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Laptops are essential for studying at school and university, connecting with friends online, working from home, playing online games and more. There are a wide range of laptops available, each with different specs and capabilities specifically for certain types of use. Find out which laptops are best suited to your usage here.
With the wide range of laptops available, it’s important to consider how you will be using it day to day. The best laptops for students, working and gaming will all have different features and functionality making them more suitable to certain tasks. Here’s what to consider when buying a laptop.
As the name suggests, these laptops are designed for everyday use. While they don't boast high-performance power, they're perfect for a wide variety of basic tasks and applications, such as browsing the web, using Microsoft Office programs, sending emails and streaming videos.
This type of laptop is great for families, high school or university students, and any household that requires a computer for casual use.
Laptops ideal for home office or small business environments are more efficient and have better battery life than everyday models. Designed for more frequent use, these laptops can run multiple applications simultaneously without any drop in performance. However, they're not the best option for more demanding applications such as online gaming, video editing and other applications that require fast graphics processing.
These laptops are more advanced models which are capable of running multiple advanced processes at the same time. They are a great option for gaming and video editing as they have powerful processors, plenty of RAM (memory) and excellent inbuilt memory.
The Windows operating system is the most widely used system for desktop and laptop computers. As the longest-running operating system, Windows has undergone many developments over the years; the latest version is the brand new Windows 10. Familiar and easy to navigate, particularly for previous Windows 7 and 8 users, Windows 10 boasts great built-in security, the new Microsoft Edge browser and an enormous range of applications for your convenience.
Apple’s newest Mac operating system is macOS 10.15, also known as macOS Catalina. This is the fifteenth major release of the Mac operating system. macOS 10.14 Mojave supports most Macs from 2012 onward. If yours ran macOS 10.14 Mojave, it will almost certainly run Catalina. Though not as widely used as Windows due to its limited flexibility with software, Apple operating systems have a distinctively clean and minimalist look and feel with super-fast startup times that appeals to many users.
Google's Chrome operating system is fast, simple and efficient, perfect for busy people who regularly need to access their files from different machines. Chrome OS also has great battery life and built-in virus protection, making it a reliable choice. One of its main limitations, however, is that it solely uses web applications such as Google Docs, which means you won't be able to run programs you might be used to from Windows and Apple.
Laptops come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from 10 to 17.3 inches. The screen size you choose will depend on your needs and preferences. If you require a large, visual workspace, such as for gaming and editing photos and videos, opt for a 15-17 inch screen. Otherwise, a 13-inch laptop should suffice. Sizes are measured diagonally across the screen, and do not include the trim around the screen - consider this when purchasing accessories such as laptop sleeves, bags, and filters.
The higher your laptop's screen resolution, the better its display quality will be. Screen resolutions are measured in pixels, horizontal x vertical.
Different types of display technologies will affect the colour, brightness and overall visuals of your screen. The three common display types are TN, IPS, and OLED. TN is the standard, entry-level display type suitable for basic tasks, but not for editing photos or videos or playing games. IPS offers better viewing angles and more vibrant colours than TN panels. OLED is the newest technology and features true colours and deep blacks. With OLED, you get perfect image quality from every angle.
Touch screen laptops allow you to navigate applications on your computer the way you would a tablet or smartphone. They are a great option if you often present or show concepts on your screen, but they're not always practical or often used, and tend to be found mostly on ultraportable laptops.
Simply put, the processor is the brain of the computer and controls virtually every function. The better the processor, the better your laptop will perform.
Intel and their series of multicore processors can be found in the majority of modern MacBook and Windows laptops.
AMD processors follow a similar pattern to Intel. The entry-level E1 and E2 processors are designed for users who perform the most rudimentary tasks on their computers, such as browsing the web and checking emails. Moving up, the A4 and A6 are great for watching HD content, playing music and editing photos, while the A8 and A9 are suitable for multitasking, casual gaming and running more complex programs. AMD's A10 and A12 are high-end processors, allowing you to use advanced apps simultaneously, play complex games and edit HD videos.
RAM (random access memory) dictates how smoothly and efficiently your laptop runs when you have multiple applications open at the same time. RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB), and the more you have the better your laptop will be able to multitask. Think of it like a desk, the larger the area the more you can do at once.
There are two main types of storage available for laptops - solid-state drives (SSD) and hard disk drives (HDD). HDDs provide more storage space and are ideal for anyone storing a lot of music, photos, and videos on their laptop. Although they have a smaller capacity, SSDs run a lot faster, allowing you to transfer, save and access files more quickly. Storage space is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB).
Having a long-lasting battery is ideal for any user, but it's particularly crucial if you need to access your laptop on the go. Therefore, ultraportable laptops tend to have the longest battery life, while larger laptops that run more complex software will usually have a comparatively shorter battery life. It also greatly depends on usage (what kinds of programs you're running ad how often you're multitasking) and how powerful your processor is.
Laptops come with integrated graphics cards, which are designed to support a range of general computer activities, such as streaming videos and playing casual games Serious gamers, video editors or graphic designers, on the other hand, will likely want to invest in a discrete graphics card for a better gaming experience.
Like graphics cards, sound cards are also built right into laptops, allowing you to enjoy everyday music, video and audio files. Sound capabilities in laptops and computers have greatly improved with technological advances over the years, however, sound quality can still vary from device to device. If sound quality is important to you, ensure beforehand that the inbuilt speakers of your choice of laptop are to your standard. Otherwise, it may be worth purchasing a set of external loudspeakers.
The ports on modern laptops and computers allow you to connect to the Internet and other devices in a range of ways. Although the development of Bluetooth and wireless technologies has meant it is not always necessary to use these types of ports, these capabilities are not always available on all computer devices. Therefore, you should consider what ports from the ones listed below, may be useful for your needs.
Officeworks has an extended range of laptops to help you study, work and play. Explore the range of laptops below.
Laptops and notebooks are designed to be a portable version of your desktop computer, with similar functionality and performance. The term 'laptop' and 'notebook' can be used interchangeably, although some consider laptops to be full-size models with screens of 15-17 inches, while notebooks are classed as their smaller counterparts with screen sizes of 11-14 inches. Both are suitable for a variety of tasks ranging from browsing the web to using complex programs.
There are three types of Apple laptops: the MacBook Pro, MacBook and MacBook Air. MacBook Pros are the most powerful of the three, with advanced processing, fast flash storage and ultra-clear displays, great for graphic designers, web developers and people who need powerful graphics for work or home. The MacBook Air is a fantastic option to take on the go as it is ultra-slim and light, while still featuring powerful processing and great battery life, ideal for those who travel or university students.
Chromebooks are laptops or tablets using the Linux-based Chrome OS as its operating system. The device uses the Google Chrome browser and keeps most of its applications and data in the cloud and not on the laptop hard drive. Chromebooks often come in a sleek, portable size and have a long battery life, making them a great companion for taking on the go and working portably.
Gaming laptops fit the high performance and visual clarity of a home gaming setup into a smaller machine, allowing a user to play games portably. They come equipped with:
With the technology equipped, gaming laptops are often bulkier in size, so they may not be suited to those looking to do basic tasks on the go. But their performance capabilities are ideal for avid gamers and those who work in high-level applications.
These versatile touchscreen devices combine the fun of the tablet when you want it with the performance of a laptop when you need it. 2 in 1 Laptops often feature a detachable screen or a 360-degree hinge, allowing you to alternate between standing the device up and laying it flat on a surface.
Business grade laptops combine everything you need to have a productive working day including a long battery life, fast processor, slimline design, large RAM and useful applications. Some laptops for business have a 2 in 1 functionality, allowing you to use your laptop as a tablet with a touchscreen.
While not a traditional laptop, tablets can be a great option if you plan on simply browsing the web, playing mobile games and streaming TV and movies. Featuring a touchscreen display, they are compact, lightweight and highly portable, and perfect for anyone who doesn't necessarily need the classic clamshell-style laptop. By attaching a keyboard, these slimline devices can easily be used in the same way as a laptop.
Some laptops come with 4G/LTE capabilities so you can connect to the 4G network without needing to be connected to WiFi. This is a function you can find in 2-in-1 notebooks, chromebooks, business grade laptops and more, making it great for those looking to browse the web on the go and do work outside of the house.
Laptop Bags & Sleeves are useful for storing your laptop or tablet when travelling. They come in a range of sizes and styles to protect and secure your device.
Don’t forget to purchase software for your laptop. Some laptops come preloaded with helpful applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, but most of them don’t. You’ll also need to protect your laptop with internet security and antivirus software.
Get the most out of your laptop with laptop accessories. Make using your laptop easier with a separate computer mouse and increase your storage with USB sticks and hard drives.
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