High performance tasks like deep learning, machine learning, graphical rendering and gaming required a laptop built with the latest processor and graphical unit. If you’re a programmer or designer who spends most of his time on crafting innovative stuff, then having a powerful notebook or desktop is essential. Otherwise, a poor machine will not only take a lot of time for processing but also impacts on your productivity significantly.
This article is a quick guide for those planning to buy a new laptop or PC as well as for users going to replace their old machine with the latest one. It is always recommended to find out how many processing power you need and for which purpose you need a computer, it saves you a lot of money which you may end up spending on unnecessary specs like extra storage or memory.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a High-End Laptop/Desktop
There are a few things to consider before making your final decision. You don’t have to read a lengthy guide containing 5k words to learn “how to pick a good machine” in this regard.
CPU – Processor
Perhaps, a processor is the main component in both notebooks and desktops to look for; you should double-check its generation and family. Many professionals, including us, recommend Intel processors for many reasons.
In most of the cases, Intel CPUs performance much better compared to its rival AMD. Though they do have great CPUs but choosing Intel is the best choice.
Instead of relying on an old generation like second, third, or fifth gen, go for the latest ones such as eighth or ninth generation from high performance family. Do not, no matter what, pick a “U” series processor, these are power efficient but not perform very well compared to HQ, HK, or H series.
Here also keep in mind that these CPUs (HQ, HK, H) cost more than U family but capable of handling complex tasks. Users can play hardcore games, perform deep learning jobs, create graphics rich drawings, etc. with no performance lag. You can find more about processor here at official site.
Memory
RAM aka memory is another crucial factor you should keep in mind. Currently, there are different RAM modules available in the market known as DDR3, DDR4, etc. with different frequencies ranging from 600 to 3200MHz. High speed means your tasks will be executed with the fastest latency under minimum time. The higher the speed is, the more it will cost you. Luckily, all new machines come with high speed frequency at affordable pricing range.
Graphics Unit (GPU)
Do you love to play games beside work? Or you’re a graphics designer?
If so, a GPU is as influential as a CPU. Lacking one of both units can make problems for you in the long run. You may end up replacing your newly bought laptop within a few months if neglects this factor.
Any GPU above or equal than Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 with sufficient memory will work fine. However, going with a Ti or GTX 1080 and higher will be great. It depends on your budget and required graphical power.
As a graphics designer/photography editor who invests hours on Adobe Photoshop application, prefer a well optimized Photoshop laptop built for likewise softwares and complex rendering. If you play mid-range games rather than heavy duty, then it doesn’t make any sense to spend extra money on expensive GPUs. Remember, after CPU, a graphical unit impacts the most regarding overall cost.
Storage Technology
Gone are the days when HDDs were the only solution for high storage capacity. Nowadays, SSDs (Solid state drives) are the fastest yet reliable drives to store your data with ultimate speed.
Solid state drives work way better in term of writing/reading speed compared to hard disk drives. That’s why, for enhanced processing speed and ultimate latency, having SSD installed on your laptop or desktop plays a vital role to get the work done efficiently.
SSDs also drastically impacts the computer boot time. These are not only faster and sustainable but also costs almost similar to HDDs. Now, available from as low as 24GB to 8TB even 12TB capacity.
We suggest buying a laptop that allows installing two hard drives. In that way, install an SSD for the operating system and an HHD for storing huge files. This practice also helps reduce the overall cost.
Display Panel
When buying a high performance laptop for your daily jobs, considering an appropriate display also plays a vital role. A standard display technology TFT LCD cannot be viewed clearly in daylight compared to ISP panel. An ISP display not only delivers a clear view but also can be seen from different angles without a sighting problem. However, it solely depends on your usage but must count if you use your notebook outdoors.
If you follow all these five essential factors to hunt a high performance laptop, we assure you’ll be able to purchase a power efficient notebook packed with Zeus power processing.