As much as Steve Jobs would like it, we do not live in a post-computer era. Laptops are still an important part of our lives - so we can work at home, in a cafe, on an airplane, in a sauna, in steam. However, manufacturing companies are constantly increasing speed, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand all this variety of inches, cores, frequencies and kilograms. In this regard, the highly respected hipster publication The Verge has prepared a colorful guide for choosing the right laptop for you.

We present here the Russian adaptation of this material, which is also suitable for young Russian startups. Surely some of you will find the text to be the embodiment of obviousness, but do not rush to announce your superiority over those who do not understand hardware - it is better to share your wisdom in the comments, because we must have missed something interesting and important.

The “iron” sphere changes every month, and it is difficult to make any universal choice. This article will help you find the right laptop for you. Or, at least, you will know where to poke in the preferences settings on Yandex.Market and what is a GeForce or Core i5.

How to use this guide

You can constantly drive a Toyota or buy furniture from Ikea, but you can't buy a laptop based on a brand alone. The quality varies from model to model - it doesn't matter what logo is on the lid. It is also worth paying attention to the cost, because starting from a certain price category, the quality decreases very much.

For greater objectivity, we have identified several categories of users, where you can trace some gradation - from those who only surf and read mail, to those who want to run "Crisis" at maximum speed. Instead of scrolling down and looking for yourself, try to read the whole thing - this will help you structure your knowledge about the world of laptops and understand that there is something else besides a powerful graphics card in a gaming laptop.

The conversation will mostly be about hardware, but you will have to choose an operating system as well. If you are not a red-eyed Linuxoid, then there are few options - Windows or Mac OS X. And there is no wrong choice here - Windows is well configured, Mac OS X looks nice, both have a lot of useful applications and drivers. Users from almost all of our categories can afford a Macbook, and a PC is definitely for everyone. So it's very convenient to start with the choice of OS, but this is more a matter of religious preference - in any case, you can't go wrong.

So, it is very important to understand what type of user you are.

1. I want to be a startup

Look at any laptop in the store - does it look like a quality product or like a piece of junk?

If you browse pages, write letters, sometimes fill in cells in Excel tables, then even the minimum equipment will serve you for several years. However, there are a few important things to focus on.

The trick is to find a laptop that isn't expensive, but isn't cheap either. It is very easy to separate the wheat from the chaff. Look at any laptop in the store - does it look like a quality product or like a piece of junk? Will you be able to use this keyboard and touchpad for two or three years? Material and details are less important here than build quality and design - the outside points to the inside, that is, if the manufacturer hacks from the outside, then he does it everywhere.

Intel Atom processors help cut power consumption and improve battery life on devices like the HP Envy X2. But even despite the well-known brand, these processors are not as powerful as we would like - and if you don't really need performance, then consider getting a tablet.

As for the more powerful Intel Core line, look for the letters Y and U at the end of the chip model number. These series allow you to increase performance in jerks, due to which the system heats up much less, which is very good for those laptops that are too thin for the built-in cooler. Of course, you have to sacrifice speed, but the Haswell series is on the way, which, moreover, involves a serious increase in battery life from a single charge.

Manufacturers always list the maximum possible battery life, but always count on at least 70% of what is claimed, or even less. This doesn't always work - for example, the new Macbook Air is capable of running even longer than the advertised 12 hours.

Many thin and light laptops like the Toshiba Kirabook (marketers coined the term “ultrabook”, but don’t bother yourself with all sorts of one-day neologisms) replace the usual hard drive with an SSD, which works noticeably faster, and is also assembled monolithically, that is, it is not afraid of shaking and falling . Flash memory is still quite expensive, so for the sake of speed, you will have to sacrifice volumes. But the difference is obvious - laptops with SSD start up and work much faster. In some laptops, SSD and HDD are combined - files are stored on the hard disk, and the flash disk is used as a kind of cache. In any case, you can always buy external HDD and store "heavy" files there.

The keyboard backlight is not available on all models, but it will definitely be a serious trump card, especially if you have to work on a night plane or an evening park - who knows where your travels will take you. Since we are choosing a compact laptop here, the screen will be clearly less than 17 inches - it would be logical to look for a laptop with a video output for connecting an external monitor. An HDMI port would be a good option for Windows laptops, but Macbook owners have had the dubious pleasure of looking for accessories for a Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort port. Look for as versatile options as possible - when a manufacturer clings to its own standard, cables and adapters are unreasonably expensive.

Some laptop models have a mobile communication chip, but this is a rare and expensive thing. It's always easier to find a Wi-Fi point somewhere or stick to your phone as a modem, or even buy a 3G whistle.

3. I want to watch movies

Sometimes a laptop is more than just a laptop. It can serve as a digital entertainment center by combining TV, music center and media player

Sometimes a laptop is more than just a laptop. It can serve as a digital entertainment center by combining TV, music center and media player. A high resolution screen is definitely needed in this case, but not all 1080p displays are the same. Brightness is good, but try looking from different angles; check for image distortion or color inversion.
Make sure the display is bright enough to ignore the light from the lamps; soft enough not to destroy your eyes at night; that black and white don't look like yellow and grey. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find a laptop that honestly displays black - and that's all you need for a good movie night. Glossy or matte screen is a matter of personal preference, glossy looks cooler, but matte will work better outdoors.

Of course, even the best laptop will sound worse than average external speakers, but some laptops definitely sound better than others. The best way to test this is to crank it up to full volume and then play a fast-paced movie trailer and a few songs from various genres. High frequencies will often give off metallic notes, and weak bass will make a stormy movie scene insipid. The built-in subwoofer is usually good, but don't be distracted by meaningless branding: sticker Beat Audio by no means guarantees an amazing sound. As a rule, the best speakers are located along or on top of the sides of the laptop and are directed towards the user.

Music collections and video collections are not getting smaller, so look for more space - 1 terabyte should be enough for a while.

In this category, you don't need to chase incredible battery life, but you should make sure that the battery does not die right in the middle of a movie that you are about to watch while sitting on the couch. In general, you will come across laptops with a run time of 3-5 hours, cool screens and speakers always take a lot of energy. There are exceptions, but they are few.

4. I want to make movies and music

Find a laptop with at least four cores

If you are seriously involved in video editing or working with sound, then you should pay attention to the speed of the processor and RAM. Find a laptop with at least four cores - for example, an Intel Core processor labeled QM (quad-core), not U (ultra-low voltage) or M (mobile). You'll want at least 8GB of RAM, and 16GB or 32GB will reduce rendering time and allow you to run Photoshop, Premiere, and GarageBand at the same time without much delay.

In recent years, the choice good laptop for work and entertainment has become so extensive that an inexperienced buyer can easily get confused in all this diversity. In order to make the purchase of a new device easy and pleasant for you, we have compiled a number of useful and detailed recommendations.

From this material, you will learn everything about how to choose the right laptop for home and work according to the main characteristics in 2017. For clarity, all popular classes of devices will be considered, all their characteristics will be analyzed in detail, and the most attractive global brands will be selected.

Popular laptop brands

So, the first step is to decide which company to choose a laptop, and then decide on the parameters. As with clothing or cars, the manufacturer plays a very important role in choosing a computer. The very name of some companies inspires confidence among buyers in the quality and flawless operation of the goods they purchase. First of all, this applies, of course, to corporations. Apple. Their line of ultrabooks, dubbed the MacBook, regularly receives high marks from critics, awards from reputable specialized publications, and also appears in all kinds of television shows and movies. The quality of each Apple device is indeed impeccable, but for all this magnificence, you have to pay quite a big price.

If you do not want to sacrifice design, quality and performance, but at the same time you need an inexpensive laptop, then you should pay attention to the brand ASUS. First of all, this company specializes in the production of components for desktop computers, so it definitely does not need to take experience. Perfect fit of parts, durable case, good matrix, well-coordinated work - all these are laptops from ASUS. Yes, the prices for their products cannot be called the lowest on the market, but they are still more attractive than Apple ultrabooks.

Another popular brand that has been on the market for almost 80 years is Hewlett-Packard. It is hard to imagine that the company once started with the production of measuring instruments, because now among its products you can find many inexpensive but good laptops for home and office. The manufacturer's arsenal includes both inexpensive solutions for a wide range of customers, as well as business-class models. Products HP gained wide popularity due to the excellent quality of laptops and attractive price tags for each of them.

Almost at the same time, the companies started their work DELL and MSI. Even devices from these famous brands are a bit similar to each other. And it's not about the design, because it is individual and very attractive for each manufacturer, but in the very approach to the release of new devices. For example, if you need a gaming laptop, choose one of these companies, because each of them has a number of productive models at a reasonable cost. Also, both manufacturers flexibly adapt to the buyer, offering excellent options in the middle and lower price segments.

However, if you need the most budget laptops, then it is better to pay attention to Acer and Lenovo. Each company's product line offers the simplest devices, costing $2-$300, multimedia-class solutions, the average price of which is $1,000, and progressive gaming laptops, the high price of which is fully justified by their capabilities. None of the firms are afraid of bold experiments, thanks to which they are surrounded by a huge army of fans. All the same, Acer is able to offer an incredible 21-inch gaming laptop worth $ 5,000, the number of technological innovations in which exceeds even the wildest expectations and assumptions.

When choosing a laptop company, you can pay attention to all the manufacturers we represent, each company produces good devices in all price segments. If the budget is low, you can give preference to Lenovo, DELL or HP, but if you are a connoisseur of sophistication and style, then it is better to choose from Apple and Asus!

We determine the type and class of the laptop

In the process of choosing a laptop, the user needs to decide on many different nuances. In addition to the brand, specifications and optimal price range, the buyer must also clearly establish for himself the purpose for which the device is purchased. So fans of the game will not get what they want from ultrabooks, and fans of lightness and autonomy will definitely not be delighted with the weight and size characteristics of gaming models. The advice of experts and professionals will help you decide on the choice of the optimal laptop.

Netbooks

Among all the varieties of laptops that are on the market today, lovers of compactness most often prefer netbooks. Due to their minimal size and weight, they do not take up much space in a backpack or bag and are perfect for working at breakfast in a cafe or during a trip to work in public transport. The screen diagonal in such laptops varies from 10 to 12 inches, but most often you can find 11-inch solutions on sale.

Another significant advantage of netbooks is their autonomy, but the downside is not very good performance. The processor installed in netbooks is only enough for office applications and a browser, and even then the latter will not be able to “keep” many open tabs due to the small amount of RAM. But if the capabilities of a laptop are not important to you, and size plays a significant role, then finding something more attractive is almost impossible.

Ultrabooks

However, an alternative, if desired, is still possible to find. It can be, among other things, ultrabooks. This is a class of thin and light laptops with a good processor, high-quality screen, comfortable keyboard and minimal thickness. In some models of ultrabooks, the manufacturer also installs sufficiently high-performance video adapters, which, although they do not impress with graphics in games, but most modern projects are able to “pull out” at minimum and even medium quality settings. The main advantage of this class of laptops is their lightness and small size. The screen diagonal in ultrabooks is usually larger than that of netbooks of the order of 13-14 inches, but if you wish, you can easily find compact solutions.

transformers

Transformers are also a very interesting solution. According to reviews of laptops of this class, they are very convenient for those users who are looking for a universal solution for all occasions. Depending on the dimensions, hardware and transformation method, such models can look like regular laptops and tablets. In the latter case, this allows you to save on the purchase of a second device.

Budget devices

Still wondering which laptop to choose for occasional home use and low-demand tasks? Pay attention to the budget segment. You will definitely not see anything outstanding in such devices: cheap plastic and not very good assembly, a small amount of RAM and an average display, a slow drive and an inefficient processor. This option is suitable for users with very limited financial resources, as well as people looking for a good "typewriter" that will not be used too often.

Average price range

If you want to choose the right laptop for work, then you need the middle price segment. For a moderate cost, such devices will offer you good performance, a good matrix, nice body materials and quiet operation. In addition, office models usually have good autonomy, which is important for users who are rarely "at the outlet". They are also suitable if you have not yet decided which laptop to choose for studying at school or university.

Professional Models

Web designers, photographers, editors and people of other creative and not very professions need productive models with excellent screen quality. At the same time, when choosing hardware, all attention is mainly paid to processor power, because for most tasks the simplest video card or even an integrated graphics core will be enough. So for processing pictures you need a bright display with excellent color reproduction, and editing video and rendering models will require significant processor power and a large amount of RAM.

Gaming

Last in line, but not least, are game models. These are necessarily laptops with Intel processors and discrete cards from NVIDIA, because it is precisely such hardware that can provide the best gaming experience. At the same time, such devices must necessarily have a large IPS matrix with a diagonal of 15.6 inches or more, as well as a resolution of at least Full HD. The price of such laptops, of course, is high, but you can play the latest games at high graphics settings absolutely anywhere.

Main selection criteria

Before going to the store, you need to understand well how to choose a laptop according to your own parameters. If you have already decided on the device class, then you need to select the processor, video card, drive type, display diagonal and case materials. Most manufacturers today offer several modifications of their devices at once, so if the buyer can independently decide which chipset is better to choose for using a laptop and which options for graphics, RAM and built-in storage it is best to combine.

Housing and mount

Appearance and build quality is perhaps the first thing you need to pay attention to when buying a laptop. Even the most productive and autonomous models will not give you the desired pleasure from working if the device almost crumbles in the twisting test, and the display unit constantly wobbles when typing.

In most cases, such problems are observed in plastic cases, although in expensive laptop models this material can be of very high quality. But the best all-metal models, the strength and durability of which are at a very high level.

Special attention should be paid to the display hinges. They should be tight enough so that the screen can remain static even with slight movements of the laptop on the table, but at the same time provide the ability to easily open the device. Ideally, the situation should be the same as in Apple's ultrabooks: they can be easily opened with one hand, but after that the display unit is fixed motionless.

Choosing a diagonal and screen manufacturing technology

If you plan to work at a PC for a long time, then you definitely need a laptop with a good screen, since the poor quality of the matrix will quickly tire your eyes. The choice of screen diagonal depends mainly on your needs. If the laptop will be used as a desktop PC most of the time, then you can afford to take a device with a 17.3-inch diagonal. But for regular trips, even classic 15.6-inch models are not suitable, and it is better to stay on more compact options.

The two most popular mobile display technologies today are TN and IPS. Moreover, thanks to a significant reduction in the prices for the production of the latter, they regularly began to appear even in inexpensive laptops for simple work. The advantages of an IPS matrix are excellent color reproduction, perfect white color display, and good viewing angles. The disadvantages include only the high cost of devices on which this type of matrix is ​​\u200b\u200binstalled. TN panels are more common and have a low cost, but their main disadvantage is very poor viewing angles.

CPU

CPU- the main component of any computer. Today, the buyer can choose between chips from AMD and Intel. The first attract attention with low cost. If you want to buy yourself an inexpensive laptop, then for the minimum price you can find exactly the solution based on AMD processors. Intel, in turn, has better performance and economy, but their price is slightly higher.

• For budget laptops, manufacturers use Celeron and E series chips.
• Office solutions are already equipped with Pentium and A4-A6, respectively, and
• In the middle class of devices, Intel Core i3-i5 or A8 from AMD work.
• The gaming segment is completely occupied by Intel products, because so far AMD has nothing to oppose to the high-performance mobile Intel Core i7 chips of the Skylake and Kaby Lake families.

For a more detailed picture, we will compare the advantages and disadvantages of Intel and AMD processors:

AMD	Intel
Advantages	Advantages
Affordable cost	Fast work in applications
Good value for money	Low power consumption
Multiplatform	More optimized applications and games
Easy adjustment to the motherboard	The latest generation with the “K” index has good overclocking potential
Ability to overclock by 10-20%	Excellent job with RAM
	Stable work
	Durability
Flaws	Flaws
Higher power consumption	With the release of a new line of processors, the platform also changes.
Short service life	High price
Cache memory 2 and 3 levels operate at a frequency lower than that of Intel	Requires good cooling

Given the pros and cons of each of the manufacturers, it is preferable to choose, of course, Intel. If the laptop is not selected for complex tasks (working with office programs, watching videos and surfing the Internet) and the budget is not large, then AMD will be more than enough!

Graphic arts

The video adapter, as you know, is responsible for displaying the image on the screen and working with graphic applications. If you want to not only surf the Internet and watch movies, but also run advanced games, then you need a laptop with a good discrete graphics card. The same AMD releases them, and NVIDIA already competes in this field. Alas, but here the former lose to the latter in terms of performance. But in terms of cost, AMD is still the most attractive option.

Quite the opposite picture is observed in the integrated graphics market. Here, at a lower price, AMD outperforms Intel in terms of performance. Not in vain, the latter recently decided to conclude a deal in which AMD will install its graphics chips in processors from Intel.

The most popular video cards:

• NVIDIA ( GeForce GTX 960M, GeForce GTX 980 SLI, GeForce GTX 1060, Quadro M4000M)
• AMD (Radeon R9 M290X Crossfire, Radeon R9 M485X, FirePro W7170M)

If you are not going to run modern games, we advise you to pay attention to such options in terms of price-performance ratio: Radeon R7 M445, GeForce 920MX, GeForce GT 940MX!

RAM

Today, when choosing a laptop, you yourself can decide how much RAM you need, because the same model is offered in several configurations. For normal office work you will need no more than 4-8 gigabytes of RAM, but more challenging tasks, like editing or rendering, use significantly more RAM. As for its class, it is best to pay attention to DDR4, although models with LPDDR3 still do their job well.

Built-in memory

In addition to the volume, the user can also select the type of drive. Again, for maximum laptop speed, you should prefer an SSD drive over a hard drive. However, this option significantly raises the price of the device, so in the budget segment it can only be found in a small amount (32-64 GB). In this case, there will be no other options but to pay attention to the speed of rotation of the spindle. In laptops, it can be 5400 or 7200 rpm, and a higher figure will provide a higher read / write speed. As for expensive models (professional or gaming), you can buy them without an SSD only if you install a solid state drive yourself.

For fast and efficient work, it is preferable to buy a laptop with a 128 GB SSD drive, if you do not plan to store a lot of movies and photos on it, then this repository enough data for you!

Autonomy of work

By and large, it depends on the class of the device. For example, with the same case size and battery capacity in budget and gaming models, the battery life between them can vary significantly. In inexpensive and office solutions, the average figure usually ranges from 5 to 8 hours, and gaming laptops can last from half an hour to three (depending on the load). Today, you can already find ultrabooks on the market, the energy-efficient platform of which allows you to work from the battery for a whole day.

Wireless interfaces

You will not get much variety in the choice of this parameter. If you are not interested in some too old laptop, then it definitely has Wi-Fi with support for all current formats (including ac), as well as Bluetooth version 4.0 and higher. The first module is required to connect to a wireless router and access the Internet, and thanks to the bluetooth module, you can easily transfer files between devices and connect all kinds of devices (mice, headphones, and even printers).

But what is not very common in laptops is 3G. With this module, you can access the network from absolutely anywhere where there is operator coverage, even if you cannot find available ones there. WiFi networks. Is it worth it to overpay for such an option? If you need it all the time, then yes. Otherwise, it will be much more profitable to buy a separate USB modem.

Connectors

The number of connectors in a laptop largely depends on the class of the device. For example, due to the size and features of the case in netbooks and ultrabooks, the set of ports can be minimal. In many of the latest models of compact devices from ASUS and Apple, there are several USB Type-Cs at all, and all other connectors can be obtained using special adapters. If you are buyers of a laptop with a full body size, then you need to pay special attention to the set of ports. The case must have full-fledged video inputs (at least HDMI and VGA), at least 3 USB Type-A, Ethernet, a card reader, and audio (preferably not combined). For gaming and professional laptop models, even more ports may be required (connecting peripherals, external drives, and so on).

Operating Systems

Most modern laptop models are equipped with operating systems Windows families, and approximately 85% of them boast the most current version 10. A small part of laptops is also offered with Linux OS, and if the user is forced to pay a slightly higher price for a pre-installed Windows than for a similar device without an installed system, then Linux is distributed completely free of charge, therefore it does not affect the cost in any way.

The third popular market player is OS X. This system is present only on Apple devices. The choice of a particular OS depends, again, on your goals. So for professional work with graphics, it is better to choose a laptop with an Apple system, because many useful applications are written only for it. Gamers should pay attention to Windows 10, which has become even more attractive to gamers with the release of the Creators Update.

Even the most expensive and powerful laptop won't last long if you don't take proper care of it. For uninterrupted and coordinated operation of the device, it is necessary to periodically perform a series of standard procedures:

1. Cleaning. Dust gradually accumulates in the cooling system and on other components inside the case. Dirt, debris and even food remains also appear under the buttons on the keyboard over time. All this negatively affects the operation of the laptop, causing sticky keys, overheating, freezes and other problems. Timely cleaning will help avoid these problems, and ensure a long life for your device.
2. Thermal paste replacement. Another procedure that you need to follow to prevent overheating, spontaneous shutdown, and even failure of your PC components. Depending on the frequency of use, the replacement of thermal paste in a laptop should be carried out on average every 2-3 years. At the same time, it must be applied in a very thin layer, because your “generosity” in this case will not eliminate overheating, but will aggravate it.
3. Removing garbage from the OS. Reinstalling the OS in many ways speeds up the operation of devices, do it once a year or use garbage cleaning programs, for example: Clean master.

Useful Features

Absolutely any modern laptop model for home use or professional work has a number of additional keys that can be used for the following tasks:

• adjust sound and screen brightness
• opening a browser and/or email client
• player control and so on

But you won’t surprise anyone with such features of mobile computers, and therefore manufacturers often offer customers other interesting and useful features. For example, gaming laptops often have a series of macro recording keys that are very useful in games, and Apple has added a Touch Bar to older models of its new MacBooks instead of the usual function keys. Some laptops are equipped with small subwoofers to improve sound quality, others are equipped with a mechanical keyboard, and others are able to track users' eye movements.

Of course, many of these add-ons will not be needed by the average user, but others, on the contrary, can become extremely useful. So gamers, in addition to the macro recording already mentioned above, will like laptops with two HDMIs and older 10-series cards from NVIDIA. An ordinary user will not understand the expediency of such a set of ports, but a gamer will immediately note for himself a completely ready-made configuration for VR.

Conclusion

Thanks to a wide variety of models, choosing a laptop for home, work or study in 2017 is now possible without any difficulty. The main thing is to initially set a clear goal for the purchase and designate an approximate budget that you can spend on a computer. Then you need to pay attention to the laptop parameters that are important to you by filtering the models available on the market by them.

The oversaturation of the computer market gives rise to an acute choice problem for consumers. It is not easy for many to decide what to buy: a laptop or a desktop computer? It all depends on the purpose for which the device is needed.

• The tablet is suitable for watching videos, photos, surfing the Internet, listening to music and reading books. Not suitable for working with documents and editing graphics.
• The laptop combines the capabilities of a desktop computer, but at the same time it is more mobile and takes up much less space.
• A desktop computer is well suited for any task, and it will also cost you less than a laptop. The main drawback: it is not "mobile" and requires a separate workplace.

So, a desktop computer is more suitable for working with graphic editors, video editing and working with "heavy" programs and calculations. It will be much more powerful and at the same time also cheaper. If you have enough work office applications and web surfing, then the power of laptops is more than enough. For home and family, mobile work - we would prefer a laptop. If you need maximum portability and autonomy, and your tasks are not so ambitious, then you need a tablet. In this case, we first recommend that you figure it out.

When choosing a laptop, there are a lot of questions. What is the best laptop to buy in 2019? How to choose a laptop for your tasks? What laptop models are there? To facilitate this task, site experts tested dozens of models and compiled an updated one. With it, you can choose a laptop according to reasonable price criteria and features that you need, such as performance, battery life, size, and weight. You can also compare several laptop models at once according to the parameters you are interested in. You will learn about how we tested laptops in.

Do you need a new laptop?

Before replacing an old laptop:

• Remove programs that you do not use for six months or a year or more. If that's not enough and your computer is no more than four years old, add more RAM.
• If you run out of hard drive space - save music, video, any data to DVD or transfer to any hard drive, or connect.
• If you are using, go to the control panel, search for "defragment" and start defragmenting the disk. This will speed up access to files on your hard drive.
• Check the laptop for viruses, even the standard “Windows Defender” or a timely updated free or paid antivirus that can be downloaded on the Internet may be suitable for this.
• Clean your hard drive of temporary and unnecessary files, cache, error reports and other "garbage" using utilities like CCleaner or System Ninja.
• Each laptop has a startup list - a set of services, drivers and programs that automatically start with the system. Often this list includes programs that you do not need, but they "eat off" the performance of your computer. We advise you to find this list in the settings and “clean” it.
• A good solution would be to replace the hard HDD with a faster SSD.

If none of this helps, or if your computer is more than three or four years old, it might be time to replace it. Don't forget to delete data from your laptop's hard drive before disposing of it (or take it out and keep it for yourself as additional storage). To keep your new laptop as long as possible, keep the following things in mind:

• Try not to eat or drink while using the device, and if you do, take urgent action.
• Do not place the laptop on your lap, blankets, or any soft surfaces, so as not to impede the access of the laptop cooling system to free air, otherwise the device may overheat. Electronics also does not like cold (in fact, the condensate that appears when the device is brought from cold to heat), so before turning it on, let it warm up in a warm room, at least 15-20 minutes.
• Keep an eye on your battery so that it lasts longer. It is not recommended to keep a laptop with a fully charged battery connected to the network for a long time. Remove the battery, unplug it for a while, or set it so that it does not charge more than 80%.
• Do not shake the laptop too much, so as not to damage the hard drive (in the case of an HDD, because the SSD is resistant to vibrations) or the motherboard. If you take the device with you, then make sure that it is turned off or has managed to go into deep sleep along with the drive.

Types of laptops

hybrids These are touchscreen laptops that fold into a tablet. They have good battery life and the ability to use two different input methods: touch and keyboard.

Ultrabooks is a term coined by Intel to refer to lightweight, portable laptops with long battery life. Ultrabooks, as a rule, are equipped with processors with low power consumption and low performance, but they easily solve all everyday tasks - surfing the Internet, watching videos, working with documents.

Due to their limited size, there are few connectors in their case, so if you need a lot of peripheral equipment in your work, you should pay attention to a classic business laptop.

Business laptops- a symbol for productive laptops with good portability. They have a strict design and a spirit of practicality. There are two subspecies. The first are light and mobile laptops for frequent travel and work on the road. The latter are more suitable for stationary work in the office: they have higher productivity.

Portable workstations- sometimes they are referred to as business laptops. Their distinguishing feature is high performance, but unlike desktop computers, they are mobile. Thus, workstations are designed so that you do not have to choose between performance and compactness.

Budget laptops- Perfect for work or school. They do not have features that you do not need, but you will not have to overpay for them. They are very affordable, their performance will allow you to watch movies, listen to music and play simple games.

What screen size do I need?

The size of a laptop is one of the main selection criteria, it depends on how comfortable you will be working with it and moving around.

11-12 inches- portable laptops, which appeared only a few years ago. As a rule, they are designed to perform everyday office tasks. A good choice among laptops with such a diagonal, according to our experts, can be or. Budget option for basic tasks -.

13 inches Laptops of this size are becoming more and more popular. This laptop fits in almost any bag, so it's easy to carry around. At the same time, you can choose a device that is not so much inferior in power to large laptops, for example, or “frameless”, comparable in size to 12-inch models.

14, 15, 16 inches- mid-sized laptops, occupying a large part of the market. They are less portable and tend to be used only at home or in the office. In terms of price / quality ratio, among laptops of this diagonal, the budget one will be a good choice.

17 inches or more- are designed to replace a conventional desktop computer and combine its power with the mobility of a laptop. Using large displays of such laptops is very comfortable. A 17-inch laptop can become your home multimedia center, combining a computer, music center and video player. If a large display is important to you, then a powerful gaming or home “multimedia” might be a good option.

The convenience of working with a laptop depends on the characteristics and coverage of the display, which is presented in two forms - glossy and matte. The first adds brightness and contrast to the image - the picture on such a screen looks very juicy. But there is one problem - the shiny coating reflects everything like a mirror, especially if there is a light source behind your back. You will not see any reflections on a matte finish, but the picture, compared to gloss, looks more faded.

Processor selection

Processor (CPU, CPU - central processing unit, or central processing unit) - the "brain" of any computer; a device that performs the main job of processing information. Today, two companies make the majority of laptop processors - Intel and AMD. The former are more productive and more common on the market, the latter are more affordable, but inferior in performance. However, all modern processors are suitable for performing basic tasks. The only point - for work, we would recommend saving your nerves and, if possible, avoid Atom, Celeron and Pentium processors from Intel and E1, E2 and A4 from AMD.

If you're buying a laptop for powerful 3D gaming, video editing, and performance computing, we'd recommend Intel's i3/i5/i7 processors from families no older than Ivy Bridge, Haswell, and Broadwell. The latest processors from the Skylake and Kaby Lake families are still expensive and also provide only a small increase in performance.

How much RAM do you need?

Random access memory, or random access memory (RAM), is memory that temporarily stores information that the processor needs to work. Four gigabytes can be called the standard for domestic needs such as watching videos, browsing, office tasks and simple programs. But for something more serious, this will not be enough, in which case it is better to aim at at least 8 GB.

How to choose a video card?

If you are not going to play demanding games or process videos and photos on a laptop, an integrated (built-in) video card is quite possible. She will use part of the RAM for her needs. A laptop with it is significantly cheaper than models with a discrete (external) video card, which is a separate graphics processor and video memory connected by an independent bus. The most common mistake when choosing a discrete graphics card is to be guided only by the amount of video memory. In addition to it (preferably from 2 GB, and for demanding games from 4 GB), the type of memory, the frequency of the GPU and the width of the memory bus are important.

It is better to focus on the type of memory GDDR5; try to avoid the legacy DDR2/DDR3/DDR4 standard. The memory bandwidth depends on the bus width: the larger it is, the more information the bus can transfer per unit of time. The bus width of modern video cards is from 64 to 384 bits. No less important are the clock speed and the number of computing units of the GPU. The same video chips in different models of video cards can operate at different frequencies, and top-end video cards have several times more computing units than budget ones.

Which hard drive is best?

A hard disk drive (HDD) is a storage device based on magnetic recording. However, there is an alternative - flash memory (SSD). It has faster read speeds than HDDs, no moving parts, so it consumes less power, is quieter, and is resistant to damage. Its only disadvantage is resourcefulness, it lives only limited quantity cycles of writing data to memory cells, so the choice is not so obvious. In addition, the HDD is cheaper and, as a rule, it has more memory, and its speed is more than enough to store data.

In addition to these types, there are hybrid hard drives- they combine a traditional HDD and a small SSD, which is used as a second-level cache. The hybrid drive analyzes frequently accessed data stored on the HDD and transfers it to the SSD to improve read speed when accessing this data later.

optical drive

An optical drive is a device that reads and writes information to CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray drives can read and play Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs, while DVD drive reads DVD and CD discs, CD drive only reads CD discs. Today, many laptops are equipped with a burner (DVD ± RW), they can use CD formats (700 MB) and DVDs (4.7 GB single layer and 8.5 GB double layer). Blu-ray discs can store up to 25 GB (single layer) and up to 50 GB (dual layer) of information.

The current trend in the computer industry is laptops without built-in optical drives, which reduces size and weight, freeing up space for other devices and ports. For many, it is more convenient to use flash drives than blanks. And can you remember the last time you used an optical drive? In addition, you can always purchase an external optical drive that can be transferred from one laptop to another.

What ports and connectors do I need?

Connectors and ports play a big role in the usability of a laptop.

The most used port is USB. This is a universal connector to which you can connect almost any device. USB is a popular way to connect a mouse, flash memory, external hard drive, or just for charging. Today, all laptops have USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports installed. The main advantage of version 3.0 over version 2.0 is the information transfer rate increased by an order of magnitude. Recently, a small, symmetrical USB Type-C port has been gaining popularity, which is installed even in budget models. This is a more modern connector, it provides more high voltage, data transfer rate and it is more versatile, as it is used even in tablets and phones.

HDMI is a port for transmitting high-definition video, which VGA connections, which are designed to connect an additional one to a laptop, cannot do.

Almost all laptops have network port Ethernet (RJ-45) for cable connection to the Internet. Often, ultrabooks do not have Ethernet. Also, almost all laptops have built-in Wi-Fi, and some models are equipped with built-in 3G modems.

Can the laptop be upgraded?

The upgrade options for laptops are limited. If the memory is not "soldered" on the board, then you can easily increase the RAM by replacing the RAM bar. If the laptop has two RAM slots, you can add another bar. It is easy to change the hard drive or purchase an external one. If the video adapter is not integrated into the motherboard, you can pick up and change the video card, but this will be very problematic.

Recognition systems

Manufacturers are releasing more and more laptops with fingerprint scanners as an alternative to entering a password during authorization. Manufacturers such as, and use facial recognition technologies. The laptop's camera scans your face the first time you launch it and every time you log in, checking to see if it matches the original image. Facial recognition is easier to use, but the fingerprint scanner is more reliable.

What about touch screen?

Some laptops borrowed a touch screen (touchscreen) from tablets. They have original finger apps and multi-touch capabilities that let you rotate or zoom in, scroll or play video games like some .

What about cooling systems?

Each manufacturer designs cooling systems differently for different models and applications. In case of overheating problems, we can only advise you to periodically clean ventilation holes and a dust cooler, replace thermal paste or purchase a cooling pad. You can install the SpeedFan utility (or any other) and monitor the temperature of the processor, video card, hard drive and fan speed, but each laptop has its own characteristics and needs for heat dissipation.

Is the laptop getting too hot?

Cases of some laptops are prone to heating up to 60 degrees and above (!) Under high loads. Such laptops can be inconvenient to use. In Product-test.ru reviews, you can see in advance to what maximum temperatures popular laptops can heat up in order to avoid problems with overheating in the future.

Notebook - a portable (mobile) portable computer, produced in a monoblock form factor. The body includes a monitor, a keyboard, a cursor control panel (a touchpad is a replacement for a computer mouse).

As a rule, full-fledged lines of models (with unrestricted functionality) are equipped with a webcam and a microphone - cut-down models (budget) do not have these components, but it is possible to install the missing components.

Models, as a rule, are marked with an alphanumeric designation in addition to the name of the series, the manufacturer's marking is different.

CPU

The main component is the processor ("stone"). Manages and controls the laptop hardware system as a whole. Laptops use mobile processors, due to their design they cannot compete with full-fledged PC "stones" of the same level. In a laptop, energy saving comes first. And only then - performance. However, modern mobile processors are able to provide high performance.

Processor type and number of cores

The main and leading manufacturers of processors for laptops are Intel and AMD. Intel products are more productive than similar products from AMD and they heat up much less. Intel is the best choice for the average user. It will handle both light tasks and heavy games equally well.

There are two types of processors:

• "full-sized" (installed in regular PCs)
• mobile (installed in laptops).

They have significant differences. Mostly differences in power and in the amount of heat generated. "Full-size" PC processors run much hotter. If such a processor is installed in a laptop, then the cooling system of the mobile computer simply cannot cope with the amount of heat generated. As a result, the processor would burn out.

That is why mobile processors were invented for laptops - they are denoted by the English letter M.

Laptops use various Intel processors. From the budget Celeron or Pentium to the performance Core i5 or Core i7. If the goal is to purchase a versatile laptop designed for work and entertainment, then pay attention to the processors of the Core i family.

For example, a dual-core Core i3 is capable of processing information in 4 threads, that is, 2 more additional virtual cores are connected during operation. The powerful gaming i7 has 4 physical cores on board, tasks are processed in 8 threads. However, mobile versions of the i7 have a high price tag. For a home laptop, the power of Core i3 or Core i5 is enough.

The number of cores is not always the equivalent of performance. Manufacturers produce budget, “multi-core” processors, for example, 4 cores are indicated, but in fact the CPU has 2 physical and 2 virtual cores - this is a commercial trick. But processors with virtualization support are being produced - two virtual ones are created on the physical core.

Attention! Not all multi-core processors implement virtualization, i.e. there are only physical cores - for example, you will not run virtual machine or android emulator on a laptop without virtualization support. As a rule, it is enabled in the BIOS settings.

Chipset

For the interaction of the central processor with all nodes and modules, "intermediaries" are required - the chipset (north and south bridges), since the CPU does not directly work with them.

The north bridge provides interaction between the processor and the RAM, video card, but in some models the north bridge is integrated into the processor. As a rule, the server bridge is located in close proximity to the processor socket.

The south bridge provides interaction of the processor with USB ports, keyboard, touchpad. In the latest generations of motherboards for personal computers and laptops, to reduce energy consumption and increase performance, the north and south bridges are assembled in one chip - a hybrid.

L1, L2 and L3 cache

An important parameter is the size of the processor cache. The larger it is, the faster the processor works, since it does not need frequent access to RAM - before accessing RAM, the processor compares the data in its storage.

The cache is divided into several levels:

• L1 - located directly on the same chip with the core, the fastest area and directly affects performance, but the L1 cache size does not exceed 128Kb
• L2 - second-level cache, depending on the chipset, is located on the chip like the first-level cache or in close proximity to it.
• L3 - cache of the third level, the slowest area (but, in terms of performance characteristics, it surpasses RAM), is located outside the crystal, but the volume in some models reaches 32 MB.

In processors such as Intel Core i7, for example, the third level cache is 8 MB - the processor is capable of delivering high performance. Intel Core i3 cannot boast of such characteristics - the volume of L3 is only 4 MB. The volume of the second level cache (L2) is not critical.

Mainly pay attention to L3. It is he who affects the performance of the processor.

As a rule, processors with a large amount of L3 cache are expensive. Therefore, they are not very popular among ordinary users. But even without the proper L3 size, modern laptops provide a decent level of performance. In fact, the size of the L2 and L3 caches is most relevant when choosing a desktop PC. And in the case of laptops, the user is entirely dependent on the manufacturer.

RAM

Technically, performance depends on RAM. And the point here is not only in the amount of installed memory, but also in the bus frequency and the type of memory itself. The size of the modules of the laptop memory differs from that installed in the PC. They are much smaller. But this does not mean that they are weaker.

Due to design features, it is impossible to place full-size RAM modules in a laptop. This is one of key features RAM for mobile computers.

RAM type is divided into standards - the first line of DDR (DDR1) replaced SDRAM memory modules DDIM and SIMM.

The current type is DDR3, which is characterized by high performance and reliability, but DDR4 has also appeared - not yet so widespread - the best option for a laptop is DDR3 type RAM.

RAM bus frequency.

The difference between different types of DDR lies in the maximum possible bus frequency. The first DDRs could operate at a frequency of 100 to 200 MHz (not relevant). With the release of the second version of DDR, the maximum operating frequency increased to 533 MHz. The third generation of DDR is capable of providing a maximum operating frequency of 1200-1600 MHz.

Frequency directly affects the speed of RAM. The higher the frequency, the faster the RAM runs. The DDR3 standard supports operation at frequencies of 1066-1600 MHz. The best option is to purchase a laptop with a RAM bus frequency of 1333 MHz.

But it should be remembered that in order for the RAM to operate at a given frequency, the motherboard bus must also support it - otherwise the laptop simply will not turn on.

Even if the laptop has one module installed by default, it is better to purchase two separate ones and install them. Productivity will double. As for the fourth generation DDR, it is capable of operating at a frequency of 3200 MHz.

Multichannel. If the laptop has additional slots for RAM, then install two identical memory modules - the multi-channel operation mode will turn on.

Each module will operate on its own channel with its own frequency. This will help to achieve greater performance than in the case of a single module. It is recommended to install memory modules with the same specifications and from the same manufacturer.

Do not install two modules of different sizes (for example: 1GB + 2GB RAM). Remember the rule: the priority for the system of any personal computer, the component with the smallest parameters, i.e. RAM with 1GB or less bus frequency, is used first.

Even if the laptop has one module installed by default, it is better to purchase two separate ones and install them. Productivity will immediately increase several times.

Energy efficiency. Since a laptop is a mobile device powered by a battery, the question of saving energy is acute. There is a special type of RAM designed specifically for laptops and featuring record low power consumption.

It is denoted by the letter L (for example, DDRL). Despite the fact that such a module uses extremely little energy, its performance does not suffer from this. It provides excellent performance for a laptop.

Energy-saving RAM does not affect the performance of the laptop. If the memory module consumes less power, this does not mean that it loses performance.

Maximum volume.

Many manufacturers supply their laptops with slots for additional RAM modules. This means that when choosing a mobile computer, you should not pay attention to the amount of pre-installed RAM. It can always be added. And it will come out much cheaper.

The main thing is to find out what maximum amount of RAM the laptop motherboard can support - the optimal amount of RAM is 8 GB. But it is important to choose a laptop with the ability to increase the memory to 16 or 32 GB.

If you plan to replace RAM modules in order to increase the volume, it is important to ensure that both modules are from the same manufacturer.

Memory modules from different manufacturers conflict with each other - they simply refuse to work or there is a slowdown in the system.

video card

There are several types of graphics devices in laptops: integrated, discrete, and hybrid. The video card also has its own characteristics: type, frequency, memory size, number of GPU cores, etc. These characteristics make sense if you choose a laptop with a discrete graphics card. Most laptops run on integrated chips.

The processors of the Core family have a built-in and graphics chipset- characterized by low power consumption. The graphics chip is represented by a variety of coprocessors - from Intel HD Graphics to Intel Iris Pro. It depends on the processor itself. For example, the second generation Intel Core i3 has an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics chip.

AMD processors also have a graphics subsystem. It is not as productive as Intel's, but is able to cope with simple tasks. For watching movies in Full HD and undemanding games, the integrated graphics from AMD are enough.

Video adapter type

Laptops with an integrated graphics processor are usually used exclusively for working with office programs. They cannot be used for games. Image output is carried out using an additional graphics core of the central processor.

The amount of video memory in this case is allocated from the RAM.

These embedded chips are found in Intel Core family processors and some models from AMD.

With HD video playback, such graphic solutions will cope, but games will no longer pull. But they are economical and do not load the laptop battery.

A discrete graphics card is similar to models for desktop computers. However, do not forget that laptops use mobile versions of graphics adapters. And this means that the average discrete graphics adapter is not able to provide high performance in games.

Discrete graphics card memory starts at 1GB. Models with 2 GB of memory are already significantly more expensive. This consumes more power from the laptop battery.

Two video adapters

Hybrid graphics laptops are a combination of two types of graphics adapters - integrated and discrete. When working with documents, searching the Internet or watching a movie, the economical built-in graphics chip works. But if a game or a powerful application is launched, it switches to a discrete graphics card. The advantages of this solution are saving battery power, high performance.

Laptops with hybrid graphics are the preferred solution only in systems of the Windows OS family due to their design features. Linux does not implement a mechanism for switching video cards.

The term "two video adapters" can refer to more than just hybrid graphics. In some powerful models of gaming laptops, two discrete adapters are installed at once. This was done to improve the performance of the graphics component of the device. However, this decision negatively affects the battery life of the laptop.

Video adapter manufacturer

The main leaders of discrete graphics cards: AMD and nVidia. If high graphics performance is required, then it is better to choose processors from nVidia. But AMD has delivered colors and hues that are superior to those of NVIDIA, especially when viewing high-contrast images where there are black and white transitions.

For integrated video chips, this is the same AMD and Intel graphics chips.

Other video card manufacturers mainly use nVidia or AMD graphics chips, additional modules are added. Such modules include connectors and connection interfaces, cooling systems, radiators, plastic lining, etc.

Hard drives

The type of laptop drive also plays an important role. Currently, modern mobile computers use HDD and SSD drives. More familiar are HDDs. SSD drives are more productive, do not respond to movements during operation like an HDD.

Hard disk interface.
Notebooks use SATA 3 connection interfaces. The maximum read-write speed is about 6 Gbps. It is to the SATA 3 connectors that SSD and HDD drives are connected.

Hard disk rotation speed.
This characteristic is relevant only for HDD. SSD drives are devoid of disks and spindle rotation.

They consist entirely of microcircuits, so the rotation speed is irrelevant for them.

There are several speed options for HDD drives:

• 5600 rpm. A disk with such a rotation speed is very slow, but it will last a long time. Due to the slow rotation, the mechanical parts of the HDD wear out less.
• 7200 rpm is the most optimal and most common. This is the "golden mean". Optimized speed and stamina.
• 15000 rpm - high-speed HDD. But for such a HDD drive, additional cooling is required.

Most laptops are equipped with 2.5 HDD drives with a rotation speed of 7200 rpm. This is quite enough for all everyday tasks.

Hard disk type

HDD drives have long established themselves as capacious and reliable storage devices. However, the speed of such drives leaves much to be desired. Many laptops use SATA drives, the maximum write-read speed of which is 45-60 MB per second. Although the SATA3 bus itself supports 6Gbps.

It makes sense to use HDD drives to store large amounts of data. They are not suitable for system performance.

SSD (Solid State Drive) drives are much faster than HDDs. They are capable of reading and writing at 600 Mbps. They are also called "solid-state" drives. Their name is due to the fact that their structure does not contain components typical for HDDs (disks, rotation spindles, mechanical elements).

They are made entirely of solid state components. If you install such a drive as the main boot drive for the operating system and programs, you can achieve high performance.

A new generation of SSD drives is currently being developed. They are even more compact in size. And the technology of their manufacture is such that it will significantly reduce prices for models with a large volume.

Second hard drive. As a boot disk with OS and programs, it is advisable to use an SSD drive with a capacity of 128 to 512 GB. And store the rest of the information on the HDD up to 2 TB. Such a storage system is currently relevant not only for PCs but also for laptops.

However, laptops with such a storage system are expensive - only gaming models are supplied.

The term "second hard drive" does not imply the presence of an SSD drive in the system.

It is possible to install a second hard drive in a laptop on your own only in place of the optical drive.

Screen

Screen Matrix

Most laptops use displays based on the TN + Film matrix - the display does not have high performance, low color reproduction and a maximum viewing angle of 150 0, no black saturation, contrast depth is not enough. TN+Film displays are cheap to manufacture and do not require any special manufacturing techniques.

Screens based on these matrices can cope with all everyday tasks. In addition, such screens have a good response time, which cannot be said about IPS screens. Such screens are not suitable for professional work in graphic editors.

The second type of screens used in laptops are IPS displays. Devices with such screens are more expensive than laptops with TN displays. Color rendition is high, colors are bright and saturated.

Some manufacturers use a modified IPS matrix (Retina) in their laptops, which is devoid of the disadvantages of conventional IPS. To a greater extent, this applies to the response time of the matrix. In modified IPS matrices, it reaches the TN level, and in some it even surpasses it.

There is another type of matrix used in laptop screens. - MVA. MVA matrices - the average between TN and IPS matrices. From IPS, they inherited color reproduction, wide viewing angles and high contrast. And from TN matrices, a short response time. They are noticeably cheaper than IPS and somewhat more expensive than TN.

There are few mobile computers with screens based on the MVA matrix.

LED backlight. LED light-emitting diodes are used as matrix illumination elements. Previously used fluorescent lamps but they were cancelled. Such lamps did not serve for a long time, they did not influence vision in the best way. LED light emitting diodes have a long service life and do not affect the user's vision in any way. The LED backlight is located around the entire perimeter of the screen.

Touch and multi-touch

In addition to the type of matrix, the screens also differ in design features. Some models are equipped with touch screens. Typically, such displays are present in "transformers" - hybrid devices that combine a laptop and a tablet. In mobile computers, the use of the touch screen began with the introduction of Windows 8. Such displays support multi-touch technology and detach from the device case.

The touchscreen laptops are covered with a scratch-resistant glass called Gorilla Glass. The glass version is determined by the price of the laptop itself. Another type of protected glass is Asahi Glass, developed in Japan. Asahi Glass is the main competitor of Gorilla Glass.

The disadvantage of touch screens is the presence of a huge number of fingerprints from the user. To avoid this problem, manufacturers apply an oleophobic coating to laptop screens.

It is a nanofilm impregnated with a special solution. The film protects the screen from fingerprints. The oleophobic coating was developed in 2005 by German scientists.

As a rule, touch screens in laptops are of the IPS matrix type. This is not surprising. Still, "transformers" belong to the top devices. The most expensive models are equipped with a SuperAMOLED matrix.

Screen resolution

Modern laptops are equipped with widescreen screens with different resolutions. standard definition for budget models - 1366 * 768 pixels, models are more expensive than FullHD (1920 * 1080) resolution, and the most expensive models have a 4K screen resolution. For most users, the "golden mean" is ideal - a screen with FullHD resolution.

The display frequency depends on the resolution. For a screen with a resolution of 1366*768, the standard frequency is 60 Hz. it cannot be enlarged. Screens with FullHD resolution are capable of operating at a frequency of 100 Hz.

Screen diagonal

Laptops use screens with a diagonal of 13 to 19 inches. The 13-inch diagonal is used only in super-compact ultrabooks. That is, in those models that have mobility in the first place. Giants with a screen size of 19 inches are extremely rare. As a rule, these are expensive designer models for professionals. The screen size of an average laptop varies from 15 to 17 inches.

Fifteen-inch models are the majority on the market, they are the most popular, because they combine convenience, mobility and an adequate price. Seventeen-inch models are usually purchased for home use only.

Netbooks have even smaller screen sizes. There are ten-inch models.

Ultra compact mobile computers are designed exclusively for working on the Internet and text editors - the hardware is so weak that even watching Full HD movies on them is problematic.

These devices include "Chromebooks" - these are the same netbooks, but with an operating system from Google called Chrome OS. This system is different in that it is designed for Internet surfing.

Wide screens. Almost all models have a 16:9 screen format. This is a standard wide screen. Not so long ago, the 4:3 format was considered the standard.

Screen cover type. There are two types of laptop screen coating: glossy and matte. Each coating has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Glossy finish. Great for watching movies and working. But when direct sunlight hits it - the monitor "goes blind" - the screen turns into a mirror. Plus glossy screens are the highest brightness and contrast at a high level.
• Matte Screens devoid of the disadvantages of gloss - they do not go blind when exposed to sunlight, but the brightness and contrast are worse.

As a rule, budget models are deprived of any protection. They just have an unprotected "naked" matrix. Glass protection is provided by mid-level models and top-end expensive options. Some companies, however, cover the screens of their mobile PCs with tempered Corning Gorilla Glass and an oleophobic coating - this only applies to those models that are equipped with a touch screen.

Operating system

The operating system of a laptop largely determines its functionality. Depending on the type and version of the OS, the laptop has certain characteristics. Main operating systems: Windows operating system from Microsoft, free operating systems of the Linux family and closed MacOS from Apple.

Windows

Usually laptops are sold with a pre-installed operating system. Until recently, the standard operating system for laptops was Windows 7. But with the release of Windows 10, Microsoft began an aggressive policy to implement it. And now laptops are being sold with Windows 10 preinstalled.

Attention! When buying, turn the laptop over, if the laptop comes with a licensed OS, there is a sticker on the back indicating the OS version and a license key.

Some unscrupulous retailers install counterfeit Windows version, but there is no license sticker on the laptop. The cost of the license is included in the price of the laptop.

At the moment, the most popular system of the Windows family is Seven. It is still used by the vast majority of computer users. It is considered the most successful system of the company, despite the aggressive implementation of the tenth version.

linux

Some laptops come preloaded with the Linux family of operating systems. Usually Ubuntu is used as a standard distribution. Such devices, of course, are few, but still they exist. To the untrained user, "Linux-like" systems may seem shocking, but the stability and lack of viruses make them much better than the Windows OS and the ability to Linux settings much more varied.

If you purchased a DOS version of the laptop and decided to install Linux, you need to be careful. If the laptop has a hybrid graphics system, then it is better to refuse Linux.

macOS

If you purchase a MacBook, it will come pre-installed with Apple's proprietary operating system called MacOS. For those who have just moved from Windows, the system will seem shocking. MacOS is traditionally considered a model of balance, optimization and style. Not a single manufacturer has yet managed to get around Apple in terms of performance and stability.

Housing materials

Notebook case materials depend only on the class of the device. Expensive premium models are made with an aluminum or carbon body. Most of the models are made of ordinary plastic.

Metal case. Top models of laptops are equipped with a metal case. Depending on the metal used in the case, the manufacturer either strengthens the laptop or makes it lighter.

For example, an aluminum alloy case is much lighter than any other. This is usually only available on mid-range laptops.

The body material of expensive models can vary from metal to carbon fiber.

Advantages of a metal case in laptops:

• Strength.
• The metal has a high thermal conductivity, which saves on the cooling system.
• One-piece metal body is less impacted environment. The presence of such a case is a big plus for any mobile computer.

Plastic case. The most popular body material. It is cheap, easy to manufacture and quite durable. However, the quality levels of plastic vary significantly, and it is this very quality that you should pay attention to when choosing a laptop.

Budget models are made of rough plastic - a cheap material.

In models of average price segment glossy or matte plastic is used. This species has a spectacular appearance. The disadvantage of glossy plastic is that it quickly gets dirty with fingerprints.

In top models, rubberized plastic. The impact resistance of this type of housing does not differ from other types of plastic housings - all plastics are the same in terms of strength.

Ruggedized laptops

Mobile computers with protection against dust and moisture are aimed primarily at people who lead an active lifestyle. Shockproof laptop case - protection with an additional metal frame, rubberized inserts on the case protect the laptop circuitry from dust and moisture, and rubberized plugs on all connectors ensure the device is sealed.

In addition, the electronic components of the laptop are protected by a special solution that prevents getting wet - used only in premium laptops.

There are also special versions of laptops with IP68 protection class - the case is completely sealed, dust and moisture penetration is excluded, immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter is permissible. True, such devices are used mainly for military needs.

come from the membrane by the presence of plastic keys and a rubber gasket at the point of appearance they may even differ from each other. Seriously protected laptops look intimidating. But there are also models that are no different from conventional mobile computers. But this is far from the budget segment.

Weight and dimensions

The heaviest are models with a screen diagonal of 17-18 inches - they reach a weight of 3 kilograms, so you should not buy models with large screens. The best option is a device with a screen diagonal of 15 inches. If a laptop is purchased as a replacement for a stationary PC, and it is not planned to transfer it anywhere, then do not pay attention to weight and dimensions.

The more powerful the laptop, the thicker it is, the reason is the size of the display and installed modules - a discrete graphics card, wireless modules (WIFI, Bluethooth), DVD drive, HDD drive, etc.

The average laptop measures between 19.5mm and 69mm.

However, there are miniature models that are even thinner. The production of such models is quite expensive.

Ultrabooks

The type of laptops that differ in minimum thickness are called "ultrabooks". The thickness of the ultrabook is 1.5 mm at its narrowest point. These devices are unusually expensive due to the production technology. Typically, these laptops are equipped with an SSD drive, they are smaller in size than a standard 2.5 HDD. In addition, the models do not have an optical drive.

As a rule, ultrabooks are weaker than laptops due to the small thickness of the case, there is no way to install more or less productive hardware in an ultrabook. If you need a normal productive mobile computer, then you should not pay attention to ultrabooks.

Battery and battery life

The most important criterion for a mobile device is its battery life. And for this characteristic, the battery of the device is entirely responsible.

Battery type. Common budget laptops use lithium polymer (Li-Pol) batteries. Batteries operate at low and high temperatures in the range of -20 to +40 °C. They are only afraid of wear and tear and "old age". The older the li-Pol battery, the less it is able to work. Batteries need to be changed after 2-3 years of active use.

Attention! Lithium polymer batteries are flammable - do not overcharge or overheat Li-Pol batteries.

Most manufacturers install Li-Ion batteries in laptops. They are devoid of the disadvantages of polymer batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have been used in mobile devices since 1991.

The disadvantage of Li-Ion batteries is self-discharge when not used for more than 2 months, followed by loss of capacity. They are afraid of overheating and hypothermia - at an ambient temperature below +5 C 0, energy consumption decreases (they lose charge, and increase when warmed up).

Battery capacity and battery life

Li-Pol battery capacity may vary depending on the mobile computer model. But usually the capacity of a standard laptop battery is 6000 mAh. This capacity is enough for autonomous operation of the device for 4-5 hours. The battery life is affected not only by the type and capacity of the battery, but also individual components laptop.

To ensure the longest battery life, laptops use components with a power-saving feature. For example, mobile processors (marked M), special energy-efficient RAM modules (DDRL) and much more.

Saves battery power and the presence of hybrid graphics. When the laptop is running on battery power, the discrete graphics card does not turn on. Only the built-in graphics chip works, which allows the device to work much longer on a single charge.

Number of battery cells

The battery capacity and battery life of the laptop directly depend on the number of battery cells. The more of them, the better. There are six cells in a standard laptop battery. They are exactly the same in size. But if required big time battery life, it is better to choose laptops with at least 8 cells. Top "monsters" among laptops have giant batteries with 12 cells.

This is largely due to the fact that a powerful filling requires more energy. Therefore, the battery life of a powerful expensive laptop may not differ from the battery life of a weak budget laptop. But, in any case, before choosing a laptop, it would not be out of place to ask about the number of battery cells.

Using an additional battery

Optionally, purchase an additional external battery. This device will help to double the battery life of the device. For example, a 12000 mAh external battery can power a laptop for 12-14 hours. And this is not taking into account the capacity of its own battery.

With all the batteries included, the average laptop will run for 20 hours. But, when working with resource-intensive applications and games, the laptop will work offline for no more than two hours.

Radio modules and communications

Almost every laptop is equipped with Wi-Fi modules, Bluetooth adapters. This expands the functionality of the laptop and makes it more versatile.

Bluetooth

Most budget models are equipped with a low-power Bluetooth 3.0 module. In models of the middle price segment, the version of the module is 4.2. Bluetooth 4.2 stands out for its high data transfer rate, as it partially uses Wi-Fi technology. The speed of such Bluetooth reaches 600 Mbps.

Connect via Bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard. You can also connect a wireless headset or Bluetooth speakers.

WiFi

Wi-Fi modules are in each model. Thanks to them, the device is connected to the Internet and the local network. Budget laptops are equipped with Wi-Fi modules of the b / g standard - the maximum data exchange rate is 54Mbps, with the N standard, the data exchange rate reaches 150Mbps.

The ac standard provides a data transfer rate of about 6 Gbps. Naturally, such adapters are installed only on expensive models.

3G and 4G modems

Some laptop models have the ability to connect to the Internet using a SIM card. They support 3G or 4G LTE mobile Internet. The built-in 3G-4G modem is installed in expensive business versions of laptops.

GPS

The built-in GPS transmitter will determine the location with an accuracy of several meters. It uses a connection to GPS satellites. Laptop GPS transmitters are usually much more powerful than standard navigators. It is he who allows to achieve such impressive results. Notebook transmitters support GPS, GLONASS and Beidou standards - less popular.

GPS first navigation system. Appeared in 1993. GPS technology has many advantages, but the main thing is that it is compatible with almost every modern mobile device. Including laptops.

GLONASS. Satellite navigation system of Russian developers. The navigation system uses data from 28 orbiting satellites. Thanks to the orbit of satellites, GLONASS picks up a signal where GPS has difficulty. However, the system is rarely used, preferring GPS.

Beidou. Chinese navigation system. Started developing relatively recently. Therefore, while it is used only in China.

Positioning Devices (Touchpads)

The touchpad is present in any laptop. It allows you to control the cursor and perform all sorts of actions without connecting a mouse. The devices are implemented with a different configuration - with or without clearly defined buttons.

Touchpad - touch pad, which controls the cursor on the computer screen using gestures and clicks. Almost all positioning devices are capable of simultaneously working out up to 10 clicks. Some touchpads have pronounced buttons that perform the functions of the left and right mouse buttons.

In some models, the touchpad buttons are hidden under a solid cover. As a rule, scroll bars are located on the side and bottom of the touchpad, allowing you to quickly scroll through the document when working in Microsoft Word. There is a special kind of touchpads - Touchpad&Scroll. Its essence is that next to the panel touch control there is a scroll wheel for easier work with documents and Internet surfing.

Another pointing device that can be found in modern laptops is called the PointStick. This device is a miniature joystick that moves the cursor around the screen.

Pressing the PointStick is equivalent to pressing the left (main) mouse button. It is quite unusual to manage such a device, so some skill is required to successfully cope with all tasks. It is not uncommon for laptops to have both a classic touchpad and a PointStick installed. Such hybrid management is mainly used in business models.

If you plan to purchase a mouse and work mainly with it, then it makes no sense to pay attention to the type of positioning device.

Keyboard

Keyboards deserve special attention because they are somewhat different from those used in stationary PCs. Typically, laptop keyboards are truncated, since it is impossible to fit all the keys in a small area. There are several types of keyboards in laptops: island and classic. According to the type of design features, membrane and mechanical keyboards are distinguished:

• Membrane keyboards. All laptops use membrane keyboards. Most devices use an island type keyboard with a small key travel. For typing, such solutions are convenient. But they are not suitable for games. If you plan to engage in professional writing of texts, then it is better to invest in a separate mechanical keyboard. But, laptops still use membrane hybrid keyboards.

  They are distinguished by the presence of plastic keys and a rubber gasket at the contact point.

  However, this type of keyboard is still the most budget of all.

• Mechanical keyboards. The models are aimed at gamers and are equipped with full-fledged mechanical keys. The dimensions of such laptops reach 50 cm in width.

The keyboard is mainly used without additional digital block. This increases the size of the keys, which in turn makes it more comfortable to work with. However, there are laptops with a full-fledged digital block. Designed for those who need to work a lot with numbers and various calculations.

According to the type of switches, mechanical keyboards are divided into several types:

• Cherry MX Black,
• Cherry MX Brown,
• Cherry MX Blue,
• Cherry MX Clear,
• Cherry MX Red,
• Razer Green Switch.

Laptops usually use keyboards with switches of the Cherry MX family:

• Cherry MX Black. Ideal for games. However, for typing texts are inconvenient. No feedback. As a result, typing will be uncomfortable.
  

  It is this type of mechanical keyboard that is most often installed in expensive gaming laptop models.

• Cherry MX Brown. Universal option. These keyboards are great for gaming and work. Thanks to the presence of feedback, typing is quick and easy.
• Cherry MX Blue. This keyboard is designed exclusively for typing. Its design features are such that it is of little use for games. That is why it is rarely used in laptops, only for business versions of mobile computers designed exclusively for working with office programs.
• Cherry MX Clear. Universal in the family of mechanical keyboards. Suitable for both work and play. In fact, it is a modified version of Cherry MX Brown.

There are also spring-loaded mechanical keyboards, but they are not used in mobile computers. Therefore, there is no point in considering them.

Additional keys

The operation of the missing keys on the laptop keyboard is implemented using a special "Fn" button. When you click on it and another specific button, thereby forcing the laptop to execute the desired command.

Using the Fn function key, you can control various settings of the laptop. For example, control the screen brightness and sound volume.

And with the help of the function keys F1-F12, turn off the touchpad, Wi-Fi adapter, screen, camera, put it into sleep mode and control the player.

Function keys are present in every laptop. However, they are randomly placed. There is no specific system.

For the normal operation of the function keys, the installation of drivers is required. In addition, if the manufacturer provides a special program for controlling the function keys, you should install it. Without this, additional functions will not work. In certain models, there is a change in the response to pressing FN key combinations, as a rule, it is configured through the BIOS.

Number of buttons on the keyboard

The keyboard standard is 101 keys. Due to design features and lack of space, the number of keys varies. The maximum number of buttons for laptops with a number pad is 102 pcs. (standard 101), plus an additional Fn function key. Without a digital block, the number of keys is within 80-92 pcs.

Water resistant keyboard

The design of the keyboard is water resistant - under the keys there is a plastic or metal plate, made in the form of a pallet. If liquid gets on the keyboard, it accumulates in this tray. And rubber pads keep it from splashing onto important laptop components. Such keyboards are usually removable.

In order to pour out the liquid from the pan, it is enough to pick up and remove the entire keyboard. As a rule, such keyboard models are not equipped with numeric blocks.

Notebook sound

Due to the design features, high-quality sound from the built-in laptop speakers is not possible.

Built-in speakers and subwoofer. Standard laptop speakers don't sound very good. Especially if they are located on the bottom - they are almost inaudible. Models with speakers above the keyboard are preferred. The sound is slightly louder, but given the size of the speakers, you should not expect high-quality sound.

The situation is slightly improved with a built-in subwoofer. However, it is not able to reproduce low frequencies correctly due to its small size. Therefore, without the purchase of additional speakers can not do.

Sound adapter chipset. The laptop's audio processor is capable of providing sound quality in the range of 41-192 kHz. Such a chip is categorically not suitable for professional work with sound. For these needs, you will have to purchase an external sound card. Typically, budget laptops and mid-range laptops install budget chipsets from Realtek.

If you need really high-quality sound, then get an external USB sound card. Such devices are commonly used by professionals to create music. But they're also great for the hobbyist with a mid-range laptop and a desire for high-quality sound. Just don't forget that acoustic system in this case, it must also be of the appropriate level.

Microphone and headphone inputs and outputs. A standard laptop has jacks for connecting headphones and a microphone - the standard size is 3.5 (mini Jack).

To connect professional headphones with a Jack standard plug, you will have to buy an adapter.

External speakers are also connected to the headphone jack. Typically, these connectors are located on the side of the case. Less often - on the front or rear end.

Connecting a speaker system is much easier if it includes a digital S / PDIF audio output - the speaker system should also have such a connector, but most mobile computers are not endowed with such abilities.

Combo output (microphone + headphones). Combined headphone and microphone input into a single unit - only one device is connected at a time. We do not recommend purchasing laptops with Combo output, you will not be able to connect a separate microphone and headphones if necessary.

Connectors and interfaces

USB connectors. Mandatory connector in any laptop. Even budget models are equipped with at least three connectors.

There are several types USB connectors: 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 (Type A and C). They differ only in data transfer speed. And version 3.1 is also structurally different. A typical average laptop usually has two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 connectors. Type 3.1 is found only in expensive devices

USB 2.0 Obsolete type of USB - based on low power bus 2.0.

Capable of transmitting data at a speed of 480 Mbps. However, this is the maximum speed declared by the manufacturer. In practice, things are worse, the real speed of such a port is 30 MB per second.

The maximum current that can be drawn from the USB 2.0 bus is 500 mA. You can charge devices with them, but it’s better not to. It will take a long time to fully charge. Modern laptops come with at least two USB 2.0 ports.

USB 3.0 close to an acceptable data rate. USB 3.0 write-read speed is 600 MB per second. Version 2.0 is not capable of this. Bus version 3.0 current is 900 mA. This means that smartphones and players charge much faster.

Connectors using 3.0 technology are marked in blue. This is done for the convenience of users. In order not to confuse low-power 2.0 with high-speed 3.0. Modern mobile computers may have two to three USB 3.0 ports. In rare cases, their number increases to four. Naturally, you need to try to choose a laptop with the maximum number of USB 3.0 ports, since 2.0 is only suitable for connecting a mouse.

USB 3.1. The data transfer rate in the 3.1 standard is 10 Gbps. In addition, the designers made it possible to insert a flash drive into the slot in any direction.

But devices using the USB 3.1 type are not great.

The maximum current strength of the USB 3.1 bus is 5A. This means that devices connected to this connector will charge faster than with a standard power supply. In Apple laptops, this connector is used to connect the charger. However, it is still problematic to find a decent mobile computer with such ports for an adequate price.

USB connectors of subtype “A” and “B” are not used in laptops. Type “A” connectors are found only in peripheral devices (printer) and are used to connect the device to a computer.

“A” connection is still carried out using a standard-sized USB port. Type “B” connectors, otherwise called micro USB, are used in mobile devices (smartphones, players) to charge the device and connect to a computer.

HDMI. Used to transmit a digital signal to an optional monitor or TV. The HDMI connector is supplied with laptops of the middle price category.

HDMI signal transmission technology is characterized by high image quality. With HDMI, you can even get a picture in 4K resolution.

There are several types of full-size HDMI connectors, differing in technical characteristics. First HDMI 1.0 connectors. had the ability to transmit image and sound at a speed of 4.9 Gbps.

• Version 1.0 transmitted eight-channel audio at a frequency of 192 kHz and a depth of 24 bits. The maximum image resolution was 1920*1080 pixels.
• Version 1.1 adds the ability to transmit protected audio for watching DVD video.
• In version 1.2, it became possible to connect monitors to a computer. Prior to this version, the HDMI standard did not support the RGB technology used in most monitors. In addition, support for the Super Audio CD format has been added.

Further versions contain some improvements and corrections. Nothing has been added before version 2.0.

And the second version includes support for 4K resolution, 32-channel audio - multi-stream audio, support for 60 frames per second, support for screens with an aspect ratio of 21: 9 (theater standard), 3D support.

HDMI 2.0 connectors are used in all laptops and desktop computers. They allow you to turn your computer into a multimedia entertainment center. Connecting a monitor using an HDMI connector is more preferable than using the outdated VGA connector.

VGA

Almost all laptops are equipped with a VGA port for connecting an external monitor. Unlike HDMI, it uses analog technology and therefore cannot boast of a high quality image.

The VGA connector is designed to connect legacy monitors. Newer models use digital connection technology - DVI port. As a result, the image quality is much higher than that of VGA. There are also Combo DVI ports that use both analog and digital signals at the same time, but they are extremely rare. The DVI port on a laptop is rarely used. Typically, manufacturers are limited to VGA and HDMI connectors.

DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort

The next type of connector is DisplayPort - rarely mounted in laptops, few have heard of it. But in some computers and video cards of the middle price category, it is present. Only expensive business versions of DisplayPort are supplied - the same HDMI with modified functionality. In some ways it is better than HDMI, but in some ways it is worse. But the meaning is the same. It allows you to connect an external monitor or TV to your laptop and receive a high-definition image.

A miniature version of DisplayPort has become widely used in Apple laptops.

Technically, this is the same DisplayPort only smaller. The situation with HDMI and micro HDMI connectors is repeated here, only HDMI is intended for transmitting multimedia content in general, and mini DisplayPort is exclusively for connecting computer monitors. Does not apply to budget laptops.

COM port. A rare type of connectors in laptops. Almost impossible to find on laptops. Equipped with devices designed to control diagnostic equipment. It is they who in our time use the COM port. Since it is morally obsolete and is now used only by narrow specialists, it is not included in mass laptop models.

High speed Thunderbolt interface provides high data transfer rates. The connector itself resembles DisplayPort. But at the same time, it differs in a number of design features.

There are several types of Thunderbolt port:

• Thunderbolt,
• Thunderbolt 2,
• Thunderbolt 3.

They differ only in data transfer speed. Such interfaces are common in Apple laptops. It's rare to see Thunderbolt in a regular laptop. Despite the speed, few devices are equipped with such connectors. That is why they do not have mass application in laptops.

History of creation high speed port Thunderbolt started during the development of DisplayPort. That is why they are so similar. The Thunderbolt port of the very first version used copper wires as a connection.

This method was cheap. However, the port speed was not high. Therefore, the second and third versions began to use optical fiber. After that, the data transfer rate increased tenfold. Plus, in the latest version of Thunderbolt, "learned" to transmit sound and turned into a completely universal connector.

Despite the fact that Thunderbolt was invented by Intel, Apple was involved in the refinement. That is why for the most part it is found only in the laptops of this company.

Micro HDMI installed in laptops where it is not possible to embed a normal-sized HDMI port. Usually these are netbooks and ultrabooks. The principle of operation is the same with HDMI standard size.

Due to its compact size, even some smartphones are equipped with a micro HDMI connector. In terms of its technical characteristics, micro HDMI is in no way inferior to a “full-fledged” connector. Resolution, sound and video quality, data transfer rate - everything is exactly the same.

FireWire and FireWire 800 interfaces found only in Apple models. It was they who made this port the standard for connecting devices to the MacBook. The advantages of such a solution are obvious.

The data transfer rate reaches 600 Mbps.

The only problem is that not all peripheral devices are equipped with a FireWire port, which is necessary for the interaction of the laptop and the device itself.

Mini VGA The connector is used in all Apple laptops and some Sony laptops. In fact, this is the same port for transmission analog signal, which is standard VGA. It differs only in smaller sizes and arrangement of contacts. Such connectors are not particularly popular, and it is impossible to find them in the vast majority of laptops.

Digital audio output (S/PDIF) not found on all laptops. Such connectors are equipped with multimedia models of laptops. This output requires a midrange sound card to function properly. Simple laptop audio chips can't handle it.

The digital audio output is used to send uncompressed digital audio to the receiver. The playback quality is higher than when using a standard audio output connector.

In addition, S / PDIF allows you to output multi-channel audio.

eSATA– the connector is designed for “hot” connection of devices and provides a high data transfer rate. Currently, only Power eSATA connectors are used. They are equipped with an additional contact to power the device.

In terms of its design features, eSATA resembles regular SATA, but differs in the presence of shielding, which protects it from all kinds of interference. eSATA connectors are available on premium laptops and some mid-range models. There is no room for eSATA technology in budget laptops.

Slots and interfaces

Many laptops are equipped with special slots for reading data. Almost every portable computer has a built-in card reader. They differ only in the formats of the supported memory cards.

ExpressCard slot and standard

The slot is used to connect various peripheral devices to the laptop using an ExpressCard.

ExpressCard are additional connectors for connecting USB and SATA devices. There are several ExpressCard standards. The “smallest” slots up to 34 millimeters in size are installed in laptops. This is due to the design features of mobile computers.

Using the 34mm ExpressCard slot, you can connect an additional four USB devices and one SATA device to the notebook.

ExpressCard types differ in size and number of connected interfaces:

• express card 54 mm in size uses to connect a 26-pin connector. Due to their size, such cards are installed mainly in stationary PCs. However, it is precisely due to the large size of the card that it can be used to connect a considerable number of peripheral devices.
• The second and most common type of ExpressCard in laptops, 34 mm in size, uses a 26-pin connector to connect. Due to the compact size of the device, the ExpressCard 34 interface can be used in mobile computers. True, the number of connected peripherals is less than that of a 54 mm card. But the main thing is that such a slot exists at all.
• CardBus PC is used only in full-fledged personal computers. This type of ExpressCard is already obsolete and only found in some older PCs. He used 68 pins.

Number of slots for RAM

Usually mobile computers are equipped with two slots for RAM. Due to design features, it is impossible to implement more slots in a small case.

Typically, a memory module is installed in only one slot. The second one remains free. You can insert a memory module there at your discretion. Of course, in expensive gaming models there are also four slots. But the size of these laptops can not be called small.

Webcam and microphone

All mobile computers are equipped with webcams. The manufacturer of the device does not matter. But in terms of design features, webcams differ in the number of megapixels and format. The cheapest webcams are only 0.3 megapixels. In expensive laptop models, 5 megapixel modules are installed. Nevertheless, despite the rather meager matrix, all webcams are called HD.

Since there is a webcam, there must be a built-in microphone. And it is present in all models. However, the quality of the built-in microphone in all models without exception is so low that sometimes it is even difficult to make out individual words. It is better, however, to purchase a separate normal microphone. It will be better this way.

Built-in network card and LAN speed

LAN is indispensable when connecting to another computer, since the data transfer rate over LAN is higher than over Wi-Fi. Typically, laptops install inexpensive network cards from Realtek or Atheros.

There are several types of network cards:

• built into the motherboard
• internal,
• external.

Network cards built into the motherboard do not provide much freedom in choosing a manufacturer and data transfer speed.

Modern laptops use fourth-generation cards capable of delivering speeds of 100 Mbps.

This is true if you connect a laptop to another computer using a network cable.

Internal network cards are usually used in desktop computers and are connected to the PCI-E slot.

External network cards are connected to the computer using a USB connector. They are relevant if for some reason the laptop does not have a built-in card. Or she's out of order. It should be noted that external USB network cards have high bandwidth and can replace a full-fledged device.

All budget laptops use conventional third-generation network cards built into motherboards. The minimum connection speed is 10 Mbps. The maximum is 100. The most expensive models are equipped with fourth-generation network cards. The maximum data transfer rate reaches 1 Gbps.

optical drive

Obsolete CD-RW drives are no longer used in production. Now mobile computers are equipped with Blue-Ray- DVD drive mi. The word "writer" is no longer relevant. A priori, all modern drives are written to disks. The manufacturer of the drive is irrelevant as it is not that important a component.

Disk drives are now a thing of the past. More and more models are deprived of an optical drive.

3D support

Support for three-dimensional images is a rare feature not only in laptops, but also in full-fledged PCs. However, there are models that can convert a 3D image to 2D. The delivery set of such laptops also includes polarized glasses for viewing a three-dimensional image.

In terms of technical characteristics, there is nothing special in such laptops. Is that the video card is a little more powerful. Otherwise, the 3D effect is achieved only with the help of software processing of certain materials. While such an effect can not be considered a full-fledged 3D. So it makes no sense to buy such a mobile PC.

The main disadvantage of laptops with 3D support is that the software component of the technology is so "heavy" that the device is unstable.

In some cases, even Microsoft Word and the Internet browser slow down.

WiDi (Wireless Display) support- allows you to connect an external monitor to your laptop without using any wires. Of course, the monitor must also support this technology.

The connection is made using the Wi-Fi adapter of the device and requires additional software. This connection method has only one plus - the absence of wires. And yet, many laptops (even budget ones) are equipped with such a function.

Connecting to a docking station

The docking station is a stationary panel that somewhat expands the functionality of the laptop, making it somewhat similar to a full-fledged PC. In essence, there are not many features of the docking station: additional cooling coolers, additional ports and connectors.

However, there is one significant plus - some docking stations have additional battery. Such devices are usually connected to a mobile computer via a USB port.

In the case of "transformer" laptops, the docking station is a keyboard. Technically, for such devices, the docking station is the entire body of the laptop. There are cooling coolers, various connectors, and a touchpad. But in most laptops, there are still standard docking stations without hardware stuffing and a keyboard.

The docking station expands the functionality of the mobile computer. If you choose a specific type of station, you can turn your laptop into a full-fledged PC with all the necessary connectors and interfaces. And some models also have a built-in uninterruptible power supply.

Fingerprint scanner and other unlock options

A fingerprint scanner is a biometric scanner (sensor) that reads a unique pattern of human skin.

By type of scan apply:

• Optical - based on reading the reflected light on the surface of the finger. Two types are used - contact and non-contact. In the first case, you need to swipe your finger on the surface of the scanning window, in the second, just attach it.
• Semiconductor - reading the pattern, capillary ridges (fingerprint) occurs on the basis of a change in resistance upon contact with the skin.
• Capacitive - based on the principle of semiconductors, but the reading in this case occurs when the capacitance changes when the finger passes over the surface of the sensor.

Budget sensors in many cases incorrectly read the pattern on the finger, and in order to unlock the computer, it is required to repeatedly scan.

Some manufacturers have abandoned the use of biometric scanners in favor of the Face Control function - owner recognition through a webcam.

A system was developed to read the user's face to unlock the computer.

The program reads the main parameters of the face and compares them with the previously uploaded photo of the owner. But the face recognition method does not always recognize the wearer.

It is because of the imperfection of the Face Control function that manufacturers “taught” webcams to recognize the owner by scanning the retina. This technology is more reliable. But this option requires a high resolution webcam.

Another option to unlock the computer, which is suitable even for budget laptops. This is the voice unlock feature. It is enough to say a couple of words and the computer, having analyzed the timbre of the voice, will decide whether it is worth letting a person into personal data. This uses the built-in microphone.

Kensington lock(Kensington Lock) is used to prevent the theft of the laptop. It is a small connector into which a steel cable with the lock itself is inserted. When the lock is closed, the locking mechanism is activated. There is no way to break or break the lock.

The only chance to carry away a mobile computer is to cut the cable. Some lock slots are equipped with special contacts through which the alarm is connected. If the cable is cut, the alarm will go off. The Kensington lock is commonly used in computer stores. This is how prototype laptops are protected.

Remote control It's not just on TVs. Computers and laptops are also equipped with such a gadget. But, it will not be possible to get full control over the computer with its help, only simple everyday tasks. Laptops equipped with a special remote control are quite rare in the package.

Basically, the remote control for any laptop is purchased separately.

They differ from television in that they use not IR, but Bluetooth technology in their work.

That is why such remotes are universal and suitable for most models.

Stylus designed for laptop models with a touch screen, people professionally involved in graphics - draw in graphic editors without using a mouse or touchpad.

TV tuner it is completed in multimedia laptops - this is a separate module, it is connected by inserting a DVD drive into place or using a USB port. With the help of a TV tuner, it is possible to record TV programs, connect a video surveillance system with an analog signal.

There is a possibility of delayed recording. It is enough to add a task to the scheduler and the TV tuner will record the broadcast, even if no one is at home. A TV tuner is an option that can expand the functionality of any laptop.

Notebook cooling system

There are two types of cooling system: active and passive.

• Passive. The passive cooling system assumes the possibility of self-cooling of the laptop components due to the circulating air. Such a system is just holes on the body of the device. No coolers and no liquids. A passive cooling system is used for very weak machines, which in our time are not left.
• Active. The active system assumes the presence of a cooler (fan), which can effectively cool all the components of a powerful laptop. Sometimes a liquid is used instead of a cooler. But due to the bulkiness of liquid cooling, installing it in a mobile device is problematic. Only very expensive models can afford this.

Memory card support

Any modern laptop should support memory cards. Some models have a full-fledged card reader in their arsenal. However, most laptops support one particular format, depending on the manufacturer.

microSD support
Many laptops come with a micro SD card slot. Why this particular format? Micro SD is currently the most popular memory card format for mobile devices. Micro SD cards are used by smartphones, cameras, MP3 players and many other devices.

SD support
However, most manufacturers provide their devices with slots for SD memory cards. The advantages of such a solution are obvious. Even a micro SD card can be read in such a slot using a regular adapter, which sometimes comes with a micro SD card. The SD card itself is now only used in some digital cameras. And in terms of its size, it is much larger than its "microscopic" counterpart.

Frequent problems

Periodically turns off and turning on is possible only after a few minutes. The problem indicates overheating of the laptop system components, at the initial stage of overheating, the processor power supply is forcibly reduced - performance drops if the components continue to overheat, protection is triggered and a forced shutdown occurs. After cooling, the controller unlocks the power circuits.

The laptop does not turn on, Caps lock and F12 are lit. In most cases, the problem is in the processor, video chip, or northbridge. If you changed the thermal paste before the problem occurred, you may not have installed the processor correctly in the slot, or you may have dirty the contact group of the processor legs. The processor is out of order - it is checked only by replacing a known good one.

The second reason, due to overheating, was the failure of the north bridge - in this case, the diagnostic heating of the crystal is carried out using a soldering station. If after that the laptop turned on, without replacing the north bridge, the laptop will work from 1 month to several years, subject to active cooling and not using resource-intensive programs.

If the test warm-up of the north bridge did not give any results, the video chip is probably out of order. Diagnostics is carried out similarly to the north bridge.

Keyboard, touchpad and USB ports not working. The south bridge is out of order, it is also diagnosed by heating.

Color streaks and artifacts on laptop monitor. Due to overheating of the video chip, the video chip chip partially fell off. It is diagnosed by connecting an external monitor via the VGA port, if the image on the external monitor is normal, the video chip needs to be replaced. Before replacement, it is recommended to diagnose by warming up the video chip.

Laptop battery not charging. In most cases, the problem is in the controller power circuit, but the problem also occurs due to a BIOS failure. Resetting the BIOS in this case will not help, a flashing is required.

The cooling system can not cope with the overheating of the laptop. The most common problem is the radiator grill of the cooling system is clogged - a complete disassembly of the laptop and cleaning is required.

The resource of the cooler has been exhausted, while a characteristic high-frequency hum (whistle) is heard - the cooler needs to be replaced - cleaning and lubrication will not work.

damaged heat pipe cooling system, in this case, a complete replacement of the cooling system is required.

Conclusion

The article lists all the features that can only be present in a laptop. No device can accommodate them all. Now it remains only to choose the optimal combination of the most necessary functions and capabilities. And after that, you can safely look for a laptop with the right parameters.

Manufacturers and models

Lenovo

Lenovo was founded in 1984 in Beijing with funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. A young company in the market of mobile and portable devices, Lenovo products are distinguished by affordable prices along with high quality products.

The list of products includes:

• Laptops and Ultrabooks
• Tablets
• Desktop computers and monoblocks
• Smartphones and watches
• Workstations and servers

It has dozens of series in four lines of laptop models, they include:

• ThinkPad - series: ThinkPad Yoga, X, W, T, P, L, ThinkPad Edge, 13 (ThinkPad 13), 11e (Yoga 11e (3rd Gen)).
• Ideapad - series: Y900, Y700, 700, 500s, 500, 300, 100, Miix.
• Lenovo - series: V, G, B.
• Yoga - series: 900, 700, 500, 300, Yoga 3

Top Models

ThinkPad Yoga 460 laptop premium business model with a 14-inch screen, support for the sixth generation Core i7 and i5 processors.

The maximum WQHD screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels is implemented with an IPS matrix and runs on integrated Intel Chipset graphics chips or, depending on the configuration, NVIDIA GeForce 940M 2 GB. Comes preinstalled with Windows 10 PRO.

Supports RAM expansion up to 16GB DDR3, HDD up to 1TB and SSD 512MB. Batteries are able to provide continuous operation up to 10 hours.

Ideapad Y910 gaming laptop equipped with a 17-inch FHD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, graphics display is provided by a discrete GeForce graphics card GTX 1070M with up to 8GB VRAM. The maximum configuration includes a sixth-generation Intel Core i7-6820HK processor.

There are four slots for RAM, the maximum expansion of RAM is up to 64GB DDR4. Built-in "One Key Turbo" button for instant system overclocking. Windows 10 Home OS preinstalled.

Yoga 910 home laptop model designed for viewing multimedia and working in office programs. The laptop is powered by a sixth-generation Intel Core i7 processor and integrated Intel HD graphics on a 13-inch IPS matrix with 4K resolution.

Equipped with a 720p webcam, supports RAM expansion up to 16GB. Windows 10 PRO pre-installed. Depending on the configuration, a maximum capacity of up to 1TB is provided by the PCIe SSD for high speed and system responsiveness.

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

The largest manufacturer of electronic equipment HP began its activity in 1939 with the production of measuring equipment. One of the leaders in the market of peripheral equipment, mobile and desktop computers.

Produces premium models, gaming and standard laptops for home use. The most popular are Pavilion models and transformers for home use, as well as gaming and premium ProBooks.

Top Models

HP ProBook 450 G4 Business Notebook works on the basis of processors Core i7, i5, i3 of the sixth generation, Windows 10 PRO 64bit is preinstalled. Maximum RAM 16GB DDR4. Graphic display is provided by the built-in Intel HD Graphics 620 and a GeForce 930MX DDR2 discrete graphics card with 2 GB of video memory.

The screen resolution depends on the configuration, the laptop is available with 11 and 15 inch screens:

• 11 inch HD eDP UWVA touchscreen 1366 x 768 pixel resolution.
• 15 inch HD display with 1366×768 pixel resolution and anti-reflective coating.
• 15 inch Full HD display maximum resolution 1920 × 1080 pixels with anti-glare coating.
• 15 inch HD touch screen with a maximum resolution of 1366 × 768 pixels.

HP OMEN Y7Y15EA Gaming Laptop from the 17-w100 series, the high performance of the laptop is provided by the sixth-generation Core i7 6700HQ quad-core processor with an expandable clock speed from 2.66GHz to 3.5GHz.

Windows OS is preinstalled, two editions of Windows 10 Home 64bit are available. A service door is provided for hot-swap memory modules. The laptop is equipped with a discrete GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card with 8GB of GDDR5 video memory and a 17-inch anti-glare display with a maximum screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

For faster system startup and high performance, a 128GB SSD drive is installed under the system drive, and a 1TB high-speed SATA HDD drive is installed for other storage drives.

Asus

The Taiwanese company Asus founded in 2002 a subsidiary company Asrock, produces components for mobile, personal and portable devices, as well as computers and laptops.

The main products of the company:

• Motherboards.
• DVD Drives with Blu-ray support.
• Smartphones.
• LCD TVs.
• Video cards.
• Notebooks and ultrabooks.

The list of laptop products includes a series:

• ROG - gaming laptops.
• Zenbook - ultrabooks.
• Vivobook (series: N, X, K, S) - laptops.

Top Models

ROG GX800VH Gaming Laptop Equipped with a powerful GTX 1080 SLI graphics card with 16GB of VRAM and an 18" IPS display with 4K/ULTRA HD resolution. The central processor is based on Intel Core i7 6820HK, the amount of RAM depends on the configuration and upon purchase it is possible to expand up to 64GB DDR4 with a bus frequency of 2800MHz.

For stable operation, the laptop is equipped with liquid cooling, data storage is a 512GB PCIE Gen3X4 solid-state SSD drive. Pre-installed operating system Windows 10 PRO or Windows 10 Home (depending on configuration).

Model VivoBook Pro N552VX designed for the average category of users - watching movies in Ultra HD format, working in office programs, surfing the Internet. The laptop is equipped with a quad-core processor, depending on the configuration, a Core i7 6700HQ or Core i5 6300HQ is installed with a preinstalled Windows 10 Home operating system.

The laptop is equipped with a GTX 950M DDR3 mobile video card, 2GB video memory, a 15-inch IPS display with a maximum resolution of UHD 3840 x 2160 pixels. Two DDR4 slots with a bus frequency of 2133 GHz are allocated for RAM - the maximum expansion is up to 16 GB.

Due to the design features of laptops (laptops), the possibility of upgrading them during operation is less than that of a stationary computer.

Therefore, their choice must be approached especially responsibly. The scope of the purchased home laptop is decisive.

A device for navigating the Internet and working with office programs may have modest technical characteristics (see). If the user is an avid gamer, or his work is related to graphic programs, then the parameters of the laptop should be significantly higher.

The characteristics of the laptop are encrypted in the title. In a computer store, a user, next to a laptop they like, sees something like this: Acer Aspire 8930G-464G50Mikk:

• Acer- the name of the manufacturer (they will be discussed below);
• Aspire– models aimed at home users (as opposed to the TravelMate business series and Extensa compromise models);
• first digit 8 means a screen diagonal of 18 inches (similarly, 5 means 15 inches, 9 means 19, etc.);
• 930 – sequence number of the series;
• letter G- model with a discrete video card (no or letter Z - the video card is built into the motherboard);
• the first two digits after the hyphen are the designation of the Core i5 processor 46 0M;
• 4G- the amount of RAM in gigabytes (GB);
• 50 - a symbol of the volume of the hard disk in 50 0 GB;
• letter M– multidrive for both DVD and CD-ROMs;
• letter i– the model contains a Wi-Fi adapter supporting the 802.11g standard;
• kk– symbol for the color of the lid and working area Blac k– Black k.

As you can see, the main technical characteristics of laptops include:

• processor parameters;
• the amount of random access memory (RAM);
• video system parameters;
• the volume of the hard disk (hard drive);
• means of communication.

CPU

As a rule, dual-core processors from Intel or AMD are installed in modern laptops (see). The former work faster and are preferred for office work and surfing the Internet.

AMD processors in laptops without a separate graphics card have better graphics performance.

Intel processors in laptops are divided into budget Celeron, mid-range Pentium and powerful Intel Core. Regular user quite satisfy the first two lines. Intel Core processors are chosen with increased requirements for a laptop.

Memory

It is believed that there is never too much memory - the more, the better. 4 GB can be considered the optimal value. You can purchase a laptop with 2 GB with the prospect of adding additional modules in the future to free sockets (slots). This, at first glance, economical option is not recommended even for advanced users. The memory slots of a laptop are not nearly as accessible as those of a desktop computer.

Modern laptops are equipped with DDR3 RAM modules of different frequencies. The higher this value, the more productive the device.

video system

The laptop video system consists of a video card and a monitor screen. In turn, video cards are built-in (integrated) and external (discrete) (see).

Integrated graphics cards are built into the motherboard or processor. Strictly speaking, this is not a video card, but an integrated video logic. She uses the shared memory without having her own. Advantages of an embedded solution compared to an external one:

• low price;
• minimum dimensions;
• low power consumption.

Flaws:

• low performance;
• low image quality;
• consumption of RAM.

A discrete video card, unlike an integrated one, has everything necessary for operation within a separate board.

She has her own processor, video memory, cooling fan (see) and a signal converter supplied to the monitor. Purchasing a laptop with an expensive external video card is justified only if the requirements for the device are high.

The main characteristics of the screen are the diagonal size and resolution. The first parameter is inversely proportional to the size and weight of the laptop. Here, to select a fairly clear idea of ​​​​the operating conditions of the purchased device.

The higher the resolution, the better the picture and the higher the price. The FullHD standard (1920 * 1080), familiar to modern TVs and monitors of stationary computers, is implemented in expensive laptops with a large (17-19 inches) screen diagonal.

Monitor screens have a glossy or matte finish. The first option prevails. It looks good in the store, but is critical to the position of the screen and the viewing angle of the picture when working outside the home.

Laptops of the high price segment are equipped with matte screens that do not reflect everything around them like a mirror.

HDD

Of course, the large volume of the hard drive allows the user not to limit himself in installing many programs and storing large amounts of information. However, with the development of the Internet, a lot of things have become possible to do online. The optimal amount is considered to be 500 GB.

Communication media

The purchased laptop must be equipped with modern means of communication. In addition to the obligatory network card, almost all models are equipped with Bluetooth for communication with a smartphone.

A Wi-Fi adapter will provide a wireless network connection in the many places where it is available. It is desirable that this adapter work according to the modern high-speed standard 802.11n. The modem will allow you to communicate with the outside world via a telephone line (see).

It is desirable that the laptop has at least 3 USB ports, not necessarily a high-speed version 3.0 (until it is very popular).

The VGA output allows you to connect an external monitor, while the HDMI interface allows you to connect an LCD TV (see ).

Battery life

An important parameter of laptops is battery life. This time is directly proportional to battery capacity and inversely proportional to the power and mode of operation of the laptop. The technical specifications indicate an overestimated value.

At the beginning of operation, the laptop can work autonomously for 4-6 hours, in the future this time decreases, especially during prolonged use in an almost discharged state.

Notebook manufacturers

Which manufacturer should be preferred with the same technical characteristics? By purchasing products from a well-known manufacturer, the buyer, on the one hand, increases the likelihood of uninterrupted operation, and on the other hand, overpays for the brand (this is especially true for Sony and Apple).

Lenovo, Acer, Asus, HP, Toshiba, Samsung, Dell have a good reputation, for which the sale of laptops is one of the main activities.

It is believed that Asus makes the best laptops in terms of price and quality. Acer and Lenovo devices are called the most productive (see.