If you are looking to buy a new business laptop, six questions could help you make the right decision.
Options can be overwhelming, and you might be tempted to purchase the first good deal you see. But there is no guarantee you will get what works best to be productive, efficient, and enjoy years of reliable performance.
According to computer hardware company Acer, a typical laptop can handle many day-to-day business tasks, but there is more to it. For example, a designer is more productive with a large display and accurate colour values.
A manager who frequently switches between admin and meetings might prefer a 2-in-1 laptop with a foldable touchscreen display. A rep always on the road will be happier with an ultra-slim laptop and serious battery life.
Lesego Bobbi Nyamane, Acer Africa marketing manager, said: “The idea that one laptop works for every business situation doesn’t make sense anymore, not in a world where everything we do has a digital aspect.”
“Taking a little time to decide what you need will save money and spare you from future frustrations such as poor performance, unexpected upgrades or repair costs.”
Nyamane said even with many choices, the decision is still daunting.
Six questions to help you narrow down your options:
1. What features fit my workflow?
Do you move often or stay in one place? Do you rely on multiple displays? What applications do you access? Think about all the main tasks your laptop will handle. You might use software that works best on a specific operating system, such as Windows or a Chromebook. Maybe that application requires extra memory or a fast and stable network connection. Do you have tasks that depend on special hardware features?
For example, if you often give presentations, include an HDMI port for conference room projectors or a large screen that everyone around the table can see.
2. What is my budget?
You can easily overspend or underspend by getting a laptop that never realises its potential or consistently underperforms. A budget lets you estimate if you’ll get what you need for the price tag.
There are three tiers of laptops: entry-level, mid-tier, and high-end. Entry-level laptops are suited to students and can handle basic office tasks. High-end laptops are for design, video editing, AI training, and gaming. Acer’s business laptops typically fall into the mid-tier category. These laptops feature the latest Intel Core processors and offer a solid memory range of 8 to 16 gigabytes.
3. Do I use the laptop for video conferencing?
During a video call, your video and audio might seem fine on your side, but other attendees see a grainy image with tinny sound. When you try to share your screen, your laptop slows to a crawl. There are other issues, such as ambient noises and poor background blurring.
For the best video meeting experience, look for laptops with AI-powered video conferencing, such as image enhancement and removing background sounds. If you share your screen often, don’t skimp on the processors or memory — a good mid-tier laptop will have the power you need.
4. What are my security requirements?
A password is no longer enough to deter determined criminals. You might accidentally download a ransomware virus. Someone could steal your laptop and try to access its contents. You might leave your screen unlocked when you leave to do something else, letting anyone glance at the contents. Good security is important for privacy and business confidentiality, such as financial statements or customer databases.
5. Do I need additional support?
How quickly would you need your laptop repaired or replaced if it breaks? Can you wait a day or a week, or do you need a solution ASAP? Proper warranty can make a big difference. Some warranties offer pick-up and drop-off services, and support centres for hands-on assistance. Extended warranties are also available, covering several years and potential damage from water, falls, or accidental pen marks on the keyboard.
6. What else should the laptop do?
Consider how you’ll use your laptop to ensure it meets all your needs. If gaming is part of your routine, look for a laptop with a dedicated graphics chip, such as an Nvidia RTX GPU. For watching movies or listening to music, choose a model with a vibrant display and high-quality built-in speakers. If you must store large files, opt for 1 to 2 terabytes of storage. For high-speed, low-latency connectivity, ensure the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 or 7.
“Before disposing of your old laptop, spend a week making a list of all the tasks you use it for and note the features that annoy you or that you wish it had. You might be surprised by the things you hadn’t previously noticed,” Nyamane suggested.
Don’t get buyer’s remorse. Use your list along with these six questions, and you’ll quickly narrow your options to find a laptop that will support you for years.
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