All you need to consider – Marseille News

A good computer can completely change your productivity. The right computer for you will get things done quickly without taking a long time to load, while providing a comfortable typing experience and a form factor that fits your lifestyle.

Of course, there are hundreds of computer models, and not all of them are the same. As such, it’s important to consider all aspects of a computer before you buy it, so you know you’re getting a device that meets your needs. But even doing this research can take hours.

We got the job done so you don’t have to. Here’s everything you need to consider before buying a computer.

Healer

The Apple M1 processor powers ARM MacBooks and other Mac computers. Image source: Apple Inc.

Think of your computer’s processor as its brain. The processor, or central processing unit, is basically the main chip inside a computer that tells all the other components what to do and when.

Processor speeds are measured in gigahertz, or gigahertz. The higher the speed, the less time it takes for the processor to complete the task. Most modern processors also have multiple cores, which means they can handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

The most popular processor companies for computers these days are Intel and AMD. However, Apple started building its own processors, and Qualcomm provides processors for some Windows PCs.

Usually, desktop computers can offer more powerful processors than laptops. This is because desktop computers can provide more power without having to worry about battery life.

RAM

Random access memory, or random access memory (RAM), has a huge impact on the number of things your computer can do at one time. When you open a file or application, it is loaded into your computer’s RAM until you close it or you no longer need it. When you consider the fact that you can open multiple or multiple apps and files simultaneously, it becomes clear why more RAM is better.

Most people who just want to browse the web, check email and do basic tasks can get their hands on 8GB of RAM, although upgrading to 16GB doesn’t hurt. Those with more demanding workloads should consider a computer with 32GB of RAM if possible.

storage room

Sony explains how to expand SSD storage on PS5. Image source: Sony

While a computer’s RAM is primarily its short-term memory, storage is its long-term memory. The more storage space you have, the more files and apps you can store on your computer. It may not matter to those who stream their music and videos and rely on cloud storage for their files. But if you want to keep files saved locally on your real computer, or on your game, more storage is better.

Most basic computers usually have 128GB of storage. If you want to keep files on your current PC, we recommend upgrading to at least 256GB or more.

There are also different types of storage. Most modern computers use solid state storage, which is faster and more reliable than a traditional hard drive.

Draw

The GPU, or graphics processing unit, basically manages everything you see on your screen. Most processors actually have a GPU on the chip, and on-chip GPUs are usually more than powerful enough to handle rendering basic elements like web pages and videos. But once you start doing things like heavy gaming, graphic design, and video editing, you might want to consider a dedicated GPU on your PC.

High-end GPUs come from NVIDIA and AMD, both of which have pushed the limits of graphics performance for what you can get from PC graphics.

Typically, laptop graphics are not nearly as powerful as a desktop computer. Desktop PCs have more room for a larger graphics card that provides better cooling and more power. However, laptops can still offer more than enough graphics performance for most people.

ports

Dell XPS 13 9310 Ports Image credit: Christian from Looper for.

Depending on the types of accessories and peripherals you want to use with your computer, you will need to consider ports. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular ports.

Ethernet: It allows your computer to connect to the Internet through a wired connection.
USB-A: The classic rectangular USB connector. USB-A ports can use different USB standards at different speeds. These ports range from USB 1.0 to USB 4, but USB 4 ports usually use the USB-C connector standard.
USB-C: Different connector for standard USB. Often, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports also use the USB-C connector standard.
3.5 mm headphone jack: A small round connector that you use to listen to audio, usually with headphones.
HDMI port: Video connector that can carry a video signal to a monitor. There are a few different HDMI standards, and sometimes HDMI uses a smaller port called Mini HDMI.
screen port: A somewhat less common video connector that supports monitors up to 16K, with the latest standard.
SD card slot: SD card slot, commonly used in cameras. It allows you to quickly and easily transfer files between devices.
microSD card slot: Smaller MicroSD card slot, which is commonly used in phones, some cameras, etc.

height and weight

If you are buying a desktop computer that will primarily live on or under a desk, the overall size and weight of the computer may not matter much. But if you want a laptop, you’ll need to make sure you have something small enough to fit in your lifestyle.

Of course, there are some trade-offs to consider. In general, the thinner and lighter the laptop, the more difficult it is for the device to handle the heat generated by the processor and GPU. But companies like Apple have seriously innovated in this area, and you can still get a laptop that is powerful enough, lightweight and thin. However, most gaming laptops are still quite thick.

an offer

Dell XPS 13 9310 Display image source: Christian from Looper for.

If you’re buying a laptop, you’ll want to consider the display on the device. There are some metrics to consider for viewing.

To get started, you will need to think about the type of display. Most laptops have LED screens that can get very bright. However, some newer laptops have switched to OLED, which offers deeper black levels and higher contrast. Learn more about display types here.

Then there is the display resolution. Higher resolution screens look sharper, but they also generally require a larger battery. You will need to select the resolution you want. Those who want the edge may want a 4K laptop screen, however, most users will be perfectly happy with the 1080p screen.

Last but not least, the refresh rate. Most laptop screens refresh at 60Hz, however, in recent years, laptops have been upgraded to 120Hz+ panels. This will make the animations smoother and you’ll generally feel more responsive, but again, this affects battery life.

keyboard

Dell XPS 13 9310 keyboard image source: Christian from Looper for.

The keyboard is a very important part of how you interact with your computer. Unfortunately, of course, it can be hard to judge what your laptop keyboard looks like until you see your laptop in person. This is where we recommend trying to find a store where you can try out the keyboard or read reviews.

In the end, you can still use an external keyboard, even if you have a laptop. However, if you buy a laptop, you will likely use it on the go. Carrying the keyboard, in this case, is not very practical.

drums

If you’re buying a laptop to use on the go, you’ll want something that can last. In recent years, Apple’s MacBook Air and MacBook Pro M1 have had amazing battery life, thanks to Apple’s switch to ARM.

Unfortunately, just looking at the basic battery size is not enough to know how long the device will last. Things like the processor, screen, etc. have a huge impact on battery life. So two laptops with different processors and screens but the same battery size can have completely different battery life.

This is another area in which we recommend taking a look at the reviews. Manufacturers also usually report battery life in hours, although the way they measure them varies from company to company.