How many years can I expect to get out of my laptop?
The more money you spend on your laptop, the longer you can expect it to last. In general, Macs have a reputation for lasting longer than Windows laptops. I have an eight-year-old MacBook Air that’s still going strong.
One factor to consider is that operating system updates that are released regularly tend to take up hard drive space, so if you buy a model with a larger drive, your laptop may last longer. To make the most of your laptop’s lifespan, keep the laptop clean, cool, updated, and backed up.
If I’m on a budget, what is the most important factor to consider?
The weak spots of inexpensive laptops tend to be the keyboard, trackpad, and display. Manufacturers may skimp on these items hoping that potential buyers will focus more on processor speed. For starters, even if your funds are limited, look for a screen with at least Full HD (1920-by-1080) resolution.
What do I look for in the keyboard?
It pays to be fussy when it comes to a laptop keyboard as that’s the component you’ll be interacting with the most. Buying a laptop with keyboard backlighting can help you see the keys better and avoid typing mistakes.
Some keyboards have adjustable brightness and color options for backlighting. Another important feature is a laptop keyboard with a full-size layout instead of a compact or tenkeyless layout without a numeric keypad.
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