What Laptop Do I Need: Your Guide

By: Ben Fielding | Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Choosing The Right Kit Makes All The Difference

We help you answer the big question: “What laptop do I need?” Whether you need a laptop for home, business, or even for your kids, we’ve got some top tips to help you make the right choice.

What Laptop Do I Need For Home

Looking for a laptop for yourself or as a gift for your kids? Here are the key things to keep in mind:

  • Screen Size: Bigger isn’t always better! You can choose between 13”, 14”, or 15” screens, or go big with a 17” display. Just remember, larger screens mean heavier laptops.
  • Storage: Always go for an SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of a regular hard drive. SSDs make your laptop run much faster. Storage sizes range from 256GB to 2TB, but remember, more storage usually means a higher price. And don’t forget to back up your data!
  • Processor and RAM: Think of the processor as the brain of your laptop. You’ll see options like Intel or AMD, with models ranging from i3 to i9. For most users, an i5 processor with at least 8GB of RAM is a good choice, but if your budget allows, aim for 16GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
  • Upgrade Tip: You can often upgrade your RAM later. Companies like Crucial or Mr Memory can show you how to do it and help you compare prices. Be careful though as some laptops now have RAM hardwired to the laptop and can’t be upgraded!

What Laptop Do I Need For A Young Gamers

If you’re buying a laptop for a young gamer, an i5 processor with 8GB of RAM is usually enough for games like Minecraft. However, if they’re into more graphic-heavy games, you’ll need a good graphics card. In this case, a custom gaming PC might be a better option.

What Laptop Do I Need For Business

For business, you need a laptop that’s powerful and reliable. Here’s what to look for:

  • Size and Weight: If you’re commuting, a lighter laptop is better. But if you use a docking station or external screens, screen size won’t matter as much.
  • Data Management: If you use cloud services like Teams and SharePoint, you can save space on your laptop by storing files online. A 256GB SSD is usually enough for most business needs but 512GB is becoming the standard.

Recommended Specs for Business Success:

  1. 14” Monitor
  2. i5 Processor
  3. 16GB RAM
  4. 512GB SSD Hard Drive
  5. Windows 11 Pro

For business, Windows 11 Pro is a must-have. It offers extra security features like BitLocker encryption and lets you join your Office 365 domain, which is crucial for keeping your data safe.

5 Top Tips for a Secure Laptop Setup:

  1. Create a separate user account for each person in your household.
  2. Set up a dedicated admin account to avoid unwanted changes.
  3. Invest in a paid antivirus program for extra security.
  4. Use online backup software to keep your data safe.
  5. Contact us for help with setup and advice on the best options for your needs.

If you’ve found some laptops online that you’re considering, feel free to reach out to us. We can’t always offer the best prices on home laptops, but we’re happy to help you make the right choice.

Bonus Tip

Don’t buy a business laptop from a high street store. Instead, talk to your IT partner (that’s us!) for expert advice on the best laptop for your needs. We recommend Dell or HP laptops with a 3-5 year warranty and next-business-day service, so you’re never left waiting if something goes wrong.

Nxt Steps

Need a business laptop upgrade? Contact us for more expert advice.