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| Laptops: a buyer's guide | Laptops: a buyer's guide |
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| A corner of a room dedicated to the computer has become a thing of the past in many households, and according to market researchers Mintel the trend is set to continue, with laptops set to outsell desktops by more than four to one this year. | A corner of a room dedicated to the computer has become a thing of the past in many households, and according to market researchers Mintel the trend is set to continue, with laptops set to outsell desktops by more than four to one this year. |
| And if they work for families, small compact computers are a god send for students who need something they carry back and forth to university for researching and writing assignments, producing presentations and, time permitting of course, keeping up-to-date on social networks. | And if they work for families, small compact computers are a god send for students who need something they carry back and forth to university for researching and writing assignments, producing presentations and, time permitting of course, keeping up-to-date on social networks. |
| Third-year student Adam Higgs, a blogger for the Student Room, has advice for students looking for the right machine: "Before buying, consider the course you're doing. Find out from your faculty if there is any specific software that is required, or certain work you need to do that could affect your purchasing decision." | Third-year student Adam Higgs, a blogger for the Student Room, has advice for students looking for the right machine: "Before buying, consider the course you're doing. Find out from your faculty if there is any specific software that is required, or certain work you need to do that could affect your purchasing decision." |
| Is the software you require downloadable from the internet, or do you need a disc drive to install it? Does the machine have a powerful enough processor for your needs? Would you benefit from a larger screen for detailed work, or a lighter more portable machine for lectures? Does it have enough RAM to run smoothly all the programs you want? | Is the software you require downloadable from the internet, or do you need a disc drive to install it? Does the machine have a powerful enough processor for your needs? Would you benefit from a larger screen for detailed work, or a lighter more portable machine for lectures? Does it have enough RAM to run smoothly all the programs you want? |
| "If you want the device to last for the duration of your course, consider what may be useful over the next three or four years," Higgs says. Even if you think you might buy online, take the opportunity to go into a store, trying out one or two on your shortlist before purchasing. | "If you want the device to last for the duration of your course, consider what may be useful over the next three or four years," Higgs says. Even if you think you might buy online, take the opportunity to go into a store, trying out one or two on your shortlist before purchasing. |
| The choices | The choices |
| There are many types of portable computer, but we will focus on these five types: | There are many types of portable computer, but we will focus on these five types: |
| Laptop Probably closest to the traditional desktop computer, but can run unplugged for a few hours. Screens vary in size but can go up to about 18". Typically, the machine has an internal CD/DVD drive with many laptops able to "burn" discs. The Apple equivalent is the MacBook Pro, which works on a different operating system (OS X Mountain Lion) to Windows-based laptops. | Laptop Probably closest to the traditional desktop computer, but can run unplugged for a few hours. Screens vary in size but can go up to about 18". Typically, the machine has an internal CD/DVD drive with many laptops able to "burn" discs. The Apple equivalent is the MacBook Pro, which works on a different operating system (OS X Mountain Lion) to Windows-based laptops. |
| Convertible laptop These are laptops that convert into a tablet by letting you either detach the keyboard or use a swivel hinge to move it out of the way, at which point touch screen technology takes over. | Convertible laptop These are laptops that convert into a tablet by letting you either detach the keyboard or use a swivel hinge to move it out of the way, at which point touch screen technology takes over. |
| Netbooks A small portable laptop. These have a keyboard but do not have internal disc drives, although you can normally add an external one. Battery life is generally longer than for a laptop. Selection is limited as the rise of tablets has stopped them taking off. | Netbooks A small portable laptop. These have a keyboard but do not have internal disc drives, although you can normally add an external one. Battery life is generally longer than for a laptop. Selection is limited as the rise of tablets has stopped them taking off. |
| Subnotebooks/Ultrabooks These are thinner, lighter and quicker to start up than a typical laptop. Processors tend to be powerful and often use solid state drives (SSDs), which have faster speeds than hard drives but are more expensive. Most lack an internal disc drive, but have ports for you to add external products. The MacBook Air would fit into this category. | Subnotebooks/Ultrabooks These are thinner, lighter and quicker to start up than a typical laptop. Processors tend to be powerful and often use solid state drives (SSDs), which have faster speeds than hard drives but are more expensive. Most lack an internal disc drive, but have ports for you to add external products. The MacBook Air would fit into this category. |
| Chromebook Using Chrome's own operating system, the Chromebook has a battery life typically in excess of six hours. You can buy 3G or Wi-Fi Chromebooks with a start up time normally of less than 10 seconds. They do have a small hard drive, but are almost totally internet-dependent with the "cloud" storing all files and documents. Apps are accessed via the Chrome webstore with some available in offline mode. If you need specialist software for your course that is not available via an app you will need an alternative computer. | Chromebook Using Chrome's own operating system, the Chromebook has a battery life typically in excess of six hours. You can buy 3G or Wi-Fi Chromebooks with a start up time normally of less than 10 seconds. They do have a small hard drive, but are almost totally internet-dependent with the "cloud" storing all files and documents. Apps are accessed via the Chrome webstore with some available in offline mode. If you need specialist software for your course that is not available via an app you will need an alternative computer. |
| Other considerations | Other considerations |
| It's important to have enough storage space for all your software, documents, files, photos and videos, so make sure you have a large enough drive. It may also be useful to use a cloud-based service for back-up. | It's important to have enough storage space for all your software, documents, files, photos and videos, so make sure you have a large enough drive. It may also be useful to use a cloud-based service for back-up. |
| Manufacturers advertise battery life, but Higgs says "it is typically based on the least intensive usage scenarios possible, so it's best not to get too invested in it". | Manufacturers advertise battery life, but Higgs says "it is typically based on the least intensive usage scenarios possible, so it's best not to get too invested in it". |
| Bear in mind the cost of replacing your machine if it is stolen or damaged. Before you go for an expensive model, check how much it will cost to insure. You might decide to go for something inexpensive that is cheaper to cover or replace if something does go wrong. | Bear in mind the cost of replacing your machine if it is stolen or damaged. Before you go for an expensive model, check how much it will cost to insure. You might decide to go for something inexpensive that is cheaper to cover or replace if something does go wrong. |
| The machines | The machines |
| Below are the best prices for some popular models, but be aware retailers often sell varieties of the same machine with some differences in specification. For example, one shop may offer a faster processor or larger hard drive than another, all of which affects price. Prices can change rapidly so please put any better deals you spot in the comments section below. | Below are the best prices for some popular models, but be aware retailers often sell varieties of the same machine with some differences in specification. For example, one shop may offer a faster processor or larger hard drive than another, all of which affects price. Prices can change rapidly so please put any better deals you spot in the comments section below. |
| Laptops | Laptops |
| The 15.6" Acer Aspire E1-571 weighs 2.45kg, has a 2.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor, a 750GB hard drive, webcam and a DVD drive and is £399.99 at Currys. | The 15.6" Acer Aspire E1-571 weighs 2.45kg, has a 2.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor, a 750GB hard drive, webcam and a DVD drive and is £399.99 at Currys. |
| The 15.6" HP Compaq CQ58-253SA weighs 2.5kg, has a 2.2GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 500GB hard drive and a DVD drive. It is priced at £332.95 including postage with Laptops Direct, and you can reduce this by £15 by signing up to a one-month subscription to Which? magazine for £1. But if you don't want to continue the subscription beyond that, remember to cancel it. | The 15.6" HP Compaq CQ58-253SA weighs 2.5kg, has a 2.2GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 500GB hard drive and a DVD drive. It is priced at £332.95 including postage with Laptops Direct, and you can reduce this by £15 by signing up to a one-month subscription to Which? magazine for £1. But if you don't want to continue the subscription beyond that, remember to cancel it. |
| Convertible laptops | Convertible laptops |
| The Acer Iconia W510 has a detachable keyboard and a 10.1" touchscreen, which can be used on its own as a tablet. It has a 64GB hard drive, 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760 processor and weighs only 0.58kg. Priced as high as £649 elsewhere, this is currently £499.99 with Currys online. | The Acer Iconia W510 has a detachable keyboard and a 10.1" touchscreen, which can be used on its own as a tablet. It has a 64GB hard drive, 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z2760 processor and weighs only 0.58kg. Priced as high as £649 elsewhere, this is currently £499.99 with Currys online. |
Netbook | Netbook |
| The purple Asus Eee PC X101CH weighs less than a kilo and has a 10.1" screen, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and a 320GB hard drive. IT Trade Station sells it via Amazon for £219.95. | The purple Asus Eee PC X101CH weighs less than a kilo and has a 10.1" screen, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and a 320GB hard drive. IT Trade Station sells it via Amazon for £219.95. |
| Ultrabook | Ultrabook |
| The Samsung Series 5 NP540U3C is a 13.3" touchscreen ultrabook with an Intel Core i3 processor with up to 6.5 hours battery life and a 500GB hard drive coupled with 24GB of fast storage on a SSD. You can spend more than £700 on this model, but it is available for £599.99 at Currys. | The Samsung Series 5 NP540U3C is a 13.3" touchscreen ultrabook with an Intel Core i3 processor with up to 6.5 hours battery life and a 500GB hard drive coupled with 24GB of fast storage on a SSD. You can spend more than £700 on this model, but it is available for £599.99 at Currys. |
The MacBook Air 11" with 128GB flash storage and an Intel Core i5 processor is just 1.7cm thick, weighs 1.08kg and starts at £849. However, if you are a student you may be eligible for a discount of up to 15% from the Apple Store. If that discount isn't good enough, PC World is offering £100 cashback on MacBooks until Wednesday. | The MacBook Air 11" with 128GB flash storage and an Intel Core i5 processor is just 1.7cm thick, weighs 1.08kg and starts at £849. However, if you are a student you may be eligible for a discount of up to 15% from the Apple Store. If that discount isn't good enough, PC World is offering £100 cashback on MacBooks until Wednesday. |
Chromebook | Chromebook |
| The HP Pavilion 14-c001sa has a 14" screen and a 16GB SSD drive. Best price for this model is via the PC World website; if you enter the code CHROME5 at the online checkout you will get it for £189.99. | The HP Pavilion 14-c001sa has a 14" screen and a 16GB SSD drive. Best price for this model is via the PC World website; if you enter the code CHROME5 at the online checkout you will get it for £189.99. |
| Refurbished models sometimes offer good value. Make sure you buy from a reputable company, that the computer has been checked and the warranty offered is the same length as if you bought a new one. | Refurbished models sometimes offer good value. Make sure you buy from a reputable company, that the computer has been checked and the warranty offered is the same length as if you bought a new one. |
| Do you have a favourite machine or tips on the best places to buy? Please add your thoughts below. | Do you have a favourite machine or tips on the best places to buy? Please add your thoughts below. |
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