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Introduction

Do you want to buy a  new laptop for work from home. Here is the complete laptop buying guide in India to help you choose the best device as per your need. You need the perfect that suits all your needs be it gaming, movies, office work or any other requirement. Buy the perfect laptop that fits all your requirements as well as budget with this laptop buying guide.  

Buying a laptop is a big investment that will last for years so you want to be careful even with the smallest things. You need to understand laptop terminology and set a budget to make sure you don't overspend. Top laptop brands in India offer choices for every budget and use of customers. 

Some of the key considerations include size, screen quality, Keyboard quality, CPU, RAM, and Budget. You want to buy a laptop that is the best value for money and also perfect for your type of usage. We cover all the aspects to help you choose the best laptop in India. 

How to Buy The Best Laptop In India?

The one and only purpose of writing this buying guide is to help you buy the best laptop in India. Before we get started, here are a few things I want you to answer. You can keep a notepad and write down the points as well. 

The first question you need to ask yourself is, why do I need a new laptop? Are you a student? And want to buy a laptop for studies? Or are you a professional who wants to buy a laptop for heavy usage? Or do you want a laptop for normal usage?

The answer to this question possibly decides which type of products you should be looking for. There is not much difference between student and normal usage laptops. If anything students want a device that is sleek and easy to carry around. 

The second question which is equally important is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on your purchase? 

If budget is not a concern at all then you can buy the most expensive laptop of a leading brand like HP or Apple, it will have likely have all the features and it will also be suitable for all purposes. 

Have you answered both the questions? In fact, it is not very easy. Most people want everything on their laptop it doesn’t matter to them whether there are going to use that feature or not. 

But spending money on features that are not required is a complete waste of money. 

 If you have answered both the questions then you are ready for this laptop buying guide. Even if you have not, read on, it may help clear your mind and get an answer to the questions. 

Laptop Buying Guide India

Let us start with an overview of the things that you are going to read in this article. We will start with the different types of laptops which will help you answer the first question, your purpose for buying a laptop. 

Then we will move on to some of the best choices available for each category. This will help you set up a budget for your laptop. 

In the next section, we have compared different types of laptops based on use. Hopefully, it will help you decide the kind of products you should be looking at. 

It will be followed by taking a look at some of the things to consider. It basically includes the features that are absolute must-have for every user. In this section, we cover everything from RAM to processors, screen size, and Operating system.

In our next section, we will have a look at the top laptop brands. The brands that must check out when you actually go out to buy your new laptop. There is a lot more information to follow. We also have the best deals on laptops to help you save some money. 

Are you looking for the best shopping deals? Then you can follow us on Instagram for all the latest updates.  We also post Special Offers, Deals, Discounts, exclusive coupons & Giveaways. Follow @freekaamaalofficial today! For the best online shopping experience. 

Types of laptops

The types of laptops are based on different types of usage. You are about to buy a laptop so you should be clear with the usage as well. While asking for a laptop from a salesperson, you can tell the type of usage to see the products that are right for you. Even if you are buying a laptop you can select the type of laptop to narrow down your search. 

Hardware specifications such as the processor speed, memory, vary between different types, makes, and models of laptops. In the first section, we take a look at different styles, features and options to help you decide which category suits your needs. The laptop brands manufacturer different products with a certain use or audience in mind. 

A) MultiMedia laptops

Built-in speakers and sound enhancement technologies allow you to enjoy all multimedia content. 500GB hard drive or higher to store large files. The screen size of 15.6 inches or higher. Settle for no less than 4GB RAM. You should also have a close look at the type of screen technology.

Everyone enjoys watching videos, having video calls with family and friends, for this purpose multimedia laptop ar ethe best choice. These devices come with high-resolution display to let the user enjoy high-definition content.

Apart from rich visual experience, these devices also offer enhanced audio playback. You should look for branded stereo speakers and subwoofers in your laptop for theatre-like sound quality. Also kook for high capacity hard drives for content consumption. 

 

Top Multimedia Laptops in India

Laptop	Offer Price	RAM	Screen Size	Storage	Operating System	User Ratings
HP 245 G5 Notebook (AMD A6 CPU/ 4GB/ 500GB/ DOS) (Black)	Rs 19,579	4GB	14 inch LED Screen	500GB	DOS	3.7/5
Acer Aspire ES 15, ES1-523-40NW 15.6-inch Laptop	Rs 19,990	4GB	15.6-inch	500GB	Windows 10 Home	3.5/5
Lenovo Ideapad S145 AMD A6-9225	Rs 17,990	1TB	15.6 - inch	500GB	Windows 10	3.5/5
Lenovo Ideapad 110 80T70015IH 15.6-inch Laptop	Rs 18,990	4GB	15.6 -inch	1 TB	DOS	3/5
HP Imprint APU Dual Core E2 - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/DOS) 15-BW098AU Laptop	Rs 19,990	4GB	15.6 inch	1TB	DOS	3.5/5

 

1) HP 245 G5 (14-inch, 2.0 GHz AMD A6 APU, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DOS, 2.76 kg) 

Processor - AMD A6 APU 2.0Ghz with Radeon™ R4 Graphics.

RAM - 4 GB DDR3L-1600Mhz RAM

Storage - 500 GB SATA HDD (7200 rpm)

Screen Size - 14" LED Screen

Operating System - DOS

Price - 21,990

Offer Price - 19,579

It has Optical drive, VGA Port, HDMI, 3X USB, SD Card reader, Bluetooth, and Camera. The RAM is expandable up to 16GB. You can install Windows 10.

2) Acer Aspire ES 15, ES1-523 15.6-inch Laptop

Processor - 1.8GHz AMD A4-7210, AMD Radeon R3 Graphics

RAM - 4GB DDR3 

Storage - 500GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive

Screen Size - 15.6-inch screen, 

Operating System - Windows 10 Home 

Weight - 2.4kg 

Price - 23,499

Offer Price - 19,990

Windows 10 OS makes the system little sluggish otherwise it is a good buy at this price point. The weight is also average which makes it easy to carry around. 

3) Lenovo Ideapad S145 AMD A6-9225

Processor - AMD A6-9225 processor

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen Size - 15.6-inch screen with (1366X768) HD display

Operating System - Windows 10 with lifetime validity

Weight - 2.19kg laptop

Price - 25,790

Offer Price - 17,990

Built wise this laptop is best in the segment, for heavy usage. You also get Windows 10 with lifetime validity. 

4) Lenovo Ideapad 110 80T70015IH 15.6-inch Laptop

Processor - Up to 2.5GHz Intel Core Intel Pentium N3710 

RAM - 4GB DDR3L 

Hard Drive - 1TB 5400rpm Serial ATA

Screen - 15.6-inch screen, Integrated Graphics

Operating System - DOS

Battery - 4 hours battery life

Weight - 2.2kg laptop

Price - 23,990

Offer Price - 18,990

The laptop comes with DOS but you can install windows 10. Good buy for basic use, it can run most apps. Battery backup is slightly on the lower end. 

5) HP 15 APU Dual Core E2

Processor - AMD APU Dual Core E2 

RAM - 4 GB DDR4 

Operating System - DOS 

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen - 15.6-inch Display

Offer Price - 19,990

RAM - DDR4 RAM, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0

Fast charging makes it a good buy at this price. You can also install windows 10. Good for normal usage.

B) Professional Laptops

It should have enough processing laptop to run all the apps of an office suite. Long battery life and robust security features are also must. You can settle for a quad-core Intel or AMD processor with 4GB RAM. The screen size of 13 to 15 inches should be fine. 

Business laptops are thinner and more powerful. These devices are durable, secure, light, and powerful. The basic components remain the same, however, added features may be included to meet specific needs such as biometrics, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support for secure access, etc. 

Top Professional Laptops in India

Laptop	Offer Price	RAM	Screen Size	Storage	Operating System	User Ratings
Dell Inspiron APU Dual Core A9 7th Gen	Rs 29,490	6GB	15.6 inch	1TB	Windows 10 Home	3.9/5
Lenovo Ideapad 320-15AST AMD E2-9000 Radeon R2 7th Gen/4GB/1 TB/15.6"/WIN10	Rs 20,395	4GB	15.6 inch	1TB	Windows 10 Home	3.2/5
HP 15 Core i3 6th Gen - (8 GB/1 TB HDD/DOS) 15Q-BU006TU	Rs 29,990	8GB	15.6 inch	1TB	DOS	4.2/5
HP APU Quad Core A8 - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home) 15-BG004AU	Rs 27,825	4GB	15.6 inch	1TB	Windows 10 Home	4/5
Lenovo Ideapad Core i3 6th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/DOS) IP 320E-15ISK	Rs 25,990	4GB	15.6 inch	1TB	DOS	4.1/5

 

1) Dell Inspiron 15 3000 APU Dual Core A9 

Processor - AMD APU Dual Core A9 Processor (7th Gen)

RAM - 6 GB DDR4 

Operating System - 64 bit Windows 10 

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen - 15.6-inch Display

Offer Price - 29,490

Decent performance for this price. The mat finish makes it attractive but can also attract dust. The laptop is sturdy and the display is good. 

2) Lenovo Ideapad 320 15.6-inch Laptop

Processor -  AMD E2-9000 Radeon R2 7th Gen

RAM - 8GB DDR4

Screen Size - 15.6 Inches

Storage - 1TB

Notebook - Display Technology  LED

Operating System - Windows 10 home

Weight - 2.35 Kg

Price - 25,590

Offer Price - 20,395

The looks are very premium. Radeon R2 Gfx card makes it a good for basic gaming. You also get fast charging support and the screen support 180 rotation. Overall a decent buy. 

3) HP 15 Core i3 6th Gen

Processor - Intel Core i3 Processor (6th Gen)

RAM - 8 GB DDR4 RAM

Operating System - DOS 

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen -15.6 inch Display

Weight - 2.1 kg

Offer Price - 29,990

You can install Windows 10, it works perfectly fine. Battery backup is sufficient depending on usage. For average use it is around 6 hrs. 

4) HP APU Quad Core A8 

Processor - AMD APU Quad Core A8 Processor

RAM - 4GB DDR3 

Operating System - 64 bit Windows 10 

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen - 15.6-inch Display

Weight - 2.19 kg

Offer Price - 27,825

The battery backup is around 3-4 hrs. The OS works smoothly on this system. Looks elegant and a smooth finish. Expandable Memory - Upto 16 GB, 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0

5) Lenovo Ideapad Core i3 6th Gen

Processor - Intel Core i3 Processor (6th Gen)

RAM - 4 GB DDR4 

Operating System - DOS 

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen - 15.6-inch Display

Weight - 2.2 kg

Offer Price - 25,490

You get an HD LED-backlit antiglare display which is good at this price. There is also Dolby audio. Support for Windows 10 Operating System 

C. Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops have a comfortable keyboard, a huge screen, and large system memory. You want a minimum of 8GB DDR3 RAM, 17.3-inch screen, 1TB hard drive, and dedicated graphics. Portability is not a concern for gaming laptops as the concern is a better experience for which a big screen size almost a must-have.

These devices have the processing and graphic capabilities needed to play the most popular games. Asus, MSI, Alienware, Dell, and Acer are the most popular brands for gaming laptops. There is more to a gaming laptop then mere speed.

You also need to keep the noise and heat down. The screen refresh rate is also a key feature. Recently, OLED screens have become available to provide great colour and contrast along with a fast response. 

Top Gaming Laptops in India 

Laptop	Offer Price	RAM	Screen Size	Storage	Operating System	User Ratings
ASUS TUF FX505DY-BQ002T 15.6-inch FHD Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5-3550H/8GB/1TB HDD/Windows 10/Radeon RX 560X 4GB Graphics/2.20 Kg), Black	Rs 44,990	8GB	15.6 inch	1 TB	Windows 10 Home	4/5
Lenovo Legion Y540 9th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6 inch FHD Gaming Laptop (8GB/512GB SSD/NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB Graphics/Windows 10/Black/2.3Kg),81SY00CKIN	Rs 62,609	8GB	15.6 inch Full HD Display	512GB SSD	Windows 10 Home	4.2/5
HP Pavilion Gaming Core i5 9th Gen 15.6-inch FHD Gaming Laptop (8GB/512GB SSD/Windows 10/NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB	Rs 54,990	8GB	15.6 inches	512GB SSD	Windows 10	4/5
Acer Nitro 5 AN515-52 15.6-inch Laptop (8th Gen Intel Core i5-8300H/8GB/1TB + 256GB SSD/Windows 10 Home 64-bit/4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti Graphics)	Rs 53,990	8GB	15.6 inches	256GB SSD	Windows 10 Home	4.5/5
DELL Gaming-G3 3579 15.6" FHD Laptop (8th Gen Core i5-8300H/8GB/512GB SSD/Windows 10 + MS Office/4GB NVIDIA 1050 Ti Graphics)	Rs 59,990	8GB	15.6-inch FHD	512GB	Windows 10	4/5

1. ASUS TUF FX505DY-BQ002T 15.6-inch FHD Gaming Laptop

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3550H processor, 2.1 GHz Base processor speed (up to 3.7 GHz Max Boost Speed)

Storage: 8GB DDR4 RAM

Graphics: AMD RADEON RX560X GDDR5 4GB Graphics

Display : 15.6-inch (16:9) LED-backlit FHD

OS: Windows 10 Home Operating System

 

The laptop comes with Hypercool technology. The powerful dual fan design keeps the laptop safe from heating even during extensive gaming. 

 2. Lenovo Legion Y540 9th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6 inch FHD Gaming Laptop

Processor: 9th Generation Core Intel I5-9300H

Operating System: Pre-loaded Windows 10

Display: 15.6-inch screen with (1920X1080) full HD display

Storage: 512 GB SSD

RAM: 8GB 

Battery Life: 5 hrs 

The thin-bezel gaming laptop delivers amazing gaming control with the top of the line features. 

3. HP Pavilion Gaming Core i5 9th Gen 15.6-inch FHD Gaming Laptop

Processor - 2.40GHz Intel i5-9300H 9th Gen 

RAM - 8GB DDR4 RAM

Memory - 512 GB SSD

Screen - 15.6-inch screen, 

Graphics - NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB Graphics

Operating system - Windows 10 OS

 

The laptop has power-packed specs. The viewing angles are good and the laptop also has a great finish. 

 4. Acer Nitro 5 AN515-52 15.6-inch Laptop

Processor: Intel Core i5-8300H processor, 2.3 GHz turbo up to 4.0 GHz

Display: 15.6" display with IPS (In-Plane Switching)

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti

Memory: 8 GB of DDR4 system memory

Storage: 1TB 5400 RPM + 256 GB SSD

Battery life: Up to 7 hours

It comes with Dolby Audio Premium to take care of your entertainment needs. Acer Nitro Sense improves your gaming experience with real-time control and monitoring of system information.  

5. DELL Gaming-G3 3579 15.6" FHD Laptop

Processor:8th Gen Intel Core i5-8300H Processor

Operating System: Pre-loaded Windows 10 with lifetime validity

Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920*1080) Display

Laptop Weight: 2.5 kg

 

Tremendous value for money with great performance. It is slightly on the heavier side. 

D) TouchScreen or 2-in-1 Laptops

The touchscreen display is a recent trend that allows your laptop to be used as a tablet as well. The prices of touch screen laptops are higher than the non-touchscreen.

The battery consumption is also more with touch screen laptops. The Lenovo Yoga series is a popular example in this category of laptops. The touch interface expands your navigation options. Touchscreen Windows laptops can be found detachable tablet-keyboard combos. 

Top Touchscreen or 2-in-1 Laptops in India

Laptop	Offer Price	RAM	Screen Size	Storage	Operating System	User Ratings
Dell 15 5000 Core i3 7th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home) 5578 2 in 1 Laptop	Rs 39,990	4GB	15.6 inch	1 TB	Windows 10 Home	4.2/5
HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 11–ad023TU 2017 11.6-inch	Rs 36,000	4GB	11.6 inch HD IPS	1TB	Windows 10 Home	2.8/5
Acer S1003P 2 in 1 Hybrid Touch Screen Laptop 4GB/64GB SSD/Integrated Graphics/Windows 10 Pro	Rs 31,550	4GB	10.1 inches	64GB	Windows 10 Pro	4/5
Lenovo Yoga 510 Core i3 6th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home)	Rs 38,990	4GB	14 inches	1 TB	Windows 10 Home	4.1/5
Dell Inspiron 5000 Core i3 7th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home) 5378 2 in 1 Laptop  (13.3 inch, Grey, 1.62 kg)	Rs 48,790	4GB	13.3-inch	1TB	Windows 10 Home	3.5/

1) Dell 15 5000 Core i3 7th Gen

Processor - Intel Core i3 Processor (7th Gen)

RAM - 4 GB DDR4

Operating System - Windows 10

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen - 15.6-inch Touchscreen Display

Screen Resolution - 1920 x 1080 pixel

Weight - 2.3 kg

Price - 43,000

Offer Price - 39,990

Once you fold the keyboard the settings change to tablet mode. You get battery backup of 4-5 hrs. Performance is decent for everyday basic use.
 

2) HP Pavilion x360 Convertible 11

Screen - 11.6 inch HD IPS WLED-backlit multitouch (1366 x 768) Anti-glare Widescreen

Processor - Intel Pentium N4200 (1.1 GHz base frequency, up to 2.5 GHz burst frequency, 2 MB cache, 4 cores)

RAM - 4GB DDR3L-1600 SDRAM 

Storage - 1 TB 5400 rpm SATA

Weight - 1.39 Kgs

Intel HD Graphics 505

Operating System - Windows 10 Home 64-bit 

Price - 36,000

Offer Price - 34,990

At 4 hrs, battery backup is decent. You have to install MS office. The design and performance meet expectations.

3) Acer S1003P 2 in 1 Hybrid Touch Screen Laptop 

Display Size - 10.1 inches

Screen Resolution - 1280 x 800

RAM - 4GB DDR3 

Storage - 64 GB SSD

Processor - Intel Atom x5-Z8350 4 Core Processor

Operating System - Windows 10 Pro

Price - 49,000

Offer Price - 31,550

 

650 Grams (without dock) lightweight. Performance is good for home use. The device fits well for multimedia usage on the go. 

 

4) Lenovo Yoga 510 Core i3 6th Gen 

Processor - Intel Core i3 (6th Gen)

RAM - 4GB DDR4 

Operating System - 64 bit Windows 101 TB HDD

Screen - 14-inch Touchscreen Display

Screen Resolution - 1920 x 1080 pixel

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Weight - 1.73 kg

Price - 44,500

Offer Price - 38,990

Looks are premium also the laptop is lightweight. Touchscreen response is good. Ideal for watching movies, videos, internet browsing, lightweight programming etc.

5) Dell Inspiron 5000 Core i3 7th Gen

Processor - Intel Core i3 Processor (7th Gen)

RAM - 4 GB DDR4 

Operating System - 64 bit Windows 10 

Storage - 1 TB HDD

Screen - 13.3-inch Touchscreen Display

Screen Resolution - 1920 x 1080 pixel

Price 51,990

Offer Price - 48,790

 

Decent performance for internet browsing and multimedia usage. The processor is slightly underpowered. A decent buy for home use.
 

Note : You get 2 in 1 laptops under Rs 20,000 as well but the configuration is very limited. At this price point, you get 2 GB RAM, 32GB Storage, and an Intel Atom or Celeron Processor which is fine only for basic use like web browsing etc. 

Comparison: Entertainment vs Business vs Gaming Laptops

	Entertainment	Business	Gaming
Processor	Core  i3	Core i5	Core i5 or i7
RAM	4GB	8GB	8GB with dedicated graphics Card
Screen Size	15.6- inch	12.5 - 14 inch	FHD Display with IPS Panel
Storage	512GB	256GB SSD	SSD + HDD combo or a Hybrid Drive

How to Choose the Best Laptop?

Laptop is an essential gadget of modern time. The devices are designed to handle different tasks efficiently. Buying a laptop includes checking plenty of things such as brand, quality, size, color, configuration, and more. 

Now it is time to have a look at the different aspects of laptops that have a say on your user experience. You must decide carefully which ones are absolutely important. 

Laptop Display Resolution

HD or HD Ready	Full HD or 1080p	Ultra HD and 4K
Entry-level & budget laptops	Mid-segment laptops	High-end devices
1366 x 768 pixels	1920 x 1080 pixels	3840 x 2160 pixels
Sufficient to watch movies & basic gaming	Sharp visual experience to watch HD videos & graphics-rich gaming	Sharper visual experience, Ideal for watching 4K videos & graphics-intensive gaming

 

Laptop Ports and connectivity Options

USB Type-A	USB Type C	Card Reader	VGA Port	HDMI
Used to connect regular USB devices such as mobile phones, Pen drives, etc.	Provide faster data transfer than USB type A.	Used to connect microSD or SD memory cards	Three-row 15-pin DE-15 connector	Capable of transmitting high-quality and high-bandwidth content between devices.
A higher number indicates a faster speed. USB 3.0 is faster than USB 2.0. and USB 3.1 is faster than USB 3.0.	They can be used to connect universal chargers & docks	For copying data from DSLR or Phone	Older Type of connector for TVs, monitors, and projectors	Used with devices such as an HDTV, Projector, DVD player, or Blu-ray player
Choose a laptop with USB 3.1 for faster data transfer speed.	Smaller in size		Lower quality compared to HDMI	Uses five main connector types: A, B, C, D, and E for different applications

Laptop Operating System

Windows	Mac OS	Chrome OS	Linux	DOS
Most commonly used Operating System   It can also be installed on laptops   Need separate purchase and installation   The software needs to be compatible with OS for installation	All Apple laptops are preinstalled with Mac OS.   The software and hardware are designed to work in sync   To install any software it should be compatible with Mac OS   Need to purchase MS office for installation	One of the latest OS developed by Google.   Works on Chromebooks.   Mostly Cloud-based apps need high-speed internet.   Limited software available apps can be downloaded for Google Play store.   comes with in-built virus and malware protection	Open-source operating system.   Used mostly by programmers.   Not recommended for beginners.   Software options are limited.   Open-source software for Linux include VLC, LibreOffice, Mozilla Firefox	Most Basic OS.    No compatible software available   User needs to install windows or Linux to use any software

Laptops Based on Screen Size

Screen Size	Purpose
13.3-inches or Lower	For frequent travellers Lightweight devices Used mainly for office applications
14-inches	Provide a balance between screen size and portability Suitable for office applications and entertainment
15.6-inches	Entertainment-oriented Laptops Portability is often a concern More connectivity options (USB ports, optical drive)

Things to consider while buying a laptop

Here is a collection of things you need to consider while buying a laptop. We try to put all these things together in this post and hopefully by the end of it you will be able to decide which laptop you should buy. We will start with an overview of these things and discuss them in detail later in the post.

Note: How you plan to use the laptop will decide the type of laptops you should be looking at. Once you start looking in the right direction, you are more likely to find a laptop that fits your needs perfectly. 

 

i) Budget

How much does your budget allow you to spend on a laptop? Today, there is a great variety in the market for every price segment. You get multiple options from different brands at different price points. When you set a budget for your purchase it makes your search shorter helping you browse the right products.

For most of the basic everyday uses web surfing, video streaming, posting on social media, and sending emails you can rely on a budget laptop. There is a laptop for every budget. A laptop is a personal accessory that you carry around all day. Set a budget and stick to it. 

ii) Storage

Storage is part of the build which you want to get right for optimum performance. SSD storage is much faster than HDD. A solid-state drive is standard for Apple laptops Macbook, Macbook Pro, and Macbook Air.

SSDs are faster to start, faster to transfer data, and consume less power than hard drives. They are more expensive than hard drives but prices have reduced in recent years.

SSDs are available in smaller sizes 128GB and 256GB while laptops with HDD typically come with 500GB to 1TB.

HDD vs SSD

Parameter	HDD	SDD
Speed	longer read/write time, and supports fewer IOPs (input-output operations per second)	faster read/writes, and supports more IOPs (input output operations per second)
Heat & Noise	Generates More Heat & Noise	Do not generate heat or noise.
Electricity	Use more electricity to rotate the platters,	No rotation is needed in solid-state drives
Defragmentation	Need to be periodically defragmented	Defragmentation is not necessary.
Weight	Heavier than SSD drives	Lighter than HDD drives
Vibrations	The moving parts make HDDs susceptible to crashes and damage.	SSD drives can withstand vibration up to 2000 Hz.
Price	Higher Per GB	Lower in comparison to SSD

 

Note: SSD will improve performance but also increase the cost of laptop. If budget is a constraint opt for HDD with 500GB or 1TB storage.

 

iii) Laptop Processors

Processor is the brain of a laptop. Knowing the processor is important in buying the best laptop for your purpose. Identifying your purpose makes selection much easier. 

The two leading names in processors are Intel and AMD. The different variants offered by both can be confusing. AMD Apu is slightly cheaper than Intel processor. If budget is a constraint opt for AMD APU processors otherwise you should get Intel Core i3 (4th generation onwards). 

The number of processor models and names make choosing a laptop a harrowing process. The faster the processor, the better will be the performance. It is important to note that laptop processors can not be upgraded. Here is an overview of laptop processors based on preferred activity. 

 

Note: Intel Celeron, Atom, and Pentium are older chips while i3, i5, and i7 are new. Similarly, AMD C or E-series chips are old models, look for A6 or A8 chips.

 

iv) Laptop RAM

More RAM is better for performance, 4GB is good enough for most users. Keep 4GB as the minimum RAM requirement for your laptop. Select a higher amount of RAM for a lag-free experience.

A laptop with 4GB RAM is ideal for use of office apps, browsing, music, and video viewing. For multitasking, you need a laptop with a minimum 8GB RAM.

RAM is an important specification, however, the rest of the components of your laptop are equally crucial. 

Laptop Processors As per Usage 

Activity	Processor Family and Series
Browsing and chatting	Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, AMD A4, AMD A6
Streaming	Intel Core i3, AMD A8, AMD A9, AMD A10, AMD Ryzen 3
Office work	Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 3, AMD Ryzen 5
Programming	Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 5, AMD Ryzen 7
Gaming	Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 5, AMD Ryzen 7
Designing	Intel Core i7, Intel Core i9, AMD Ryzen 7

 

Note: It is quite easy to upgrade RAM provided the option is present in the laptop. If you plan to upgrade system RAM in future, make sure your laptop offers support for memory expansion. 

 

v) GPU

The integrated graphics chip meets the graphics needs for most people. For heavy-duty video editing and gaming, you need a dedicated GPU. If you need a laptop for general use, don't worry about the graphics card.

To ensure the best gaming experience graphics processor or GPU is the most critical factor. For advanced gaming experience, a dedicated 2GB graphics card is the minimum requirement. 

vi) Screen Size

The screen of your laptop is a key factor in your computing experience. Get a laptop with Full HD - 1600 X 900 pixels resolution to make images and text look sharper.

The viewing angles are also important for an enhanced multimedia experience. Laptop screen with IPS technology offers wide viewing angles. For a gaming laptop, support for virtual reality headsets and a brilliant OLED screen is very important. 

For movies and live content streaming, you want a laptop with larger screen size and higher resolution. You also want large storage for all your media.

Other useful features include a Blu-Ray player and HDMI ports. The 15.6-inch screen size is the most popular in laptops. However, the screen sizes of 13.3 or 14 inch provide more portability.

Opt for an 11.6-inch laptop if portability is a major concern for you. The screen size of 17 inches and higher is more suited for use on a desk rather than being carried around in your bag.

 

Note: The screen size does increase the weight and power consumption of a laptop. Glossy screen leads to reflection which can be uncomfortable to look at for many hours every day.

 

vii) Operating System(OS)

The operating system of your laptop decides the types of software you can use and also the interface. Windows is the most common type of operating system so you can find products with varying numbers of price and features.

Windows OS:  is a far more open-ended operating system than MAC. There are plenty of choices. Whether you're looking to buy a laptop to play games, stream movies or for professional work.

You can opt for major manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, Acer, or even Microsoft. In Windows OS, you get to choose from 32 or 64 bit OS or architecture. The 64-bit version handles large amounts of RAM more effectively than a 32-bit system. So, 64-bit OS is a better choice.

MAC: MAC is considered an operating system for video and graphics. Macbooks offer a distinctive look and enough power for everything from web browsing to video editing. 

Linux: Linux is a free open-source operating system that comes in different forms like Ubuntu. But it is more tech-savvy not sufficient for a person with less technical knowledge. 

Chrome OS: For basic web browsing, Chromebooks are easy to find for a low budget. The software options are very limited for ChromeOS. These machines are great for accessing the internet, social media, and youtube streaming.

Chrome OS is slowly growing in popularity. The choices available are still very limited. The OS is primarily designed to run Google apps. 

If you settle for DOS, Linux, or Ubuntu Operating system, you can save anywhere between 2-5k on your new laptop. By settling for a free OS, you can also get a laptop with the higher configuration in your budget. But check if the system supports OS installation in the future. 

 

Note: Choose an operating system you are familiar with. Installing an OS can be a time-consuming task. If you're unfamiliar with operating systems, the choice comes down to the types of programs you need. 

Best Laptop Brands in India

Brand	Popular Models	Founded
Apple	MacBook(12 inches) MacBook Air(13.3 inches) MacBook Pro(13-15 inches)	1976
Dell	Inspiron XPS Alienware	1984
HP(Hewlett-Packard)	Spectre Omen by HP Pavilion	1939
Lenovo	Ideapad Yoga Lenovo v series Thinkpad	1984
Asus	ZenBook  VivoBook ZenBook Deluxe  ZenBook Flip  EeeBook	1989

 

There are various top brands in the market with a lot of choices for every budget and use. Selection of brand depends on personal experience as well as factors such as reach of the brand in your city.

Before shortlisting a laptop brand it is better to check the availability of service centers in your location. If you have confusion about two brands it is better to go with the one with better service in your city. 

The huge variety includes value-for-money laptops for college students to powerful machines for video editing and high-end gaming.

Laptop Uses and Purpose

Laptops come in different types suited for different usages. You get gaming laptops, multimedia laptops, budget laptops, and everyday laptops. These come with different RAM, storage, screen size, processor type, and graphics. 

We have a detailed look at each one of them later. By clearly knowing the usage of a laptop, you get a better idea of products you should be looking at. It helps you get the best performance along with taking care of your budget.

Before you even start looking for a laptop, be sure, the exact use you want from the device. If you want a laptop for browsing the web and checking emails; your need is a lot different from a person who is looking to play heavy games or do video editing. The usage can be divided into three categories: light, average, and heavy. 

Light Use - Surfing the web, social networking, checking emails, and sharing photos etc.

Average Use - Streaming music and movies, documentation, etc.

Heavy Use - Multitasking, photo and video editing, and high-end gaming. 

 

Knowing your exact usage, helps you narrow down your choices and make a wise laptop purchase. For office use, a laptop with a bigger screen improves productivity. It is also good for the eyes. Performance depends on processor, RAM, Storage Type, and graphics. 

 

For college students and young professionals, key features are ease of use, reasonable price, and good battery life. Gaming laptops feature high-end processors and dedicated graphics cards for powerful performance.

There are too many different types of laptops. If portability is your concern then buy a laptop with a screen size of 12.5 - 13.3 inches. But you may have to compromise on battery life for portability. Next thing to decide is the budget.

Key Features of Laptop

There are many features which improve laptop performance and also help in improving user experience. The presence of more advanced features will also have an impact on the final price of the product. If budget is a major factor decide the features that are absolutely must-have. You can compromise on the features that you are less likely to use to save expenses. 

i) Fingerprint Sensor: The features such as fingerprint scanners are there to protect your device. But you can care less about such security features. Use a strong password to keep your data safe. 

ii) Keyboard: Laptop keyboard and touchpad are often overlooked by consumers. The keyboard of a netbook will also be smaller than a regular size laptop. Keyboard features include spill-resistant, backlit keys, and TrackPoint.

iii) Built Quality: You want the laptop to be long-lasting, therefore be careful with the built quality. Laptop bodies of metals like aluminium or magnesium alloy feel sturdy. Laptops built from metal are far more durable than a plastic body. 

iv) Battery Life: If a laptop claims to give 10 hours battery life, expect it to last for 7-8 hours. The battery testing is done under special conditions so some variation is normal from the claimed battery life. You should also look for fast charging, it is a new technology present in the recent products. 

v) DVD Drive: To install software from discs, you need a DVD drive. To play Blu-ray movies, you need a Blu-ray drive. Although the usage of DVD drives has reduced in recent times, it is a useful feature to have in a laptop. However, you can purchase an external DVD drive. 

vi) Connectivity: The connectivity options have multiplied to provide more and more options. Today, most laptops come with built-in wireless cards. You must look for a number of USB3.0 ports and HDMI output. The lack of connectivity options can limit your usage of the laptop. Wireless networking (Wi-Fi) is a required feature in all laptops. Different Wi-Fi standards can be found the most common is the 802.11n standard. Other connectivity options include Ethernet (Wired Networking), Bluetooth, Wireless/3G/4G (WWAN), and Modems. 

vii) Clock Speed: Clock speed is measured in GHz, it determines the speed of the processor. Higher is better. A CPU with a clock rate of 1.8 GHz can perform 1,800,000,000 clock cycles/second.

viii) Backlit Keyboard: In dim or dark conditions, the backlit keyboard gets illuminated to assist with typing.  It can be a very useful feature in situations where the power back up fails. 

ix) Warranty: The warranty offered by different laptop manufacturers will vary. The standard warranty is one year, you can also get a 2 or 3-year warranty. There is also an option to buy an additional warranty. 

 

Note: Those who need a laptop for basic usage can save money by settling for lesser features. 

Buy Laptop online or in-store

Online shopping is trending these days.  The online stores offer discounts and coupons. The e-commerce sites make available laptops in all ranges.

The customer is also allowed to return the product within a given period. You just need to pick a suitable laptop sitting at your home. 

Purchasing laptops offline has its benefits. The customer gets to look and feel the laptop directly. There is also interaction with the dealer which can help in making a selection. 

Top Offers on Laptops in India

 

Things to Check When Buying Laptop Online

• Choose the Features you want

• Set a budget for your purchase

• Compare laptop prices on different sites

• Create a list of 3-5 laptops based on your budget and use

• Read reviews of the shortlisted laptops

• Look for additional services like insurance or extended warranties

• Check the laptop for any flaws when it arrives

 

 

Conclusion

This laptop buying guide is to help you choose a laptop as per your budget and usage. While buying a laptop these two things are of the biggest concern.

Start by listing down the features that are of prime importance, then set a budget for your laptop. Once you have set these two things, you can start your search for the best laptop. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider when buying a laptop?

There are various things to consider when buying a laptop such as storage, processor, screen type, battery, and size. The most crucial part is your usage and budget.

Which laptop is best for everyday use?

For everyday usage, you need a minimum of 4GB RAM. Depending on your budget you can choose a laptop of Hp, Dell, Lenovo, or Asus.  

What are the specifications of a good laptop?

Go for a laptop with 1080p screen, a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and an SSD that has 256GB or more.

Which brand of laptop is most reliable?

HP, Lenovo, Dell, And Toshiba are a few of the most reliable laptop brands in India. 

What is better RAM or processor speed?

If you have to choose between two laptops one with better RAM and others with better processor speed, go for the one with better RAM. With better RAM, you increase the speed at which memory transfers information between components. 

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