Cadzow TECH's Handy-Dandy Laptop Selection Guide

How To Use This Guide

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• Under each category, select things you have an opinion on

• If you don't have an opinion about something, leave it open

Usage

What is the broad usage of the machine?

☐ General business/home work; documents, email, Internet, applications
☐ High-end business; as above for business but with intensive applications such as PhotoShop, InDesign (for example)
☐ Gaming

What portability is required?

☐ Very often moving around, laptop with user at all times
☐ Sometimes visiting other locations
☐ Hardly leaves desk

Weight

What weight is required?

Choose all the weight classes that you require or can tolerate:

☐ Very light-weight < 1kg
☐ Light-weight 1 – 1.4kg
☐ Heavier 1½ – 2kg
☐ Heavy > 2kg

Generally, cost will go up as the machine becomes lighter. If you are intending to travel regularly and, say, use the machine in an aircraft, the desirable weight will be < 1.4kg. For irregular travel or simply moving between office and home, weight can be > 1.5kg.

Additionally, as the machine becomes lighter and thinner, the risk of accidental damage rises.

Performance

☐ Low-End *
☐ Moderate, eg Intel Core i3, 4Gb RAM *
☐ Mainstream, eg Intel Core i5, 8-16Gb RAM
☐ High-End, eg Intel Core i7, 16Gb RAM
☐ Gaming, eg Intel Core i9, 32Gb RAM *

☐ Mainstream Graphics, typically using standard graphics chipset with manufacturer's system board
☐ High-End Graphics, typically with dedicated chipset better suited to graphics use
☐ Gaming Graphics *

* Cadzow TECH does not supply these specifications.

Processor

☑ Classic Intel/AMD x64 CPU — Most compatible with all programs
☐ ARM/“AI-optimised” CPU — May not be suitable for all applications — check carefully

Storage

☑ Solid state drive — faster, cooler, quieter, better battery life

☐ Low-End Capacity, eg 32–128-256Gb solid state drive *
☐ Mainstream capacity, eg 256-512Gb solid state drive
☐ Power user capacity, eg 512Gb-1Tb solid state drive or more

* Cadzow TECH does not supply these specifications.

☐ Optical drive (CD/DVD) required
☐ Optical drive (CD/DVD) not required

Display

☐ < 13″
☐ 13.3″ / 14″
☐ 15.6″
☐ > 15.6″

For most purposes, typical screen sizes are 13.3″ for portability and 15.6″ for useability. Smaller or larger displays are more exotic for specific purposes.

As the display size goes up, cost generally decreases and weight increases.

☐ Full High Definition — 1920 × 1080 pixel resolution (most common)
☐ Ultra High Definition — 3840 × 2160 (or similar)

☐ Must have touch display
☐ Does not require touch display

☑ Must be able to use an external display; virtually all laptops have a HDMI port for an external display
☐ Must be able to use up to two external displays
☐ Must be able to use more than two external displays

☑ HDMI 2.0 or better

Networking

☑ Wireless — All laptops include wireless and Bluetooth capability
☐ Ethernet — Not all laptops have ethernet (wired) jacks; in particular the slimmer the laptop, the less likely it will have a network port. Cabled network ports are important if the laptop will be used with a database or line-of-business application, so the connection between the machine and the server containing the database is as reliable as possible. However even laptops without an ethernet port can generally be attached to a dock unit which provides this functionality
☐ Mobile Broadband (4G/5G) — Requires third-party SIM and data plan

Operating System

☐ Windows 11 Home — generally we do not supply this operating system
☑ Windows 11 Pro — if you need to connect to a corporate network, or if you want to protect data on the disk with BitLocker encryption, use Windows 11 Pro

Price

☐ Value — low price is imperative
☐ Mainstream — price is a factor but quality and features are important
☐ Professional/Power User — price is no object

Other Factors

☐ Battery life — Difficult to choose. To gain better battery life, choose a machine with a smaller display and less power.

☐ Must have number pad
☐ Can use external number pad
☐ Number pad not required

☑ USB-C must support data, power and display

☒ User replaceable parts — eg. memory, disk drive, battery replacements. Many smaller/thinner laptops do not have user-replaceable components but may be replaceable by authorised technicians. Most larger units do have some ability to have parts replaced easily.



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