TORONTO – Choosing the right laptop today is still as challenging as ever.
Laptop computer prices are based on several factors, regardless of the store that is selling them. The type of central processing unit (CPU) it has, the amount of battery life it comes with, memory and what materials they’re made out of are all factors for determining the price of laptops.
How do you decide which laptop is the right one for you? There is a secret in the laptop industry. You get what you pay for. Global News tech guru Steve Makris explains.
1. CPU: They vary between four generation-old Intel “Pentium” and competitor AMD chips. AMD chip Acer Aspire One Notebook sell for $369 and an Intel chip Toshiba Satellite Notebook costs $399. The next level up uses third generation Intel Dual Core chips, adding a $75 premium charge, while one year old Intel second generation chips with iCore3 are found in $500 notebooks. The newest Intel third generation chips starting with iCore3, iCore5 and iCore7 start at $600. Third Generation iCore7chips are found in top Windows gaming laptops and MacBook Pro models. Stores like to sell a lesser laptop, like a second generation iCore3 with free mouse and printer for the same price of a faster third generation iCore3 model, so compare carefully.
2. Batteries: The more battery cells in a laptop the longer it runs between charges. Three to four cells are common in new more affordable versions of Intel-based thinner and lighter Ultrabooks selling for $750. Pricier Ultrabooks like HP Folio series have six-cell batteries.
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3. Memory: SSD drives easily add $200 to a laptop. The newest Intel-based Ultrabooks from Toshiba, HP, Dell and Lenovo now offer a combination of a small SSD and larger spin drive in their $750 package.
4. Generally, cheaper laptops are made from plastic compared to aluminum casings, which are thicker and heavier, but companies like Dell have done a good job of making them look more attractive. It’s like cars: pricier models have better craftsmanship.
5. Size of screen is not as important as pixel density. The more screen pixels packed in a square cm the sharper fonts and graphics look. All Intel Windows UltraBooks have the same 1366×768 resolution on a 13 inch screen. The Apple Air 13-inch has 1140×900 making it sharper beyond Ultrabook laptops like Samsung’s New Series 9 13-inch screen, which has an ultra-sharp 1600×900 screen resolution and truly wide angle viewing. It boasts lighter and smaller size specs, all aluminum with the fastest boot up and wakeup times — but it will cost you $1,400.
You get what you pay for.
Follow Steve’s weekly GlobalTV Sunday and Morning News Tech Talk segments and blog on www.techuntangled.ca .
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