Picking a PC that’s right for you
Before you hit the shops, know what you like and what you need from a machine
If you’re shopping for a new computer — perhaps taking advantage of aggressive Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales — you might’ve noticed they’ve slimmed down considerably over the years.
Borrowing many of the features that make a tablet appealing — thin and light in form, responsive touchscreen, fast performance — you might think computers have an identity crisis, but it’s simply the new norm.
Here’s a look at what’s trending, and why, and a few other considerations when buying a computer for yourself or a loved one. Touch much Keyboards are still ideal for longform typing, but touch screens are far more intuitive for other tasks. Tapping, flicking, swiping and pinching feels natural, especially when looking at photos, reading ebooks and playing games.
Aptly called “2-in-1s,” a growing category of Windows computers are both a laptop and tablet in one. In some cases, the screen bends back 360 degrees, tucking the keyboard underneath so you can carry and use it like a tablet. With other “detachable” 2-in-1s, you can remove the screen altogether, leave the keyboard behind and use the screen as a tablet. Thanks for the memory When it comes to storage — total files your device can hold — you’ll notice many computers today offer SSD (solid state drive) storage opposed to HDD (hard disk drive).
If you can forgive the jargon soup, SSD storage is like the Flash memory in your smartphone, which is smaller, lighter and faster than a hard drive, with no moving parts — unlike a spinning hard drive — which not only makes it less prone to damage, but it’s much easier on the battery.
The only downside to SSDs is less storage capabilities, on average, than an HDD. For instance, a laptop may only have 128 gigabytes of SSD storage, compared to 1 terabyte (roughly 1,000 gigabytes) on an HDD.
But with many streaming services like Netflix (movies, TV shows) and Spotify (music), which doesn’t require you to download files, it’s less of an issue these days. So, which one to buy? Because of all the options available, buying a new PC can be quite the feat.
“When shopping for a new computer, consider these three things: what you need it for, the desired screen size, and your budget,” says Ted Kritsonis, a technology journalist based in Toronto. “Sticking to what you want, with those three considerations, is the best place to start when looking for a new device.”
You’ll also need to decide on an operating system, brand and form factor.
“Before you go shopping, make sure you figure out what you’re going to be using the computer for,” Macky Rebelo, category sales manager at the Source, suggests. “Because you can use it as a laptop or a tablet, the 2-in-1s are very appealing, whether you go with a convertible or a detachable model.” Demanding computer gamers might opt for a super powerful desktop PC instead, he adds.
Finally, pick the specs you need, such as processor, screen size (and touch or no touch), storage capacity (SSD or HDD, and how much), system memory (RAM), graphics performance and battery life, to name some of the big ones.
“At this point, go with a solid processor and with at least 4GB of RAM — this is a must for any average user,” Kritsonis says. “If productivity matters, however, you will want to go a little higher on those components to ensure the laptop lasts longer.”
When it comes to power, try to buy a little more than you think you need today, so you’ll likely hold onto the computer for a longer period of time.