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How to choose a laptop and not regret it - practical advice. Choosing a laptop - how to buy a good laptop

Today, portable electronics will not surprise anyone - not only tablets, players and phones, but even wristwatches and glasses have the right to be called a personal wearable computer.

However, most devices of this type actually have extremely limited functionality. You can talk as much as you like about the capabilities of mobile operating systems, on-screen keyboards and other augmented reality, however, when instead of consuming content it comes to creating it or doing some serious work in general - fashionable electronics immediately turns out to be at least inconvenient, and at maximum - completely incompatible with the task assigned to it.

Tablets and phones, of course, allow you to watch movies and surf the Internet during a trip, post vacation photos on social networks and even send business letter. But when you need to launch and configure equipment that does not have wireless interfaces, adjust and register fuel maps in the car’s control unit, or make urgent corrections to the original layout of a newspaper before sending it to print - alternatives to the good old laptops with a full-fledged desktop OS, a huge amount There is simply no compatible software, a full set of physical connectors and, again, a physically existing keyboard.

What should you pay attention to when choosing?

Screen: dimensions, matrix and type of coating

As with all-in-one PCs, it is the screen that determines the ease of use of a laptop. However, here the influence of this factor is much more serious. Screen size = the size of the laptop itself, the comfort of wearing it and... even the purpose of use.

Agree, if you climb a tower with a backpack on your back cellular communications for the sake of setting it up and running, or making your way through thickets of wires in a technical room to a cabinet with network equipment, a large and heavy laptop is not the best choice. The opposite situation: if a laptop is needed for sedentary work and is only transported from the office to home and back, it is better to look for models with a large screen, which will accommodate more documents and data, and you will not have to strain your eyes to distinguish small text.

Next important point- screen matrix type. There are several options here:

IPS And PLS- options for serious work with graphics. They are distinguished by extremely accurate color reproduction, high-quality display of halftones and wide viewing angles. Among their disadvantages are only the relatively high cost and the glow effect.

*VA(VA, MVA, PVA) is a compromise between IPS and TN. Laptops with such matrices are noticeably cheaper than IPS, but at the same time they provide no less colorful pictures. Their advantages are deep black color and high contrast, which is very useful when watching movies. The downside is not the most accurate transmission of halftones, small viewing angles and relatively high power consumption.

TN(TN+film) - the simplest and most budget option. In addition, it has the shortest response time, which is useful for watching dynamic movies and games. But for these advantages you have to pay for poor quality color reproduction, low contrast, small viewing angles and, in general, not the best quality image.

The type of screen coverage is also important for a mobile device:

Matte screens - optimal choice for a device that will have to do a lot of work "on the road". They provide good picture quality in any lighting conditions.
Glossy screens The brightness is a little better, but in the sun or just near a window on a fine day, such screens convey glare much more clearly than the image itself.

Battery capacity

Extremely important factor for a mobile device, determining how long the laptop will work without an outlet. Of course, you always need to keep in mind the power consumption of the device itself - a small and weak netbook with a 2000 mAh battery will last as long, or even longer, than a top-end gaming machine with an 8000 mAh battery.
However, all other factors being equal, preference should be given to the laptop with a larger battery. These are not just numbers, but convenience and the ability to work on the device without running with it from outlet to outlet.

Weight

A laptop is a mobile device whose advantage over a desktop PC is its portability. The heavier the laptop, the less noticeable this advantage becomes. And although when choosing, it seems that the difference between 3 and 5.5 kilograms is not at all fundamental - after a full day spent traveling, you will feel these two and a half kilos to the fullest.

The lighter the laptop, the better it is. Weight is not important only if you plan to use a laptop instead of a desktop computer and take it out of the house only when traveling to the country or moving from one apartment to another.

Device type

In addition to classic laptops, as they are commonly thought of, there are at least two types of devices in the laptop computer segment:

Ultrabook(slickbook, etc) - in terms of hardware, it is almost a full-fledged laptop, perhaps without an optical drive and with very modest upgrade capabilities. But, having lost some of its functionality, the ultrabook has become thin, light and, as a rule, very impressive-looking.

Transformer- a laptop that turns into a tablet with a slight turn of the screen. Retains the physical keyboard, but can also be controlled from the screen, which in some cases is very convenient.

Storage configuration and capacity

Not all data can be entrusted to cloud services, even as a backup, and it is not always convenient to carry a bunch of flash drives and portable hard drives with you. Therefore, a laptop, being a wearable device, must be able to store the entire amount of user data. At the same time, it is highly desirable that access to this data is fast, and that read/write operations do not take up too much battery power.

Modern laptops offer the following ways to organize disk space:

HDD only- a solution for budget laptop models. One hard drive means both low speed of the device and relatively quick battery drain.

Hybrid SSHD- intermediate solution. The size of the "solid-state" part of the disk is small: as a rule, it is only 8-16 gigabytes, which is not enough to install the system, but enough to speed up read/write operations.

One HDD + SSD- an optimal scheme when the OS and all the software needed for work are installed on a fast SSD, and files are accumulated on a hard drive, which the laptop accesses only when necessary. The battery charge is not wasted on unnecessary spinning of the plates in the hard drive, and in ordinary operations the laptop demonstrates enviable speed.

SSD only- usually found in netbooks, convertibles and ultrabooks. It does not have a large volume, but provides long battery life.

Two SSDs- a circuit found in top gaming and professional laptops. While maintaining energy efficiency, it also provides a large amount of disk space. However, such models are not cheap.

The presence of an optical drive is optional; it is not worth focusing on this parameter today.

Central processor: manufacturer, line, number of cores

Unlike desktop PCs and all-in-one computers, laptops do not require excessive processing power - as a rule, they value time more battery life.
However, it is desirable that the processor's capabilities match the user's tasks - a laptop that is beautiful, light and lasts a long time without recharging is not enough, but at the same time does not allow you to perform work tasks. In addition, unlike a desktop PC, in laptops the processors are most often soldered into the motherboard, and it is simply impossible to replace them.

Intel processor lines Atom, Celeron, Pentium, as well as AMD processor lines E1, E2, A4, A6- These are options for netbooks and entry-level laptops. They are distinguished by modest power consumption, but also by equally modest computing capabilities. You shouldn't expect more from them than doing simple office work and surfing the Internet. But you shouldn’t discount them either - in many cases, the performance of these processors is sufficient for the tasks facing the laptop.

AMD processor lines A8/A9 and Intel processor families Core i3/i5 they can already do a little more. AMD in this case brings full-fledged four cores, Intel in most cases (but not always) brings dynamic overclocking and virtual 4 threads. These processors still cannot be called serious gaming devices, but they cope with work tasks much more efficiently than their younger counterparts.

AMD processor families A10/A12/FX and Intel processors Core i7- top models with 4 physical cores and quite high frequencies by laptop standards. They are capable of effectively solving both work and entertainment tasks, but are found exclusively in top-end devices with an appropriate price tag.

Graphics accelerator type

A good half of laptops come with integrated graphics, and today it is a graphics core built into the central processor. For devices of this type, this is perhaps the best option. A laptop is not the most optimal platform for gaming, so graphics performance is not too important for it. On the other hand, with such a design, there is no extra heating source in the case, the cooling system copes more efficiently, the laptop runs quieter, and the battery power is not wasted on a separate device.

Integrated graphics, being an integral part of processors, come with these processors. Intel CPUs have integrated Intel graphics, AMD CPUs have integrated AMD graphics. Everything is simple here and there is no problem of choice as such.

But no lesser proportion of laptops come in the configuration with built-in and discrete video cards. This does not mean that the laptop will be twice as fast in games: as a rule, such a scheme is used to increase energy efficiency. When idle and under light loads, the built-in graphics core operates, which reduces power consumption and heating of the laptop. In games and others complex tasks a discrete video card is used.

Only with discrete video card Most often, top-end gaming and professional laptops are supplied, for which energy efficiency and battery life are less important than performance when performing basic tasks. Moreover, the top models may have not one, but two video cards, combined in SLI/Crossfire to improve performance.

Discrete graphics in laptops can be represented by products from the same AMD or Nvidia. AMD graphics chips, in addition to games and multimedia, can speed up calculations in desktop software using OpenCL; Nvidia video cards can do the same using CUDA. Choosing a video card to work with in this case- a question exclusively of the software used.

As for games, here you need to focus not on the name of the video card, its manufacturer or the amount of video memory, but only and exclusively on tests of laptop video cards in games. And the best way to do this is with large specialized resources. Because reality is always somewhat different from the words of YouTube experts and Internet specialists.

RAM slot configuration

For a laptop, this is perhaps the most important technical parameter. In 90% of cases, it is impossible to replace the processor and video card in it, and the only way to increase the performance of the device is to expand the amount of RAM.

That is why you should focus on laptops that have 2 or 4 slots for RAM. As a rule, only one slot is occupied from the factory, so to upgrade you will only have to purchase and install the required number of modules.

Laptops with one slot At the same time, they will limit the maximum amount of RAM and make the upgrade less profitable: you will have to buy a larger module for a higher price, and the old module will remain on the shelf or will be sold for minimal money.

In laptops with built-in memory, soldered on the board, there is simply nothing to upgrade.

Interfaces and connectors

A laptop implies mobility, but mobility without communication with the outside world... in fact, is possible without a laptop. Therefore, it is highly desirable to have interfaces for wireless Internet access.

WiFi- this is already a standard for mobile devices, its presence is not even discussed. But Wi-Fi networks are not available everywhere, so a built-in one would be a good addition for a laptop. 3G- or 4G-modem. True, they are rare - mainly in “transformers” and some netbooks. However, the ability to access the Internet from anywhere without an external modem or sharing the Internet from a smartphone can be very useful.

Of the “physical” connectors, the connectors are of interest USB Type-C. A laptop, by its very nature, is designed to work a lot with a variety of peripherals, and it is better if these peripherals are connected to it through a modern high-speed interface.

M.2 connector is a new standard for connecting high-speed SSDs in a compact format. It’s very nice to have one for upgrading the disk subsystem in the future, especially if the laptop doesn’t have a factory SSD, and installing a standard 2.5-inch drive is impossible or is only possible if you abandon the HDD.

Criteria and selection options:

Having decided on the key parameters and purposes of using the laptop, devices from the DNS directory can be differentiated as follows:

Netbooks with a small screen diagonal are characterized by a relatively low cost; in this segment you can find devices for prices ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 rubles. Of course, you shouldn’t expect huge computing and gaming performance from them, but they are intended for something completely different! The strong point of these devices is long battery life, low weight and dimensions.

Devices like "transformer". While maintaining the same hardware platform, they are slightly more expensive: from 11,000 to 25,000 rubles, however, the price increase is justified by the functionality that combines the advantages of a laptop with a physical keyboard and a tablet with a touch screen.

However, a “transformer” is not always a netbook with a small screen diagonal. Larger devices, also equipped with very productive hardware, can turn into a “large tablet”. However, the price of such devices starts already from 29,000 rubles.

If mobility and battery life are not a priority, in the segment from 11,000 to 25,000 rubles presented cheap office laptops. With not the largest budget, they are able to offer a 14-15.6-inch screen and performance sufficient to solve typical office tasks.

For home needs and undemanding games laptops are suitable from 25,000 to 40,000 rubles, equipped with mid-range processors and a combination of integrated and discrete graphics. The same budget also includes multimedia laptops With IPS or SVA screens.

For serious work with graphics and complex computing tasks will require laptops with powerful quad-core processors, discrete video and, again, a high-quality screen. The budget for the purchase of such models is 40,000 - 60,000 rubles and even more.

If you need a laptop for executive purposes and business trips, then you should pay attention to the segment ultrabooks. You shouldn’t expect high graphics performance from them (but there are models with powerful processors); the main emphasis here is on design and quality of materials. In addition, such models are, by definition, lightweight and do not take up much space in your luggage.

Top gaming laptops, carrying powerful processors and flagship video card models, will start from 50,000 rubles and grow further, depending on the requirements and capabilities of the owner.

Flagship gaming laptop models They are not inferior even to powerful desktop PCs, but they come with a very respectable price tag and are comparable to the cost of an inexpensive car.

The modern market for mobile computers is so diverse that sometimes even a specialist has to spend a lot of time choosing a good and inexpensive laptop, so as not to regret the purchase later. Well, a person whose life is only indirectly connected with the development of the technological process will have to think carefully before deciding which laptop is best to choose for the home in 2016? After all, unlike a desktop computer, it won’t be much improved. Therefore, it is important to immediately choose a device that you can work on for at least several years. Next, I will tell you how to choose the right laptop for your home, which ones you should pay attention to when choosing for home use or work, and even games, but unfortunately, cramming all this information into one article is stupid, so there will be a separate article for the most necessary needs.In the meantime, you will need to get acquainted with these characteristics and the interesting video below:

Tips for dummies on choosing a good laptop

Screen

This is one of the most important characteristics of a laptop, because it is impossible to change it, and the cost will be very different. Therefore, this criterion should be taken with great responsibility.

What diagonal to choose for a laptop?

Of course, we’ll get to the “filling”, but first of all, it’s worth taking a closer look at the different laptop models in terms of display size. It is important that you feel comfortable working and wearing it comfortably. In specialized stores you can find them with screens from 10.1″ to 18.4″. Which laptop to choose depends on its purpose.

  • If you need a laptop for mobile work in various conditions, then you should pay attention to models with a screen of 10.1 -13.3 inches.
  • In cases where you need a laptop for work and home, then choose better options with diagonal sizes from 14″ to 17.3. For this purpose, large screens are more convenient so as not to strain your eyes.
  • Well, if you need a gaming laptop, pay attention to a diagonal of 15.6 inches or more, up to 18.4.

Screen resolution

The quality of the picture you see on the screen depends on its resolution; the higher this indicator, the better and, accordingly, the higher the price of such a laptop. If you see devices in a store of approximately the same price and screen size, in most cases they will have the same resolution. Below I will present options for screen resolutions in all sizes, which may be different:

  • 10-11.6 - sometimes with 1024×600 and 1366×768 the picture quality is better, but if you have poor eyesight, taking such a small laptop with a large expansion is stupid, because all the icons on the screen will be smaller, and this is an extra burden on vision.
  • 13.3 - available 1366×768, 1440×900, 1920×1080 Full HD costs only on ultrabooks for $800 - $1500
  • 15.6 - 1366×768, 1440×900, 1920×1080
  • 17.3 - 1600×900 and 1920×1080 in such Full HD diagonals is a very useful thing, but in most cases it is used in gaming laptops.
  • 18.4 - only 1920x1080 and 4k these powerful laptops are only for games, prices start from $1000 to $4500

However, the difference in resolutions can be quite significant. For the same screen size in different models, the resolution may differ significantly as you can see in the list above. It is recommended to choose laptops with higher values ​​of this indicator. Although, of course, here we are talking about your financial capabilities.

Which screen to choose for a laptop?

In addition to these aspects, when examining a monitor, it is advisable to examine the surface of the screen; it can be:

  • glossy
  • matte

Choosing a device with a matte screen surface will drain your budget somewhat more than buying a cheaper one with a glossy one. However, these investments can be considered expenses for your own health. The matte monitor practically does not reflect in the sun, which minimizes its detrimental effect on human vision and fatigue. In addition, such a surface is easier to care for, but the saturation and brightness of the picture is lost, so the choice is yours. My advice is to choose a matte screen, it’s a pity that now it’s almost never installed on cheap and mid-segment laptops.

Which processor to choose for a laptop?

So we have reached the main point that needs to be considered when choosing a good and powerful laptop. You can determine that the device you have chosen is a laptop or ultrabook by the letter “M, U or H” in the brand/model designation of this laptop computer. For example, names such as Intel Core i3-6200U or AMD Quad-Core A10-4600M indicate that these technological machines belong specifically to the laptop family.

If you want to purchase an ultrabook, then you should look for the letter “U” in the names of the presented mobile devices. Today, processors for laptop computers of this level are assembled only by Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 are already 6th generation, this can be recognized by the first digit of the marking, for example, now a lot of 4th and 5th generation processors are sold, it looks like this so: Core i3 5010U 2100 MHz and Core i5 4200H 2800 MHz. Their highlight is that during their creation, the engineers of this company managed to achieve a significant reduction in energy consumption. Due to this, the laptop or ultrabook acquired such thin forms and became noticeably lighter.

You need to choose your first laptop based on the processor power criteria based on the requirements that you place on it. For example, if your work requires a device with convincing computing performance, we recommend looking at processors such as Intel Core i3, i5 or i7. In order for your laptop computer to allow you to enjoy computer games, you need to look for an appropriate device with powerful discrete graphics.

You can also pay attention to laptops with processors from AMD A4, A6, A8, A10. Moreover, even here you will be able to save a lot if you do not need a super powerful gaming laptop, but you just want to take a model that can do the simplest and most popular things like: watch movies, type text, work with office programs and ordinary household tasks, then I would recommend AMD because of their good integrated video cards and of course the cost.

Today, the leading positions in the market of processing devices for laptops and ultrabooks in terms of product quality are occupied by Intel processors. The most common fruits of engineering are 5th and 6th generation processors. The presented devices differ in their technological process, 22 nm and 14 nm, respectively. In other words, the difference between 5th and 6th generation processors lies in the spacing between the transistors of the device and the graphics cores (video cards) built into them. Processor performance will increase in proportion to the decrease in this interval. Moreover, energy consumption in this case decreases and sometimes remains at the same level.

The first in the list of data is lithography, it is also process. This has already been decided - this figure should be as low as possible. The next parameter is the maximum design power. It indicates the amount of energy consumed at full load. The smallest values ​​are also important here. The less the device requires to operate, the longer you can use it without recharging. Type of supported memory – large values ​​are important for this indicator. It will be easier to decide on the choice of processor for a laptop if you look at the specifications of several models in advance and compare them according to the specified parameters. It is advisable to look for this data on the manufacturer’s website; such information is not difficult to find on the Internet.

For an entry-level laptop, these processor models are suitable

  • Intel- 3825U 1900 MHz or better quad-core Intel Pentium N3540 (2.16 - 2.66 GHz)
  • AMD- A6 6310 1800 MHz, or better yet, find an AMD A8-6410

If you do not place any special requirements on it, then these processors will cope with your household tasks 100%.

These models are suitable for a mid-level laptop

  • Intel- Intel Core i3-5005U (2.0 GHz) or Intel Core i5-5200U (2.2 - 2.7 GHz)
  • AMD- AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 (2.2 - 2.5 GHz) or AMD Quad-Core A10-8780P (2.0 - 3.3 GHz) - these are all 4-core processors

Well, for a gaming laptop the choice is obvious

  • Intel® Core™ i7-5700HQ and Intel Core i7-6700HQ (2.6 - 3.5 GHz) are the most powerful processors that are installed in laptops and are good at pulling out all the new toys!

What amount of RAM should I choose?

When wondering how to choose the right laptop for work, it is also important to pay attention to the amount of RAM. It should be noted that for convenient operation you need at least 4 GB of RAM. Some craftsmen, however, manage to increase the memory by 2 to 4 GB with 2 GB. However, here you need to be able to work so that there is enough volume and there is no need to use virtual memory. Otherwise, the hard drive will work in enhanced mode, and the entire system will start to work much slower. At the moment, a standard 15 diagonal laptop has 2 slots for brackets and it will be better if they are all occupied by 4+4, which will give us 8 GB which will be enough for several years, but if you want to buy more later, this can only be done if you delay This process, it is worth knowing that over time their cost increases, especially after the release of a new generation of memory. In a word, the more the merrier!

Currently there are 3rd generation strips called DDR3 1333 Mhz and 1600 Mhz, but there is already a 4th DDR4-2133 MHz.

What hard drive size should I choose?

Large volumes are also important for this parameter. The larger the numbers indicating the amount of space on your hard drive, the more data you can store here. The weak point of the hard drive of any portable system is performance. It is possible to help correct the situation by adding RAM, or using a solid-state SSD drive that is 10-15 times faster than an HDD! By the way, if the thought of replacing your hard drive with a solid-state SSD drive comes to you even before purchasing, then, in principle, you can not pay attention to the volume of the hard drive, because this drive has a small volume of 120-512 GB, although models with 1 TB have already appeared, It’s just that their cost is still sky-high, although at the end of 2015 there is talk of a price reduction. Although some laptops have two disk connectors, so you can put an SSD and HDD in one unit, as is often the case when Windows and main programs and games that are often played are installed on a solid-state one, and important information is stored on the other.

Number and variety of connectors

For comfortable work on a laptop, 3 USB ports will be enough. Although there are devices with more and less similar outputs. It is desirable that at least one of them be USB 3.0, through which you can already connect an external hard drive and some other devices. Most laptop computers have an HDMI output for connecting to a TV screen. The standard situation for a laptop is a combination of headphone and microphone outputs in a single connector. If this point is important for you, look for an option with two connectors. In addition, all devices are equipped with a connector that allows you to connect to the Internet via cable, and a connector that allows you to connect a monitor to the device (VGA, D-SUB). In addition, they must “be able” to read an SD memory card. By the way, the performance of devices into which the entire body of an SD card can be inserted can be improved using Readyboost technologies for Windows 7 and Windows 8. In this case, you will no longer need to remove the card from the laptop during operation to achieve the maximum effect.

Well, between us, laptop manufacturers set everything to the standard and therefore everything is almost the same for everyone.

Most often you can find laptops that have 4-8 cell batteries with a capacity of 4400-5600 mAh. The higher this indicator, the longer the laptop will work without recharging, but you need to know that such a device will already weigh somewhat more. Therefore, you should choose what you need more: weight or autonomy. Plus, now the consumption of new spare parts is so low that even a 3-cell battery lasts up to 2-3 hours without recharging while reading. Yes, and we cannot choose this indicator, alas!

Rating of the best laptops of the year

The best laptops under 20,000 rubles

  • HP 15-ac000 - recommended for home use
  • ASUS X552EA
  • ASUS X551CA - the best option with Windows for home use
  • DELL INSPIRON 3542
  • Lenovo G50-70

The best laptops under 25,000 rubles

  • DELL INSPIRON 3521
  • ASUS X502CA
  • ASUS X552EA
  • DELL INSPIRON 3542 is also an interesting model, but the design is not for everyone
  • Lenovo G50-45
  • HP 15-r100 - beautiful and reliable laptop

The best laptops under 30,000 rubles

  • ASUS X554LJ is an excellent choice for work
  • Acer ASPIRE E5-511G-P4Q4
  • Lenovo IdeaPad S510p
  • DELL INSPIRON 5558
  • HP PAVILION 17-e000 is the best choice for this amount if you won't be moving around with it a lot

  • ASUS X550LD
  • Acer ASPIRE E1-570G-53334G50Mn
  • DELL INSPIRON 3542
  • ASUS X555LN - best buy
  • HP PAVILION 15-p200
  • Lenovo G50-70
  • HP PAVILION 15-p000

Top best laptops under 40,000 rubles 2015

  • HP PAVILION 17-g000
  • ASUS X555LD
  • ASUS K551LN - best buy
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Z5070
  • DELL INSPIRON 5558
  • Lenovo IdeaPad G505s
  • Lenovo THINKPAD Edge E555
  • Acer ASPIRE E5-551G-T2LT

The best laptops under 50,000 rubles

Recently, laptops have been losing their popularity. It so happens that they are confidently crowded by tablet computers, the difficulties of choosing which have been written about. However, these devices cannot completely disappear from store shelves. The fact is that some people simply cannot work without a laptop. A laptop computer allows you to carry out calculations, write text, edit photos and videos without being tied to an outlet. Also, people who regularly change their place of residence or often go on business trips make their choice in favor of laptops.

Any laptop is a set of screen, keyboard and many computer components. Choosing a laptop is another problem. If you don't read the technical specifications, you risk being left with a poorly functioning device. To prevent this from happening, read this article, it will definitely help you.

Main selection rules

Decide on the purpose of the laptop

Before going to the store, you need to understand: why do you even need a laptop? Perhaps a desktop computer will suit you? After all, it is much cheaper, especially in the case of self-assembly. You should only take a laptop if you plan to move it regularly. For example, it can be used as a workhorse when you are on a business trip. Or the laptop will be used at different points in your apartment to write texts. There is no point in purchasing a laptop computer if you don't need its portability at all.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the technical specifications!

You can’t choose a laptop at random, just by glancing at several models located on the counter. This is a serious device, the appearance of which is not the most important thing! You want to use your laptop for several years in the future, right? In this case, it is necessary that it meets all modern requirements. Its operating system should not slow down, and several applications should be running in the background. For this, the device requires decent components. It is their list that is indicated in the technical specifications. You can read more about all the main components below.

Don't save money

Unfortunately, you won't find a decent laptop at a very low price. Manufacturers cannot perform a miracle - in order to reduce prices they need to save on components. Even if technical specifications you are satisfied - it is likely that some components will begin to function poorly after six months. High-quality components cannot be cheap. Also, budget laptops are not able to provide long-lasting performance on a single battery charge.

Windowsor Mac OS X?


Photo: cache.gawkerassets.com

It must be recognized that most people do not face the problem of choosing an operating system. The fact is that Mac OS X only has Apple products at its disposal. And its cost makes many consumers look towards Windows-based laptops. Let's look at the positive and negative aspects of these operating systems.

Windows

A huge number of laptops operate using software developed by Microsoft. This operating system is now considered the most popular. It has existed for several decades, during which time an incredible number of applications have been released for it. Also, it is in its favor that gamers make a choice, since games for a competing platform are released very rarely. The downside of the operating system is its lack of thought. An untrained user may not understand exactly how programs are removed. Not to mention more complex system settings hidden very deeply. The system also regularly encounters bugs that can be very annoying.

Pros: maximum number of compatible applications, affordable price, large number games.

Cons: unstable operation of some laptops, difficulty in mastering, minimal battery life, the need to install an antivirus.

Mac OS X

Mac OS X does not have the problems described above. What can I say, the Apple product does not have any serious problems at all, if you forget about the not very large number of compatible games. Laptops from the MacBook series are protected from viruses, so there is no need to deal with them. It is convenient to work on such devices: ergonomics are excellent, and the stable functioning of the OS does not force you to waste your nerves. Of course, after using Windows you will have to get used to the new interface and changed key combinations. But it's worth it! It's a pity that MacBooks are obscenely expensive.

Pros: stable and high-speed operation, decent battery life, easy updates.

Cons: very high cost, minimum quantity games.

CPU


Photo: www.overclockers.ua

Modern laptops are equipped with central processors from AMD and Intel. The first company is favored by a good quality-to-price ratio. As for Intel, its products are interesting because of their high power. Also, when choosing a laptop, you should focus on the number of cores of the installed processor.

Dual-core processors

You should buy a laptop based on a dual-core chipset only if you need to strictly save money. Such laptops can already be safely called obsolete. With a dual-core processor it is impossible to work normally in Adobe Photoshop and other heavy programs. And you should definitely forget about games. However, such a solution also has its advantages. Dual-core chipsets do not consume the largest amount of electricity, which affects battery life. In short, laptops with such a chip can be used to solve simple tasks - watching movies, writing text or browsing websites.

Pros: low cost, fairly low energy consumption.

Cons: minimum performance.

Quad-core processors from AMD

These are already more productive solutions. Depending on the graphics card installed, laptops with a similar chipset can even allow you to play games while enjoying 3D graphics. Also, the chip power should be enough for stable operation of a graphics editor or other heavy programs.

Pros: good performance, not the highest cost.

Cons: high energy consumption.

Quad-core processors from Intel

Intel products benefit from the best technology available. Typically, quad-core chipsets from this company have more power. Although this must be checked by familiarizing yourself with the clock frequency. But such a product also costs much more, and therefore the price of the laptop will be higher.

Pros: high performance.

Cons: high cost.

Octa-core processors

Solutions with eight computing cores are still rare guests in laptops. This is explained by their increased energy consumption - and for a laptop, battery life is a very important parameter. The main advantage of such a chip is its very high power. This is where the list of advantages ends. Therefore, gaming laptops are usually equipped with eight-core chipsets, for which the above parameter is the most important.

Pros: very high performance.

Cons: very high cost, increased energy consumption, abundant heat generation.

RAM


Photo: katalog046.ru

When choosing a laptop, you should pay attention to the amount of RAM built into it. Budget models receive only 4 GB - this is not enough to run several heavy programs in the background. What can I say, even a graphics editor will have great difficulty working on such a laptop. And you can completely forget about video editing. You should only buy a laptop like this if it supports memory expansion without voiding the warranty. This will allow you to add another 4 GB of RAM in the future, making your work more comfortable.

More expensive laptops have 8 GB of RAM at their disposal. Most often this is quite enough. And only gaming models can please you with twice the volume. 16 GB of RAM is required not only for running a large number of programs in the background. This volume will be useful if you regularly work in video or photo editors.

Graphics accelerator

You should think about having a video card in your laptop if you are going to use it for games. It is also useful for video editing, but to speed up this process certain graphics adapters are required - this should be taken into account.

Simple discrete video cards do not affect the weight of the laptop too much. But they are deprived of power, so games will only run on minimum graphics settings. Another thing is top models. In terms of power, they will not be inferior to expensive video cards that are installed in the system unit of a desktop computer. But the laptop with it will weigh 3-4 kg - you will get tired of taking it out of the house every time very quickly. Not to mention the fact that the price tag for gaming laptops is extremely high.

In some cases, you can do without a discrete video card. If you are not going to play on a laptop, then pay attention to those models that have a built-in processor with an integrated graphics core. This laptop is ideal for solving simple problems. And it will be much easier to carry it with you, because some models are close to tablets in terms of thickness and weight. It’s not for nothing that they were called ultrabooks for a long time.

Screen


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The size and ease of use depend on the display built into the laptop. Models with the smallest screen are called netbooks - they are intended only for working with documents and surfing the Internet. There are also particularly large copies - they are usually bought to replace a desktop computer.

10-11 inches

The above-mentioned netbooks are equipped with this screen. They were very popular in the late 2000s. But now they are being forced out of the market by tablets, which have a similar display and are much more convenient to transport. A netbook is worth buying if you don't plan to use it for many years. It must be remembered that such a device is only capable of working with simple applications. Even browsing websites can be much more convenient on a tablet - the netbook screen does not have a touch layer or high resolution.

Pros: compact size, low cost of such laptops.

Cons: minimum resolution.

12-14 inches

Typically, the diagonal of an average laptop is in this range. If you don’t go wrong with the resolution (ordinary HD may not be enough), then such a screen will contribute to comfortable work. Of course, this is still a laptop not for video editing and professional work with photographs, but user orientation in other programs will definitely not be difficult.

Pros: relatively compact, good overview.

Cons: difficulties when using professional programs.

15-16 inches

People working in the field of programming or video editing usually buy laptops with a 15-inch screen. Most often, such a display has Full HD resolution, thanks to which all the interface elements of complex programs fit on it. But you need to understand that such a laptop will have decent dimensions, and its heavy weight will not allow you to regularly carry a laptop computer with you.

Pros: great review.

Cons: Large size, high cost of such laptops.

17 inches or more

Finding a laptop with a 17-inch screen in stores is not as easy as it seems. Most often, gaming models are equipped with such a display. Such devices weigh prohibitively, so they are usually used only at home. But this allows you to get rid of your desktop PC, which takes up even more space.

Pros: maximum comfortable operation, ideal size for games.

Cons: huge size and weight, very high cost.

Other selection criteria


Photo: www.3dnews.ru

When choosing a laptop, pay attention to its design. If budget models do not surprise you, then more expensive ones may interest you with a rotating screen or some kind of unusual touchpad. The display with a rotating mechanism can turn the device into a tablet - this action comes to the rescue in those moments when you just want to surf the Internet or read a magazine. This technology works ideally if the screen has a touch substrate.

You should also meticulously evaluate the laptop case. Are there large gaps on it where accidental moisture can get in? Will the paint begin to fade after just six months? It is best to purchase a laptop with a metal body. However, not everyone can afford such a purchase.

An important factor is the type of drive. A 500 GB hard drive is an ideal option if you buy a budget laptop designed only for working with documents and watching videos. If you are going to play regularly, then it is better to look for a model with a larger hard drive. After all, the weight of modern three-dimensional games can reach 50-60 GB! If you want to get a laptop that never slows down, then everything is much more complicated. In this case, you may need a laptop with an SSD drive (preferably paired with a traditional HDD). Only this design will allow the device to instantly load programs and avoid lag. Need I say that the presence of a solid-state drive significantly increases the cost of the final product?

Finally, don't forget about data transfer. Any laptop has a wireless Wi-Fi module. But the supported standards may vary. Expensive models offer the user the opportunity to use Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, and even in two bands (2.4 and 5 GHz)! If you live in big city, where the standard range is literally filled with devices connected to it, then this standard will come in handy. Everyone else won't notice much of a difference. If you're chasing modern technologies, then the presence of other modules will not hurt you: Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and LTE. However, they are not very common in laptops.

The most popular laptop manufacturers

Lenovo

The history of the Chinese company Lenovo Group Limited began in 1984. At the start of its existence, it was engaged in the development of encodings for hieroglyphs and the supply of computer equipment. Our own production of laptops was launched a little later. The impetus for the development of the corporation was the purchase of a division of IBM, which was engaged in the creation of personal computers. And now Motorola Mobility is under the company's wing.

Acer

The Taiwanese company Acer was founded in 1976. Its first computer, intended for export, was designed three years later. Then product improvement began. The company now produces both low-cost laptops and mobile products. You can also find Acer monitors in many offices in most countries in Europe and Asia.

ASUS

ASUSTeK computer Inc. founded in Taipei Republic of China on April 1, 1989. As the name implies, throughout its history it has specialized in the production of computer components. In particular, its motherboards, sound cards and graphics adapters are very popular. ASUS laptops can also be found on store shelves.

Apple

Apple is very different from other laptop manufacturers. Its products operate using the Mac OS X operating system, which is considered invulnerable to viruses and works more stable than Windows. The MacBook brand regularly shines on TV shows, series, games and feature films. Apple products are used by a huge number of Americans. It puts some consumers off just because of the inflated price tag.

HP

The history of Hewlett-Packard Company began in 1939 with the production of measuring equipment. But now we know this company for laptops and peripherals. In particular, printers, scanners and MFPs are in great demand. Laptops are quite popular due to their reasonable price tag.

Toshiba

The Japanese company Toshiba Corporation is well known for its excellent LCD displays. It is not surprising that Toshiba laptops also have high-quality screens. However, the corporation did not produce such devices throughout its history. It was founded in 1939 based on the merger of two other companies. Various electrical equipment and incandescent lamps rolled off the assembly line in those days. Now the Japanese giant produces both portable and tablet computers.

MSI

Taiwan Micro-Star International Co., Ltd was founded in 1986. It produces various computer components - in particular, MSI video cards can be easily found on the shelves of relevant stores. The company also creates laptops based on its own and externally purchased components. Products from the Taiwanese manufacturer regularly receive awards at international exhibitions.

DELL

The American company Dell has existed since 1984. More than 100 thousand employees already work for it. The corporation earns the most money through the production and installation of server equipment. The company also creates storage devices and laptops equipped with them. Such products are in greatest demand at home and in some European countries. The company came to Russia quite recently.

Samsung

Company Samsung Electronics Over its long history, it has tried itself in many areas. It came in due time to the laptop market. These products were considered very reliable and almost elite. However, now everything has changed - laptop computers are in low demand, so the South Koreans have focused almost entirely on designing tablets.

Fujitsu

The history of Fujitsu Limited began back in 1935. The German company Siemens AG took part in the creation of the enterprise - it collaborated with it until 2008. Now the Japanese corporation specializes in the production of computer electronics. Fujitsu laptops can be found in many countries - they are always in demand.

Laptop for study

In this case, pay attention to:

  1. Compact dimensions- a large laptop is difficult to transport.
  2. Price- not every student is ready to pay over 20 thousand rubles for a laptop computer.
  3. Display size- you should look towards laptops with a small screen.

A laptop designed for study doesn't have to be expensive. A student does not need advanced components unless he is studying to become a photographer or video editor.

Laptop for gaming

Gamers should pay attention to:

  1. Graphics accelerator- it must be implemented in the form of a powerful discrete video card.
  2. CPU- Requires at least a quad-core version operating at a clock frequency of at least 3.3 GHz.
  3. Display size- it must be at least 15 inches.

A gaming laptop is an expensive pleasure. It must have powerful components. And its display must have Full HD resolution. It should be noted that video editing will be a joy on such a machine. Therefore, such laptops are purchased not only by avid gamers.

Laptop for work

It all depends on the type of work you do. But in any case, try to focus on:

  1. Display size- Carrying around a machine with a 15-inch screen will be difficult, look for smaller options.
  2. RAM- 8 or even 16 GB are required.
  3. CPU- a quad-core solution must be installed inside the laptop.

The working machine should not be particularly powerful, but not weak either. It would be a shame if, due to a lack of RAM, applications close and the operating system slows down. Therefore, just try to forget about saving - comfortable work is much more important.

(opens in a new window) These days, laptops are becoming popular again. After tablets dug the hole for mobile computing for several years, this class of devices is once again heading for growth. In 2017, the share of laptops increased by 2.7%. The market leaders are HP and , which “share the field” with manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Toshiba. However, Chinese newcomers are more and more often found on sale - for example, Huawei and Xiaomi.

While the supply of tablets remains limited, the situation with laptops looks chaotic. Buyers can choose from hundreds of models in various sizes, which also come in countless configurations. Our guide will navigate this jungle of models and explain what components you should pay attention to in laptop specifications.

For a better overview, we divided devices into three categories: for office tasks/web surfing (up to 40,000 rubles), universal (up to 80,000 rubles) and high-performance (over 80,000 rubles). We'll also show you what special concepts like the Convertible or Chromebook can do.

Laptops for solving office tasks/web surfing (costing up to 40,000 rubles)

Laptops costing less than 40,000 rubles are designed for performing simple tasks (office programs, email, Skype) and web surfing. To do this, they offer appropriate hardware and a sufficient set of interfaces. Buyers should not give up flash storage and long battery life; Our pick in this category is the ASUS VivoBook Flip 14.

Laptops with screen diagonal 10-17 inches

Currently, laptops are available with display sizes ranging from 10 inches (25.4 cm) to 17 inches (43.2 cm). Models up to 12 inches diagonal can be combined under common name“subnotebooks”, they are designed for mobile use and long operating time. Similar devices exist in almost all price categories; their cost (including the operating system) starts from 20,000 rubles.

Quite popular a few years ago, netbooks (ASUS EeePC) were completely replaced by the so-called “Chromebooks”, focused on working with cloud services. They come with an operating system Google Chrome and, as a rule, have a small amount of memory (from 16 GB).

Chromebooks: devices for cloud services

Chromebooks come with the Chrome OS operating system developed by Google. This OS is a Chrome browser with application support and extensibility.


Google is king: When working on a Chromebook, almost everything is based on Google applications; programs such as Microsoft Office or Photoshop cannot be used without tricks. This is also due to weak hardware: most Chromebooks are powered by Pentium or Celeron processors. Devices offered by Acer, HP, ASUS and Lenovo are available at prices starting from RUB 18,000. Since Chromebooks in most cases access data through cloud services, their own storage capacity is small. The devices are compact and, as a rule, have a long battery life.

Premium Chromebook: Google introduced the Pixelbook, a $1,000 Chromebook (in the US) equipped with an improved display, large-capacity SSD storage and an Intel Core processor.

Chromebooks rely on Google apps and cloud storage. The devices are mobile and really inexpensive.

Their opposite is classic laptops with a diagonal of 15.6 inches, which are distinguished by large displays and a large number of interfaces. In between are 13.3-inch and 14-inch laptops, which often offer a smart combination of portability, performance and hardware.

17-inch models often act as replacements for desktop systems and are often based on components for “large” computers. First of all, gaming laptops are supplied with a similar diagonal - a profitable niche market that manufacturers willingly serve.

Choosing a processor and RAM


The current generation of laptops relies almost entirely on Intel processors, and the rule of thumb is that Core i3 models are slow and inexpensive, i5 processors are in the middle, and i7 chips are expensive and fast.

Of course, the actual performance of a CPU depends on its type. Thus, the names of mid-range processor models usually contain the suffix “U”, which indicates their relative energy efficiency (15 W). They are opposed to chips with the designation “HQ” (45 W), which are primarily focused on increased performance and are characterized by high clock frequencies (turbo mode). The manufacturer has abandoned support for turbo mode in Core i3 processors.

Another option is Intel's "Y"-designated processors, which require only 5 W to operate; they are extremely economical. There's also a turbo mode available here, which boosts the rather low base clock speed significantly under full load. They are often used in laptops that focus on mobility.

Typically, mobile processors have two cores, but modern eighth-generation Intel processors are increasingly configured with four cores. AMD, which has developed a new generation of Ryzen processors, is once again becoming a serious competitor. Mobile chips Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 are contrasted with the corresponding options from Intel and, according to test results, are often slightly more efficient and cheaper. The comparison results for mobile CPUs are presented in the table below.


Manufacturers clearly divide devices by the amount of RAM: laptops costing less than 40,000 rubles are usually equipped with 4 GB of RAM, more expensive ones - 8 GB or more. However, if after the purchase you realize that the installed amount of memory is not enough for you, in most cases you can increase it yourself.

RAM speed can affect performance, especially when editing video or playing games. The only problem: it's almost impossible to know what type of RAM the manufacturer is using. Even on product websites, you will often only find the RAM type listed, such as DDR3. Finding clock speed values ​​is an almost useless exercise.

The same applies to information about whether the memory operates in single-channel mode or the faster dual-channel mode, in which at least two RAM modules must be installed. However, since modern processors are equipped with a relatively large cache memory, using dual-channel mode no longer has any impact decisive influence for performance. However, if you frequently use the laptop under full load, this mode provides its undeniable advantages.

Universal laptops (costing up to 80,000 rubles)

In terms of performance, mid-range devices are suitable for resource-intensive programs. By default, they are equipped with an SSD drive and provide a battery life of more than nine hours. In this price category, displays often have low contrast and limited viewing angles; The HP ProBook 430 G5 display does not have these shortcomings.

Integrated GPU or graphics card?

All laptops have a built-in graphics chip that is connected to the processor. There is not a lot of choice. Multimedia and gaming laptops, on the other hand, are often equipped with a separate graphics card, which, depending on the model, can handle high settings even in modern games. However, the results in the table on the right show that discrete graphics cards are not always faster than integrated graphics chips.

First of all, AMD Radeon Vega chips, which are classified as Ryzen processors, significantly outperform weaker NVIDIA video cards such as the GTX 950X and GTX 940MX in frame rates.

As a general rule for mobile graphics, the following applies: starting with a score of around 10,000 points (in the Cloud Gate graphics test program), video cards can be used to some extent, with each game, of course, having its own requirements. If you expect to regularly use your laptop for gaming, but have no interest in extremely expensive gaming models, choose a device with a GTX 1050 Ti or MX150 graphics card.

The most “flexible” device: transformer

Transformers are 2-in-1 devices that can be used both as tablets and laptops. They are equipped with a touch display that can be folded back or completely removed. Devices are available in all price categories.


Advantages: Compared to classic tablets, transformable devices often have better components installed; depending on the configuration, they offer more interfaces and work under Windows control 10. They have longer average battery life than tablets.

Flaws: To use the tablet, you must download applications from the Windows Store. The selection has indeed increased, but Microsoft's selection is still far from the selection in the Apple and Google app stores. The mass of transformers is often almost twice as large as that of classic tablets, which makes their mobile use a little less convenient. And the display hinges take a lot of stress over time.

Extra Large Capacity Storage


If possible, you should choose a configuration with an installed SSD drive, even if you have to overpay for it. Fast flash memory provides transfer speeds of up to 500 MB/s and is the main criterion for performance. Low boot times and almost instantly launching applications and programs are only possible through the use of an SSD.

Especially inexpensive laptops are often equipped with eMMC memory, which is usually specified separately by the manufacturer. He also describes flash memory, the transfer speed of which, however, is significantly lower (about 200 MB/s). However, this option works twice as fast as a regular laptop hard drive.

As a compromise, some manufacturers create a mixed configuration using a small SSD drive (128 GB in most cases) and a 1-2 TB hard drive. This is a good idea, since the operating system and programs can be installed on a fast SSD drive, and all other data can be transferred to a slower HDD.

Runtime data is not realistic

Most modern laptops can last 7-10 hours on battery power. However, the choice also depends on personal needs: if the laptop is used mainly at home, a model with a battery life of about five hours will be a good choice (provided that all other parameters are satisfactory). Conversely, if you use it daily at work or university, you need to choose a device with a battery life of 9-10 hours or more.

Unfortunately, the battery rating listed in watt-hours (Wh) does not provide any information about the actual operating time. It depends very much on the configuration.

High-performance laptops (costing more than RUB 80,000)

Top-end devices don't compromise on performance, battery life or display features. Hardware components should be selected according to personal preferences (such as gaming, photo editing, or mobility). ASUS Zenbook UX331UN combines power and long battery life.

The display must be bright enough

To work outdoors, the display must be bright enough (over 200 cd/m2) and contrast. Models with an anti-glare (matte) display do not reflect sunlight. If you primarily use your laptop for image editing, you should choose a model with a high-quality IPS display, as it usually offers improved color gamut and increased viewing angles.

The basic rule regarding resolution: for those costing less than 40,000 rubles and with small diagonals, the resolution is usually a modest 1366x768 pixels; in other cases, the standard is Full HD (1920x1080 pixels).

Gaming Laptops and Desktop Replacement

Laptops with discrete graphics cards are suitable for most games. However, if you want to game in high definition, with maximum detail and 60 frames per second, you will need a dedicated gaming laptop.


Specialists in computer games: many manufacturers, such as ASUS (Nitro), Lenovo (Legion), HP (Omen) or Acer (Predator), offer similar models at a price of about 100,000 rubles. They are often equipped with 17-inch displays and have corresponding dimensions and weights of up to 4 kg. Portability is not in demand in these cases, so battery life is often only three to five hours. They typically feature a Core i7 processor, a powerful desktop graphics card with plenty of RAM, a large SSD and hard drive, and a DVD drive for disc-based games.

Desktop Replacement: For users who want to replace their desktop PC with a compact laptop with a large display, 17-inch laptops are also available. Gaming on a laptop at 60 fps

Gaming laptops, such as the HP OMEN X series, offer the highest graphics performance, however, depending on the equipment, they cost up to RUB 250,000.

Equipped with USB ports and interfaces

USB 3.0 has not yet won a complete victory: in almost all price categories, laptops offer mixed equipment from USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. The new Type-C, through which you can charge smartphones and transmit video signals, will not be a standard for a long time. What functions a specific port is equipped with cannot always be clearly determined in the documentation.

Compact laptops and devices increasingly do not have network connectors. Bluetooth and WLAN (802.11ac) are standard equipment. Most models are also equipped with HDMI ports for connecting an external monitor, as well as webcams and card readers.


A laptop is a lighter and more mobile type of computer technology, which is a rather tempting alternative to a full-fledged personal computer. As in any other technology segment, there is its own division into target (and price) categories. Inexpensive models are a working device of limited functionality, suitable for performing home and office tasks. As a rule, such models have a small screen diagonal (from 13 to 15 inches), as well as purely budget “stuffing”. More modern and productive laptops allow you to combine your work process with gaming, and the level of suitability of a gadget for new projects in the gaming industry depends entirely on its cost. Such laptops are characterized by a maximum screen diagonal (from 15 to 17 inches), as well as advanced hardware with a huge supply of resources.

Today, the laptop market offers users an extremely wide selection of models, some of which, unfortunately, do not meet the requirements for quality and operation. As a recommendation for purchase, we have selected for you the ten best laptops in four thematic categories. The following criteria were adopted as the basis for the rating:

  • positive and negative reviews from consumers;
  • opinion of experts in the field of computer technology;
  • performance and reliability parameters;
  • optimal combination of price and quality.

All models presented in the top list have received high marks from their owners and are among the best in the lines of their series.

The best inexpensive laptops: budget up to 30,000 rubles

The choice of inexpensive laptops for home or office is huge, so when buying them, first of all, you should pay attention to the size of RAM (ranges from 2 to 8 GB), processor and storage capacity, which should be more than 500 GB, so that there are no problems with storage of information. It’s not worth overpaying for a powerful video card or an advanced cooling system, since such a laptop is not positioned as a gaming laptop and individual “chips” will not make it such. It is better to give preference to reliable budget models.

3 ASUS X507UB

Light weight (1.68 kg). High build quality
Country: Japan
Average price: RUB 39,903.
Rating (2018): 4.6

One of the best laptops for home with all the necessary characteristics. The 15.6-inch diagonal is represented by a matte TN matrix with Full HD resolution. Reviews complain about screen artifacts - glare at several points. The disadvantage is compensated by Intel Core i3 6006U 2000 MHz, 1000 GB of hard drive space and the ability to install an SSD.

Users highlight, among other advantages, the low weight of the laptop with a decent screen diagonal and its compact size. The build quality is excellent - no backlash or gaps, despite the fact that the model is inexpensive. Experienced owners say that after long-term use the battery wears out a lot - it lasts for an hour at most.

2 Lenovo V130 15

The most big time battery life
Country: China
Average price: RUB 30,404.
Rating (2018): 4.8

One of the best laptops in its price category. It exists in several modifications. The most attractive of them runs on an Intel Core i3 7020U 2300 MHz processor and boasts a Full HD resolution of a 15-inch screen with a matte TN matrix. There is also a 4 GB DDR4 RAM slot inside and 500 GB of hard drive space. The webcam is nominal - only 0.3 megapixels.

The laptop is great for home use, and even better for traveling. It's all about the powerful battery, which ensures the operation of the device for 6 hours. Bonus for those who still use discs - there is a DVD-RW drive. And the matte body pleases with its aesthetics and the fact that it does not collect fingerprints.

1 Acer TRAVELMATE P238-M

Optimal price-quality ratio
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 33190 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

An excellent option for an inexpensive office laptop with quite powerful hardware. This is perhaps the best offer with a 13-inch diagonal: it has a hardworking Intel Core i3 6006U processor or Intel Pentium 4405U 2100 MHz, 4 GB of RAM and 500 GB HDD. Acer has provided two slots for RAM; a total of 16 GB can be installed in them.

Reviews say that upgrading a laptop is easy - the lower part of the case can be removed without much difficulty, and you don’t need to disassemble the entire laptop to access the hard drive and memory modules. The cooling system is very quiet, and if the HDD is replaced with a solid-state drive, the device will switch to a barely perceptible whisper. The main disadvantages of this model: a budget TN matrix with all the ensuing consequences, such as color inversion when deviated, and poor design of the touchpad - it plays when pressed.

The best laptops for quality and performance

High-performance laptops are often used to work with graphics editors and multitasking applications. The main idea of ​​such devices is to provide top performance with small dimensions. Distinctive feature This class of laptops has a large amount of RAM and video memory, a powerful processor and a fast network adapter. Apple can rightfully be considered the leader in the productivity laptop market.

3 Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3" 2018

Gaming performance in a compact size
Country: China
Average price: 59,500 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

A laptop with a diagonal of 13.3 inches, weighing 1.3 kilograms and powerful hardware. Inside there is an Intel Core i5 8250U 1600 MHz, 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB SSD drive. To finally melt the hearts of demanding customers, Xiaomi installed a capacious battery that lasts for almost 10 hours. Windows 10 is also pre-installed on board – the version for home use.

Reviews strongly praise the premium thin frames and level of assembly - high quality is felt in every detail. The fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate. Objective disadvantages: few ports, no card reader, glossy screen that glares in the sun. Subjective disadvantages: when you sit in a cafe with a laptop, the “apple” does not light up on the lid. This model is ideal for both home, office and business trips.

2 Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017

The best laptop for office tasks
Country: USA
Average price: 66,990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.7

Latest Trends Apple evoke alarming thoughts in the hearts of fans devoted to the brand - their product line is experiencing purely targeted improvements, avoiding major restylings and breakthrough projects. The average version of the Apple MacBook Air 13 2017 is a clear confirmation of this. A slightly changed appearance and minor modernization of the filling could not create the illusion of a fundamentally new device in the line, and we must admit that this is a positive point. It is positive, since the main base of the new Air is the model of the same name produced in 2012-2014.

In terms of performance parameters, the new laptop in the “fattest” configuration is only slightly superior to the prototype of previous years. The peak frequency of the dual-core Core i5 processor reaches 1800 MHz, and together with 8 GB of RAM it provides a solid performance reserve even under a decent load. Regarding the video card, nothing fundamentally has changed - the place of the “long-lived” Intel HD Graphics 5000 was taken by the later integrated card Intel HD Graphics 6000.

In general, Apple once again did not present any surprises to users, but they still deny high class The Apple MacBook Air 13 2017 is definitely not worth it as a branded or business item. Deserved second place in the category.

1 Apple MacBook Pro 15 with Retina display Mid 2017

Best technical characteristics
Country: USA
Average price: 205,990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

The representative of the most powerful line of laptops from Apple did not hit the dirt with the monitor - numerous fans of Apple devices received exactly what they expected from the updated device. The base in the form of a quad-core Core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM, as before, make it possible to work with large amounts of information, including video rendering and the development of 3D objects.

The ergonomic side of using a laptop is also very important. When working on it, there is a feeling of honest balance - everything works as required by the law of internal harmony. The Retina display, as always, pleases with high image clarity (display resolution is 2880x1800), the sound system does not suffer from the presence of extraneous noise and mediocre sound, and the appearance works exclusively for solidity.

Of course, there were some serious shortcomings. The fact is that the Russian target segment was affected by a burning issue with an exorbitant cost, approaching the mark of 150 thousand rubles for the top configuration, which led to a natural drop in sales and a decrease in the popularity of the functional line.

The best ultrabooks

Relatively recently, a completely new caste has appeared on the laptop market - ultrabooks. These devices have taken the path of reducing size and weight. Thus, almost all modern ultrabooks are lighter than 1.5 kg, while their characteristics are not compromised. Such devices are convenient when you always need to be at hand. The main disadvantage of ultrabooks is their high cost. This is due to the expensive technologies used in their manufacture.

3 Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 12.5"

Quiet operation. Minimum weight
Country: China
Average price: 42,100 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.5

A thin one-kilogram ultrabook with a thickness of 12.9 mm. Despite its modest dimensions, an Intel Core m3, 4 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of high-speed SSD fit inside. The 12.5-inch screen has a glossy IPS matrix with rich colors and wide viewing angles, and Full HD resolution makes the display even more attractive.

In the fight against extra millimeters, the manufacturer installed a passive cooling system. This means that there is no cooler inside, and the laptop itself operates silently, especially since it does not have a hard drive, which also produces noise. At the same time, heat is dissipated well - no excessive heating of the case or throttling is observed. There is also a capacious battery inside, which should be enough for 11 and a half hours of operation outside the range of an outlet. True, in reviews the owners note that in fact the autonomy is lower than stated. However, this is one of the best laptops with the dimensions of an A4 sheet of paper.

2 Lenovo THINKPAD X1 Yoga

Transformable ultrabook
Country: China
Average price: 135,600 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

Second place in the ranking of the best ultrabooks is occupied by Lenovo THINKPAD X1 Yoga. The uniqueness of the model is that its design allows for the use of the device in several configurations. At the same time, the thickness of the transformable ultrabook is only 16.8 mm and the weight is 1.27 kg. With such compact dimensions, it houses an Intel Core i7 6600U processor operating at 2.6 GHz and 16 GB of RAM. A pleasant 14” display with a resolution of 3K (2560x1440) has high contrast and clarity of the transmitted image.

Among the advantages of the model in reviews, buyers note a large number of available interfaces, a comfortable keyboard and good quality speakers. The device includes such features as a touch screen, a fingerprint scanner and a slot for a Kensington lock. The ultrabook has a lightweight and durable metal body. However, the price for such characteristics is quite high - this transformer is one of the most expensive on the market. Weaknesses include poor implementation of mechanical elements and unpleasant flickering on 2K screens.

1 ASUS ZENBOOK UX303UB

Best price for an ultrabook
Country: China (Taiwan)
Average price: 51,490 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

The leader in the rating of the best ultrabooks is ASUS ZENBOOK UX303UB. This model, with a thickness of only 19.2 mm, is equipped with the latest Intel Core i7 6500U processor and 12 GB of RAM, providing high performance and system speed. The small 13.3” screen with a resolution of 3200x1800 boasts excellent color reproduction and good viewing angles. Thanks to high-quality optimization and a capacious battery, the ultrabook can work up to 10 hours autonomously.

In reviews, buyers include the presence of a backlit keyboard, quiet operation and light weight as the positive aspects of the device. In addition, the model has a lightweight metal body that is scratch-resistant and looks solid. In terms of price, this ultrabook is much more affordable than most models, but is in no way inferior to them. Negative aspects include poor ergonomics and not the most powerful Wi-Fi signal reception.

Video review

Best Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops are considered the most productive and powerful among all models. This is due to the high demands of games regarding the amount of RAM, the quality of the video card and the speed of the processor. In addition, such devices must have a well-thought-out cooling system, while remaining quite compact and portable. Maximum speed network adapter is also not last characteristic, which you should pay attention to when choosing a gaming laptop.

3 MSI GL73 8RD

High performance at low cost. Large diagonal
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 73,670 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

One of best models from the recognized king of gaming laptops - MSI. The laptop cannot boast of thin frames and elegant dimensions, but it pleases with a large 17.3-inch diagonal, a powerful processor and a progressive GTX 1050Ti graphics card. The standard RAM can be 8 or 16 gigabytes. The screen in all modifications has Full HD resolution.

Permanent memory is implemented in the following format: HDD + SSD or only SSD, the total volume reaches 1128 GB. The design speaks volumes about the gaming content. Reviews complain about a very fragile case that collects prints and a TN matrix, which is not entirely suitable for watching movies and working in graphic editors. But the manufacturer left the m2 slot for installing an SSD, equipped the laptop with speakers with loud and pleasant sound, and thought out a cooling system that is not too noisy and at the same time copes with its function perfectly.

2 DELL G3 15 3579

Best Selling
Country: USA
Average price: 59,590 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.7

A powerful laptop that is suitable for both gaming and working with “heavy” programs. On board either i5 or i7 latest versions, 8 GB of RAM and a Full HD screen with nice graphics. The manufacturer focused on hardware and saved on the quality of materials. The case looks like it's an inexpensive laptop with modest hardware: there are gaps and creaks, and the touchpad clicks loudly when pressed.

This gaming model, originally from the USA, also pleases with its performance: thanks to the SSD, the user gets to the desktop within five seconds after turning it on. In games and complex tasks, the cooling system is quite noisy. The design is minimalist and elegant, so it is suitable not only for home use in gaming conditions, but also for working with graphic editors, for web development and similar purposes. The model is in high demand among buyers - high performance for reasonable money more than compensates for the shortcomings of the assembly.

1 Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop

Stylish design and thin frames. High performance
Country: China
Average price: 89,090 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

The maximum configuration of this gaming laptop with a minimalist design includes a top-end Intel Core i7 7700HQ 2800 MHz processor, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and 1256 GB of permanent memory in total: 1000 GB of hard drive and 256 of solid state memory. There is nowhere to insert disks. Externally, the laptop does not give away its gaming hardware; only the rainbow backlighting of the keys hints at the extraordinary capabilities of this gadget.

Reviews praise the screen: IPS with correct color reproduction, a good set of ports, thin near-screen frames and complete Windows 10 for home. Disadvantages: loud cooling at maximum speed (but heat is removed efficiently), heavy weight of 2.7 kg (although for gaming models this weight is the norm). This is one of the best models for gamers and demanding users.