to protect their data.
Two great examples of this Business Traveler laptop category include the Dell Latitude and the popular ThinkPad from Lenovo. Both the Dell and the Lenovo boast robust security features like the Intel vPro platform and TPM chips along with hardware components and internal software solutions that work well with the operating system.
Basic requirement for business laptops: 12 to 15 inch screen size; 160GB or larger HDD; 2GB to 4GB RAM; Windows 7 Professional; mobile broadband modem.
Home User
If you aren’t a gamer, photographer or student, you will probably fit into this category. This category encompasses both adults and children, and can be used effectively for a wide range of tasks including educational purposes, such as homework or research, or entertainment such as watching web-based videos in a static location such as a desk, den area or even on family trips.
The 15 inch laptop is the most common size in this particular category, however there are 14 and 16 inch versions also available as well. You can find these standard laptops available from just about every PC maker, and for the most part, these laptops generally offer the same features.
You can pick one of these models up for under $1000 that will feature at least 2GB of RAM, a hard drive that is at least 250GB or larger, a DVD burner and the popular Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. These laptops are typically the most versatile and have the ability to add specific options such as Blu-ray or more advanced graphics cards with ease.
Basic requirement for home-use laptops: 14- to 16-inch screen size; 250GB or larger HDD; 2GB to 4GB of RAM; DVD burning optical drive.