What is laptop?
A laptop is a personal computer that can be easily transported. Many of them are designed to handle software and files just as robust as those processed by a desktop computer.
Since laptops are designed to be easily transported from one place to another, there are some important advantages and differences with desktop computers:
All-in-one: A laptop has everything. That is, the entire system is integrated: monitor, keyboard, touchpad (which replaces the mouse), speakers, and camera.
Independence: It is fully functional, even when it does not have peripherals connected. It is faster to set up and there are fewer cables to connect.
Accessories: You also have the option of connecting a regular mouse, a larger monitor, and other peripherals.
Adaptability: This basically turns your laptop into a desktop computer, with one main difference: you can easily disconnect peripherals and take the laptop wherever you want.
History of laptop
In general, laptops work using a battery or an adapter that allows both charging the battery and supplying power to the machine (typically lasting between 2 and 4 hours).
They usually weigh between 1 and 3kg. They have low-consumption CPUs such as Intel Core 2 Duo.
One of the advantages is that they take up little space, although they usually have less power than desktop computers.
The first laptop considered as such was the EPSON HX-20 (developed in 1981). Great advantages were obtained for scientists, military, businessmen, etc.
People think that the first laptop was invented by big brands such as APPLE or IBM. But they are wrong. Adam Osborne was the first. He invented the Osborne 1. Integrated into a suitcase made of plastic and weighed 11kg. It had a keyboard, monitor, CP/M operating system…
This laptop had to be plugged in as it had no battery.
Apple, in 1991, launched its laptop model, which would become the standard model for the rest. In 1995, with the arrival of Windows 95, sales of laptops increased, and now surpass sales of desktop PCs.
In 2005, undergraduate members of the MIT Media Lab (including Nicholas Negroponte and Lewis Stewart) introduced the $100 laptop and the “One Laptop per Child” project. Their goal was to design, manufacture, and distribute affordable laptops to provide every child in the world with access to modern educational methods and knowledge. The laptops would be sold to governments and distributed to children in American schools.
Presently, the “netbook” is a new class of laptops that eliminates the CD drive and reduces the power of some components (such as the graphics card) in order to reduce the physical size of the machines.
Nowadays, there are laptops with 3D (Aspire 5738DZG), with high definition (HD) screens, Wi-Fi, touchpads…
Types of laptop
Laptops are some of the devices that one can carry out a high number of activities, but not all of them have been made for the same purpose. Laptops are of different types with each having its own specifications.
They are usually optimized for certain functions, to achieve certain advantages. In this list we are going to tell you everything you need to know about each type of laptop, following expert pages such as Digital Trends and Xataka. Below, we will see examples of each type, so that you can choose the best one for you.
4 types of laptops
While there are many types of computers, when we are talking about laptops, there are 4 main types:
- Classic laptop
- Ultrabook
- Gaming laptop
- 2-in-1 laptop
Next, we will look at each type in detail and explain its ideal functionality.
1.Classic laptop
This is the most standardized and popular type of laptop. Classic laptops, also called notebooks or laptops, are devices that emerge as a replacement for large desktop PCs. This type of laptop seeks to provide the greatest number of possible uses, in a portable size.
In the same device we find a CPU with optimized consumption (because they run on battery), a keyboard, a screen and an integrated touch panel. Nowadays, there are very high-power laptops. They are separated from gaming laptops because classic laptops do not usually have as much emphasis on graphic processing.
Main features
- They are the first type of laptop created
- They usually have a lot of storage
- They have included peripherals, such as a pad, keyboard or camera
- Originally designed for office work
- Ideal for web browsing, text editing, among other tasks
- Their screens average 15 inches
There are classic laptops for all budgets, mostly medium-sized
Recommended uses
Although there are actually many uses for them, here are some of the main ones:
- Text editing
- Online work
- Image editing
- High-speed browsing
- For students:Video editing and professional design (especially in the high-end range)
Some models
- HP Pavilion
- Dell Latitude
- MacBook Pro
- Lenovo ThinkPad
2. Ultrabook
Continuing with another of the main types of laptop, we have the popular ultrabook. These are laptops that emerge as a compact solution for users looking for greater portability. Ultrabooks are designed to work online very efficiently, as well as having a good range of inputs and connections available.
In the case of these notebooks, the most important thing to differentiate them is their characteristics. Below, we will see them in detail:
Main characteristics
- Thickness does not exceed 22 mm
- Screens of approximately 13 inches
- Fast connection to all types of networks
- USB 3.0 and HDMI
- Weigh around 1 kg
- Small storage size, (between 128 or 256 GB)
- Generally, they use SSD disks
- Excellent battery life, around 8 hours.
Recommended uses
- Fast browsing
- Fully online work
- Secondary computer
- Ideal for travel
- High-quality multimedia playback
- Video calls and conferences
- Text editing
- Presentation creation
Some models
- Asus VivoBook
- HP Envy 13
- Microsoft Surface 4
Gaming Laptop
As the name suggests, these laptops are geared towards gaming. Because of this, they have external graphics cards, a powerful CPU, and high RAM. In addition, their screens are usually quite large.
Main features
- Powerful processor and graphics card
- Ample RAM
- Robust design
- A lot of storage
- Screens of at least 15 inches
- They are within high budgets
- Heavier than a normal laptop
Recommended uses
- Gaming
- 4K editing
- Professional design programs
- 3D rendering
Some models
- Lenovo Legion 7
- Asus TUF F15
- Alienware X15
2 in 1 laptop
2 in 1 laptops are those that can be converted into tablets. Their screen is touch-sensitive and their shape is optimized to separate their screen from the keyboard.
Main features
- Touch screens of approximately 13-14 inches
- Very good for general entertainment
- Ideal for generating content and light games
- They usually weigh less than 1 kg
- You can connect peripherals
- High-resolution screens
Recommended uses
- Play content
- Draw or illustrate
- Professional design (high-end)
- Conferences from anywhere
- Social networks
Some models
- Lenovo Flex 5
- Surface Go 3
- Acer Spin 3
Some features are considered buying a laptop
A high-performance notebook is one that is so thanks to the selection of parts and its construction, because it has the potential, capacity and flexibility to perform all the tasks you need, in addition to winning you over with modern designs.
Whether you are developing a project, working in design or architecture with 3D renderings, these types of devices are essential for your professional work and of course, you can also enjoy your favorite video games in their highest quality.
What is a high-performance notebook?
In general terms, a laptop in this category features state-of-the-art processors, powerful graphics cards and high-speed memory.
It is a high-end tool that will give you the confidence to carry out your work efficiently and effectively, without slowdowns and with a fluid experience. These usually include:
Powerful processors with more than 4 cores at a frequency higher than 3 GHz.
Dedicated graphics cards with access to more than 2GB of memory.
Solid hard drives with high read and write speeds.
Expandable RAM, at least a total of 16 GB DDR4
Its construction, hardware and software are optimized so that you get the best possible performance. These are usually found in the high-end of the line of your favorite products.
In addition, it is common for gaming notebooks to be within this category, so they are a very good option to use them within your work.
Main parts and components
Next, you will learn in more detail the role that each component of your notebook plays to make it more powerful.
1. Latest generation processors
Modern processors, such as the 11th and 12th generation of Intel, have more efficient cores.
The cores: are responsible for carrying out the mathematical processes to execute the computer’s tasks, while the threads deliver the information. Therefore, there are single-thread and dual-thread cores to do different tasks.
The clock frequency: determines the time it takes the processor to complete a cycle of receiving a task and finishing it to start a new one.
Cache memory: This is a type of storage for accessing the information you need most frequently, which is why high-performance notebooks usually have 8 or more MB of this memory.
Processors that have these features are the Intel i5, i7 and i9 or their similar versions from the AMD family, such as the Ryzen 5.
2. Dedicated graphics card
Unlike integrated graphics, dedicated cards are a separate component of the processor and have their own chips and memories, which gives it more power and better performance.
This piece is essential, as it is responsible for transforming information into data and visual images and bringing them to a screen.
Regardless of the brand, the important thing is that it has at least 2 GB of VRAM and meets the recommended requirements of the applications you use.
3. High-speed hard drive
In addition to the storage memory capacity, both its durability and speed are relevant. For this reason, high-performance computers use solid state drives (SSD), which have no moving parts and access files almost instantly.
Another advantage of these drives is that they are becoming smaller and more efficient, so apart from providing a better user experience, they allow for a thinner and lighter laptop design.
To open applications faster, the ideal is for the drive to have both read and write speeds close to 5000 MB per second.
4. RAM capacity
This type of memory is what allows you to keep different applications open, so its capacity will determine how many windows and programs you can use at the same time without encountering a drop in the performance of your notebook.
In addition to the capacity, the speed and technology used by these memory cards influence the fluidity of your work and, above all, when playing your favorite AAA titles.
For this reason, high-performance notebooks use DDR4 or DDR5 cards at speeds above 3200 Mhz
5. High-definition display
With all the features of the above components, to take full advantage of them and give you a better experience, high-end devices include screens with modern technologies.
This can be focused on maximizing resolution, refresh rate, or a point between the two.
For example, 4k resolutions at 60 Hz for design teams or 1080p at 144 Hz for competitive gaming computers.
6. Better connectivity
Your notebook is a tool, which you often have to connect to other electronic devices, so if you have a camera and you have to transfer your photos and videos using an SD card, a high-performance computer must have this capability.
How to choose the best laptop?
Choosing the best laptop for your needs can be an overwhelming process due to the variety of options available. Here we share a step-by-step guide that will be of great help to you:
1. Processor
It is the brain of the laptop. It is responsible for processing all tasks and allows them to be carried out smoothly. Currently, Intel and AMD are the main manufacturers of computer processors and both companies offer us processors with excellent performance.
Intel Core: Core i3 processors provide adequate performance for common, basic-use activities, while Core i5s are ideal for medium-use multitasking. On the other hand, Core i7 and i9 are the best option for advanced uses such as video games, image editing, and 3D projects.
AMD Ryzen: As with the previous ones, Ryzen 3 processors are ideal for simple internet browsing tasks, while Ryzen 5s provide excellent performance for more complex, medium-use activities. Finally, the Ryzen 7 and 9 are used by more advanced users such as gamers, graphic designers, video editors, among others.
2. RAM
As with the processor, the RAM capacity will depend on the use you will give to the laptop. The most suitable for multitasking without problems is 8 GB RAM. But if you usually use image or video editing programs, it is important to consider that in the future you may need more memory to ensure good performance, so with a 16 GB one you will be covered for a long time.
3. Hard Drive
It will depend on the files or programs you are going to download or install. The recommended capacity varies between 500 GB and 1 TB. There are 2 types: mechanical hard drive (HDD) and solid hard drive (SSD). HDDs offer greater storage capacity, but they also increase the weight of the laptop and heat up more easily. On the other hand, SSDs are more recommended because they are faster, lighter, quieter and cooler.
If you are looking for a balance between storage capacity and speed, you can opt for a gaming computer with hybrid storage units that combine the speed of SSDs and the capacity of HDDs.
4. Screen
Each part of the laptop plays an important role in the user experience it provides, which is why you should be careful to choose the screen that best suits your needs.
Touch screens: These make navigation on the computer intuitive. They are generally used in 2-in-1 laptops and are ideal for working on designs and presentations.
Screen size: They vary between 12″ and 17″, everything will depend on the use, if you are looking for a laptop to take everywhere, the ideal is one of 14″ or less. But if you need one to play, edit images or watch movies we recommend a larger one.
Screen resolution: 4k Ultra HD and Quad HD screens are better for image editing and video games. Full HD and HD meet the requirements of providing a good visual experience in the daily activities of your laptop.
Find the best variety of gaming laptop models
5. Graphic card
Many laptops come with an integrated graphics card and this is enough to perform intermediate tasks and play 4k videos. But if your thing is video games, streaming or video editing you will need a high-performance graphics card, among the most recommended are the Nvidia GeForce and Radeon that offer excellent performance and take advantage of the full potential of the processor.
6. Connectivity
Ports are elements that help us expand the functionality of the laptop, whether to transfer data or play music. files or connect external components such as printers, projectors or monitors. Therefore, make sure that your new laptop has the following inputs: USB 3.1, USB type C, HDMI and SD memory slot.
Conclusion
In this way, we have reached the end of this guide where we have seen the different types of laptops that you can buy in 2024, each with its characteristics and recommended uses.
We hope that this article has clarified your doubts about the different laptops that exist. No matter what type of activity you do, we are sure that one of these models is ideal for you.