How to choose a modern laptop. Work with a discrete or integrated video card? For special work

“How to choose a laptop” is a simple question for a specialist who is well versed in modern devices. But what should an ordinary user do who wants to buy an inexpensive but productive laptop for the home, and at the same time not overpay a lot of money for a brand. Let's deal with this issue together.

How to choose a good laptop for home in 2018?

Today, tablets and smartphones are becoming more and more popular, but most users understand that for full-fledged work, study and games, a computer or laptop should always be at hand. But if a computer is a stationary device that you cannot take with you on trips and to work, then a laptop is a universal option. So, what to look for when choosing this versatile device?

Quick Pick

If you don't want to get into the details of choosing a laptop, then here are some "quick tips" to consider when buying a device. For more information, read the sections below.

• 12.5 - 15 inch screens strike the perfect balance between portability and usability. It is better to choose screens with a large diagonal if you will not carry a laptop with you, and it is not very convenient to work or play on small screens.
• If you plan to spend more than 60,000 rubles, then build on these minimum specifications:
  • CPU Core i5
  • screen resolution 1920x1080
  • random access memory 8 GB
  • SSD instead of HDD
• 8+ hours of battery life would be ideal if you plan to carry your laptop with you all the time.
• Windows or MacBooks is a matter of personal taste.

And now let's understand everything in more detail.

Choosing a platform: WINDOWS OR MAC OS?

The answer to this question is not easy, especially if you are not familiar with both operating systems. In this section, we will try to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each OS.

Most modern laptops in Russia are supplied with the Windows operating system, MacOS is intended only for Apple products.

Windows

The most popular operating system that runs on laptops costing $10,000 or more and offers a wide range of features from touch screens to fingerprint scanners. Since the Windows operating system appeared several decades ago, a huge number of games and applications have been released on it. Despite this, the system is not very well thought out, so "bugs and lags" are waiting for the user throughout the entire time of use.

MacOS

All MacBooks come with this operating system. In general, Mac OS offers similar functionality, but it has much fewer problems: the OS is completely protected from viruses, functions stably and has excellent ergonomics for work. If you are not confused by a small number of compatible games and a new interface, then you should definitely choose Mac OS.

Choosing a screen size

Before looking at specifications and prices, you need to figure out the screen size. By screen size, laptops are:

• 12-13 inches: The lightest and thinnest devices that fit easily into any bag. But you will not be able to play demanding games and heavy applications.
• 14-16 inches: The best balance of portability and comfort of use. Laptops with such a diagonal are equipped with a good “stuffing”, plus they are convenient to take with you due to their not very large sizes.
• 17 inches or more: Such devices have high computing power, so they are most often used only for the home (demanding games, applications, video editing, and so on).

Choosing technical specifications

The choice of laptop components, such as processor, hard drive, RAM and graphics card, is the most difficult thing when buying a laptop. Therefore, do not be discouraged if you do not understand anything about this, below we will try to figure it all out.

CPU

The processor is the brain of your future portable PC, which has a huge impact on performance, speed and power consumption. There are two main manufacturers on the market: Intel and AMD.

Processors from Intel are an order of magnitude faster than their main competitor, but the price of their products is correspondingly higher. Therefore, if you have a good budget, we recommend that you look at laptops with a Core i7, Core i5 or Core i3 processor. If you do not want to overpay for a faster processor, then pay attention to AMD products: Phenom II, Turion II, A6, A8 or A10.

RAM

While working on a laptop, you will probably use the Google Chrome browser or other similar applications. For their smooth operation, they require a lot of RAM, so we recommend choosing from 4 GB of memory, and ideally from 8 GB or more.

Modern laptops may have free memory card slots. Therefore, if you do not have enough available "RAM", you can buy one or two bars.

video card

A video card is a component that converts a graphic image stored in computer memory into a form for display on a monitor screen. Video cards are divided into 2 types: discrete (external) and integrated (internal).

Integrated, as a rule, initially built into the motherboard or processor. They do not have their own memory, so they have to use the laptop's RAM, and this greatly affects performance.

Advantages of using an integrated graphics card:

• the price of a laptop is much lower;
• small size, respectively, weighs much less;
• consumes a minimum of energy.

Pros of using a discrete graphics card:

• high performance;
• quality image;
• does not consume the device's RAM.

Battery Life

If you plan to use your laptop only at home, right next to the outlet, then you don't need to worry about battery life. It’s a completely different matter if you use the laptop “on your knees” every day, that is, using only the battery charge. In this case, you'll need at least 7 hours of battery life, and 8 hours would be ideal.

Do not trust the inscriptions of the developers about the battery life, as they constantly overestimate these values. Before buying, be sure to look at tests from objective sources that will show an approximately true value.

Rating of the best laptops for home 2018

Below we have compiled a list of the top 10 laptops for the home according to customer reviews. Also taken into account were parameters such as price, performance, size, battery life, and so on.

* The table shows the minimum characteristics of devices that come in low-cost modifications.

1 - for fun for the whole family

DELL INSPIRON 5770 is an excellent solution for those who prefer a large screen size. This model with 17.3-inch IPS screen and Full HD resolution will provide the user with excellent color reproduction and image clarity. Depending on the modification, you can choose a Pentium or Core i3, i5, i7 processor, and 4-8 GB of RAM. If you're aiming to run demanding toys, then don't skimp on these components.

Also worth noting is the extended battery life. According to the manufacturer, a modern Inspiron battery lasts a whole day of use without recharging (depending on the style of work).

• Matte screen, wide viewing angles
• There are free slots for hard disk and memory
• Good performance for the price
• Decent battery life

• It is heavy (total weight is 2.79 kg), so it is not very convenient to carry it with you
• Poor Wi-Fi signal

2 - a tool for solving any problems

If you are going to not only work with documents, watch videos, listen to music, surf the Internet, but also want to play your favorite toys at least at medium settings, then it makes sense to take a closer look at a device called the HP 250 G6.

This model pleases with a wide choice of processors: Celeron / Core i3 / Core i5 / Core i7 / Pentium. Depending on your budget and your needs, you can pick up a very good build. RAM from 4 to 8 GB is enough to run Google Chrome and other expensive applications.

• Well balanced hardware
• Light weight, only 1.86 kg
• You can increase the amount of memory yourself
• Pretty quiet running

• Poor color reproduction and viewing angles at the screen

3 - good option for business and study

Having fully studied the characteristics of this laptop, we can say with confidence that the Acer Extensa EX2540 is perfect for business and study. This is due to the fact that this model has a fairly powerful Core i3 / i5 processor (with a frequency of 2.0-2.5 GHz), and a good battery with a battery life of up to 7 hours.

Since the Acer Extensa EX2540 does not have modifications with a discrete (external) video card, you cannot play modern games on it either. However, users in the reviews claim that in games such as Dota 2, Skyrim V and World Of Tanks, the laptop produces a stable 30-50 frames per second.

• You can add RAM and replace the hard drive
• Relatively light
• High performance

• Poor screen color
• Not very fast HDD

4 - ideal solution for professionals

HP ProBook 440 G5 - the choice of customers based on reviews from Yandex.Markert. Stylish, thin, powerful and with a long battery life, this laptop is ideal for work at home and in the office.

High performance is provided by the latest generation processors from Intel. A 14-inch screen with a resolution of 1366x768 will be enough for a comfortable pastime on a portable PC. You can choose a modification with a discrete graphics card NVIDIA GeForce 930MX, then you can indulge yourself in more demanding games.

• Very good build, SSD shows incredible speed
• Despite the high performance, this model is very light and compact.
• Even a beginner can install an additional memory slot
• IPS panel with good viewing angles

• Average screen
• No keyboard backlight

5 - well balanced accessibility

This laptop will be a godsend for those who need a simple device for the home. Of course, you won’t be able to play serious games on it, but for everything else it fits perfectly (surfing the Internet, watching videos, working in Word, and so on).

The display is matte, does not glare in the sun. The resolution is not very large (1366x768), but the load on the system is less. The sound is average, not enough bass. There are 4 USB ports on the sides, which is very good, since they usually put a maximum of 3. In general, the DELL Vostro 5468 is an excellent multimedia laptop for simple tasks.

• Lightweight and compact
• Good battery life
• If necessary, you can buy additional RAM
• Dual Band WiFi

• As with all budget models, the display is not very good.
• Poor CPU cooling under heavy loads

6 - cheap and good

Finding a powerful gaming laptop under 30,000 rubles is even theoretically impossible, but for medium-sized toys, the Acer TravelMate P259-MG is perfect. The presence of a discrete graphics card NVIDIA GeForce 940MX allows the device to handle Dota, World of Tanks, GTA and so on with relative ease.

If there is not enough RAM for everyday tasks, you can easily add a couple more slats, since there are 2 slots in reserve, and access to them is much easier. Despite all its advantages, it has not been without significant disadvantages, and here it is the screen.

• High performance
• Virtually no noise even under high loads
• Good build quality
• M.2 connector available

• Dim and low contrast display
• Not very convenient USB 3.0 location

7 - affordable versatility

This laptop looks rather strict and pleasant. The case is completely made of high-quality matte plastic. The color gamut is quite wide, on sale you can find black, red, gray and purple colors Lenovo IdeaPad V310-15ISK.

The purchase of any equipment requires a serious approach, because it will serve us for more than one year. When choosing a laptop, it is not enough to be guided only by its physical characteristics.

(size, weight and ergonomics), it is important to pay attention to the technical parameters.

Depending on the purpose for which you purchase a laptop, these figures may vary, thereby narrowing the range of suitable models. Let's move on to the consideration of specific indicators, which will play a decisive role in choosing a model.

The most important parameters of laptops:

Screen size and matrix

Obviously, working on a laptop with a large screen will be quite convenient. The display with a diagonal of 15.4 - 17 inches is perfect for watching movies and working with text documents. But if you often have to take a laptop with you on trips, then a bulky model will create a lot of inconvenience. In this case, a model with a 10-12-inch display will be much more convenient. In this case, you need to pay attention to the screen resolution. For office models, the XGA extension will be enough, but if you plan to work with graphics or devote a lot of time to games, then the WUXGA extension will be the most preferable.

Speaking about the characteristics of the display, we should mention the properties and purpose of the matrix. It is the matrix that is responsible for the image quality, on this moment the matrix can be made using one of three technologies. The most accessible, low cost technology is TN (Twisted Nematic). A TN-based display will have low power consumption and a good response time, but the overall picture quality leaves much to be desired. Due to the low color rendering and contrast ratio, watching movies or working with graphics will be very difficult. most suitable settings for a home laptop has a display made using MVA technology (Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment). In this case, the contrast will be on the level, and the color reproduction is excellent, and the viewing angle is quite suitable for working with video and graphics. Matrices made using IPS (In Plane Switching) technology are considered the best. Due to the rather high cost and strong power consumption, they have not received due popularity and are used mainly for professional purposes.

Regardless of the type of matrix, manufacturers can use additional coatings to improve picture quality. They not only increase the brightness of the image, but also protect against glare. If the monitor is matte and has a purple tint, then it has a reliable anti-reflective coating and can be considered quite safe and comfortable to work with.

Battery

Since one of the main advantages of a laptop is its mobility, battery life becomes one of the most important factors when choosing. Most models are designed for 2 hours of operation at an average load, and the most common type of battery is Li-Ion. For some models, an operating time of 8 hours is indicated, but it should be understood that in this case we are talking about a load below the average. If you want to insure yourself in case of a sudden laptop shutdown, it is better to immediately purchase an additional battery.

CPU

The most important part of any PC, including a laptop. The main indicator of the processor is the clock frequency, it determines the number of operations that the processor can perform per unit of time. The higher the clock frequency, the higher the speed of the computer. A model with a frequency of 1 GHz is suitable for the office, but for running games and graphic editors, the clock frequency must be at least 2 GHz. Intel models remain the undisputed leaders among processors, providing, along with a high clock frequency, low power consumption. AMD processors do not lag behind them, attracting buyers with a low cost compared to Intel.

Undoubtedly, it is worth giving preference to a model with a high clock speed of the processor. After all, the development of software does not stand still, and after a couple of years, the frequency indicator, which at the time of purchase was considered optimal, may not meet the requirements of modern programs.

Motherboard

The fact is that this is one of the few devices that excludes the replacement procedure. The motherboard is built into the laptop during assembly, and you cannot replace it. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the presence of additional slots that allow you to increase the RAM. If the motherboard provides at least one slot (two are better), then you will have enough room for upgrading.

Winchester (hard drive)

This is the main storage medium, the volume of which directly affects the amount of data that can fit in your laptop. If a 40 GB hard drive is enough for office computers, then for a home laptop the volume should be at least 200 GB. Hard drive parameters also affect the cost of the model, but at the same time, a large hard drive will save you from additional expenses in the future. You do not have to buy additional removable drives and spend money on flash media in order to save an archive of photos or record your favorite movies. Changing a hard drive is far from always available, since the hard drives that come with laptops have different indicators than hard drives for PCs.

RAM

This is another indicator that characterizes the performance of the model. For comfortable full-fledged work, the laptop's RAM should be at least 256 MB. If you plan to run resource-intensive applications (new games or graphics programs), then the minimum RAM should be 512 MB. If the motherboard provides slots for memory cards, then in the future you can easily upgrade your laptop and install the RAM you need.

Video adapter

All laptops come with an integrated graphics card. parameters which affect both the cost and the capabilities of the model. The more powerful the video adapter, the higher the image quality, and the more opportunities for working with video and photo resources. It is worth noting that graphics card settings are one of the most important indicators for fans of computer games.

Sound card

As for the sound adapter, there are no specific differences here. Absolutely all laptops are equipped with a standard sound card that allows you to play any audio files. Sometimes a laptop may have built-in speakers, but they have very little power and cannot replace a full-fledged audio system. If the sound card provides an audio output, then you can connect speakers or headphones to the laptop.

Keyboard and touchpad

If you work a lot with text documents, then the laptop keyboard should be as comfortable as possible. Here you should pay attention to the size of the keys, which may be smaller than on a standard keyboard due to the compactness of the laptop. Sometimes part of the keyboard can be full-sized, while the other part has a reduced key format, which is also not very convenient.

Instead of the usual mouse manipulator, laptops have a special touch panel; when buying, you need to test it for sensitivity. Some models may have a small joystick, which is also quite convenient to use. But if these devices seem unusual to you, you can always buy a regular mouse and work with a familiar manipulator.

Communication options

Modern laptop models certainly have a built-in modem, a standard network card, and a Wi-Fi module. Thanks to these components, you will be able to connect to the Internet (including using wireless technologies), connect your laptop to a local network and, if necessary, expand its capabilities.

I/O ports

The presence of ports allows you to connect additional devices to the laptop. Naturally, the more ports, the more devices you can connect. There must be a USB port (it is better if there are at least three of them). This is a universal port used to connect a wide variety of devices: keyboard and mouse, printer, scanner, flash drives, and removable storage media. If the laptop is equipped with a Bluetooth module, you can easily connect a cell phone, wireless keyboard and mouse, which are very popular. The PCMCIA port allows connection of a number of peripheral devices: additional RAM, fax, modem, hard drive and other devices.

Case parameters and weight

The weight and size of the laptop is affected by the set of components, display options and the material from which the body is made. If you plan to use a laptop at home, then weight will not play a decisive role in choosing. But if you often have to take it with you on trips, then you should think about purchasing a mobile lightweight model, the weight of which should not exceed 5 kg. It should be understood that the metal case is much more reliable than the plastic one. Only he can ensure the security of internal devices.

These are the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing a laptop model. If you have any doubts about a particular indicator, you should seek the advice of specialists. Only they can help you understand the variety of computer innovations and make the right choice.

In recent years, the choice of a 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, technical characteristics and the optimal price range, the buyer must also clearly establish for himself the purposes 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 while traveling to work on 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

The central processing unit is 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:

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!

Graphics

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 complex 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 data storage is enough for you!

Autonomy of work

By and large, it depends on the class of the device. For example, with the same body 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 Wi-Fi networks there. 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 of the Windows family, 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 only available 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 number 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 functions. 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.

Output

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.

It's no secret that often laptops are tried to be classified by price, use. So, there are budget ones, there are gaming, business laptops, fashion ones ... Are there any that would be optimal for the home? Which laptop is better to buy for home use in 2017, so that it is universal, loads quickly, does not slow down when watching videos, allows you to communicate via the Internet, and would not be alien to games? Let's try to find those.

Criterias of choice

As usual, we will conduct a conversation with an indication of specific models, modifications. No arguments like "i7 processor is cooler than i5" or "memory should be 8 GB or more." Rather, there will be some reasoning, but supported by specific examples, characteristics and potential upgrade opportunities.

The matter remains small, to decide on the criteria that a laptop for the home meets. But really, what is included in this concept? Should it be a utilitarian laptop model with a wide range of features and a low price, just so that you can quickly view photos, go to a site of interest, learn a little, have a little fun? Or should the design take the last place? In the end, we choose a device for ourselves, and so that the laptop looks decent, and would not be ashamed in front of others?

I must say right away that Apple products are a separate conversation, and we will not try to harness the “horse and the quivering doe”. However, I will split the selection into 2 parts. In the first, without paying much attention to the design of the devices, we will select a dozen (or more) interesting models, about which we can say “both a Swiss and a reaper”, and even an igretz on the pipe.

In the second one (there will be another article, subscribe to the newsletter on the left side of the screen), one of the main criteria will be the design of the device, we will select small laptops, the appearance of which can compensate for some weaknesses in the technical part.

By the way, in the comments it would be interesting to know about your vision of an ideal home laptop, your criteria by which you choose this or that model. Let's eat together.

And now we will limit the choice to the amount of 50 thousand rubles, but we will exclude budget models from consideration. The lower limit will be the amount of 20 thousand rubles.

Screen

We will limit the choice to models with a screen size of 15 to 17 inches. The first ones are the best option for both everyday use and are quite suitable for taking them on trips. Dimensions and weight still allow it to be done.

17-inch ones are more comfortable due to their larger size, but most often their lot is to stand on the desktop, in extreme cases, sit on the couch. To drag this “bandura” somewhere on a trip is already somewhat expensive.

The ideal option is a FullHD screen resolution. I don’t see the point in a higher resolution, and although the standard 1366x768 is not enough, you can put up with it.

CPU

We exclude from consideration budget options, such as Celeron, Pentium, AMD under A10. Nevertheless, we are already living in 2017, therefore, of all Intel processors, we will consider options with the “stones” of the last two generations, Skylake and Kaby Lake.

Memory

The optimum is 8 GB, but 4 GB is quite suitable, especially if you plan in advance for a subsequent independent increase in volume. By the way, this is when you get a quite smart laptop with a minimum of 4 GB of memory, and if necessary and possible, add another 2, 4, 8 GB.

Moreover, you can speed up your computer not only by increasing the amount of RAM, but also by using a faster drive.

Storage device

There are models with a traditional hard drive, there are already initially with an SSD. The first option is cheaper, but slower, the second is faster, but more expensive and there is not much disk space. The choice here is individual, but this is another option for a little savings when buying and immediately reserve for a subsequent upgrade.

What I mean. Buying a model with a 500 or 1000 GB hard drive won't amaze you with the speed of the disk subsystem, but you get a lot of storage space for all sorts of things, and such a drive is inexpensive.

But in order for everything to “fly”, it is better to use an SSD drive, and an inexpensive budget-class model is quite suitable. The question is how to connect it. You can read about it in another article, and here I will express, in my opinion, the optimal solution to the problem of configuring disks.

You can always replace the installed hard drive with an SSD. You take out the one that came with the laptop, insert a solid-state drive, transfer the system to it and enjoy the download speed, the speed of opening programs. One thing is sad - I had to give up 1000 GB of space, and limit myself to, say, 256 GB of SSD capacity. And with the pulled out disk what to do?

You can use it as an external one by purchasing the appropriate box for it, but the best solution is to leave this drive in its place and look for a laptop model that has an M.2 connector. - you can also read in the corresponding article. As a result, we get a chic option, the system is on an SSD, for which M.2 is involved, and the entire volume of the hard drive is used to store all the necessary rubbish.

So, the presence of an M.2 connector is a significant plus when choosing.

video card

If you are interested in the opportunity to play, then you should consider options with a discrete video card of the GeForce 940M class and higher. Everything below (920M, AMD R5-M230, AMD R5-M330 and others like them) is an extra burden and an additional "stove" in the laptop case. Of course, it would be difficult to call such a laptop a gaming laptop (although we can already say about models with the GeForce 950M that this is an “entrance ticket” to the class of gaming laptops).

If games are not of interest, or the requirements in this part are limited to something simple or old, then the capabilities of the graphics core integrated into the processor will be enough, especially since in the latest generations of CPU video cards are already of a decent level, although discrete ones cannot yet seriously compete .

Operating system

Its presence or absence is a matter of convenience and an opportunity for savings. Naturally, a laptop without a pre-installed OS or with free Linux is cheaper than with Windows 10 on board. If you prefer to install the system yourself, then why overpay for something that is not necessary?

If there is no desire to mess around, then take it with the installed OS, and you can immediately use it.

Rest

The number of USB ports, the presence or absence of an optical drive, keyboard backlight - maybe important, but secondary parameters. Especially since it's pretty much the same for everyone.

Notebook models

Well, we figured out the criteria, let's see what they offer us, and what may be of interest, we will select candidates for the role of a laptop for home use. Let me remind you that the design in this case is secondary, as well as the case materials, the brand of the laptop, the quality of service of this brand.

We will divide the choice by manufacturers.

Acer

Extensa EX2520G-39XP. About 25,000 rubles. The main argument is the cost, a good processor and a GeForce 940M video card, and the lack of a pre-installed OS (for whom this is important). A sort of "constructor" for the subsequent increase in memory and installation of the system. The downside is the lack of M.2 for an SSD drive.

ExtensaEX2520G-35L2. About 28500 rubles. The same but with Windows 10 Home.

Extensa EX2520G-5063. About 32,000 rubles. In the pros - FullHD screen, 6 GB of memory and an i5 processor with a GeForce 940M video card. It remains only to install the system. In the minuses - the lack of M.2.

ExtensaEX2520G-53ZF. About 37,000 rubles. An analogue of the previous one, but with Windows 10 "on board".

ASUS

VivobookX556UQ. About 37,000 rubles. Unlike the Acer Extensa EX2520G-53ZF, it has a 1366x768 screen and an i3 processor. At the same price, the option is of little interest.

K501UQ-DM085T. About 42,000 rubles. FullHD screen, i5 6200U processor, GeForce 940MX is one of the best deals in this configuration, especially for those who appreciate the ability to install the OS themselves. It is desirable to increase the initial 4 GB. There is M.2.

K501UX. About 46,000 rubles. A very interesting option with a FullHD screen, i5 6200U processor, a very decent GeForce 950M video card and an M.2 connector. Without OS. Pre-installed Windows 10 increases the price by about 3.5 thousand rubles.

X756UQ-TY122T. About 48,000 rubles. 17-inch model with a good "stuffing". HD+ screen, i5 6200U processor, 6 GB memory, GeForce 940MX graphics card, for light gaming. There is no M.2 connector. For a laptop with such a screen size, a good option.

DELL

Vostro 3568. About 35,000 rubles. latest i5 7200U processor, 4 GB of memory, rather weak discrete graphics card, no M.2 slot, Linux. In my opinion, the price does not match the characteristics.

Vostro 5568-2990. About 46,000 rubles. Compared to ASUS K501UX, the processor is the latest generation, but the memory is only 4 GB, and the video card is weaker - GeForce 940MX.

Latitude 3570-9060. About 47500 rubles. At a price commensurate with the ASUS K501UX, there is no discrete graphics card and an M.2 connector. I have no arguments in favor of this laptop.

Inspiron 5767-2693. About 50,000 rubles. Full HD screen 17 inches, processor I5 7200U, 8 GB of memory, a good, although not a gaming video card R7 M445. The only downside is the lack of M.2. In general, a very decent option for a 17-inch laptop, if you do not make special demands on the ability to play on it.

HP

250 G5-W4M85EA. About 25,000 rubles. For this money, a FullHD screen, an M.2 connector, though not the latest i3 5005U processor, 4 GB of memory, no OS. A good option as a blank for an upgrade.

ProBook 450G4-Y8A52EA. About 30,000 rubles. An interesting option with an i3 7100U processor, 4 GB of memory, no OS and a discrete card. Given the possibility of expanding the RAM and installing an SSD in the M.2 slot, you can get a completely productive machine, though not intended for games. There are modifications with more powerful processors.

ProBook 470 G3-W4P87EA. About 35,000 rubles. 17 inches with HD + resolution, a rather weak i3 6100U processor, however, and a discrete video card is not gaming, but not bad as a basis for an upgrade. There is M.2, 4 GB of memory is installed, there is no OS.

Pavilion 15-au107u. About 46,000 rubles. Full HD screen, i5 7200U, 6 GB memory, GeForce 940MX. The only thing that overshadows the impression is the absence of M.2, but I would like a more powerful video card, it would turn out to be a chic option. By the way, there is a more powerful option with a card, this is HP Pavilion 15-bc005ur (X7J02EA), although it does not fit into the selected price range a bit, because it costs about 55,000 rubles, but here is an IPS-matrix, and a full-fledged i5 6300HQ processor, and a video card GeForce 950M with fast GDDR5 memory. In general, all the signs of a gaming computer.

Lenovo

IdeaPad 310-15 (80ST002WRK). The cost is about 30,000 rubles. AMD A12-9700P processor, comparable in performance to Intel i3-6100U, integrated graphics card, FullHD display, no M.2, Windows 10 installed. In general, it can be considered as an option.

V110-15 (80TL00D4RK). The cost is about 30,000 rubles. It differs from the previous one with a better i5-6200U processor, but a smaller disk space, a screen of only 1366 × 768 and no OS.

IdeaPad 300-17 (80QH0000RK). About 39,000 rubles. 17-inch HD+ screen, i5-6200U processor, weak R5 M330 graphics card, 4 GB and Windows 10. In my opinion, it does not justify its price, even taking into account the size of the screen. The absence of M.2 is also not a virtue.

IdeaPad 510-15 (80SR00B5RK). About 42500 rubles. Full HD screen, i5 6200U, GeForce 940MX, 6 GB memory. Not up to a gaming laptop, but quite a decent configuration. The presence of an M.2 connector adds points to this model. Among the "buns" is the backlight of the keyboard. There are modifications with more powerful processors, including the 7th generation. The price increases by 2-2.5 thousand.

MSI

MSI GL62 (6QE-1699X). About 48,000 rubles. A very tempting offer with many advantages, including a full-fledged i5-6300HQ CPU, FullHD screen, GeForce 950M, M.2, even a USB Type-C connector. The model may well be called a game, for quite sane money.

Outcome

I will summarize everything in a table, noting the optimal, in my opinion, configuration, and distribute the selected models according to the degree of approximation to this optimum. I will divide all laptops into 2 classes:

Integrated video card or discrete class GeForce 920M (AMD R5-330 and the like), the presence of an M.2 connector and the price is not higher than 35,000 rubles.

The second class is more powerful computers, which are already close to gaming ones, and more than fulfill all the requirements for speed and the ability to work with rather resource-intensive applications. Requirements - FullHD screen, the presence of an M.2 connector, a GeForce 950M class video card and a price within 50,000 rubles.

Conclusion. Which laptop is better to buy for home use in 2017

I tried to make an analysis by choosing models that would best answer the question of which laptop is better to buy for home. Of course, covering all possible modifications is a difficult task, and I don’t pretend to be an absolute truth, but you can always choose just such a configuration that best suits your requirements. With or without a pre-installed OS, with 4, 6 or 8 GB of memory, with one processor or another ...