An employee’s laptop used to be a tool that helped them get their job done. In today’s modern workplace, the laptop computer has become an indispensable tool; people simply couldn’t work without it, and running a business would be impossible.
That means you’re sure to need some kind of laptop for almost every kind of job you might have to do. You’ll need to pick the right one, whether you’re buying for yourself or for your staff. There are a number of important factors to think about when shopping for a laptop to meet all of your needs in the workplace. Read on to find out some of the most important factors to think about.
Your Budget
One of the most important things to think about when buying a laptop is your budget. This is because your budget will limit a lot of the options you have. But business owners don’t always have a set budget for this kind of equipment. To figure this out, you’ll need to figure out how much a business laptop is worth to your company.
This value could be worth tens of thousands of dollars if it will help you be much more productive overall. In this situation, this would be a good reason to buy an expensive laptop. But if you only need an extra computer for simple tasks, it’s best to look for a cheaper model that can still do what you need.
Battery Life
A long battery life is crucial if you’re always on the move or working in the field. You won’t be able to get anything done if it stops working. In a less critical vein, it’s nice to think that you could show up to work without bringing your charging equipment with you. The less you have to carry, the easier your commute will be, especially if it’s on public transport.
Even if the battery life for laptops is getting better in tandem with the high-performance hardware they support, you can still end up with a device that can’t go more than five or six hours without being recharged. Manufacturers frequently inflate battery life claims, so it’s best to read reviews to get an actual idea. If battery life is crucial, look for a device that allows you to switch batteries quickly.
Operating System
Windows, Linux, and MacOS are the three most popular laptop operating systems. There is no universally correct answer as to which one is the best choice; each has advantages and disadvantages, but they all accomplish the same basic goals.
Which operating system works well with your favourite processes and programmes may determine your final decision. While general business might choose Windows due to its software features, such as Microsoft Modern Workplace, many creative industries, like filmmaking, photography, music production, and the like, favour MacOS, for example.
Size And Weight
As a contrast to a stationary desktop, a laptop is easily portable, therefore it’s likely that’s why you’re considering one. A big or heavy laptop can rapidly become a major hassle if you use it on a regular basis and have to keep carrying it around.
The perfect size will vary from person to person, but it should be something you can easily transport from place to place. Size is also an exceptionally crucial ingredient since it will define how large the screen is. Some people much prefer a larger screen and find they are more productive using one. In that case, you’ll have to opt for a larger laptop, so consider this when you’re weighing up the pros and cons.
Keyboard
A bad keyboard will make it hard for you to get work done. You won’t get as much done if the keys are the wrong size, don’t light up, are too far apart, or don’t have enough room between them to hit just one at a time. Before making a final choice, it’s best to try out a keyboard in person.
If everything else is right in your laptop choice and it’s just the keyboard that is causing you problems, you might want to consider a separate keyboard that can be used via Bluetooth. In this way, you don’t have to sacrifice anything – you can have the exact laptop you want and find a great keyboard you like using. The only thing you will need to consider in this case is space; with an additional keyboard, you’ll need more room on your desk.
Storage
Whatever the nature of the job being done on a business laptop, sufficient internal storage space is a must. There are many options for supplemental storage, including external hard drives and cloud services. But depending on the external storage system, this can increase the time it takes to load, save, and edit files, as well as the time it takes to locate and work on them.
Make sure you read reviews about what kind of storage is best or ensure you find a laptop that will give you the storage you need from the start.