Laptop Buying Guide 2024: Key Steps:

In my last laptop shopping guide I wrote in 2022, I highlighted some of the TOP KEY THINGS to look-out-for when buying a laptop in today’s age. Well it’s been 2-years since, and we can all agree that technology has really been pushed to new lengths thanks to advancements in fields like AI (Artificial Intelligence). 

The computer chip industry was the first time we saw such changes. Back in 2020 Apple announced their M-chip series of CPU’s and GPU’s after deciding to ditch Intel after nearly 15-years. 

We have also seen Qualcomm, the renowned mobile chipmaker, enter the computing market with their Snapdragon X Plus and Snapdragon X Elite chips announced in 2023 and 2024 respectively with their CPU’s posting impressive numbers. 

With all these advancements, it’s not hard to see why it’s becoming so hard to find the right laptop for your needs. Computer manufacturers are competing against each other like never before. Everyone is trying to see who can make the best “slimmest laptop” or the one with best “battery-life ”. 

Here at Techovant Solutions, here are some key things we would like you to lookout when choosing to buy a PC in 2024.

Overview:

• Determine Your Primary Use
• Set Your Budget
• Decide on Essential Specifications (OS, Ram, Storage, Connectivity, Display, Keyboard, Graphics Card, Processor, Portability)
• Read Reviews and Compare Models
• Consider After-Sales Support and Warranty

STEP 1: Determine Your Primary Use:

Firstly, it’s very important to determine what you intend to do with the laptop. A lot of people just buy a laptop without knowing if it will serve their intended purpose. If you’re an IT specialist, a laptop with dedicated graphics, at least 16 GB of Ram and 512 GB of storage is the right choice. A PC with a color accurate display will benefit creatives like photographers and videographers. Office managers, CEO’s and business executives will most likely do their tasks more efficiently from a laptop with good battery-life, solid keyboard and one with versatile port selection. 

STEP 2: SET YOUR BUDGET:

After determining your intended use, it’s time to see what you can afford. Don’t go for a low-spec laptop just because you’re trying to save some money when you know very well you perform a lot of tasks on your PC. You will end up frustrated. It’s not about the cost, it’s more about value for money. It’s better to spend extra for a machine that is right for your workload, as mentioned in STEP 1.

STEP 3: Decide on Essential Specifications (OS, Ram, Storage, Connectivity, Display, Keyboard, Graphics Card, Battery-life)

Step 3 is where it gets more technical. You have determined your primary use and budget, now it’s time to go a bit deeper and learn more about the specs of the machine. 

1. OS (Operating System): 

The major OS systems that we know are: Windows from Microsoft, macOS from Apple, Linux which is open source and Google Chrome OS. Now, when it comes to OS, this is just mainly about preference and sometimes use case. Programmers for example would tend to prefer to code on macOS as Apple Silicon M-chips have become more powerful, which is great for handling intensive tasks such as code compilation. Windows OS on the other hand is loved due to its ease of use, compatibility with most office systems (ERP’s, CMS’s) and well known applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel. 

You probably have heard of laptops known as Google Chromebooks, which feature ChromeOS. ChromeOS is purposefully built to run Google Apps, just like a Google Pixel phone . Linux OS is mainly used by IT professionals who manage their company’s systems, such as severs. Linux is loved due to its high customizability, strong security, open source community, and of cos It’s free to download. 

It’s also important to note that some PCs, mostly brand-new, may not have any OS installed in them. A deliberate move by the PC manufacturer to save on additional costs related to licenses. You will notice the FreeDos label on their packaging or in the technical specification documentation provided by the manufacturer. This shouldn’t worry you, though, as you can easily install any OS on them.

2. Ram:

Ram (memory) is also another significant aspect. A laptop depends on its Ram for running apps, file processing and performance just to mention a few. You’ve probably heard some people or your friends say “I want a laptop with 8gb ram” or some would ask  “is 16 GB ram enough to play FIFA”. The size of ram is a key component of the PC’s performance. Multitasking on a computer (running many apps at once) requires you to have at least 8 GB of memory. For basic use like word typing and web browsing 4 GB of Ram is enough. For performance purists like gamers and creatives, 16 GB and above is what I highly recommend. 

(i) Ram Speeds:

The capacity (size) of the Ram is not the only aspect you should look at. Like family generations, Ram also come in different gen models, each with an added advantage over its predecessor. We will focus on 3 main models that are still in the market, as the first and second gen models are out of life. They are

1. DDR3 – Clock rate of 400–1066 MHz
2. DDR4 – Clock rate of 800–1600 MHz
3. DDR5 – Clock rate of 2,000–4,400 MHz

DDR3 Ram introduced in 2007 is the slowest of them all, as you can see from the clock speeds above. You will find DDR3 in older pc’s like the HP Elitebook 2560P. When it comes to DDR4, you get more speeds, high module density and lower voltage over its predecessor. DDR5 Ram is currently the fastest and is highly suitable for gaming and intensive computer tasks. DDR5 has become a standard in gaming pc’s like the Asus Rog. Linus Tech Tips does a good job in explaining the concept of Ram Speed in the video below:

(ii) Ram Upgrade Compatibility:

Lastly, it’s also important to know if the computer ram can be upgraded in the future. This is a common question we get asked by customers. You might have noticed some laptops feature the term “soldered memory” like the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 . Soldered memory is a term used to mean that the Ram has been infused into the motherboard and cannot be removed. The good thing is you get an extra Ram slot when you want to add more, however not all PCs have this feature. A good example is the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 82v6008hue which only has 1 slot and is non-upgradable, so be sure to check that.

3. Storage:

Like RAM, storage is also a key thing to look at as they come in different speeds, sizes, and form factors. The common types are:

• SSD – Solid State Drives
• HDD – Hard Disk Drives

SSD

An SSD drive stores data in a connected circuit and retrieves it electronically. SSDs are faster than traditional HDD’s. Hard disk drives depend on movable parts to read and write data. As PCs are now becoming slimmer and computer manufacturers favoring speed, HDDs are slowly disappearing. SSD’s however are more expensive compared to HDD’s.  

 SSDs come in 2 main form factors. The common types are:

1. 2.5-inch

• Similar size to laptop hard drives
• SATA interface
• Compatible with laptops and also desktops

2.5-inch SATA SSD’s developed by SanDisk in the 1990s were the first generation of SSD’s. They can reach speeds of up to 600 MB/s. SATA SSD’s come in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB sizes

2. M.2

• Stick-like shape
• Comes in various lengths: 2242, 2260, 2280 (most common), 22110
• SATA or NVMe interface
• Compatible with laptops and desktops 

M.2 SSDs are the newest form and are much faster. They come in two forms, M.2 SATA and M.2 NVMe. M.2 SATA has almost the same speed as 2.5-inch SATA SSD of about 600 mb/s Read and Write speeds. NVME M.2 on the other hand are the fastest with newer Gen 4 models capable of speeds up to 7500 MB/s. M.2 SSDs come in sizes of up to 2 TB

HDD

HDDs come in 2 main form factors:

1. 3.5-inch

• Standard size for desktop computers
• Used in external drives and NAS devices
• Offer the highest capacities 

3.5-inch HDDs are mostly used in desktops, servers, and surveillance systems. A good example would be the Seagate skyhawk surveillance hard drive . 3.5-inch HDDs are not compatible with laptops due to their size. 

2. 2.5-inch

• Common in laptops
• Also used in some desktops, external drives, and gaming consoles
• Smaller capacity than 3.5-inch, but more portable

2.5-inch HDDs are the ones you should look out for when planning to upgrade your laptop storage size. Laptop HDDs are available in sizes of up to 2 TB.

So now you know the difference between common storage types for PCs. We highly recommend a laptop with SSD storage type, they never lag, boot-times and opening applications are much quicker compared to HDD type laptops. 

4. Connectivity

Number 4 on the essential specifications to check is connectivity. Connectivity can be divided into 2 (physical connections and communication protocols). 

Physical connections:

These are mainly ports and slots that you see on the left and right side of the laptop. Let’s focus on the most important : USB ports, RJ-45 port, SD-Card slot, HDMI or display port. 

(i) USB Ports:

Most laptops have 2-4 USB ports. Large, especially gaming, laptops usually have more for extra connectivity purposes. We have 2 common types: 

• USB Type-A 

USB Type-A is the oldest and most common. There are 3 versions of it, from gen 1.0 to gen 3.0. Gen 3.0 versions offer high data transfer speeds. 

• USB Type-C

USB Type-C is the newest generation of USB. It can work both as a charger and for transferring data between your devices. Newer laptops are adopting USB-C because of its versatile capabilities of supporting new technologies such as Thunderbolt and PCIe

Recommendation When Looking At A Laptops USB-Ports:

Office Users:

• Always ensure the laptop has at least 2-3 USB ports. This will enable you to connect multiple peripherals like mouse, keyboard, and external storage that you have in your office.

Gamers:

• For gamers, we recommend a laptop with USB 3.0 or higher. Also, it should have at least 1 USB-C port for gaming accessories like external GPUs that support Thunderbolt technology

Creative Professionals:

• If you’re a creative, like a photographer or videographer, we recommend high-speed laptops with USB 3.1/3.2 ports. This will enable you to transfer videos and images faster from your external drives or camera.

Students:

• For college students, USB 3.0 or higher is enough for decent transfer speeds when moving large school projects or backing up data.

(ii) RJ-45 Ports:

Another common query, especially by business users, is whether the laptop comes with an RJ-45 network port or not. Most computer brands ditch the RJ-45 port on their thin and light laptops. The good thing is you can always get yourself an external adapter. However, if you want the RJ-45 to be in-built, always check the specs and images of the PC. 

(iii) SD-Card Slot:

SD-Card readers are a common sighting on most laptops. However, though, as in the case of RJ-45, slim laptops like some VivoBook’s may not include them. If you are a digital artist, please be wary of that

(iv) HDMI Ports / Display Ports:

Another question we see a lot is the availability of an HDMI or a display port for external display connectivity on the laptop. In our case, HDMI ports have not been ditched by most brands even on their slim PCs, unless you’re Apple of cos😒. Like Ram and USB ports, HDMI and Display Ports come in different versions, let’s go over them. 

• HDMI Ports:

As you can see from the list below, HDMI cable versions from 2002 support certain resolutions, refresh rates and bandwidth to a certain level. 

• Display Ports:

Display ports succeeded DVI and VGA ports. Since 2006 they have become common in laptops and desktops. From the list below, you can see each version year and the max resolution and bandwidth supported.

So from the list above it’s important for you to check which Display Port or HDMI port will suit your needs. For example, if you’re a gamer a laptop that has HDMI 2.0 will be beneficial as it supports 4K, and 60Hz refresh-rate good for playing AA rated games. 

If you like using multiple monitors like programmers, DisplayPort from version 1.2 has an MST feature which allows multiple monitors to be used concurrently. 

Communication Protocols:

When it comes to communication protocols, there are 2 main areas which we believe are key. They include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology and standards. The two tables below give a breakdown of both:

• (i) Wi-Fi (802.11 standards):

• (ii) Bluetooth Standards:

From the two tables above, you can see there are different versions of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards. If you’re buying a laptop for office, Wi-Fi: 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is recommended, as it performs well in busy work environments. Same for gamers and power users. Budget PCs have 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) and Bluetooth 4.0 which is enough for web browsing and transferring light documents. All in all, newer gen wireless standards offer better power efficiency and faster communication. 

5. Display:

When it comes to the screen/display, one would look at the following aspects:

Display size:

• Common display sizes include: 13-inches, 14-inches, 15.6-inches and 17-inches

For portability enthusiasts, a PC with a 13-inch or 14-inch screen is recommended. 15-inch PC’s like the HP 250 G10 are recommended mainly for office users and students. 17-inch computers are mainly gaming oriented for an immersive experience and due to the fact that they have extra hardware. 

Resolution:

• HD (1366×768)
• Full HD (1920×1080)
• QHD (2560×1440)
• 4K UHD (3840×2160)

HD and FHD displays are the most common in laptops. If you’re not bothered by screen sharpness, HD (1366×768) will suit you well. On the other hand, if you like watching movies in more vibrant color, go for a Full HD (1920×1080) machine. QHD displays are great for creatives as most of them are color accurate. 4K UHD resolution is not that common in laptops but in gaming models.

Panel type:

• IPS
• TN
• OLED

IPS panels offer great color accuracy and viewing angles. TN panels on the other hand have poor viewing angles but faster response times. OLED panels have excellent contrast and color, but these laptops are expensive.

Refresh rate:

• Standard: 60 Hz
• Higher refresh rates: 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 240 Hz 

Most if not all new laptops nowadays have standard 60 Hz refresh rates. Gaming laptops like Asus Rog Strix Scar are the ones with bumped up refresh rates up to 240 Hz.

Color gamut:

• sRGB coverage
• Adobe RGB coverage (for creative work)
• DCI-P3 coverage

sRGB or Standard Red, Green, and Blue in full is a color space technology used to determine the color representation of screen devices such as those for laptops. A PC with 100% sRGB means it accurately reproduces all colors within the sRGB color space. For some laptops like the Zenbook S13 you will notice their screens are Adobe sRGB certified, it simply means they represent the full Adobe RGB color space used in CMYK printers . DCI-P3 used by brands like Asus laptops nowadays is a color standard created by Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI). DCI-P3 can also be found in some monitors and is considered more vibrant and sharp than sRGB displays. 

Brightness:

• Measured in nits (cd/m²). Most laptop displays come with 250–300 nits of brightness, however this might not be adequate for outdoor use. 400 nits and above is recommended

Contrast ratio:

• Higher ratios provide better image quality

High contrast ratios mean you get deep, well saturated colors. OLED displays can offer 100,000:1 or more while IPS displays offer 1000:1

Screen finish:

• Matte (anti-glare) vs Glossy

A matte display has anti-glare technology. Anti-glare technology comes in handy when using the laptop in bright environments. The good thing is you’ll find it in low-end and high-end PC’s. Glossy displays like the one you’d find in a Lenovo flex 5 purely enhance vibrancy and contrast, hence great for creatives. 

Aspect ratio:

• 16:9 (common)
• 16:10 or 3:2 (more vertical space)

When it comes to aspect ratio, a higher one offers more vertical space. High aspect ratios are recommended for creatives who design using apps like Photoshop, as it gives more space for toolbars and palettes. Business professionals will also do their presentations, work on spreadsheets comfortably.

6. Keyboard:

Number 6 on the list, is the keyboard. Let’s go over some common types of laptop keyboards. 

• Chiclet Style Keyboard

A chiclet keyboard has it’s keys designed in a flat, small, rectangular manner. They give off a modern look, are well spaced for less typing errors and are easy to clean. A good example of a laptop with chiclet style design is the entry-level Asus E410

• Scissor-switch Keyboard

Common in thin and light laptops like apple macbooks. They are quieter than chiclet style and membrane keyboards. However they can be very expensive to replace, just ask any MacBook user 😁

• Backlit Keyboard:

This also another common query by most people shopping for laptops. A backlit keyboard allows you to type easily in low-light conditions. Please check the keyboard specs of the PC to confirm weather it supports it or not. 

• Full Sized Keyboard:

A full-sized keyboard common in 15-inch laptops and above are useful for data entry, finance, and accounting professionals. Gamers too rely on a laptop with a numeric keypad.

7. Graphics Card:

The graphics card is really an important component that shouldnt be overlooked especially if you do intensive tasks. The GPU works hand-in-hand with the computers CPU to render graphics and perform calculations. 

There are 2-types of graphic card options

1. Integrated Graphics

Integrated GPU’s are built into the CPU. Examples include : Intel UHD/Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Vega.

Benefits Include:

• Power-efficiency

• Allows for thinner, lighter laptops

Drawbacks:

• Limited performance for demanding tasks like photo editing and gaming

2. Dedicated Graphics

Dedicated graphic cards are located separately from the CPU. Major manufacturers are: NVIDIA and AMD.

Benefits Include:

• Better performance for gaming, 3D rendering, video editing, coding

Drawbacks:

• Consumes more power and generates more heat

Recommendations when looking at graphic cards:

If you’re a business professional, integrated graphics (Intel UHD/Iris Xe or AMD Radeon) is adequate. In fact, integrated GPU’s like Intels Iris Xe have become more powerful with Intel claiming it can support 8K video streaming, photo editing and gaming. 

For students, integrated graphics will also work well. But if you are an engineering student, consider entry-level dedicated GPUs like NVIDIA MX series. A good example would be the HP 15 FD0371nia with 2GB NVIDIA® GeForce® MX570 

Gamers, creatives should always consider a laptop with high-end dedicated GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 3060 or higher). 

8. Processor:

Finally, is the processor (CPU). This is the heart of any PC. A common problem we see when people choose a laptop is not knowing if the processor will suit their needs.  We are all familiar with major CPU manufacturers, they include:

1. Intel
2. AMD 
3. Apple Silicon

(a) Intel:

Intel powered laptops are the majority here in Kenya. They can be broken down into: Entry Level (Celeron, Pentium); Mid-range level (Core i3 & Core i5) and high-end (Core i7, Core i9, Xeon). 

Lets learn more about Intel CPU’s :

1. Naming Convention:

Let’s take a look at the image below:

 From the image above, we see the wordings Intel i7-1260P right after the term CPU. 

• Intel stands for the brand 
• i7 is the brand modifier
• 12 stands for generation (meaning 12th generation)
• 60 is for SKU
• P is the suffix

An important thing to mention is that as from their 14th generation CPU’s Intel decided to change their naming convention. This can be broken down into:

• Intel Core Ultra Series
• Intel Core Processor Series 1

(a) Intel Core Ultra Series:

The Core ultra series models have the suffix “H” and “U”. U-series models have balanced performance & efficiency. H-series are more high performance for gaming/creative work. Check-out the full list and model numbers here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/processors/core-ultra.html

(b) Intel Core Processor Series 1

The Intel Core Processor Series 1 are designed for multitasking, casual gamers and photo and video editing. The Intel Core 7 processor has the highest performance. Check-out the full list here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/processors/core/series-1.html

(b) AMD:

 AMD processors are built on the Zen architecture. They can be broken down into:

• Ryzen series
• Athlon series: Included in budget-friendly laptops similar to Intel Celeron

(i) Ryzen Series:

AMD Ryzen CPUs are named in the following manner:

1. Ryzen 3: Included in entry level laptops
2. Ryzen 5: Mid-range level
3. Ryzen 7: High performance laptops

Let’s take a deep dive on the naming convention of AMD CPU’s. For example, “Ryzen 7 5800H”, a performance CPU found in gaming laptops

• Ryzen 7: Product line
• 5: Generation (5000 series)
• 800: Performance tier within the family
• H: Power class

Performance Tiers:

• U-series: 15-28W TDP, for thin and light laptops
• HS-series: 35W TDP, performance in slim designs
• H-series: 45W TDP, high performance for gaming/creative work
• HX-series: 45W+ TDP, extreme performance, unlocked for overclocking

Recommendation When Looking At AMD CPU’s:

If you’re a student, Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 U-series performance will suit you well. On the other hand, if your budget is really tight, Athlon or Ryzen 3 is ok. For content creators and gamers, Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 H-series or HX-series is recommended. 

(c) Apple Silicon

At the beginning of this guide, we mentioned that Apple has really upped its game when it comes to performance of their laptops. 

Apple Silicon CPU models include:

• M1: First generation
• M2 : Second generation
• M3 : Third generation

Apple M1:

Introduced in late 2020, Apple M1 features four high-performance and four energy-efficient cores. We further have the M1 Pro, M1 Max and M1 Ultra. The M1 Pro consists of 10-cores (8 performance and 2 efficiency cores). Thirdly, the M1 Max, which has the same core-count as the M1 Pro but is stronger with a 32-Core GPU. 

Apple M2:

Apple M2 launched in 2022, features 10-cores. In terms of performance comparison, the M2 CPU is faster by 18%, and it’s GPU 35% faster than the M1s. Like the M1, the M2 also has the M2 Pro and M2 Max. The M2 Max is only available on 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, while the M2 Pro on their 14-inch models. 

Apple M3:

In 2023 Apple introduced their 3rd gen CPU known as the M3. The M3 featured new technology known as dynamic caching. Dynamic caching helps in fast rendering such as ray-tracing, beneficial for 3D artists and game developers. M3 chips also have 2 more models — the M3 Pro and M3 Max. M3 CPU’s also support up to 128 GB of unified memory. 

Recommendation when looking at Apple CPU’s:

The M1 CPU’s although older, still offer excellent performance when compared to intel powered MacBooks. They can also be found at more competitive prices. On the other hand, the M2 CPU’s offer improved single-core performance and better power efficiency. Lastly, the M3 offer the best performance-to-power ratio, with significant gains in both CPU and GPU capabilities.

9. Portability:

Portability is greatly dependent on the laptop screen size and hardware features. Let’s go over them

(i) Laptop Screen Size:

1. 13–14 inches: Most portable, great for people who travel a lot and work on the go. Usually lighter (about 2.8-3.5 lbs) and smaller.
2. 15 inches: Fairly portable, we recommend those with slimmer designs, like the HP 15S-FQ5340TU. 
3. Greater than 15 inches: These laptops often weigh 5+ lbs and may not fit in standard laptop bags.

(ii) Hardware Features:

1. Battery size: Larger batteries add weight but offer longer unplugged use.
2. Cooling systems: More powerful chips typically require larger cooling solutions, increasing thickness and weight.
3. Materials: Aluminum unibody designs are strong, but they may weigh more compared to certain carbon fiber or magnesium alloy options.
4. GPU: Dedicated GPUs add weight and usually require more robust cooling

STEP 4 : Read Reviews and Compare Models:

We would also highly recommend getting real-world insights from users before buying a laptop. This helps you make better informed decisions. Real-world reviews are also not biased, as the tester/reviewer has first-hand experience. At Techovant Solutions, we highly vouch and trust these laptop review websites

1. Laptopmag
2. PCmag
3. Techradar
4. Zdnet
5. Notebookcheck

STEP 5 : Consider After-Sales Support & Warranty:

Lastly, it’s important to check on aspects such as warranty. Most new laptops come with 1-year warranty, while refurbished ones have 6-months warranty. Always ensure you don’t intentionally damage your PC, your warranty will be void.  

Conclusion:

In conclusion, your choice of laptop will hinge on your individual requirements — be it as a student, business executive, artistic professional or gamer. By using this guide and staying updated with laptop models, and hardware, you can arrive at an informed decision. We hope this laptop buying guide helps you make the best investment. Please browse through our laptop collections below:

• Hp laptops
• Lenovo laptops
• Apple laptops
• Asus laptops
• Dell laptops