What To Look For When Buying A Laptop

With so many fantastic laptops in the Samsung Galaxy Book series, how do you decide which to choose? We explore what to look for when buying a laptop, the latest laptop features to look out for and our top tips for making sure you pick the best laptop for you.

What should I check before buying a laptop?

Buying a laptop can be a significant investment and one that you want to get right. With so many great laptops available it can be daunting just knowing where to begin. Laptop specs vary greatly; whether it’s the CPU (that’s the brain of a laptop), the RAM (memory) or graphics cards (screen), it's no wonder so many of us don’t know which way to turn. We’re here to help. Check out these top tips for what to look for when buying a laptop.

Tips for buying a laptop:

1. Set a budget

Laptops can vary from a few hundred pounds to thousands of pounds so it’s a good idea to set your budget from the outset. This will help reduce the number of laptops to choose from and hopefully make your decision easier.

2. Choose a laptop screen size for your needs

When it comes to size it’s important to balance portability and usability. If you plan to mainly use your laptop on a desk at home, a large screen (14+ inches) is a great choice. If your laptop will be travelling with you, you may prefer a smaller, lighter laptop.

3. Do you need a 2-in-1 laptop?

2-in-1 laptop: A 2-in-1 laptop offers exceptional flexibility thanks to the 360 degree rotating keyboard. These laptops function both as a traditional laptop and a tablet.

4. Choose the right operating system to power your tasks

Galaxy Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system and work in a similar way to a smartphone. They are great for students and those used to working with online applications. Galaxy Books feature the Microsoft Windows OS which provides full functionality for many of the programmes you know and love. If you are a student, you might want to visit our ‘Best Laptop For Students’ guide.

5. Is it fit for purpose?

Consider how you plan to use your laptop. Laptops are highly versatile but if streaming and gaming are more of your thing, you’ll want to focus on a laptop with a top-quality graphics card. If you're looking to get creative with photo editing, digital art, and designing, a laptop with stylus capabilities would be a great choice.

6. Think about how much processing power you need

Your laptop's processor will have a big impact on its performance so it’s worth considering how you intend to use your laptop and therefore how much processing power you might need. You can find out more about processor speeds below.

7. Look for a laptop with a graphic card for gaming

If you are planning to use your laptop to play graphic intensive games, or to watch the latest entertainment series, opting for a laptop with a high-quality graphics card is important.

8. Look for 5G or 4G connectivity to use your laptop on the go

Some of the best laptops are now 5G enabled* which makes them a great choice if you want to have the flexibility of working, browsing and playing on the go. The latest laptops also have Wi-Fi 6E - a superfast internet connection ideal for getting more done.

*Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Actual speed may vary depending on country, carrier and user environment.
**Wi-Fi 6E availability may vary due to OS version, country, location, network conditions, and other factors. Wi-Fi 6E wireless network routers are required and sold separately.

9. Consider laptops which connect with your other devices

Innovative laptops like those found in the Galaxy Book series are fully integrated with other Samsung devices allowing you to effortlessly switch between them and pick up right where you left off.

Top laptop features

When it comes to the best laptop features you can’t go wrong with an awesome Galaxy Book - Samsung’s innovative range of laptops built ready for the future. Bursting with industry-leading tech, powerful processors and stunning displays, they are in a class of their own. Here are some of the best laptop features you’ll find within the Samsung laptop range:

• Super AMOLED displays for true-to-life, accurate and vibrant colours
• Touch screen panels with S Pen connectivity
• Latest Windows 11 Home operating system (not available on Galaxy Chromebooks)
• Flexible 2-in-1 convertible design with a 360-degree hinge
• Sensational Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3 processor*
• Transformational Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
• Next-gen connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and ultrafast 5G**
• Effortless Bluetooth pairing
• Cinematic like sound with AKG and Dolby Atmos
• Smart integration into the wider Galaxy Ecosystem
• High tech fingerprint security scanner

To find out more about our exceptional range of laptops, check out our ‘Samsung Laptop Series Explained: What is the best Galaxy Book for you?’ guide.

Please note: Not all features are available on all models.
*CPU specifications vary depending on model, country, or region.
**Wi-Fi 6E availability may vary due to OS version, country, location, network conditions, and other factors. Wi-Fi 6E wireless network routers are required and sold separately.
***Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Actual speed may vary depending on country, carrier and user environment.

Please note: Not all features are available on all models.
*CPU specifications vary depending on model, country, or region.
**Wi-Fi 6E availability may vary due to OS version, country, location, network conditions, and other factors. Wi-Fi 6E wireless network routers are required and sold separately.
***Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. 5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Actual speed may vary depending on country, carrier and user environment.

What is a good processor speed?

A processor, also known as the CPU, is the brain of a laptop. It is responsible for making the programmes work, opening files and moving the mouse on the screen. There are 3 key elements that form a computer processor:

1. Clock Speed: determines how fast the processor runs (GHz). The higher the clock speed the faster the laptop.
2. Cores: multiple cores enable a laptop to handle many different tasks (known as threads) at the same time.
3. Memory Cache: responsible for temporarily storing data to enable fast data access."

Each of these elements plays an important role in how well a laptop performs when it’s undertaking different tasks. The processing speed, also referred to as the ‘clock speed’, is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and determines how fast the processor runs. The higher the GHz the quicker the laptop can load software and files.

So, what is a good processor speed for a laptop? In short, it will depend on what your requirements are. If you are planning to use your laptop for vast amounts of heavy gaming and demanding work, you’ll benefit from processors that have speeds of 4.0 GHz or higher. Samsung Galaxy laptops such as the Galaxy Book2 and Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 have processing speeds in excess of 4 GHz. If you’re planning to use your laptop for more basic tasks such as light office work, speeds closer to 2 GHz should be sufficient. The Intel® Core™ processors found in Samsung Galaxy laptops have adaptive technology which alters the speed to match the programme requirements. This is ideal for optimised power consumption and maintaining battery life because it will only use the processing power when needed.

What does i3, i5 or i7 mean?

Deciding which processor you should buy is one of the hardest parts of choosing a laptop. You can rest assured that all Samsung Galaxy Books come with an industry-leading Intel® Core™ processor but you have the choice between Core™ i3, Core™ i5 or Core™ i7. The different technology found within each CPU will determine which Intel® Core™ family it is assigned to. Generally speaking, the numbers reflect where each class of Intel® Core™ processor sits relative to one another and gives an idea of the level of performance you can expect from each processor.

* Intel® Core™ i3 Processors: These value-packed processors have up to 10 cores and are designed to deliver excellent performance for everyday tasks.
* Intel® Core™ i5 Processors: With up to 12 cores these processors deliver exceptional performance for gaming, multitasking and creativity.
* Intel® Core™ i7 Processors: There are up to 14 cores in these incredible processors, built for accelerated computing, high end gaming and robust multitasking.

Is i7 better than i5 on a laptop?

The Intel® Core™ i7 processor brings together the latest innovative technology to provide exceptional all-round performance whether you're at home, at work or on the go. Intel® Core™ i7 processors tend to be more powerful than the i5 version, thanks to the additional cores and higher average clock speeds. The Intel® Core™ i7 sits above the i5 when it comes to its performance ratings. If you are looking for laptops for multitasking advanced tasks, it is definitely worth opting for one with i7 processors such as this Galaxy Book3 Pro.

That’s not to take away from the exceptional processing power afforded by the Intel® Core™ i5 processor. If you’re looking for a robust processor that offers excellent performance when it comes to multitasking and gaming both the Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 are exceptional choices.

Which core is best for a laptop?

If you’re looking for the best core in the Samsung Galaxy Book series, you’ll want a laptop with the Intel® Core™ i7 Processor. These processors power high-end laptops with AI acceleration and next level graphics. They ensure exceptional performance even for the most demanding of tasks. The epic Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 has game-changing performance thanks to the 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor*. Combining 12 sensational Intel® Cores, 4.6 GHz Max Turbo Frequency, 18 MB Intel® Smart Cache and an Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics processor you’ll enjoy a giant leap in performance with this stunning Samsung laptop.

*CPU specifications vary depending on model, country, or region.

What is Samsung Quick Share?

Quick Share is a new file-sharing feature found across the Galaxy Book range. It allows you to easily share photos, videos, PDFs, and other documents without the need for a cable or internet connection. In fact, you can simultaneously share your images and files, in their original quality, with up to 5 of your friends at the same time. You don’t even need to pair devices.

Quick Share works from any app that supports sharing, for instance, Gallery and File Manager. It is faster than Bluetooth and doesn’t require you to pair devices together beforehand, as well as offering a secure way to transfer files. If your recipient doesn’t have a Galaxy device there’s also the option of sharing files via a unique Quick Share link which allows them to access, download and save the files.

You can find out more about using Quick Share on your Galaxy Book here.

What mobile applications are Samsung laptops compatible with?

With a new Samsung Galaxy Book you also benefit from the latest Windows 11 operating system which now lets you run Android apps on your laptop. To use mobile apps on your Samsung laptop you’ll need to install the Amazon appstore via the Microsoft Store. Once it’s set up, you’ll be able to browse and install your favourite mobile apps from a catalogue of over 50,000.

To use mobile apps on your device, your laptop will need to meet these requirements:

• Windows 11 operating system
• 8GB RAM (minimum)
• SSD storage type
• 64 bit processor

Alternatively, you can use Link to Windows to keep track of all your smartphone alerts and notifications right from your Galaxy Book — including text messages, calendar alerts and social media engagements. This means you don’t have to divert your attention back and forth. You can manage these alerts and notifications so that once they disappear off your Galaxy Book screen, they’re cleared from your smartphone as well. And if you have mobile apps you use throughout the day that you want to view on your laptop, Link to Windows also lets your phone cast to your Galaxy Book, where you can interact with apps using your trackpad.