Hello everyone! I’m back again with a brand-new blog, and today we’re tackling a topic that’s anything but simple—recommending a laptop in 2024. Choosing the right one can be overwhelming with all the options available, and manufacturers often use clever marketing tricks to make the process even more confusing.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through the key factors you should consider when buying a laptop and expose some of the common marketing gimmicks you need to watch out for. I will also include some honorable mentions like the HP ENVY 14 or The Acer Nitro V to give you guys a good starting point .

But before we dive in, let me share a little wisdom:

“Recommend a person a laptop, and they might buy it once. Teach them how to buy a laptop, and they’ll choose the right one for life.”
— Yours truly, of course.

Gaming Laptops: Not Just for Gamers (But Also for Chrome Warriors)

When you’re in the market for a laptop, start by asking yourself, “What do I really need?” or “What do I spend most of my time doing each day?” The key is to be honest with yourself and choose a laptop that excels at what you actually do, not what you think you might do someday—if you ever get the time.

For example, I could say that the only thing standing between me and solving the Riemann Hypothesis is an RTX 4090, so obviously, I should rush out and buy an ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16, right? (Spoiler: probably not).

For most people, top-of-the-line components aren’t necessary. A good mid-range machine can not only save you money but also be lighter, quieter, and offer better battery life. That said, if you’re after performance, I’d recommend starting your search with gaming laptops—even if you don’t game. Why? They often come with the best cooling, fastest processors, and better upgradeability compared to laptops marketed to professionals or creators. Plus, they tend to be priced more aggressively at nearly every performance tier.

If you’re mainly looking for a laptop to handle school or work, but still want enough power to sneak in a few games during your breaks, you’ll be perfectly fine with a GTX 1650 or RTX 3050. These GPUs offer a sweet spot between performance and affordability.

For the gamers out there: if your main focus is school or work but you still want a laptop that can handle some serious gaming, something with an RTX 4050 or RTX 3060 will do the trick. These GPUs can handle 1080p or even 1440p gaming in most titles—as long as you’re willing to dial down the settings a notch or two. infact RTX 3060 provides 40% more fps than RTX 3050 Ti .

Here are a couple of budget-friendly options, and trust me, any of these will be a solid pick—especially if you can snag a good deal on them!

Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 Gaming Laptop 

ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2023) Gaming Laptop

Dell G15 5530 Gaming Laptop

HP Victus 15.6 i5 Gaming Laptop

Why More Watts = More Fun (But Not Always!)

Not everyone wants to turn down their settings, right? So, hardcore gamers should just buy the fastest laptop, right? Well… it’s not that simple. You’d think upgrading your GPU is a straightforward power boost, but welcome to the world of gaming laptops, where things get as tricky as figuring out your taxes.

Here’s the catch: these days, it’s not just about the GPU name—it’s about the name and the wattage of the GPU. More watts usually mean more performance, but manufacturers like to play games too (and not the fun kind). If i asked you which GPU will perform the best between RTX 4060 and 4070 ? what will your answer be ? the catch here is 90W RTX 4070 will perform much better than the 50W 4070 in professional setting .

Oh, and just to keep you on your toes, laptop GPUs and their desktop versions? Yeah, they barely resemble each other. The only way to cut through all this branding trickery is to test every single one. Thankfully, Jared’s Tech (it has incredible resources if you want to compare battery GPU or noise of fans from gaming laptop) has already done the grunt work for us, testing countless games and GPUs. So, you’re saved from the madness!

Forget GPUs: The Rise of CPUs

There’s more good news! If your idea of gaming is planting peashooters in Plant Vs Zombies , you can probably forget about needing a dedicated GPU altogether. Many recent CPUs are powerful enough to handle AAA games without breaking a sweat. Avoid using low end graphics cars like NVIDIA’s ( MX350 , MX450) or AMD’s ( RX550 ).

Now, how do you choose the right CPU for your laptop? If you simply want the best, it’s Apple—yep, you’re stuck with the Notch and Mac OS. , but one thing’s for sure: their battery life is fantastic. Plus, the M3 chips boast single-core performance that currently leaves Windows machines in the dust.

However, getting a MacBook does come with a couple of caveats: you won’t be playing many games (unless you count the “turnip simulation” genre), and they can be pricey. But if you’re a student or don’t mind going for a factory-refurbished model, there are some deals out there waiting to be snagged! APPLE mac book Air and Apple 2020 MacBook Pro are hands down the best thin and light laptops currently available .

Now on the windows side ,Starting with AMD, the mobile naming scheme can be confusing. Their latest chips, the Ryzen AI 300 series, show a modest performance increase over the previous generation, but a significant improvement in efficiency, providing up to three additional hours of battery life.

However, when considering older models, it’s essential to understand that the model numbers can be misleading. For example, the Ryzen 57640 U utilizes AMD’s Zen 4 architecture, while the Ryzen 37320 U employs the much older Zen 2 architecture from 2019. Therefore, if you’re looking for deals on Ryzen 7000 or 8000 series chips, ensure the model number includes a ‘4’ to indicate modern architecture. 7 and 8 are not the most important things here as you might think rather the second last digit is as it indicates the generation of architecture it uses. Now you might ask How much does generation matter? well the answer to that is not simple as we will see in intel’s case .

On the Intel side, the new Ultra 100 series CPUs offer slightly lower performance than the 13th generation they replace but boast better battery life. Upcoming launches, like Intel’s Lunar Lake lineup, are expected to enhance performance further. While Intel currently lags a bit in the mobile market, opting for an Intel machine with a comfortable keyboard is advisable over an AMD option that may not meet your needs. Generally, considering a 12th generation Intel CPU you won’t miss out on a lot of power or efficiency .

For older intel CPUs , their naming scheme is like a secret code—only the initiated can decipher it! If you see a model with five numbers followed by an “H,” congratulations! You’ve found a speedy boi with more cores . But if it ends in “HK,” you’re looking at a turbocharged superstar that’s practically begging to be overclocked. On the flip side, if you spot a model with four numbers followed by “G4” or “G7,” you’ve got yourself a processor that’s all about being quick and power-efficient—perfect for browsing cat memes .

Now, let’s talk about Intel’s latest 11th Gen processors. They’ve made a big leap, moving from 14 nanometers to 10 nanometers. So, if you can’t snag the latest and greatest because it’s more expensive than a small island, don’t assume last year’s model is just a slightly sadder version of itself. Intel was rehashing the same designs for a while, so you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between an 8th Gen and a 10th Gen processor—kind of like comparing apples to… slightly shinier apples.

However, if you’re considering 7th Gen and older models, do it only if the price is so tempting that it feels like a steal. Also Intel’s 12th generation has taken a leap from intel’s 11th generation in terms of efficiency and single core performance as we can see in the benchmarks of i5-12500H and i7-11800H ( two most common CPUs in mid range gaming laptops).

Chromebooks: Not Sexy, But They Get the Job Done

Chromebooks might not win any beauty contests, but if all you need is a web browser or some Linux apps or you already have a powerful desktop and looking for a everyday laptop Chromebooks are a smart choice. Why? Because manufacturers save on Windows licensing, so you get more bang for your buck. On the Windows side, Acer’s budget options range from $230 to $400. The $230 Aspire Go? Let’s just say its Intel N100 processor is trying its best… but not quite succeeding.

Meanwhile, the $300 version with a Ryzen chip is twice as fast for a bit more cash. The $400 model? Not a huge leap in power, but it comes with 16GB of RAM, which means it can actually handle our test suite. Sure, the screen isn’t great, but the performance holds up. Chrome books are great but ever now and then your professor or your boss will give an application that the chrome book can not perform so if you already have a powerful machine then chrome book is a really handy option for your everyday tasks.

If you’ve got a little extra to spend, the $750 HP Pavilion Aero is leagues better—it’s like going from a tricycle to a sports car. And if you’re open to used laptops, you could save even more. Universities and offices often sell perfectly decent machines for a fraction of the price. Just make sure you can upgrade the RAM and storage before you buy. Oh, and speaking of RAM, ever wondered if you need more?

RAM-It’s Simple

Just get 16 GB of ram at least . In 2024, 4GB of RAM is a total no-go—unless you’re my grandma, in which case it’s just enough to open her email and play Solitaire. But for the rest of us? Even 8GB is pushing it, no matter what Apple claims. You’re going to feel the lag if you do more than light browsing. The real sweet spot is 16GB, especially for Windows and Chrome users who don’t want their laptops choking on multiple tabs.

If 16GB isn’t in the budget, make sure your laptop has upgradeable RAM slots, like these given below . Even if you aren’t a tech wizard, sites like iFixit have step-by-step guides to help you with the upgrade surgery.

For those venturing into heavy video editing or scientific programs, 16GB might not be enough. But whatever you need, make sure your laptop supports upgrades. Unfortunately, many new models lock down the RAM, so choose wisely and choose laptops with SODIMM or CAM slots. Future-proof your machine!

SSD-It’s Even Simpler

Thankfully, storage is even more simple. Grab at least a 256GB SSD unless you’re diving into video editing or hoarding games—then you might want to bump that up. But if you’re on a budget, storage is the first place to cut costs. It’s one of the easiest parts to upgrade later .

Just don’t get too cheap! Avoid hard drives, even if they’re tempting with their low cost and high capacity. The performance hit is real, and trust me, you don’t want it. Oh, and stay far away from eMMC—it’s technically solid-state but as slow as a sloth and way less reliable.

You can always buy an external SSD if you run short on space .

DISPLAY-Unfortunately Not Very Simple

Moving on to the display of your laptop, there are several factors to consider, including the panel type. The four main types are TN, OLED, mini LED, and IPS.

TN (Twisted Nematic) displays are outdated and should be avoided. OLED panels excel in dark environments with their perfect blacks and outstanding contrast, but they may struggle with brightness in well-lit areas. On the other hand, mini LED offers exceptional brightness, making it great for bright rooms, but sacrifices some contrast in darker settings.

IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels are a solid all-round choice, providing good viewing angles, color accuracy, and brightness. They’re often more energy-efficient, as seen in the IPS version of the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which lasted almost five hours longer on battery than the pOLED version. Plus, IPS panels are generally the most affordable option, making them suitable for most users.

When choosing a display, brightness is crucial. For indoor use, 200 to 300 nits should suffice, while 400 to 500 nits is necessary for outdoor visibility. For a satisfying HDR experience, aim for 600 nits or higher. However, be wary of exaggerated brightness claims, as some manufacturers might quote peak brightness for a small area of the display, rather than the whole screen.

The aspect ratio is another important consideration. While the standard for TVs is 16:9, laptops often benefit from slightly taller ratios like 16:10 or even 3:2. This extra vertical space can significantly enhance productivity for office or creative tasks and allows for better cooling and trackpad design.

Regarding resolution, full HD (1080p) is generally sufficient for most users, while Quad HD (1440p) provides a noticeable improvement for those with good eyesight. 4K displays can drain battery life without providing significant benefits for everyday tasks.

A higher refresh rate beyond 60Hz will for sure enhance the user experience, especially for gaming, though the advantages diminish above 144Hz. Non-gamers will also notice smoother operation for everyday tasks like photo editing or browsing.

Touchscreens are a personal preference; they can enhance usability for some, but not everyone needs them.

Lastly, pay attention to color accuracy. A wider color gamut means the display can produce more colors, which is vital for graphic designers and content creators. Aim for near 100% coverage of the sRGB color space for general use. For color-critical work, consider laptops with factory-calibrated displays, aiming for an average Delta E 2000 value of 2 or lower for accurate color representation.

Some laptops with excellent displays include the Dell XPS 13 Plus,

MacBook Pro

Samsung Galaxy Book

HP Spectre

ASUS G14/G16.

Keyboard and Trackpad

When choosing a laptop, the trackpad and keyboard are essential elements to consider, as they significantly impact your user experience.

Trackpad: Since Microsoft introduced Windows Precision drivers, most laptops feature accurate trackpads that won’t slow you down. The best trackpads are typically large, glass-topped, and use Force Touch technology instead of a physical click. Notable models with excellent trackpads include MacBooks, Surface Laptop 7, HP Spectre, Dell XPS, and Lenovo ThinkPad Z series.

Keyboard: Selecting a keyboard can be quite personal, so visiting a local store to try out different options is recommended. Check that your hands fit comfortably on the palm rest, ensuring there are no sharp edges that could irritate during use.

When evaluating the chassis flex and keyboard stability of laptops, follow these steps to ensure a thorough assessment:

Chassis Flex Evaluation

1. Inspect the Base and Hinge:
   • Gently twist the laptop’s chassis at the corners and sides to check for excessive flex. A rigid chassis is preferable for stability and durability.
2. Check for Soft Spots:
   • Run your fingers over the base and around the keyboard area to identify any soft spots that may indicate weak structural integrity. These can disrupt typing by causing misalignments.

Key Stability Test

1. Edge Press Test:
   • Press down on the edges of the keyboard, particularly around the corners, to see if any keys sink lower than others before actuating. Note any keys that feel inconsistent.
2. Flex Test at Key Areas:
   • Focus on the “J,” “K,” and “L” keys, which are commonly prone to flex. Apply pressure around these keys to observe any noticeable movement or flexing of the keyboard deck.
3. Consistency Check:
   • Press various keys across the keyboard to ensure that the same amount of force is required for actuation throughout. Look for any keys that feel mushy or require significantly more effort.

Recommended Laptops for Comfortable Typing

• HP Dragonfly Elite: Known for its robust build quality and excellent keyboard feel.
• Dell Latitude 9440: Offers a sturdy chassis and consistent key response, making it ideal for extended typing sessions.
• Alienware Gaming Laptops (with Cherry Switches): Provides a gaming-grade keyboard experience with customizable keys and excellent feedback, suitable for both gaming and typing.

By performing these evaluations, you can ensure that the laptop meets your comfort and typing efficiency standards.

Finally, consider the weight of the laptop—lighter models are easier to carry. Battery life varies based on the efficiency of individual components, so rely on reputable sources for battery life metrics rather than manufacturer claims.

When shopping, don’t overlook features that enhance usability, such as a hardware webcam toggle for privacy, a fingerprint reader for quick logins, and ensuring the laptop has sufficient I/O ports.

HAPPY LAPTOP HUNTING !! 🙂